In 2024, having a SIM card that keeps you and your phone connected to the worldwide web at all times via mobile data is basically a necessity. And the need to stay connected is even more pressing when you’re traveling in a foreign country. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Vietnam SIM card purchases and data packages, from where to get them to what networks you should choose.
Table of Contents
Do you need a SIM card in Vietnam?
Yes, you do need a SIM card in Vietnam. Having a mobile data connection allows you access to apps will make your trip run MUCH more smoothly. A few of the essential mobile apps that need a data connection to use when you’re on-the-go include:
- Maps — A maps app is absolutely essential to find the exact locations you want to go to, as you can use the GPS to constantly monitor where you are in relation to your destination.
- Translate — A mobile data package allows you to key in the phrase you want to communicate and have it translated into Vietnamese to show the person you’re talking to.
- Ride-sharing apps (Grab, Xanh SM, etc.) — Taxis are hotbeds for scams in Vietnam, so being able to pull out your phone and call a safe ride to your location whenever you want is a fantastic option.
- Messenger — First of all, a messenger app can act as your lifeline in a situation where you can’t communicate what you want to say; you can call your hotel or your travel agency and someone who speaks both English and Vietnamese can advocate for you over the phone. Second, being able to communicate with friends back home or your travel party members is important, especially if you ever find yourself in a sticky situation while you’re out and about.
Honestly, it’s difficult to imagine how a tourist would survive a trip to Vietnam without a SIM card and these apps.
And if you’re thinking about simply relying on your home country carrier’s roaming plan while you’re in Vietnam, don’t. Roaming plans are very expensive, and a prepaid SIM card will be a much cheaper option.
The different types of SIM card for tourists
There are two main types of tourist SIM cards to consider: a physical SIM card and an eSim. Both types provide the same benefits, but you may need to go with one or the other depending on the type of phone you have.
Physical SIM Cards
A physical SIM is an actual plastic card that you insert in your phone’s SIM card slot to get service. Different phones accept SIM cards of different sizes: either mini SIM, micro SIM, or nano SIM. You can ask the sellers at shops or counters selling SIM cards to give you one of the appropriate size for your phone, and they’ll help you out.
Physical SIMs are very easy to find, as pretty much any SIM dealer in Vietnam will carry them. They can also be moved from one phone to another if their initial phone runs out of battery on the road, which is another benefit.
The largest potential downside is that physical SIMs cannot be used in all phones. A dual-sim phone allows you to easily insert a local SIM card while traveling. But some phones have an embedded SIM and do not allow for external carriers.
Another downside that’s actually just more of an inconvenience is that you need to register for a physical SIM card, meaning you’ll have to bring your passport to a SIM card seller and fill out some paperwork to get started.
eSIMs
An eSIM is not an actual SIM card; rather, it is just a digital profile of a carrier’s plan that is downloaded to a compatible phone. It’s no pricier than a traditional SIM card, and it’s extremely convenient because you can just buy it online from anywhere in the world and then activate it remotely after you arrive in Vietnam by providing the activation code you received when you bought the eSIM. You can’t lose or damage the eSIM, either.
The downside is that eSIM is not compatible on all phones. The technology did not become popular until 2020 or so and even now is not included with some models of phone, so you’ll have to check whether your device is compatible.
The top Vietnamese SIM card providers
Just like most countries, Vietnam has its own mobile network providers. The main Vietnamese mobile providers are Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone, and Vietnamobile. Each of the providers has its own strengths and weaknesses, summarized below. Keep in mind that SIM cards from all these providers are available throughout Vietnam, whether at airport kiosks selling SIM cards or at mobile phone shops in the city center.
Viettel
Viettel is the most popular mobile network provider in Northern Vietnam.
Pros
Cons
Limited international roaming options: Viettel’s international roaming options may not be as extensive as some other providers.
VinaPhone
VinaPhone is also popular in the North, and it’s especially good for urban areas. Consider it if you are planning to stay in or near the big cities for your entire trip.
Pros
Cons
Data package pricing: Some tourists might find VinaPhone’s data packages relatively expensive compared to other providers.
MobiFone
MobiFone is the most popular carrier in Southern Vietnam.
Pros
Cons
Limited English support: Like Viettel, MobiFone’s English-language support is not always the best.
Vietnamobile
Vietnamobile is a great budget option for your Vietnam SIM card.
Pros
Cons
Customer service: Vietnamobile’s customer service might not be as responsive or readily available compared to larger providers like Viettel or VinaPhone.
How much mobile data do you need?
Vietnam SIM card sellers generally offer data packages in seven sizes ranging from 1GB to unlimited data plans. Those seven sizes are listed in the table below, along with how many hours of various popular online activities that amount of data will allow for.
| Data Package | 1GB | 2GB | 3GB | 4GB | 12GB | 15GB | Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Music (Standard Quality) | 23 hours | 46 hours | 69 hours | 92 hours | 276 hours | 345 hours | Unlimited |
| Streaming Music (High Quality) | 11 hours | 23 hours | 34 hours | 46 hours | 138 hours | 173 hours | Unlimited |
| Web Browsing (Average) | 20 hours | 40 hours | 60 hours | 80 hours | 240 hours | 300 hours | Unlimited |
| Social Madia (Average) | 15 hours | 30 hours | 45 hours | 60 hours | 180 hours | 225 hours | Unlimited |
| Email (without attachments) | 200,000 emails | 400,000 emails | 600,000 emails | 800,000 emails | 2,400,000 hours | 3,000,000 hours | Unlimited |
| Video Streaming (Low Quality) | 2 hours | 4 hours | 6 hours | 8 hours | 24 hours | 30 hours | Unlimited |
| Video Streaming (Standard Quality) | 1 hour | 2 hours | 3 hours | 4 hours | 12 hours | 15 hours | Unlimited |
| Video Streaming (High Quality) | 20 minutes | 40 minutes | 60 minutes | 80 minutes | 240 minutes | 300 minutes | Unlimited |
Vietnam SIM cards loaded up with prepaid plans tend to be much cheaper than in most of the world, so most tourists are fine with “splurging” a bit to get more data then they feel they may need just in case.
Where to buy Vietnam SIM cards?
On site
Most tourists prefer to buy a SIM card in person at one of the locations below.
At the airport
Whether you’re arriving at Noi Bai International in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International in Ho Chi Minh city, or any of Vietnam’s other international terminals, there will be lots of SIM card kiosks as soon as you leave your gate. The booths will generally carry prepaid SIM cards from one or all of the carriers listed in the previous section, and they will offer prepaid data package options in whatever size you feel you need — you can refer to the table above to decide what one is best for you.
Once you settle on a carrier and a prepaid plan size, the person working at the booth will help you to open up your phone, insert the new SIM card, and activate it. You’re good to go!
Pro Tip: Immediately take a photo of your new Vietnamese phone number so that you won’t forget it. You can find the number on the packaging that comes with the SIM card.
At a mobile store
If you can wait to go into the city to buy a SIM card, you might be able to get a slightly better deal. By getting a SIM card at the same place the locals do, you can pay the local price for the card and then buy the plan separately.
Though this method is cheaper and might be the only option for those not traveling through an airport, it might not be as convenient for those who speak no Vietnamese since the clerks at the mobile stores may not speak English.
Online
If you’re buying an eSim, purchasing electronically is almost certainly easier. You can buy from anywhere in the world, meaning that you can buy the eSIM before your trip and then activate it for free as soon as you get to Vietnam. What’s more, it’s the same price as buying a SIM once you’re here.
Pro Tip: Buy your eSIM through this Vietnam eSIM for tourists portal.
Wrapping Up
SIM cards and data plans in Vietnam are amazing. They’re convenient to buy and install, extremely inexpensive, and have great coverage and speed. Which is a good thing, because they’re basically essential to a successful Vietnam vacation. We hope this guide makes the Vietnam SIM card process easier for you to handle.
Other Resources
There are a few other guides you should check out while planning your Vietnam trip, including:
- Vietnam Destination Guides
- Vietnam Visa Guide
- Flights to Vietnam Guide
- Dealing With and Exchanging Money in Vietnam Guide
Related FAQs
Viettel is best for Northern regions, MobiFone is best for Southern regions, VinaPhone is best for cities, and Vietnamobile is best for budget travelers.
Prepaid SIM cards for tourists start at about 100,000 VND for 1GB of data and go up to about 300,000 VND for one month of unlimited data.
You can find 1GB prepaid data plan SIM cards for as low as 100,000 VND. You can also get unlimited data plans that are valid for one month from VinaPhone for 300,000 VND.
You can find 1GB prepaid data plan SIM cards for as low as 100,000 VND. You can also get unlimited data plans good for one month from VinaPhone for 300,000 VND.
Tourists should buy a SIM card at the airport. It’s convenient, inexpensive, and safe. If your phone is compatible with eSIM, you should instead look into buying a Vietnamese eSIM card online beforehand and activating it once you get to Vietnam.
Vietnam Sim cards for tourists are available for periods of up to 30 days. If you are planning to stay in Vietnam for longer than a month, you may want to consider buying a standard SIM card and learning how to top up using a monthly plan. You can get help with that at a mobile phone shop, with the shops near the city center offering better English-language support.
You need a passport to buy a physical SIM card in Vietnam. If your phone is compatible with eSIM, you can buy the activation online without needing a passport.
Most vendors in Vietnam only take cash, so you should always carry some Vietnam Dong with you when you’re out and about. Large shops like mobile phone stores, hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants take Visa and Mastercard, however. For more help on dealing with money in Vietnam, check out our detailed guide.
