I topped up my cell phone plan today in Da Nang, and I thought putting together a guide on Vietnam SIM cards for travelers would be a good idea.
Vietnam’s three main service providers are Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone. I’m on a monthly Vinaphone plan that gives me 5 GB of data daily, refreshes at midnight, and costs 120.000 VND monthly (less than $5 USD). I’ve been using Vinaphone since 2018 and have no complaints.
You can get an eSIM through Airalo below or pre-order a physical SIM card to pick up at your Vietnam airport of choice.
If you’re in trip planning mode, here’s my article on Vietnam visas, and this one covers common Vietnam travel FAQs. If you have any questions about Vietnam SIM cards, ask them in my free Vietnam travel planning groups on Facebook.
Getting an eSIM for Vietnam
🚨 Is your phone eSIM compatible? Check if your phone is eSIM compatible with this Airalo article. You can double-check this article here.
Your phone will also need to be carrier-unlocked. You can find out if yours is here.
If your phone is eSIM compatible, you can buy it before your trip and avoid many potential headaches. I recommend Airalo. I’ve used their service many times, and I think it’s great. I’ve used it in Vietnam and in Thailand without issue.
To use Airalo, download their app, and the setup will walk you through the whole process. You’ll be connected with one of Vietnam’s three big service providers: Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone.
You have two options when using Airalo for your Vietnam trip:
- Download and set up your Airalo eSIM before your trip, then switch to your Airalo eSIM provider in your phone’s network settings when you land in Vietnam.
- Upon arrival in Vietnam, connect to the airport’s free Wi-Fi, then download and set up an Airalo eSIM. You can do this from the airport after arriving in Vietnam, but you may be tired from the trip. I’ve done this when landing in Thailand, and it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to set up.
The Airalo eSIM plans have top-up packages. So you can always start with a smaller plan, then add more data if needed. It’s simple.
→ The downside of an Airalo eSIM is that you will only get data, not a local Vietnam phone number. However, if you’re concerned about staying in touch with family or friends, this will not affect your current WhatsApp account.
→ Important: If you intend to use the Grab app in Vietnam (you should!), you need a phone number to set up your account. But you can do that with your current phone number before your trip. You don’t need a local phone number to set up a Grab account. I’d do that before your trip.
→ Short trip in Vietnam: If you’re only traveling in Vietnam for a week or two, and don’t mind not having a local phone number, then you can just use Airalo. It works great for data. You’ll be able to explore the city, be connected, and use Google Maps, Google Translate, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc. You just won’t be able to set up any new apps that require a local phone number.
→ Longer stays: If you’re staying in Vietnam on a longer trip, I recommend getting a phone plan with a local phone number. Why? Some companies, service providers, or apps in Vietnam you may use will ask for/require a local number to use.
→ Here’s a strategy for that: buy the cheapest Airalo eSIM before your trip so you’re connected upon arrival in Vietnam. Then, you can ignore all the airport kiosks. Once settled in the city, head to an official Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone store for a real plan. Bring your passport.
Physical SIM Card (Airport Pick-up)
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible or you prefer a physical SIM card with a phone number immediately, you can get one at the airport. Currently, you can pre-order and pick up at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or Phu Quoc.
→ If you’re going this route, I would pre-order a SIM card through Klook. The reviews are good, and you’ll know what you’re paying upfront by doing it this way. No airport haggling after a long flight. You’ll also be able to pay with a credit card, which isn’t always possible at random airport kiosks.
Klook is a travel and service aggregator, so it connects you with one of the third-party SIM airport resellers.
→ Short trip in Vietnam: If your trip to Vietnam is only a few days or a week, pre-ordering a SIM card through Klook is the easiest way to get connected (other than going the eSIM route).
→ Longer stay in Vietnam: Like my above advice for eSIMs, if you’re staying in Vietnam on a longer trip, I recommend getting on a long-term plan from an official Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone store.
→ Here’s a strategy for longer stays: pre-order the cheapest SIM card from Klook for airport pick-up so you’re connected shortly after your arrival. Then, later, go to a local and official store in whatever city you’re in and get an official plan from Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone. Bring your passport.
SIM Cards & eSIMs for Living in Vietnam
To summarize some of the above, if you’re heading to Vietnam on a longer trip (or prefer an official plan with a local number), you should plan on going to an official Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone store inside the city.
→ eSIM and SIM card strategies for longer stays:
- Buy an Airalo eSIM before your trip so you’re connected when you land. Then, after you’re settled, head to an official store.
- Pre-order a physical SIM from Klook and pick it up at the airport so you’re connected. Then, after you’re settled, head to an official store.
You will need to bring your passport to get a plan. You cannot bring a friend’s passport and get a SIM card for them, too.
As I mentioned in the intro, I’ve been on a Vinaphone (VNPT) plan for a long time. I started using their service in 2018 and haven’t had any issues. I’ve never used Viettel or Mobifone, but they’re part of the big three.
I personally signed up for Vinaphone at an electronics/cell phone store in Ho Chi Minh City called Thế Giới Di Động (official website). They’re a chain store with many locations in Vietnam. They sell a number of different electronics. I went to this location in District 1, HCMC, near Bui Vien Walking Street.
You’ll need to bring your passport.
This was the plan I bought a couple of years ago. It might be more expensive by now, but it’s still likely a great value.
I spent 270.000 VND on the SIM card and the first month’s bill, and it’s been 120.000 VND per month ever since. I’ve had this plan for almost two years now. I get 5 GB of data every day that refreshes at midnight.
A few days before the bill is due, I get a text message reminding me to “top up” or add money to my account. You can do this in most cell phone stores and some convenience stores, like WinMart and FamilyMart.
You can also purchase scratch-off cards (pictured above). You can buy the scratch-off cards from a number of places. Cell phone stores can have them. Places that look like mom-and-pop convenience stores sometimes have them. You can also buy them in different denominations: 50.000, 100.000, 200.000 VND, etc.
I scratch off the code and enter the Vinaphone top-up code in the phone dialer: *100*CODENUMBER# CALL. It runs the code and adds the amount to my balance. When my bill is due, it is then pulled from the balance. Very easy to do when you get the hang of it.
