Best Vietnam SIM cards for tourists

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Buying a prepaid Vietnam SIM card with data plan to keep you stay connected during your trip is highly recommended.

Let’s go on with all the things you need about the SIM card for your trip to Vietnam.

1. Should I get a new SIM card Vietnam for my trip?

>>Yes. During a trip to Vietnam, it is possible to use the free Wi-Fi of the hotel you’re staying in, and the restaurants you are enjoying your meals, or the café you are enjoying your moments.

But it’s really hard to connect yourself to free Wi-Fi when you are on the road or at public places in Vietnam, such as at a park, or at a tourist attraction, even if you find a no-password Wi-Fi in a public place, its signal is not good.

>> So, buying a SIM Vietnam is highly recommended to keep you connected everywhere in Vietnam.

In case it is needed, please keep in mind that you DON’T need to get a SIM card like a local, but a VIETNAM DATA SIM CARD.

2. Forms of Vietnam tourist SIM

At the moment, the Vietnam tourist sim card is available in 2 forms as follows:

• Physical SIM (Mini-SIM, Micro SIM, and Nano SIM), and
• eSIM profile (hereinafter referred to as eSIM).

Let’s see how different they are.

Esim vs Physical sim

3. Popular Vietnam prepaid sim card data packages

The mobile operators in Vietnam often provide the following data packages:

• 1GB
• 2GB
• 3GB
• 4GB
• 12GB, and
• 15GB

Let’s see what you can do with those packages:

>> How much data does a tourist need when traveling in Vietnam?

For most trips, 3GB or 5GB of data will be enough to cover common internet usage. However, if you are planning on using the internet more or if you are traveling for a month, you might want to consider the 12GB data package. But in case you are in a business, a higher data and/or longer package may be required.

>>In order to save your data, take use of Free Wifi as much as possible.

4. Best Vietnam SIM Cards for tourists & Cost

There are 3 main SIM Card providers in Vietnam, which are Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. There’s also a fourth provider called Vietnamobile, its coverage outside of major cities is not really good, so we don’t recommend it here.

Here is a quick summary of those 3 SIM card providers in Vietnam:

Item	Viettel	Vinaphone	Mobifone
Coverage	Best	Great	Good
Speed	Fast	Fast	Fast
Price	Very cheap	Very cheap	Very cheap

The quick summary above shows that

• Viettel and Vinaphone are about the same in terms of coverage and speeds, but Viettel takes the edge in terms of rural areas. These two providers are what we’d suggest you stick with.
• Mobifone has patchy coverage in rural areas.

Now, let’s make a zoom-in.

4.1 Viettel Vietnam tourist sim

Viettel is the mobile market leader in Vietnam with about 40% of all customers on its network. It’s owned and operated by the Ministry of Defense.

It has the best coverage in remote areas, even on 3G. Here are some of its fast facts:

• Best coverage in Vietnam (3G/4G/LTE)
• Best regional coverage in rural areas
• Reasonably priced

Viettel offers both regular packages and data plans for tourists to Vietnam. In case you use a regular Viettel SIM Card, you will need to pay the SIM cost (which is around VND 50,000 – 60,000 ~ US $2.5 – 2.8), and then register for a data plan (whose costs are detailed below). If you buy a tourist sim card, you only need to pay for the data plan, but it cannot be topped up.

Here are the popular Viettel prepaid sim card data packages for tourists to Vietnam:

>> For Viettel regular SIM cards

>> For Viettel tourist SIM cards:

Data	Domestic calls	International calls	Validity	Price
1 GB	20 mins	10 mins	5 days	VND 100,000 ~ US $4,5
2 GB	40 mins	20 mins	10 days	VND 200,000 ~ US $9
3 GB	60 mins	30 mins	15 days	VND 300,000 ~ US $13
5 GB	100 mins	50 mins	25 days	VND 500,000 ~ US $22

Please note:

• The Vietnam tourist sim cards are mostly sold at Vietnam international airports and large Viettel stores.
• International calls are to 25 countries only.
• Data overage charge is VND 9.76 per 50 KB.
• A Viettel Tourist SIM does not include SMS texting.

4.2 Vinaphone Vietnam tourist sim

Vinaphone is the second operator in Vietnam, occupying 30% of the market share. It gives good coverage and speed throughout the country. 4G/LTE has been started on Phu Quoc Island in 2016 and is now rolled out nationwide.

Here are some fast facts about Vinaphone Vietnam tourist sim cards:

• Great coverage in Vietnam (3G/4G/LTE)
• Great regional coverage in rural areas
• Reasonably priced

Like Viettel, Vinaphone also offers both regular packages and data plans for tourists to Vietnam. In case you use a regular Vinaphone SIM Card, you will need to pay the SIM cost (which is around VND 50,000 – 60,000 ~ US $2.5 – 2.8), and then register for a data plan (whose costs are detailed below). If you buy a tourist sim card, you only need to pay for the data plan, but it cannot be topped up.

Here are the popular Vinaphone prepaid sim card data packages for tourists to Vietnam:

>> For Vinaphone regular SIM cards

Data	Price	Activation Code	Overuse	Notes	Important
1GB	VND 5,000 ~ US $0.22	DATA D5	VND 75/MB	+ Valid until 24:00 of the registration date	+ For activation, text the code to 1543. + To stop auto-renewal, text HUY {D5/D2/D3/BIG70} to 888. +To check data balance, text DATA to 888.
2GB	VND 10,000 ~ US $0.45	DATA D2	VND 75/MB	+ Valid until 24:00 of the registration date
3GB	VND 15,000 ~ US $0.7	DATA D3	VND 75/MB	+ Valid until 24:00 of the 3rd date
4.8GB	VND 30,000 ~ US $1.4	DATA  BIG70	VND 75/MB	+ Valid Until 24:00 of the 7th date

>> For Vinaphone tourist SIM cards:

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	7 days	VND 200,000 ~ US $9
Unlimited	15 days	VND 250,000 ~ US $11
Unlimited	30 days	VND 300,000 ~ US $13

*” Vinaphone’s Vietnam sim card unlimited data” means max. 1 GB per day in high speed, before throttled to 3G speeds.

All these physical SIM cards for tourists mentioned above will be bought at Vietnam airport and big Vinaphone stores. If you buy it online, you will need time to get it shipped to your address in Vietnam.

>> In case you want to avoid travel to any store or don’t want to wait for the physical SIM card to be shipped to your physical address, you can buy the Vinaphone prepaid eSIM data plan online.

Here are our excellent 7 data packages covered by Vinaphone:

4.3 Mobifone Vietnam tourist sim

Mobifone holds around 20% market share of the country and is currently in the process of becoming privatized. Its data speeds and coverage may be good in the centers and around the coast, but can be patchy in the mountains.

Here are some fast facts about Vietnam tourist sims provided by Mobifone:

• Good coverage in Vietnam (3G)
• Reasonably priced
• 4G/LTE network needs some work
• Patchy regional coverage

Mobifone also offers regular SIM Card and tourist sim Card as follows:

>> For MobiFone regular SIM cards

Data	Price	Activation Code	Overuse	Notes	Important
1GB	VND 5,000 ~ US $0.22	D5	VND 75/MB	+ Valid until 24:00 of the registration date	+ For activation, text the code to 9084. + To stop auto-renewal, text HUY {CODE} to 999. +To check data balance, text KT DATA to 999.
8.8GB	VND 30,000 ~ US $1.4	HD120	VND 75/MB	+ Valid for 30 days

>> For MobiFone tourist SIM cards:

Data	Validity	Price
6GB* + 60′ Local Calls & 100‘ Local SMS + 30′ international calls to certain countries	30 days	VND 250,000 ~ US $11
10GB	30 days	VND 200,000 ~ US $9
10GB + 15’ Free Calls to Korea	30 days	US $10

5. Where to buy a Vietnam travel sim card

You may have 02 ways to buy a Vietnam travel sim card, which are:

• Buy Vietnam sim card online, and
• Buy sim card at physical store in Vietnam

Let’s make a brief comparison:

Item	Buy Vietnam sim card online	Buy Vietnam sim card at physical store
Where to buy	Online no matter where you are	In Vietnam
What you get	✔ an eSIM QR Code and users’ instructions online, or ✔ a physical sim card picked up at Vietnam airport upon your arrival or delivered to your physical address in Vietnam	✔a physical sim card picked up at the store.
What to prepare	✔Debit/Credit card to make payment ✔A physical address in Vietnam in case you want to get it delivered to you	✔Money to pay for the visa fee ✔Your passport to register the SIM Card
	✔A cell phone unlocked for international use before you leave your home country

Now, let’s discover one by one.

5.1 Buy Vietnam sim online

An eSIM is highly recommended if you want to get a Vietnam sim online and have eSIM compatible devices, as it requires you neither waiting time for delivery nor presence at any counter to get it. It also can be ordered no matter where are you, helping you better prepare for your trip.

The eSIM will be installed on your phone via a QR Code sent to your email immediately after you make the order online before your departure, and is activated immediately when you land in Vietnam.

>>You may consider our Vietnam eSIM data packages:

>>In case you need a physical sim, we do not suggest you make the online order, just visit any store at Vietnam airport or in Vietnam country to get it.

5.2 Buy sim card in Vietnam

There are literally thousands of places to purchase a tourist SIM card in Vietnam. Many counters at the airports, travel agencies, local stores, and even some hotels offer them.

But it is best to purchase a Vietnamese SIM card either at the airport or at one of the official stores of the mobile network providers.

5.2.1 Buying a Vietnam SIM Card at the Airport

The easiest and most convenient place to buy a SIM card in Vietnam is at the airport, upon your arrival in the country. You’ll find dozens of kiosks selling SIM cards as soon as you exit the baggage claim area in any of Vietnam’s international airports.

There are 2 advantages to buying your Vietnam SIM card at the airport:

• They register and activate SIM cards for tourists hundreds of times per day so they are quick and efficient and getting it set up properly for you.
• You can immediately use Grab (or one of the other ride-hailing services available in Vietnam) to get yourself a ride from the airport which will save you money and hassle.

The price of a SIM card and data plan is fixed by each mobile carrier, so the prices offered should all be roughly the same. Feel free to check at a couple of different sales kiosks to make sure you’re getting a fair price.

A Vietnamese SIM card and prepaid data package should cost you between  VND 150,000-350,000 (US $6.50-$15) depending on how long you’re going to be staying in Vietnam and how much mobile data you want.

Also, most of the kiosks in the airport are happy to take a credit card payment for your new Vietnamese SIM card, so you don’t even need to worry about going to the ATM first.

5.2.2 Buying Vietnamese SIM cards at mobile operators’ offices

If you have already left the airport without a SIM card, then you should head directly to one of the branch offices of the mobile operators. Luckily, those companies have offices that are conveniently located in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Just find an office with their logo and go in.

• For Viettel offices for SIM cards in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or other provinces/cities: check https://vietteltelecom.vn/cua-hang
• For Vinaphone offices for SIM cards in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or other provinces/cities offices, check https://vinaphone.com.vn/ho-tro/diem-giao-dich
• For MobiFone offices for SIM cards in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or other provinces/cities, check https://www.mobifone.vn/ho-tro-khach-hang/vi-tri-cua-hang

Remember to bring your passport with you as they will need it to register your new SIM card.

❌ We DON’T suggest buying your SIM card from a travel agency, street vendor or local shop as you may have to pay a higher price and may have problems with registration.

5. How to use Vietnam sim card?

• In case you get an eSIM, you will get the guide for installation and use.
• In case you get a physical SIM card in Vietnam, ask the salesperson to insert it to your phone and complete all the steps to choose a 4G plan. If a Nano-SIM card is needed, they will adjust the size accordingly. No activation code is needed. Your SIM card takes effect immediately.