Vietnam SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Are you visiting Vietnam soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Vietnam SIM card.

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in Vietnam in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Vietnam. If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Vietnamese – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Vietnam.

Best SIM Cards In Vietnam

If you’re traveling in Vietnam, we recommend using a SIM card from Mobifone, Viettel, Vinaphone, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Vietnam

You can either buy a Vietnam prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Asia prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Mobifone, Viettel, and Vinaphone.

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Mobifone SIM Cards

Mobifone offers a variety of different types of prepaid plans:

• 1 GB, valid for 1 day for VND 5,000 ($0.20)
• 3 GB, valid for 3 days for VND 15,000 ($0.60)
• 6 GB, valid for 30 days for VND 70,000 ($2.82)
• 8 GB, valid for 30 days for VND 90,000 ($3.62)

Viettel SIM Cards

Viettel has several different prepaid plans available for tourists:

• 1 GB, valid for 1 day for VND 5,000 ($0.20)
• 2 GB, valid for 1 day for VND 10,000 ($0.40)
• 3 GB, valid for 3 day for VND 15,000 ($0.60)
• 7 GB, valid for 7 day for VND 30,000 ($1.21)

Vinaphone SIM Cards

Vinaphone offers two main SIM-only plans for tourists:

• 15 GB, valid for 30 days for VND 70,000 ($2.82)
• 30 GB, valid for 30 days for VND 90,000 ($3.62)

Overall, we think Mobifone is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Vietnam Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the Prepaid Asia-Pacific SIM Card works in more than 17 countries and gives you unlimited data for 14 days. Vietnam is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Another option is to purchase a prepaid Asian SIM card on SimOptions.

They currently offer two data plans in Vietnam:

• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.90
• 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90

Browse your options on SimOptions

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Vietnam or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.

How To Buy An eSIM Card For Vietnam

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Vietnam.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. And I first tried it when visiting my family in Canada. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Vietnam.

Airalo Vietnam

If you want to buy an eSIM for Vietnam, you could purchase one on Airalo. This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and Vietnam.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months in Asia, and it works fine.

Here is the option available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $4.50
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $7
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $9.50
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $21
• 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $32

Here’s an overview of the options available for Asia:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $20
• 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $37
• 50 GB, valid for 90 days for $100
• 100 GB, valid for 180 days for $185

The options mentioned above are part of Asialink and offer coverage in 14 countries, including Vietnam.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including Vietnam.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
• 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
• 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip. In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly Vietnam

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of their plans for Vietnam:

• Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $21
• Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $29
• Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
• Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $51
• Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $62
• Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $75
• Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $107
• Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $139

Go to Holafly

Nomad Vietnam

Nomad is also a great eSIM provider. Here’s an overview of the plans available for Vietnam:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $5
• 2GB, valid for 30 days for $10
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $13
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $15

Nomad also has APAC, an eSIM plan for Asia. This plan offers coverage in Vietnam. Here’s an overview:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days for $6
• 3GB, valid for 30 days for $15
• 5GB, valid for 30 days for $17
• 10GB, valid for 30 days for $50
• 20GB, valid for 30 days for $69

Go to Nomad

Gigago Vietnam

Finally, Gigago is a Vietnam eSIM provider.

Here’s an overview of the plans available:

• 7GB, valid for 8 days for $10
• 10GB, valid for 16 days for $12
• 15GB, valid for 30 days for $15
• 4GB per day, valid for 30 days for $19
• 2-4GB per day, valid for 6 months for $59
• 2-4GB per day, valid for one year for $89

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Vietnam

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Vietnam or even an eSIM for your travels in Vietnam is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Asia plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Vietnam if you wish to have data upon your arrival.

This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling to Vietnam soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Living in Vietnam
• Vietnam itinerary 1 month
• Best place to live in Vietnam