Vietnam: SIM Cards and mobile internet for Travelers

Vietnam is a vibrant and exciting destination, but navigating the country without a reliable connection can be challenging. That's where a SIM-card and eSIM for Vietnam come in – a simple and effective way to stay connected with loved ones, access important information, and navigate the city.

From this article you will learn everything you need to know about SIM cards in Vietnam for tourists: what types of cards are available, where to buy them, how to connect and which operators offer the best conditions. With this information, you will be able to stay in touch in Vietnam without any unnecessary worries and additional costs.

SIM cards in Vietnam for tourists

When planning a trip to Vietnam, visitors think about how to stay connected during the trip. There is a large selection of local SIM cards in the country that will allow you to communicate comfortably, use mobile Internet and not worry about roaming.

The following types of SIM cards in Vietnam are available:

• physical: mini, micro and nano cards;
• virtual eSIMs, which are already embedded in smartphones by the manufacturer and need to be activated.

A virtual eSIM card has a number of advantages over a physical card, such as:

• You can activate the tariff package in advance, even before arriving in Vietnam, and activate it immediately upon arrival in the country.
• You don't need to look for telecom stores and spend time buying and setting up a physical SIM card.
• You will not encounter such problems as unsuitable format or a faulty card.
• It cannot be lost or broken.

The main requirement for using virtual cards is that your smartphone supports them. Most of the latest iPhone models and Android gadgets are equipped with this technology — you can read the full list of compatible devices on this page of Yesim service.

Where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Vietnam

It is easy to buy a prepaid data SIM card in Vietnam — there are points of sale at almost every step:

• Official telecom stores can be easily found in all major cities. There you can get assistance in English and help with setup.
• Department stores, shopping centers, mini-markets and even souvenir stalls — almost all outlets offer SIM cards for tourists in Vietnam.
• At reception in large hotels and hostels.
• SIM cards are sold at the airports of Vietnam — in Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, etc. — where there are many kiosks.

You can also buy a SIM card in Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Cantho and other cities by visiting a post office. In addition, you can buy them right on the streets from street vendors. If you decide to make a purchase from street vendors, be extremely careful and beware of scammers.

Read also: 8 common travel scams and how to avoid them

Tourist SIM cards in Vietnam: how to buy one

There are several ways to buy a Vietnam SIM card for tourist: Register and pay for the connection of a virtual eSIM card online on the provider's website. The profile is set in the application or by means of a QR code that will come to email. No documents or registration is required for online registration.

Buy a physical SIM card at any point of sale in Vietnam. If you buy in official operator stores, you need to show your foreign passport and they will help you to choose a data plan and provide assistance for setup. Small retail outlets as well as street vendors may not need your passport, but you should not expect help with setting up.

Order a travel SIM card online with delivery to your hotel or self-delivery point. This option often includes assistance and setup in English.

If you want to understand which SIM card is best to buy in Vietnam, it will be useful to know that virtual cards are much more convenient than physical ones. With eSIM technology, you won't have to waste time looking for a point of sale and learning how to connect Vietnamese SIM cards.

Read also: eSIM vs SIM: what's the difference

Best SIM cards for Vietnam: popular operators

Several mobile operators work in the country, the most popular among tourists are: Yesim, Viettel, Vinaphone. They provide high-quality 3G/4G coverage. Let's compare the offers of the leading mobile operators in Vietnam for tourists — highlight the best SIM cards in Vietnam, consider offers for virtual eSIM cards and physical SIM cards.

Yesim

Yesim is an international provider that offers connection of a virtual eSIM card in Vietnam. The company offers travelers convenient mobile Internet packages at favorable prices:

• 7 days, 3 GB — $9.90;
• 15 days, 5 GB — $15.40;
• 30 days, 10 GB — $22;
• 30 days, 20 GB — $33.

There are also plans for unlimited high-speedI Internet. Virtual eSIM is installed on the phone in a few clicks and activated instantly. The connection process is fully automated and does not require visiting sales offices or presenting a passport. Install Yesim.app on your smartphone, register in the system, select and pay for the data plan, and activate it via QR code.

The eSIM data plans do not include calls and SMS messages, but it is easy to forget about it, because messengers and social networks will always be at your fingertips thanks to high-speed Internet traffic for the entire duration of the trip. The company guarantees stable data transfer speeds throughout the country based on the networks of the leading Vietnamese operator Mobiphone.

Read also: TOP 8 Best eSIM Providers for Travelers in 2024: Review of Services

Viettel

The largest operator with the widest 3G/4G coverage in the country. Viettel offers different travel SIM cards in Vietnam:

• Starter packages with prepaid traffic from 1 to 15 GB and validity from 5 to 30 days. The cost is from 100,000 VND.
• MIMAX70 data plan with 3 GB for a month for 70,000 VND.
• Business data plan with 3 GB of traffic per day and 60 minutes of calls for 120,000 VND per month (only available at official Viettel stores).

Some prepaid SIM cards for Vietnam also include free minutes and SMS, but unlimited cell phone data plans are without calls. Internet traffic is provided with no speed limit until the package is exhausted.

Vinaphone

Let's take a look at what the operator has for tourists and how much a SIM card in Vietnam from Vinaphone costs:

• Starter packages with prepaid traffic from 1 to 4.8 GB for 1 to 7 days. Cost is from 5,000 VND.
• VIP data plan with 2 GB per day, 1,000 on-net minutes and 50 minutes to other operators for 129,000 VND per month (only available at Vinaphone stores).

Prepaid data SIM cards come without calls and SMS, but these can be purchased separately. Unlimited Internet speeds are not cut until the daily quota is spent.

Getting a physical SIM card upon arrival in Vietnam is often a waste of time and effort, as you will have to:

• search for SIM card outlets in a Vietnam airport or city;
• queue;
• understand the data plans and choose a suitable Internet package;
• register your SIM card with your passport;
• ask a salesperson for help;
• understand the settings of the phone and activation of the package.

And while you are busy solving these issues, your phone remains unconnected. It is much easier to connect eSIM-technology in Vietnam through Yesim provider online — it will save a lot of time and avoid unnecessary hassle. You will always be connected and will be able to spend your time relaxing and entertaining rather than dealing with tiresome organizational issues.

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