Best Vietnam SIM Cards for Tourists: Types, Prices, Where to Buy

Vietnam SIM cards are a great connectivity option for tourists to Vietnam to actively stay connected throughout their trip while avoiding high roaming charges.

Travelers to Vietnam have many options to stay in touch with people back home and access the Internet during travel, such as using free WiFi, pocket WiFi, or roaming with their primary SIM cards. However, all these options have disadvantages like low security, complicated setup processes, high costs or limited data usage. For travelers seeking a reliable and cost-effective way to stay connected in Vietnam, Vietnamese SIM cards are the optimal choice.

In this article, we will learn everything you need to know about Vietnam SIM cards for tourists, including which type to choose, how much it costs, best sim plans for tourists, top providers, where to buy and how to use.

I. Do I need to buy a Vietnam SIM card when travel?

Yes. Vietnam SIM cards are convenient and cost-effective when compared to free WiFi and roaming.

Though there is WiFi almost everywhere in Vietnam these days, there are still multiple reasons to buy a Vietnam SIM card. The most important one is to proactive staying connected throughout the trip and saving money on roaming charges.

A Vietnam SIM card is more secure than public WiFi, simpler to use than pocket WiFi device, and cheaper than international roaming.

II. Which types of Vietnam SIM cards to buy as a tourist?

There are 03 main types of Vietnam SIM cards based on form, function and flexibility:

1. By form: Physical SIM vs. eSIM

• Physical SIM (mini SIM, micro SIM, and nano SIM): are the traditional SIM cards that you insert into your phone. They are readily available online, at airports, convenience stores, and mobile operator stores across Vietnam.
• eSIM (virtual SIM): are digital SIM cards embedded directly into your phone, offering instant activation without a physical card. However, not all phones support eSIMs. You should check if your phone is mentioned in our list of devices with eSIM compatibility first. See how to find your phone model.

2. By Function: Data-Only vs. Data + Voice/Text

• Data-only plans are suitable if you mainly use mobile internet for browsing, social media, navigating maps, and using communication apps. Data plans are often more cost-effective and have more generous data allowances than others.
• Data + Voice/text plans: offer a combination of data and calling/texting allowances. They are a good choice for tourists and businessmen who needs to make local calls and send texts.

3. By Flexibility: Prepaid vs. Postpaid

• Prepaid SIM are the most popular option for tourists, offering flexibility and control without contract or personal documents required. You can top up your balance as needed and avoid unexpected bills. This is ideal for short trips.
• Postpaid SIM are less common among travelers to Vietnam due to their requirements for a local address, bank account and credit check. Therefore it is not a practical option for tourists.

So which type of SIM card for Vietnam to choose?

For most tourists, a prepaid travel data SIM card or eSIM is good for your trip.

In fact, choosing which type depends on your preferences and individual needs.

But experienced travelers often recommend data-only SIM or eSIM for the most convenience and best value. Especially if your phone supports eSIM, then a data-only eSIM plan may be ideal.

With a data eSIM plan, you can still stay in touch with family and friends back home through communication internet-based apps like Telegram, WhatsApp,… and still use the Internet at a good price.

III. How much does a Vietnam SIM card cost in Vietnam?

Vietnam SIM cards are incredibly affordable, ranging from 30,000 VND to 300,000 VND (about $1.5 – $13 USD), depending on the specific provider and plan chosen.

For example, you can find easily find 1GB prepaid data SIM plans for as little as 100,000 VND. If you need more data, Vinaphone also offer unlimited data plans for a month at around 300,000 VND.

IV. Best Vietnam SIM cards for Tourists

The best Vietnam SIM Cards for tourists are provided by top 3 major Vietnamese mobile network operators: Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone. They are also top Vietnamese mobile internet providers.

Despite there are also SIM cards offered by small operators and virtual network operators like Vietnamobile, iTel and Wintel, but their coverage and speed is rather limited compared to major ones.

All these mobile internet providers offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists.

1. Viettel SIM cards

Viettel is the leading telecom provider in Vietnam, famous for its widest network coverage (even in rural areas) and competitive prices.

Viettel offers a variety of prepaid tourist SIM/eSIM plans suitable for different needs. If you plan to visit off the beaten path places, then Viettel is your ideal choice.

Best tourist packages from Viettel:

Carrier	Package Name	Price	Features
Viettel	TOUR60	60,000 VND	– 5GB at Max Speed15-day – Unlimited Internet with good speed
Viettel	TOUR100	100,000 VND	– 30-day Unlimited Internet – The free first 20 mins of each domestic on-net-calls – 20 mins of International calls
Viettel	TOUR200	200,000 VND	– 30-day Unlimited Internet – 100 mins of domestic calls – 20 mins of International calls

You can buy these packages for Vietnam either before or later arrival. No matter which option you choose, you still need to show passport for registration. This is not favored by most tourists. See more details about tourist SIMs by Viettel.

2. Vinaphone SIM cards

Vinaphone is the 2nd player in Vietnam’s telecommunications market that occupies 30% the market share. It offers good coverage in Vietnam (3G/4G/LTE) and speed throughout the country.

Like Viettel, Vinaphone also provides plans for tourists with generous data allowances, unlimited minutes and SMS.

Best Vinaphone Tourist SIM plan:

50 minutes to call internationally + 50 minutes of calling within Vietnam + 50 SMS + 1GB data / day, used in 15 days, costs 199,000 VND

► See more details about tourist SIM by Vinaphone.

3. MobiFone SIM Cards

MobiFone is the largest state-owned mobile operator in Vietnam, established in 1993. It provides comprehensive coverage across Vietnam, ensuring reliable connectivity in both urban and rural tourist destinations. In particular, major cities in Vietnam enjoy MobiFone’s near-complete 4G service both indoors and outdoors.

Best MobiFone Tourist SIM package: Happy Tourist HP2.

Name	HP2 MobiFone
Data	8GB of high speed data
Calls	Free 40 minutes of calling inside and outside Vietnam
Price	109,000 VND
Validity	30 days
How to get	DK HP2 send to 999

V. Where to buy Vietnam SIM cards?

You can buy Vietnam SIM Cards in 03 ways: online before departure, at the airports upon arrival, and in the city after arrival in Vietnam:

1. Buy online before departure (eSIM recommended)

You SHOULD NOT order physical SIM online, but visit any store at Vietnam airports or in Vietnam to get it.

Vietnam SIM cards are sold online on ecommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay or online tourism agencies. However, be aware that your location may not be the supported place to be shipped with the SIM.

If you want to get a Vietnam SIM online, consider buying an eSIM instead, because it does not require you to wait for delivery or present at any counter to get it. It can also be bought from anywhere in the world, allowing you to better prepare for your trip.

The eSIM will be sent to your registered email after 5-10 minutes of making payment. Then, you can install the eSIM via a QR code or manual activation code. When you land in Vietnam, the eSIM will be activated immediately.

2. Buy at the airports (quick and convenient)

Getting SIM cards at Vietnam airports is easy, quick, safe, and allows you to stay connected right upon arrival.

You have two easy options to get SIM cards at airports in Vietnam:

• Buy on arrival: choose your preferred SIM card plan from the airport kiosks after landing at Vietnam airports such as Noi Bai airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat airport (Ho Chi Minh city), Danang airport (Danang), Cam Ranh airport (Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa),… You can easily find kiosks of top Vietnamese operators like Viettel and Vinaphone located right after the arrival halls, usually near baggage claim areas.

• Order online and pick it up at the airport: Some providers (like Sasco, KKday,…) allow you to pre-order your SIM card online and collect it upon arrival. This helps save you both time and effort, especially if you are arriving during peak hours. In this way, you will find the pick up location at the airport and the staff will assist you in activating the SIM on your device.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when buying Vietnam SIM cards at airports:

• SIM card plan options at the airport are not as diversifying as what you would find in the city center.
• You will need to show your passport for SIM card registration purposes.
• SIM card stores at airports may be closed if you arrive late at night or very early in the morning.
• You may also need to queue in lines during peak hours.

2. Buy Vietnam SIM cards in the city center (more options, but be aware)

There is free WiFi at most international Vietnam airports, so you can use it to stay connected there. Then, once you are in the city center, use Google Maps to search for places to buy SIM cards.

You can find Vietnam SIM cards at:

• Official carrier stores: Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone all have presentative stores in big cities like Hanoi, Ho chi Minh City, Danang, Hai Phong,… You can find offices for SIM cards of each network carrier here:
  • Viettel stores: https://vietteltelecom.vn/cua-hang
  • Vinaphone stores: https://vinaphone.com.vn/ho-tro/diem-giao-dich
  • MobiFone stores: https://www.mobifone.vn/ho-tro-khach-hang/vi-tri-cua-hang
• Local phone shops: Retailers like The Gioi Di Dong, FPT shop, and Cellphone S are famous chains in Vietnam that offer a wide range of SIM cards there from different network providers Viettel, MobiFone, Vinaphone, Vietnamobile,… In particular, you can reserve online through their hotline.
• Convenience stores: You can even find better deals at small phone shops and convenience stores, but be cautious of scams.

VI. Vietnam eSIMs as an alternative to SIM cards

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, can eliminate the need for a physical SIM card. For tourists visiting Vietnam, eSIM offers a flexible way to stay connected without having to find a local SIM card.

Why choose an eSIM for Vietnam travel?

• You can buy and activate your Vietnam eSIM online before leaving home. No need to deal with swapping SIMs.
• Vietnam eSIM data plans are often data-only and cheaper than roaming charges from your home network carrier.
• Many providers offer a variety of data plans that cater to different tourists’ needs. You can also easily switch plans or top up your data if necessary 100% online.
• With an eSIM, you can keep your regular phone number at the same time.

Where to buy a Vietnam eSIM?

You can buy Vietnam eSIM either directly from Vietnamese mobile operators or eSIM providers. If buying from network carriers, you need to upload passport’s photo and portrait photo for registration, like with physical SIM cards. It is not convenient for travelers at all.

Instead, you should buy eSIM for Vietnam from prestigious eSIM retailers like: Vietnamesim.com, Airalo, Holafly, GetNomad,…

If choosing an eSIM provider, consider Vietnamesim.com which is particularly specialized in Vietnam. Therefore, its packages are really diversifying and competitive compared to others.

Here are some of the most recommended eSIM plans for Vietnam:

Plan	GIGA120	Viettel eSIM	Vinaphone eSIM
Data	3GB/day (90GB/30 days)	5GB/day	2GB/day – 5GB/day
Validity	30 days	15/30 days	7/10/15 days
Phone Number	Yes	No	Yes
Hotspot	Yes	Yes	Yes
Activation	Text KH MAY79K to 8968	Automatic	Automatic
Carrier	Itel / Vinaphone	Viettel	Vinaphone
Validity Starts From	After successful activation	From installation	When connected to Vinaphone
Outgoing Calls	No	No	Free first 10 minutes for calls to Vinaphone (Total 1000 minutes)
Sending SMS	No	No	Top-up required to send
Incoming Calls	Yes	No	Yes
Receiving SMS	Yes	Yes (cannot register for apps like Grab)	Yes

VII. Which is the best mobile network in Vietnam? Viettel vs. Vinaphone vs. MobiFone vs. Vietnamobile

As mention earlier, there are 04 mobile network carriers offering prepaid tourist SIM cards in Vietnam: Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone and Vietnamobile.

According to experienced travelers, of Vietnam’s mobile carriers, Viettel and Vinaphone are the best, both in terms of coverage and speed.

Below we demonstrate the coverage map and performance of each network to help you get an overview of them:

From the charts, we can see 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 great coverage in big cities but patchy coverage in rural areas. If you plan getting off the beaten track, it may not be the best choice.
• Vietnamobile has very little to no coverage in rural areas. Even though its prices are very cheap, you should still avoid it.

VIII. How to activate and use Vietnam SIM cards for travel?

After getting your Vietnamese SIM card, you can have it activated by the staff at SIM shops or do it on your own.

Simply follow the instructions printed on the SIM card package, which usually involves sending a text message to a specific number.

To check your account balance, dial *101# and press call.

To top up your balance, you have two ways:

• Scratch cards: Adding further data is convenient and available at many mobile phone shops or convenience stores. These cards have a hidden code that you can scratch off and enter on your phone to top up.
• Through online banking apps in Vietnam or online applications like MoMo, Zalopay,… in Vietnam.

IX. How much data do I need for my Vietnam travel?

On average, smartphone users need more than 3GB per month. However, when you are on vacation, you, for sure, will need more data to share images and videos on social media, chat/email, call your friends, etc.

It should be 3 – 5GB if you just need the data for web browsing, email checking, face-timing with your family and friends, and using google Maps. But in case all the things above are needed, a much more data volume should be obtained.

X. Frequently asked questions