Best Mobile Operators in Vietnam for Tourists: Compared, Which to Choose

There are many Vietnam mobile operators, but only four of them dominate the country’s telecommunication market, with the leading being Viettel, followed by Vinaphone, MobiFone, and Vietnamobile.

Vietnam has a competitive mobile network landscape, with several providers offering a range of data plans and services customized to tourists’ needs. This guide will explain everything you need to know about Vietnam mobile networks. By reading our article, you will know which is the best network carrier in Vietnam. After that, you can make an informed decision on which mobile carrier to stay with during your trip to Vietnam.

I. What are Top Largest Mobile Operators in Vietnam?

There are four major mobile operators in Vietnam, which are: Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone, and Vietnamobile.

Here is a quick overview at each of them:

1. Viettel

Viettel is the leading, biggest player in Vietnam’s telecommunication market, known for having the widest coverage, even in remote areas.

They offer a good balance between speed and affordable price.

2. Vinaphone

Vinaphone is the 2nd mobile carrier in Vietnam, a strong competitor of Viettel, especially in popular cities and towns. They are known for their fast speeds and reliable service.

3. MobiFone

MobiFone is a solid option for those travelers on a budget. While their coverage may not be as extensive as Viettel and Vinaphone, they provide decent speeds for basic use of the Internet.

4. Vietnamobile

Vietnamobile primarily focuses on budget-friendly mobile plans. Their coverage is limited to the three majors.

Besides these four major Vietnamese mobile operators, there are also virtual mobile network operators (MVNOs) like Wintel, iTel, Local, VNSky, etc. They use the network infrastructure of major carriers, essentially renting the bandwidth to provide their services.

MVNOs in Vietnam may be a suitable choice for specific needs or if you find a particularly attractive promotion. However, most tourists to Vietnam choose one of the major providers to ensure wider coverage, better overall experience.

III. Compare Best Mobile Operators in Vietnam

Below, we make a close comparison to the top 4 major Vietnamese mobile network operators by different factors, including market share, coverage, speed, and services.

1. Market share

Viettel dominates the market, followed by Vinaphone, MobiFone, Vietnamobile and others.

Below is the chart showing the market share of each major mobile operator, executed by Statista.com.

From the image, we can see that Viettel has 54.2% market share, making it the leading provider of mobile cellular service in Vietnam, followed by Vinaphone 23,11%, MobiFone 18.57%, Vietnamobile only 2.75%, and others 1.37%.

2. Coverage

In terms of coverage, Viettel is the market leader, then Vinaphone, MobiFone, and Vietnamobile.

Below are the coverage maps of these three biggest mobile operators in Vietnam.

From the image, we can see that:

• Viettel has the most extensive coverage throughout Vietnam, reaching even into the remote and mountainous areas. They are strong both in terms of 4G and 5G, especially in urban areas.
• Vinaphone has comprehensive coverage, rather similar to Viettel, both in urban and suburban areas. Their 4G network is widely available while 5G only expands in major cities.
• MobiFone generally has good coverage, but less extensive than Viettel and Vinaphone in certain rural areas. Their 4G network is popular while 5G appears to be in progress.

3. Speed

As we can see from the image of mobile experience awards of Vietnamese network operators carried out by Opensignal:

• Vinaphone leads in download and upload speeds, with users experiencing the average speed of 31.8 Mbps for downloads and 10.5 Mbps for uploads.
• Viettel follows closely behind at 25.7 Mbps for downloads and 8.2 Mbps for uploads.
• MobiFone trails slightly at 24.0 Mbps for downloads and 9.4 Mbps for uploads.
• Vietnamobile lags behind the other providers, with 7.9 Mbps for downloads and 2.9 Mbps for uploads.

4. Tourist SIM services

Both four mobile carriers offer tourist services, including tourist SIM cards and tourist eSIM plans.

Below is the table listing the best tourist SIM cards of each operator:

Carrier	Price (VND)	Validity	Features
Viettel	60,000	15 days	– 5GB at Max Speed – Unlimited Internet with good speed
Viettel	100,000	30 days	– Unlimited Internet – The free first 20 mins of each domestic on-net-calls – 20 mins of International calls
Viettel	200,000	30 days	– Unlimited Internet – 100 mins of domestic calls – 20 mins of International calls
Vinaphone	199,000	15 days	– 50 minutes to call internationally – 50 minutes of calling within Vietnam – 50 SMS – 1GB data / day
MobiFone	109,000	30 days	– 8GB of high speed data – Free 40 minutes of calling inside and outside Vietnam

So which mobile network to choose when traveling to Vietnam?

• Viettel is the top choice for tourists who want reliable connectivity no matter where they go in Vietnam, especially in off-the-beaten-path areas. Besides, its generous data allowance, unlimited local connectivity, and widespread coverage make it a popular option for both short-term and extended stays in Vietnam. See more details about Viettel tourist SIM cards and Viettel eSIM plans.
• Vinaphone is an excellent choice which offers a balance of speed and coverage in urban areas. It is a suitable option for those seeking a well-rounded mobile experience. We have a more detailed guide on tourist SIMs of Vinaphone.
• MobiFone is ideal for travelers on a budget and having basic internet needs without extensive data requirements, such as light browsing and checking mails.

III. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vietnamese Mobile network Operator

When choosing a mobile network operator for your Vietnam travel, put these 4 following factors into consideration:

1. Coverage

Check if the network carrier offers 4G or the even fastest 5G in the areas you will visit. This is particularly important if you are venturing outside urban areas.

2. Network coverage

Speed matters, for sure. You should look for the download and upload speeds that suit your needs.

In case you need to upload photos quickly or go streaming on the go, you should choose a provider known for good speed.

3. Data plans

Choose the data packages that fit your needs.

• Consider prepaid or postpaid. In fact, prepaid plans are suitable for tourists, which offer flexibility and control over your spending, while postpaid plans may be more suitable for locals, digital nomads, and those on longer stays.
• Consider your data needs. Choose a plan with enough data for your internet usage, especially web browsing, social media and navigation. Also, be aware of the so-called “unlimited” data plans because most come with a high-speed data cap, after which the speeds will slow down significantly.
• Be aware of price. Compare the cost of data, calls, and texts from different carriers. Be wary of any potential extra charges.
• eSIM availability. If your phone supports eSIM technology, go for the provider with eSIM plans. You can activate your data plan online before you even arrive in Vietnam.

IV. Roaming of Vietnamese Mobile Operators and Better Alternatives

Vietnamese mobile network operators generally offer roaming services for travelers, but these can be rather expensive.

Some highlights you need to know:

• If your home mobile carrier has a roaming agreement with a Vietnamese operator (Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone), you can use your phone in Vietnam. However, data, all and SMS charges will be higher than local rates.
• Vietnamese SIM cards can be used for roaming in some countries, but this is also costly.

Better alternatives to roaming in Vietnam:

• Local Vietnamese SIM cards: this is the most cost-effective option for most tourists with unlocked phones. You will have access to affordable data and (possibly) call packages.
• eSIMs: this is the best alternative to roaming, but only if your phone works with eSIM. You can buy and activate eSIMs online and get connected right upon arrival.

V. Tips for Using Mobile Data in Vietnam

Here are some useful tips to ensure a smooth and cost-effective experience when using cellular data in Vietnam:

• SIM card registration: buying a Vietnam SIM card is rather easy. You have different ways. If buying directly from network carriers, you need to provide your passport for registration at official mobile operator stores or author retailers’ shops.
• Managing mobile data usage: Keep track of your data usage to avoid any unexpected bills. Most providers in Vietnam have apps or SMS services that help you monitor your data consumption. You can search for My Viettel, My Vinaphone, My MobiFone on app stores or Google Play.
• Utilizing free WiFi hotspots: Free WiFi is readily and easily available in many hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping malls in Vietnam. You can take advantage of these hotspots to save money for mobile data.

VI. Conclusion

It can be said that the best mobile network operator for you in Vietnam depends on your individual needs and budget. However, most travelers go with Viettel and Vinaphone during their trips to Vietnam. But, carefully considering factors mentioned earlier in this post will help you select a plan that keeps you continually and smoothly connected.