Traveling through Vietnam with multiple devices or companions raises an obvious question: should everyone buy their own data plan, or can you share one connection? The answer depends on how you travel, what you need internet for, and how much hassle you’re willing to tolerate when things don’t work perfectly.
This guide covers what actually happens when sharing mobile hotspot in Vietnam – the genuine advantages, the frustrating limitations, and the scenarios where you’re better off with separate connections.
Quick Answer
Sharing a mobile hotspot in Vietnam works reasonably well for two to three devices doing light tasks like navigation, messaging, and social media. Beyond that, you’ll encounter speed drops, battery drain, and occasional disconnections. For groups prioritizing reliability – especially for work calls or streaming – individual SIMs often prove less stressful than they initially cost.
I. How Vietnamese Networks Handle Hotspot Sharing
Vietnam’s three major carriers (Viettel, MobiFone, VinaPhone) all permit hotspot sharing on tourist data plans, but with important considerations:
- All traffic counts as one device — the carrier sees everything coming from your phone, whether you’re browsing or friends are streaming through your connection
- Daily limits apply to total consumption, not per-device usage
- No truly unlimited sharing exists — carriers use Fair Usage Policies with “deprioritization” (speeds slow rather than cut off) after exceeding daily limits
- 5 simultaneous devices maximum — most eSIM profiles cap connections here; a 6th device can crash the entire routing table
- Heavy tethering triggers throttling — while carriers don’t block hotspot use, patterns resembling commercial redistribution may cause temporary speed reductions.
II. Vietnam hotspot sharing network-by-betwork breakdown
1. Viettel
- Largest network (~60% market share) with best rural/remote coverage
- Tourist plans: 3-6GB daily at full speed; throttles to 1-3 Mbps after limit
- APN: “v-internet”
- Best for: Rural areas, northern mountains, islands — choose coverage over speed
2. VinaPhone
- Middle-ground coverage between Viettel and MobiFone
- Slightly gentler throttling (2-5 Mbps after limits vs competitors’ 1-3 Mbps)
- APN: “m3-world”
- Best for: Budget-conscious travelers wanting decent urban performance
3. MobiFone
- Strong urban infrastructure (~25% market share) but weaker rural reach
- Similar daily quotas and throttling policies to Viettel
- APN: “m-wap”
- Best for: Urban exploration, beach resorts, established tourist routes where speed beats coverage”
III. Setup guide for hotspot sharing in Vietnam
1. iPhone
- Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data)
- Select the eSIM or SIM line you’re using for Vietnam data.
- Select Cellular Data Network > fill on APN field: v-internet” for Viettel, “m-wap” for MobiFone, or “m3-world” for VinaPhone
- Leave username and password fields blank unless your carrier specifically provided credentials.
- Return to Settings menu > Personal hotspot > toggle Allow Others to Join to switch it on
- Change the default password if you want. Tip: Avoid special characters in your password, as some older laptops handle them poorly.
- Restart your phone if the Personal hotspot option doesn’t appear.
2. Android
The core process of setting hotspot sharing on Android remains consistent between manufacturers.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet (or Connections on Samsung devices)
- Select Mobile Network > Access Point Names
- Create a new APN if your Vietnamese carrier isn’t listed automatically
- Enter the carrier name, set the APN field appropriately
- Back to Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering (or Mobile Hotspot)
- Configure your network name and password.
- Select WPA2 or WPA3 security
3. The Laptop Fix: Manual DNS
If your Mac or PC shows “No Internet” while tethered, the culprit is often the carrier’s DNS. Manually set your laptop’s DNS to Google’s:
- Primary:
8.8.8.8 - Secondary:
8.8.4.4
APN Settings Reference
| Carrier | APN | Username | Password | Authentication |
| Viettel | v-internet | (leave blank) | (leave blank) | None |
| MobiFone | m-wap | mms | mms | PAP or None |
| VinaPhone | m3-world | (leave blank) | (leave blank) | None |
IV. Configure security for hotspot sharing
Public hotspot networks invite unwanted connections. You should take some basic precautions to prevent any annoyances.
- Use a password with at least 12 characters mixing letters and numbers.
- Change your network name from the default to something generic that doesn’t identify you.
- Limit connected devices if your phone offers this option. It should be no more than four or five connection slots. This prevents strangers from guessing your password and consuming your data.
- Consider hiding your network name (SSID broadcasting).
V. Cost efficiency compared: one big plan vs. individual plans
| Strategy | Total Cost (30 Days) | Pros | Cons |
| 1 Shared “heavy” eSIM (7GB/day) | ~$19 | Cheapest; Easy to manage. | Host phone dies fast; single point of failure. |
| 4 Individual “Light” eSIMs (5GB/day) (by Viettel or Vinaphone) | ~$80 | Total independence; no battery drain. | Higher cost; more QR codes to manage. |
| Hybrid (Recommended) | ~$39 | 1 Heavy eSIM (Parent) + 1 Light (Kids share). | Best balance of cost and reliability. |
► Let’s see a full range of Vietnam eSIM options so you can choose the best one for your needs: https://vietnamesim.com/shop/
VI. Real-World Hotspot Scenarios: Tested in Vietnam
Scenario 1: The Coffee Shop Nomad (Hanoi)
- The Test: Two users sharing a 5GB/day Viettel eSIM for a Zoom call and high-res photo uploads.
- The Result: 5G caused the phone to hit 42°C in 20 minutes, triggering a speed crash from 200Mbps to 5Mbps. 4G LTE stayed stable with low ping.
- The Lesson: For work, manually switch to 4G. It’s the “insider secret” to prevent your phone from overheating and throttling.
Scenario 2: The Motorbike Commute (HCMC)
- The Test: A couple sharing one MobiFone SIM via Grab motorbike for navigation and messaging during rush hour.
- The Result: The connection dropped frequently during “cell tower handoffs” between districts.
- The Lesson: Expect 10–20 second drops in dense traffic. Download offline maps and have the passenger (not the navigator) host the hotspot to prevent the navigation phone from crashing.
Scenario 3: The Ha Long Bay Cruise
- The Test: A family of four sharing 6GB/day on a cruise ship.
- The Result: Great signal near the pier, but once at the “scenic anchor point,” it dropped to 3G. Video streaming and IG uploads failed; only basic texts worked.
- The Lesson:Download movies at the pier. Remote/premium anchor points have the weakest signal—finish your “photo dumps” before the ship sails into the deep bay.
VII. Practical tips on hotspot sharing Vietnam for different traveler types
Business Travelers
- Reliability is critical: Don’t depend on shared hotspots for calls and meetings.
- Invest in a personal data plan: ~$15-25 monthly for control over connectivity and device performance.
- Have backup options: Know nearby cafes with WiFi, keep hotel contact info for alternative solutions, and prepare a secondary hotspot device.
- Pre-test your setup: Conduct trial video calls before important events to ensure functionality.
Families with Children
- High data consumption risk: Kids’ streaming, gaming, and videos can quickly deplete a 5GB daily quota.
- Pre-download content: Save movies, shows, games, and music for offline use to reduce data pressure.
- Utilize parental controls: Limit background data, restrict specific apps, or set daily limits for each child.
- Consider separate plans: Cheaper individual data plans for kids can help manage overall usage.
Budget Backpackers
- Rely on free WiFi: Use hostels, guesthouses, cafes, and restaurants to minimize mobile data usage.
- Opt for minimal data plans: 1-2GB daily plans support essential functions like maps and messaging.
- Download offline resources: Prepare offline maps, language packs, and key information before traveling.
- Share wisely: Hotspot sharing works if everyone limits data-intensive activities.
Digital Nomads
- Primary connectivity through alternatives: Use fixed-line WiFi in apartments or coworking spaces rather than relying solely on a phone hotspot.
- Professional work requires stability: Consider coworking memberships ($50-150 monthly) for consistent, reliable connectivity.
- Plan for redundancy: Use mobile plans from two different carriers to mitigate network outages.
VIII. Conclusion
Sharing a connection in Vietnam is a smart way to save money, but it requires active management. Stick to the “Big 3” carriers (Viettel is king for rural, Vinaphone for cities), keep your devices cool, and always check your APN settings before you leave the airport.