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Staying connected in Vietnam is easier and more affordable than you might expect. This guide will help you understand which options a traveler has to stay connected in Vietnam and point out which the best connectivity option is, so you will not never have to worry about being out of touch during your Vietnam trip.
Vietnam has a good internet infrastructure with approximately 70% of its 97+ million population connected to the internet. For travelers, staying connected is straightforward and affordable.
Some news that help you understand more about the Internet landscape in Vietnam:
Vietnam’s internet accessibility exceeds many neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. While occasional brief outages can occur during severe weather, most tourists find staying connected remarkably straightforward.
Yes, free WiFi is widely available throughout Vietnam, especially in urban and tourist areas. You can find free WiFi at:
The quality of these free connections varies. Hotel WiFi is generally reliable, while public networks in crowded places may slow down during busy periods. Speeds are usually good enough for browsing, social media, and messaging apps, but might struggle with video calls or downloading large files during peak hours.
Tip: For your security, consider using a VPN when connecting to public WiFi networks in Vietnam, just as you would with any public WiFi worldwide.
Mobile internet in Vietnam is fast, affordable, and widely available throughout the country. The 4G network covers about 95% of populated areas, providing reliable connectivity in cities, tourist spots, and most rural regions.
Connection speeds are good by Southeast Asian standards, with typical 4G downloads of 20-40 Mbps in cities. Even in remote areas, speeds usually support video calls, streaming, and browsing without issues.
Vietnam is currently expanding its 5G network in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, offering speeds over 100 Mbps for compatible devices.
No, mobile data in Vietnam is very affordable. Data packages cost much less than in Western countries while offering generous data allowances.
For example:
You can stay connected in Vietnam using your mobile phone with 04 ways:
Tourist Vietnam SIMs are perfect for short visits. They’re affordable, easy to use, and provide plenty of data. You can buy a tourist SIM card for Vietnam in 3 ways below:
Pro Tip: Airport SIMs might cost $1-2 more than city stores, but the convenience is worth it after a long flight.
If your phone supports eSIM (most newer smartphones do), this is the most convenient option:
You can buy eSIMs from online providers like Vietnamesim.com (we are a branch of GIGAGO, but specialized for Vietnam only). The eSIM has enough functions like physical ones but does not require swapping out and inserting. You can buy it online, receive it through email and install it by scanning a QR code. eSIM is perfect for travelers who want everything ready before arrival.
Choose Viettel eSIM for trips longer than 15 days – get cheap data.
Choose Vinaphone eSIM for trips of 7+ days when you need a local phone number for reservations.
Pro Tip: Warrant that your phone is unlocked before buying Vietnam SIM cards/eSIM.
Pocket WiFi or portable WiFi is a small, battery-powered device that creates a personal WiFi hotspot using local mobile networks. This option is particularly convenient if you’re traveling with family or friends, or if you need to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
You can rent these devices from service providers at major Vietnamese airports, through your hotel, or from online rental services before your trip. Typically, you’ll pay a daily rental fee (around $5-8 per day) plus a refundable deposit. Most providers offer unlimited data plans with reasonable speeds for everyday use.
If convenience is your priority over cost, you can simply use your home carrier’s international roaming service. Most major carriers worldwide offer travel passes or international packages to Vietnam. Using international roaming means you keep your regular phone number and don’t need to configure any new settings.
Everything works right away when you land. However, this convenience comes at a price – typically $10-15 per day for limited data allowances.
eSIM (embedded sim) is a digital SIM card inserted directly into your phone. This means you do not need a physical SIM. Here is how to use an Vietnam eSIM while traveling:
Vietnam maintains moderate internet controls while offering generally reliable connectivity. Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram are accessible, though occasional slowdowns occur during politically sensitive events.
Some popular sites and services are restricted. These include:
Netflix and most streaming services work normally, though content libraries differ from other countries due to licensing.
For unrestricted browsing, many travelers use VPNs, which are neither explicitly legal nor actively blocked. Popular options like NordVPN and ExpressVPN generally function well throughout the country.