Tourists have three ways to get a SIM card in Hanoi: walk into an official carrier store, pick up an eSIM online before your trip, or buy at the airport the moment you land.
Finding a reliable SIM card in Hanoi is simple if you know exactly where the official carrier stores hide. This guide covers the first two – buying in the city and buying online.
If you have just landed at Noi Bai airport and need a SIM right now, skip to our Hanoi Airport SIM card guide – that covers counter locations, hours. and prices at Noi Bai specifically.
Your SIM card buying options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Passport needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official carrier store (city) | 60,000–200,000₫ (~$2.5–8) | ✅ Yes | Best price, next-day purchase |
| eSIM (buy online) | from $5.90 | ❌ No | Before arrival, no queue |
| Airport counter | 200,000–300,000₫ (~$8–12) | ✅ Yes | Immediate on arrival |
Note that airport is 30-40% more expensive than city stores for the same plans.
I. Which network should you choose in Hanoi?
Before buying anywhere to buy a SIM card in Hanoi, decide on the network first – the counter staff will ask.
- Viettel: the best choice for most tourists. Viettel offers the strongest 4G/5G coverage in Hanoi city and the widest coverage if you are traveling beyond Hanoi to Sapa, Ha Giang, Ha Long Bay, or rural areas. According to speedtest, data speeds in Hanoi’s urban core reach 88+ Mbps in 5G zones.
- Vinaphone: the solid second network carrier. Vinaphones’s coverage in Hanoi is comparable to Viettel. The key advantage is some plans include a Vietnamese phone number, useful if you need to register for Grab or receive OTP codes from Vietnamese services.
- MobiFone: the budget option. MobiFone works well in central Hanoi but weakens in northern mountainous areas. Not recommended if your itinerary goes beyond the city.
→ Check full Vietnam mobile network comparison: Viettel vs. Vinaphone vs MobiFone
II. Buying a SIM card at official stores in Hanoi
Official carrier stores in Hanoi offer the cheapest prices and the widest range of plans.
Moreover, staffs are patient and used to helping tourists – most speaking basic English.
What to bring:
- Passport (required for registration)
- Cash (VND preferred; some stores accept cards)
Buying process:
- Locate an official store. Use Google maps of the address list below to find the nearest branded store.
- Take a queue ticket. For example with Viettel, walk to the Queue Management System (Ticket Printer) > Select English on the screen > press “Multi-service Counter” to get your waiting number
- Present your passport to the staff + take a live photo for SIM activation
- Choose the plan that fits your needs (e.g., Viettel 5G135)
- Pay in cash (for SIM card registration and top-ups).
- Staff registers and activates the SIM
- Verify activation before leaving the store (Check balance: Text KTTK to 191 (for Viettel) to confirm your daily data quota is active).
Everything will be done in 5-10 minutes.
⚠️Notes:
- It is recommended to avoid unofficial phone shops and street vendors, especially near tourist areas. Some sell pre-registered SIMs that deactivate mid-trip, or charge significantly above official prices.
- Save the hotline in case you need assistance later during your trip.
► If you stay in Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem Ward), the closest official stores are:
| Carrier | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Viettel | 32 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem | 5-min walk from Hoan Kiem Lake; open 08:00–20:00 |
| Viettel | 53 Luong Van Can, Hoan Kiem | Inside Old Quarter, near Hang Ngang/Hang Dao |
| Vinaphone | 75 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem | Right by the lake, convenient location |
| Vinaphone | 4 Dinh Le, Hoan Kiem | Near the Post Office & book street |
| MobiFone | 80 Hang Ma, Hoan Kiem | Short walk from Dong Xuan Market |
💡 Tip: If you have hotel WiFi, simply open Google Maps and search for “Viettel store near me”, “Vinaphone Hanoi” or “MobiFone Hanoi”. All official stores appear with accurate opening hours and walking directions.
Below are the full carrier-specific store lists with addresses, phone numbers, and hours.
Viettel stores in Hanoi
Viettel has the most locations across all districts in Hanoi. For tourists staying in the Old Quarter or central Hanoi, the Hoan Kiem and Dong Da branches are closest. Below is list of Viettel stores in central Hanoi:
| Ward | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoan Kiem | 32 Phan Chu Trinh | 02462780100 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Hoan Kiem | 53 Luong Van Can | 02462700094 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Ba Dinh | 50 Van Cao | 02462580888 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Ba Dinh | 61 Cua Dong | 02462700888 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Dong Da | 1172 Lang Street | 02462666668 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Dong Da | 219 Ton Duc Thang | 02462762555 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Cau Giay | 10 Nguyen Phong Sac | 02462697073 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Cau Giay | 184 Hoang Quoc Viet | 02462671131 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Tay Ho | 677 Lac Long Quan | 02466532955 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Tay Ho | 44B Xuan Dieu | 02462580468 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Thanh Xuan | 82 Le Trong Tan | 02462851666 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Hai Ba Trung | 1 Giai Phong | 02462752799 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Hai Ba Trung | 316 Minh Khai | 02462800468 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Hoang Mai | 735 Giai Phong | 02462884539 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Ha Dong | 188 Van Phuc | 02466603828 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Long Bien | 84 Ngoc Lam | 02462613199 | 8:00–20:00 |
→ Find the nearest branch: Google Maps – Viettel stores Hanoi
Vinaphone stores in Hanoi
Vinaphone (VNPT) stores have slightly shorter hours than Viettel but cover all major districts.
| Ward | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoan Kiem | 75 A/B Dinh Tien Hoang | 024.38254320/024.38252196 | Mon–Fri 07:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Cau Giay | 165 Cau Giay | 024.32262258 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Tay Ho | 664 Lac Long Quan | 024.37735888 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Cau Giay | 97 Nguyen Chi Thanh | 02437738773 | Mon–Fri 7:30–20:00 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Dong Da | 22 Dong Cac (5 O Cho Dua) | 024.37764767 | Mon–Fri 07:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Yen Hoa | 138 Trung Kinh | 024.37690271 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Kim Lien | 297 Tay Son | 024.35641426 | Mon–Fri 07:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| My Dinh | 30 Pham Hung | 024.38687755 | Mon–Fri 07:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Vinh Tuy | 190 Lac Trung | 024.39749768 | Mon–Fri 07:30–18:30 / Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Thanh Xuan | 51 Vu Trong Phung | 024.32252855 / 024.35581545 | Mon–Fri 7:30–20:00 / Sat–Sun 8:00–18:00 |
| Hoang Mai | Phap Van, 161 Ngoc Hoi | 84915116688 | Mon–Fri 7:30–20:00 / Sat–Sun 8:00–18:00 |
→ Full list: banhangvnpt.vn
MobiFone stores in Hanoi
| Ward | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoan Kiem | 80 Hang Ma | 0898576268 | 8:00–18:00 |
| Ba Dinh | 101 Doi Can | 0902159885 | 8:00–18:00 |
| Dong Da | 213 Xa Dan | 0898066466 | 8:00–18:00 |
| Tay Ho | 55 Xuan La | 0901757564 | 8:00–18:00 |
| Thanh Xuan | 368 Nguyen Trai | 0901757586 | 8:00–18:00 |
| Bach mai | 61 Minh Khai | 0936338658 | 8:00–18:00 |
| Hoang Mai | 120 Tan Mai | 0769120120 | 8:00–18:00 |
| Ha Dong | 124 Tran Phu | 0782411633 | 8:00–17:00 |
→ Full list: mobifone.vn
→ Compare SIM options for all Vietnam cities here.
III. Popular tourist SIM plans available in Hanoi official stores
1. Viettel SIM plans
When buying at a Viettel official store in Hanoi city, prices are transparent. Viettel has introduced a new 5G lineup. Note that the Total price at the counter includes the mandatory registration and SIM card fee (approx. 50,000đ).
| Carrier | Plan name | Data | Calls | Validity | Price | Activate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel | TV95K | 1.5GB/day | None | 30 days | 145,000đ (~$6) | Auto |
| Viettel | TV125K | 2GB/day | None | 30 days | 175,000đ (~$7) | Auto |
| Viettel | 5G135 | 4GB/day | None | 30 days | 185,000đ (~$7.5) | Auto |
| Viettel | 5G150 | 6GB/day | None | 30 days | 200,000đ(~$8) | Auto |
| Viettel | 5G160B | 4GB/day | Free <10m on-net + 100m off-net | 30 days | 210,000đ(~$8.5) | Auto |
| Viettel | 5G180B | 6GB/day | Free <10m on-net + 100m off-net | 30 days | 230,000đ(~$9.5) | Auto |
| Viettel | 5G280B | 10GB/day | Free <20m on-net + 200m off-net | 30 days | 330,000đ(~$13.5) | Auto |
→ Which one should you get?
- Budget choice: TV95K ($6)
- Best value: 5G135 ($7.5)
- The best for local number: 5G160B (local number + free minutes)
2. Vinaphone + MobiFone SIM card plans
| Carrier | Plan Name | Data | Calls & SMS | Price* | Activate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinaphone | Tourist SIM | 1GB / day | 50 mins local + 50 mins intl + 50 SMS | 199,000₫ | Auto |
| MobiFone | HP2 | 8GB Total | 40 mins local/intl | 109,000₫ | DK HP2 → 999 |
*Note: Prices for Vinaphone/MobiFone may exclude the 50,000₫ SIM card fee.
IV. Buying a Vietnam eSIM online for Hanoi (No Passport, No queue)
If your phone supports eSIM, you can skip the store entirely. Buy online from anywhere in the world, receive a QR code by email within 3–5 minutes, scan it at home before you fly, and your phone connects to the Hanoi network automatically when you land.
Vietnam eSIM for Hanoi travel is the better option if:
- You want to be connected the moment you land — no stops required
- You’re arriving outside store hours
- You don’t want to carry or swap a physical SIM
- You’re visiting multiple cities and want one plan for all of Vietnam
Available eSIMs plans for Hanoi and Vietnam:
| eSIM by Network / City | Validity | Data | Vietnamese number | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel eSIM | 7 / 15 / 30 days | 5GB/day | ❌ No | from $10.90 |
| Vinaphone eSIM | 7 / 10 / 15 / 30 days | 2–5GB/day | ✅ Yes | from $10.90 |
| Mobifone eSIM | 7 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 30 days | 3–8GB/day | ✅ Yes | from $7.90 |
| Hanoi eSIM | 7 / 15 / 30 days | 2–6GB/day and 15GB total | ✅ Yes (varies by plan) | from $5.90 |
No passport required. Works on iPhone XR and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and most flagship phones from 2020 onward.
→ Browse Hanoi and Vietnam eSIM plans
→ Learn how to install and activate your eSIM in Vietnam
V. Practical Tips on Hanoi SIM Card guide
- Cash is King. Official stores (especially Viettel) strictly accept CASH ONLY for SIM services. Ensure you have Vietnamese Dong (VND) before entering.
- Most central stores use a ticket machine. Select “English” on the screen and choose “multi-service counter” to grab your number.
- Administrative Changes (HCMC): If you are in Ho Chi Minh City, remember that several wards sáp nhập (merged) in 2025.
- Search for “Ben Thanh Ward” for stores near Bui Vien/Ben Thanh Market.
- Search for “Saigon Ward” for stores near the Notre-Dame Cathedral/Dong Khoi.
- Check your balance after activating:
- Viettel: SMS “KTTK” to 191
- Vinaphone: Dial *101#
- Mobifone: Dial 0905#
- Viettel SIM expiry: if your SIM has no activity (usage or top-up) for 60 days, it will be automatically deactivated and reclaimed by the carrier.
- Top up your physical SIM: Buy a top-up card at any carrier store or convenience store. Dial 100[card code]# to add credit.
- If your phone is carrier-locked: A locked phone cannot use a Vietnamese SIM or eSIM. Contact your home carrier before traveling to unlock it.
- Store hours matter: Official stores in Hanoi close at 18:00–20:00 depending on the carrier. If you’re arriving in the evening, either buy at the airport or install an eSIM before your trip.
→ Traveling Saigon too? Here’s where to buy a SIM in Ho Chi Minh City center.