Already in Ho Chi Minh City and need a SIM card? The quickest option is walking into any official Viettel, Vinaphone, or Mobifone store — most wards have at least one within a 10-minute ride. Store addresses are listed below by ward. But if you prefer to skip the store entirely, a Vietnam eSIM bought online arrives by email in 3-5 minutes – no queue, no passport at the counter.
Just landed at Tan Son Nhat and need a SIM right now? That’s different situation – see our Tan Son Nhat Airport SIM card guide for counter locations and airport specific prices.
Your Ho Chi Minh City SIM card options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Passport needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official city store | 60,000–200,000₫ (~$6–8) | ✅ Yes | Best price, widest plan selection |
| eSIM (buy online) | from $5.90 | ❌ No | No queue, works before arrival |
| Airport counter | 200,000–300,000₫ (~$8–12) | ✅ Yes | Immediate connectivity on arrival |
It is noted that city stores are 30-40% cheaper than airport counters for the same plans.
I. Which network to choose when visiting Ho Chi Minh City?
- Viettel: best overall for Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam-wide travel. Viettel’s 4G/5G coverage is the strongest among carriers across the city, including outer districts and the Mekong Delta if your itinerary goes that far. For tourists, Viettel provides data-only plans, no Vietnamese number included.
- Vinaphone: strong in central HCMC and popular tourist areas. Vinaphone offers plans with a local Vietnamese number – making it convenient for tourists who need to register a new Grab account or receive OTP codes from Vietnamese apps.
- MobiFone: budget option, mostly reliable in Districts 1, 3, 7, and Binh Thanh. MobiFone’s coverage weakens in outer districts and rural areas south of the city.
→ Full network comparison: Viettel vs Vinaphone vs MobiFone
II. Buying a SIM card at official stores in Ho Chi Minh city
Official stores in HCMC offer the cheapest prices, the widest range of plans, and staff who are accustomed to helping international tourists. Most central district stores have basic English-speaking staff.
What to bring:
- Passport (mandatory – store staff will register and take a live photo of you as required by Vietnamese telecom law)
- Cash – VND. Strongly recommended. While some flagship stores are starting to accept cards, many carrier billing systems are still cash-only for SIM registrations.
Step-by-step process: takes 5-10 minutes.
- Locate an Official Store by using Google Maps or the address list below to navigate.
- Grab a ticket queue from the Ticket printer.
- Register your information: Passport + a quick live photo
- Select your plan from the list
- Pay the total amount (plan price + SIM fee) in cash
- Staff will handle technical setup
- Verify before you leave to ensure your data is working.
Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00 or 21:00 depending on the carrier and district. MobiFone stores generally close earlier than Viettel.
⚠️Watch out for pre-activated SIMs at unofficial kiosks — always buy from official branded stores → SIM card scams in Vietnam: what to avoid
Staying in the Central area? If your hotel is near Ben Thanh market, Bui Vien Walking street, or the Notre-Dame Cathedral, you are in the heart of the city’s central wards. Here are the closet official stores to these tourist hubs:
| Carrier | Address | Ward | Area & Notes |
| Vinaphone | 80 Nguyen Du | Ben Nghe | Ben Thanh / Notre-Dame. The most central store for those staying near Dong Khoi or the Cathedral. |
| Viettel | 164 Tran Quang Khai | Tan Dinh | Pink Church Area. Ideal for tourists visiting the northern part of the central core. |
| Vinaphone | 21 Dien Bien Phu | Tan Dinh | Dakao / Zoo Area. Open late until 22:00, very convenient for evening arrivals. |
| Viettel | 149F Tran Quang Khai | Tan Dinh | Tan Dinh Area. An alternative Viettel hub near the local markets. |
💡 Tip: On hotel WiFi, open Google Maps and search “Viettel store near me”, “Vinaphone district 1” or “MobiFone Ho Chi Minh” – all official stores appear with accurate hours and walking directions.
Viettel stores in Ho Chi Minh City
Viettel has the most locations across all districts, with extended hours (08:00 – 20:00) that make it the most accessible for tourists.
| Ward | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Phu | 31/3 ĐT 743 KP 2 | 02746281789 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Cho Lon | 258 Hong Bang | 0976246979 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Cho Lon | 214-216 Hong Bàng | 02862610101 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Binh Tay | 673 Hong Bàng | 0977967878 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Tan Son Nhat | 441 Hoang Van Thu | 02862964823 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Tan Dinh | 149F Tran Quang Khai | 0979700841 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Tan Dinh | 164, Tran Quang Khai | 0979818179 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Binh Tan | 111 – 113 Nguyen Thi Tu | 02862610101 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Thu Duc | 1188 Kha Van Can | 02862840168 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Thu Duc | 75 Duong so 2 | 0977228228 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Go Vap | 126-128, Thong Nhat, KP 15 | 0355555235 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Go Vap | 672A59, Phan Van Tri, KDC Cityland Park Hills | 0379871279 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Go Vap | 672A59 Phan Van Tri | 02862955707 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Linh Xuan | 715 Kha Van Can | 0367933833 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Thanh My Tay | 304-306 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh | 0977190192 | 8:00–20:00 |
| Hoa Hung | 20 3 tháng 2 street | 0966810055 | 8:00–20:00 |
→ Verify locations before visiting: https://vietteltelecom.vn/vx/cua-hang
Vinaphone (VNPT) stores in Ho Chi Minh City
Vinaphone stores have shorter hours than Viettel – most close at 17:00 – 20:00 on weekdays.
| Ward | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saigon | 80 Nguyen Du, Ben Nghe | 02838277713 | Mon–Fri 7:30–19:00 |
| Cho Lon | 26 Nguyen Thi | 02839508888 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:30 |
| Vuon Lai | 02 Hung Vuong | 02838391468 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:30 |
| An Lac | 466 Kinh Duong Vuong | 02836670000 | Mon–Fri 7:30–19:00 |
| Thu Duc | 352 Doan Ket | – | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:00 |
| Tan Dinh | 21 Dien Bien Phu | 0911160160 | Mon–Sat 8:00–22:00, |
| Phu Nhuan | 241 Hoang Van Thu | 02838445544 | Mon–Fri 8:00–19:00 |
| Phuoc Long | 443 Do Xuan Hop | 02837312288 | Mon–Fri 8:00–18:30 |
| Tay Thanh | 286 Le Trong Tan | 0913908383 | Mon–Sat 8:00–18:00 |
| Tan Binh | 415D Truong Chinh | 02838132149 | Mon–Fri 8:00–19:00 |
| An Phu – Binh Duong | 155C/1 Le Thi T rung KP1A | 84918728282 | Mon–Sun 8:30–12:00, 14:00–20:00 |
| Tan Hung | 5 Nguyen Thi Thap | 02837753142 | Mon–Fri 8:00–19:00 |
| Thoi An | 302 Le Van Khuong | 0917526878 | Mon–Fri 8:00–22:00 |
→ Find the nearest branches: Google Maps – Vinaphone store Ho Chi Minh City
MobiFone stores in Ho Chi Minh City
MobiFone stores close earlier – most at 18:00 – 20:00.
| Ward | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Son Nhat | 262 Hoang Van Thu | 0703410104 line 5 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:00, Sat 8:00–17:00 |
| Phuoc Long – Thu Duc | 64 Do Xuan Hop | 0907980919 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:00, Sat 8:00–17:00 |
| Thu Duc | 1092 Kha Van Can | 0789872879 | Mon-Fri 7:30–18:00 Sat 8:00–17:00 |
| Thu Duc | 384 Vo Van Ngan | 896163678 press 3 | Mon-Fri 7:30–18:00 Sat 8:00 – 17:00 |
| Phu Nhuan | 785 Huynh Tan Phat | 0938161619 | Mon–Fri 7:30–20:00, Sat 8:00–17:00 |
| Go Vap | 170C Quang Trung | 0796570767 | Mon–Fri 7:30–18:00, Sat–Sun 8:00–17:00 |
| Tan Binh | 365 Cong Hoa | 0932862663 | Mon–Fri 7:30–20:00, Sat 8:00–17:00 |
| Phu My | 2491 Doc Lap | 02543923333 | Mon–Sat 7:30–17:30 |
| Binh Thanh | 42 Le Quang Dinh | 0707024888 | Mon–Fri 7:30 – 20:00 Sat 8:00–17:00 |
→ Full list: https://www.mobifone.vn/ho-tro-khach-hang/vi-tri-cua-hang
III. Popular tourist SIM plans available at HCMC official stores
Buying a SIM card at an official store in HCMC ensures you get the authentic 5G experience at the lowest local rates. Below are the updated plans:
1. Viettel 5G SIM Plans (Most Recommended for HCMC)
When visiting a Viettel store in central areas like Ben Thanh/Saigon Ward or Thao Dien, these are your best options.
| Plan Name | Data Benefit | Local Calls | Validity | *Total Price (incl. SIM) |
| TV95K | 1.5GB / day | None | 30 Days | 145,000đ (~$6) |
| TV125K | 2GB / day | None | 30 Days | 175,000đ (~$7) |
| 5G135 | 4GB / day | None | 30 Days | 185,000đ (~$7.5) |
| 5G150 | 6GB / day | None | 30 Days | 200,000đ (~$8) |
| 5G160B | 4GB / day | Free <10m on-net + 100m off-net | 30 Days | 210,000đ (~$8.5) |
| 5G180B | 6GB / day | Free <10m on-net + 100m off-net | 30 Days | 230,000đ (~$9.5) |
| 5G280B | 10GB / day | Free <20m on-net + 200m off-net | 30 Days | 330,000đ (~$13.5) |
*Note: The Total Price listed above already includes the mandatory registration and physical SIM/eSIM fee (approx. 50,000đ). No hidden costs at the counter!
→ Which HCMC plan should you choose?
- Budget Choice: TV95K ($6) — Perfect if you just need Google Maps to navigate the alleys of populated tourist areas.
- Best Value: 5G135 ($7.5) — With 4GB/day, you can livestream your street food tour on Ben Nghe or Vinh Khanh Street without worrying about data.
- The “Grab & Go” Essential: 5G160B ($8.5) — Includes a local number and free minutes, which is vital for calling Grab drivers in crowded areas like Bui Vien or Nguyen Hue Walking Street.
2. Vinaphone & MobiFone SIM Card Plans
While Viettel leads in 5G coverage, Vinaphone and MobiFone offer competitive tourist-specific bundles:
| Carrier | Plan Name | Data Benefit | Calls & SMS | Price* |
| Vinaphone | Tourist SIM | 1GB / day | 50 mins local + 50 mins intl + 50 SMS | 199,000đ |
| MobiFone | HP2 | 8GB Total | 40 mins local/intl | 109,000đ |
*Note: Prices for Vinaphone/MobiFone often exclude the 50,000đ SIM card fee. Expect to pay around 160,000-250,000đ total at the counter.
IV. Buying a Vietnam eSIM online for HCMC travel
A Vietnam eSIM is ideal for eSIM-supported phones. Buying online is faster and cheaper than going to a store – and you can do it from anywhere in the world before you fly.
Why eSIM is better than physical SIM card for HCMC travel:
- No passport required
- QR code arrives by email in 3-5 minutes
- Install before your trip, activate the moment you land.
- Keep your home SIM active for calls while using Vietnam eSIM for data.
Available eSIM plans for Ho Chi Minh City 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 |
| Ho Chi Minh City eSIM | 7 / 15 / 30 days | 2–6GB/day and 15GB total | ✅ Yes (varies by plan) | from $5.90 |
→ Browse Ho Chi Minh City eSIM plans
V. Practical tips on Ho Chi Minh City SIM card
- Cash is King. Even in modern HCMC, most carrier stores require Cash (VND) for new SIM registrations.
- New Administrative Names: When searching for stores, note that District 1 wards merged in 2025. Look for stores in Ben Thanh Ward (near the Market) or Saigon Ward (near Dong Khoi).
- Check your balance after activating:
- Viettel: SMS “KTTK” to 191
- Vinaphone: Dial *101#
- Mobifone: Dial 0905#
- Top up your physical SIM: Buy a top-up card at any carrier store or convenience store (Circle K, Family Mart, GS25 – all common in HCMC). Enter 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.
- Using Grab without a local SIM: If you haven’t bought a local SIM yet, don’t worry. You can still book a Grab using your hotel or cafe WiFi. Grab allows you to use your existing account registered with your home country’s phone number—a local Vietnamese number is not mandatory for booking.