Vietnam SIM Card: Viettel, Vinaphone & Mobifone — Plans, Prices & Where to Buy

Vietnam SIM cards are the most reliable and cost-effective way to stay connected during your trip – cheaper than roaming, more secure than public WiFi, and simpler than pocket WiFi.

This guide covers everything you need to know: which type of SIM to pick, how much it costs, where to buy it, and whether eSIM is right for you.

Quick answer: For most tourists, a prepaid Viettel SIM or eSIM is the best option – widest coverage, fastest 5G, competitive price, no passport required if buying eSIM online. Expect to pay 60,000-180,000dd (~$2.50–7) for a tourist plan covering 7-30 days. No passport required if buying eSIM online.

Quick Comparison: Which SIM type is right for you

	Physical SIM	eSIM
Where to buy	Airport / carrier stores	Online, before you fly
Passport required	✅ Yes	❌ No
Setup time	10–20 min at counter	3–5 min, instant QR
Activate on landing	✅	✅
Best for	Any phone	eSIM-compatible phones
Price range	60,000–199,000₫ (~$2.50–8)	from $7.90 USD

I. Do you need a Vietnam SIM card?

Yes, for most tourists, a local SIM is the most practical option.

Free WiFi exists in hotels, cafes, and restaurants across Vietnam, but it’s unreliable when you are moving between cities, or anywhere outside major tourist areas. Public WiFi also carries security risks on shared networks.

A local SIM gives you:

• Reliable 4G/5G data wherever you go.
• Access to Grab, Google Maps, Zalo without interruption.
• A much lower cost than international roaming ($1-2/day vs. $10-12/day).

However, the only exception is very short layovers where airport WiFi is sufficient.

II. Types of Vietnam SIM cards

1. By form: physical SIM vs. eSIM

• Physical SIM: the traditional plastic SIM card you insert into your phone. It is available at airports, carrier stores, and phone shops and requires a passport for registration.
• eSIM: an embedded SIM (digital SIM) installed via QR code. There is no need for a physical card, passport when buying from eSIM eSIM providers. But, it requires an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone to work with.

→ Not sure if your phone supports eSIM? Check the full list of eSIM compatible phones and supported devices.

2. By Function: Data-Only vs. Data + Voice/Text

• Data-only: covers all internet-based use: Google Maps, Grab (existing account), WhatsApp, social media. No Vietnamese phone number. Best value for most tourists.
• Data + Vietnamese number: includes a local number for incoming/outgoing calls and SMS. Useful if you need to register for Grab, receive OTP codes, or call local services.

→ Not sure if you need a Vietnamese number? Do I need a Vietnamese phone number?

3. By Flexibility: Prepaid vs. Postpaid

• Prepaid: This is the only practical option for tourists. Pay upfront, no contract, no local address required.
• Postpaid: It requires local address, bank account, and credit check. Not relevant for visitors.

III. How much does a Vietnam SIM card cost?

• Physical SIM cards from airport counters or carrier stores: 60,000–199,000₫ (~$2.50–8) for tourist plans covering 7–30 days.
• Mobifone Hi Vietnam app: free for first 24 hours (8GB + 10 mins calls), then 80,000–240,000₫ (~$3.20–9.60) for 3–30 day plans. Pay by Visa/Mastercard in-app.
• eSIM plans from online providers (vietnamesim.com): from $10.90 USD for 7–30 days, with 2–5GB data per day. Higher price than physical SIM, but no passport, no queue, and you can buy before you fly.
• International roaming from your home carrier: $10–12 per day (for example: AT&T or T-Mobile’s roaming fees) — significantly more expensive for equivalent data.

IV. Best Vietnam SIM cards for Tourists

The top three mobile operators in Vietnam — Viettel, Vinaphone, and MobiFone — all offer tourist SIM plans. Here is a quick overview.

1. Viettel – Best overall

Viettel is Vietnam’s largest carrier (with 54.2% market share). It has the strongest coverage nationally, 4G reaches 98.6% of Vietnam’s population, 5G covers 91.2%. Viettel is the best choice if your itinerary includes anywhere outside major cities.

Best Viettel tourist SIM plans (updated):

Plan	Validity	Data	Calls	Price
5G60T	7 days	5GB/day	—	60,000₫ (~$2.50)
5G60H	7 days	15GB total	—	60,000₫ (~$2.50)
5G80T	15 days	5GB/day	—	80,000₫ (~$3.20)
5G120H	30 days	1.5GB/day	30 mins on-net + 15 mins off-net	120,000₫ (~$4.80)
5G150T	30 days	5GB/day	—	150,000₫ (~$6)
5G180H	30 days	5GB/day	30 mins on-net + 15 mins off-net	180,000₫ (~$7.20)

On-net = calls to Viettel numbers. Off-net = calls to other Vietnamese networks. Prices do not include SIM costs when buying a physical SIM.

Purchase: Buying at Viettel airport counters or authorized stores requires passport registration. Available at Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (HCMC), Da Nang, Cam Ranh (Nha Trang), and Phu Quoc airports — looking for red-white Viettel branding with bilingual pricing boards.

→ Full Viettel Tourist SIM Guide: Plans, Prices & Where to Buy

2. Vinaphone – Best for cities + Local number

Vinaphone is Vietnam’s second-largest carrier. It offers speed approximately equal to Viettel in urban areas. If you need a phone number for Grab registration or OTP verification, select Vinaphone plans that include a Vietnamese phone number.

Vinaphone Tourist SIM plan (updated):

Validity	Data	Calls	SMS	Price
15 days	1GB/day	50 mins local + 50 mins international	50 SMS free	199,000₫

The plan above includes 10,000₫ main balance credit. International calls available to the US, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and more via prefix 1714.

Vinaphone’s coverage weakens in mountainous and remote rural areas compared to Viettel. After 15 days, the SIM is automatically deactivated.

→ Full Vinaphone Tourist SIM Guide: Plans, Prices & Where to Buy

3. MobiFone – Hi Vietnam App (Unique Approach)

Mobifone has launched Hi Vietnam — a dedicated app for international tourists that bundles eSIM, data, and travel services in one platform. A different approach from the other two carriers.

How it works: Download the Hi Vietnam app, then register with passport (eKYC process). Receive a free eSIM + 8GB data + 10 mins local calls for 24 hours. Buy a paid plan to continue.

Hi Vietnam paid plans:

Plan	Validity	Data	Calls	Price
HVN3	3 days	25GB	30 mins local	80,000₫ (~$3.20)
HVN7	7 days	50GB	70 mins local	120,000₫ (~$4.80)
HVN15	15 days	120GB	150 mins local	160,000₫ (~$6.40)
HVN30	30 days	250GB	200 mins local	240,000₫ (~$9.60)

Pay via Visa or Mastercard directly in the app — no local bank account or cash needed. App also includes taxi booking, hotel search, restaurant recommendations, and 24/7 multilingual support.

⚠️ Note: Requires passport eKYC verification via video call. Not ideal for travelers who want instant setup without registration steps. MobiFone plans are not recommended for Ha Giang, Sapa, or rural travel.

→ Need a full network comparison? Vietnam Mobile Operators: Viettel vs Vinaphone vs Mobifone

V. Where to buy a Vietnam SIM card

1. Option 1: Buy eSIM Online — Before You Fly (Recommended)

This is the most convenient option if your phone supports eSIM. Buy it from vietnamesim.com, receive QR code by email in 3-5 minutes, install it at home, activate it when you land.

Advantages over physical SIM:

• No passport required
• No airport queue
• Activate exactly when your plan should start
• Available for Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone networks

Available eSIM plans:

Network	Validity	Data	Price	Vietnamese number
Viettel	7 / 15 / 30 days	5GB/day	from $10.90	❌ No
Vinaphone	7 / 10 / 15 / 30 days	2–5GB/day	from $10.90	✅ Yes
MobiFone (Official Network)	7 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 30 days	3-8GB/day	from $7.90	✅ Yes

→ Browse all Vietnam eSIM Plans

2. Option 2: Buy at the Airport — On Arrival

Tourists can also buy a Vietnam SIM card at international airports. Both Viettel, Vinaphone, and MobiFone have official counters at all major Vietnam airports.

• Noi Bai (Hanoi) — after baggage claim, arrivals hall
• Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City) — domestic and international terminals
• Da Nang International Airport
• Cam Ranh Airport (Nha Trang)

What to bring: passport (required for registration), cash in VND or USD.

Things to know:

• Plan options are more limited than city stores
• Counters may be closed for late-night or early-morning arrivals → Arriving late at night? Late Night Arrival Vietnam: eSIM vs Airport SIM
• Queues during peak hours

3. Option 3: Buy in the City — More Options

Once in Vietnam, you can buy SIM cards at:

Phone retail chains: The Gioi Di Dong, FPT Shop, CellphoneS — carry all major networks.

Official carrier stores (most reliable, staff speak some English):

• Viettel: vietteltelecom.vn/cua-hang
• Vinaphone: vinaphone.com.vn/ho-tro/diem-giao-dich
• Mobifone: mobifone.vn/ho-tro-khach-hang/vi-tri-cua-hang

Phone retail chains: The Gioi Di Dong, FPT Shop, CellphoneS — carry all major networks.

Each major city has its own guide with specific store locations and what to watch out for:

→ Hanoi SIM Card Guide

→ Ho Chi Minh City SIM Card Guide

→ Da Nang SIM Card Guide

→ Nha Trang SIM Card Guide

Pro tip: Research your plan in advance and ask for it by name (e.g. “5G60H Viettel”). This prevents upsells and ensures you get the right plan at the right price.

⚠️ Avoid: unmarked street stalls or unofficial vendors — SIM card scams exist, especially near tourist areas → Vietnam SIM Card Scams: What to Watch Out For

VI. How much data do you need?

Usage type	Recommended data
Light (maps, messaging, email)	1–3 GB/week
Moderate (social media, GPS, travel apps)	3–5 GB/week
Heavy (video calls, streaming)	10–15 GB/week
Digital nomad (remote work)	Unlimited plan

For a 1–2 week tourist trip with moderate use, a 5–10GB total plan is comfortable. When in doubt, go one tier up — running out mid-trip is more disruptive than paying a little extra.

VII. How to Activate and Use Your Vietnam SIM

Physical SIM: Airport staff typically activate it for you. If doing it yourself, follow the instructions on the SIM packaging — usually involves sending a text to a specific number.

eSIM: Activation is automatic when your phone first connects to the Vietnamese network — no action needed in most cases. See full guide: → How to Install & Activate an eSIM in Vietnam (Step-by-Step)

Check data balance:

• Viettel: SMS “KTTK” to 191
• Vinaphone: Dial *101#
• Mobifone: Dial 0905#

Top up your physical SIM:

• Scratch cards — available at phone shops and convenience stores
• Online banking apps: MoMo, ZaloPay

VIII. Frequently asked questions