Embarking on a trip to Vietnam offers unforgettable experiences in bustling cities, stunning landscapes, and rich culture. Connecting with loved ones and accessing information is easy with the right SIM card or eSIM card for Vietnam. Whether you’re sharing photos of Halong Bay or navigating Hanoi’s traffic, our guide will help you choose the best options to stay connected without breaking the bank.
Table of Contents
1. Should I buy a SIM card for Vietnam?
Yes, get a local SIM card or eSIM card for Vietnam because it is necessary, especially for wanderlusts who are always moving. Though there are hotels and Café that provide free Wi-Fi, it becomes bad luck that you are in a new place without any other option, so these things also matter. A local SIM card or eSIM provides you with:
- Affordable Data: Data charges locally are much cheaper compared to the international roaming charges hence enabling one to be connected without being worried of the hefty bills.
- Local Number: Having a local number increases the chances of communicating with local businesses, booking services, and ordering Grab driving services.
- Convenience: The Internet, calls, and texts can be done with a local SIM card or an eSIM at any time and place that is required.
2. SIM vs. eSIM – Which One is Better?
SIM cards and eSIMs are both available in Vietnam, but one provides the following benefits and the other carries out the following demerits.
| Feature | SIM Card | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Card | Requires a physical nano/micro SIM card | No physical card is needed, embedded in your device |
| Availability | Widely available at airports and stores | Limited device compatibility |
| Flexibility | Can be easily swapped between devices | Cannot be physically swapped between devices |
| Activation | Requires physical insertion | Activated online or via QR code |
| Convenience | Less convenient for multi-country travel | More convenient for frequent travelers |
For the majority of visitors of Vietnam, an eSIM is the option of choice. Powered eSIMs are more convenient as they can be bought and activated even before someone gets into a foreign country, without searching for a shop, or stores that accept you with pleasure only in case you overstay your welcome. They also come in handy for tourists with eSIM-compatible devices who intend to cover more than one country as one can convert from one eSIM to the other without having to move around with the cards. Though eSIMs are now the new standard, not every device comes with the capability, or if you have a preference for a physical card normal SIM cards are still very accessible and offer good value.
3. Best Vietnam SIM Card Plans for Tourists & Cost
Vietnam is served by several large mobile operators that provide SIM cards and packages that will be useful to tourists. The most popular providers include:
- Viettel: The biggest and most popular network in Vietnam, providing very good signals including in the districts.
- Vinaphone: Yet another company with a huge network reach and fairly reasonable tariffs.
- MobiFone: It is one of the most popular network providers in Kenya, especially for youngsters since it covers a wide range of internet packages for a low budget.
This is only a limited list of such offers and actual plans and prices can be different. Make sure to check the comparison of the Vietnam providers for the latest and give the decision later.
4. Best Vietnam eSIM Cards for Tourists & Cost
For those with devices that are compatible with eSIM, there are several providers with viable and inexpensive eSIM plans to use in Vietnam. Some popular options include:
- Vietnam eSIM: Provides multiple data-only eSIM packs with various validity and data bundle Propositions starting from $4 US. 50 for 1GB.
- Holafly: Offers unlimited data eSIM plans with possible time options from 5 to 30 days at $19 per 5 days.
Pros and Cons of eSIM Providers:
Pros:
- Easy shopping online, and activation of the product.
- Compared to roaming call charges the prices are relatively cheaper.
- As for the model where people carry several actual physical SIM cards at once, there is no longer a need for that.
- Frequently can be used in several countries (depending on the provider of the services).
Cons:
- No local phone numbers may be available
- Customer support may be less easily available as compared to local carriers.
5. Where to buy SIM/eSIM card for Vietnam?
You have several options for purchasing a SIM card or eSIM card for Vietnam:
- Airports: A wide range of international airports across the nation has counters offering or shops that sell SIM cards of the various providers. This is especially useful if you want to be connected as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
- Mobile Operator Stores: You can now go directly to the Viettel store or Vinaphone or MobiFone store to buy the SIM card and enroll in your preferred package.
- Convenience Stores and Authorized Retailers: Additional SIM cards can also be bought at many more convenience stores and all authorized retailers all over Vietnam.
- Online eSIM Providers: Vietnam eSIMs are available online before your trip from vietnamesim.com, or Nomad as long as your phone supports eSIM.
For travelers with compatible devices purchasing an eSIM online is by far the cheapest and easiest option available. Details of compatible devices and information on how to activate your eSIM can be obtained from the websites of many eSIM providers.
6. Tips for saving data on your Vietnam SIM/eSIM
- Use Wi-Fi whenever possible: Free Wi-Fi should be used in hotels, cafes, and other areas to avoid using up much data that you may have purchased.
- Download offline maps: This way, when you are on the move, you do not have to use data and have to rely on the maps of the various areas you are visiting physically.
- Limit background app refresh: Apps should not use data in the background; turn off background app refresh if on an iOS device.
- Use data-saving mode: A good number of browsers and other applications have a data saver mode which can be of great assistance in using less data.
- Compress photos and videos: To avoid too much consumption of data, compress the photos and the videos before sharing them with others.
7. Final tips
- Check your phone’s compatibility: Each of these Points hopes to ensure his cell is unlocked and recognized by the network in Vietnam before going for the purchase of a SIM or eSIM card for Vietnam.
- Bring your passport: This simply requires any passport to register your SIM card among the necessities for the use of this service.
- Learn some basic Vietnamese phrases: It also increases the level of preparedness, because it is always useful to learn several phrases in the language of the locals.
- Be mindful of scams: Avoid using SIMs from street vendors as they may be fake or are sold at highly inflated prices.
- Enjoy your trip! Hence with a good SIM card or eSIM card for Vietnam, you will be flexible and make a lot out of your time in Vietnam.
This guide will help you prepare enough to select the right SIM card or eSIM card for Vietnam to use when traveling to Vietnam such that you will not have a troubled time.
