Buying a Vietnam sim card for tourists is easy and cheap, from just $5, get one at the airport or order an eSIM online to stay connected throughout your trip.
I was really surprised that buying Vietnam sim card for tourists was easier than I thought. Right after landing, I went to the Viettel counter at the airport, showed my passport and it only took about 5-10 minutes to register, insert the SIM and turn on the data. I immediately had internet to look up maps, call taxis and contact friends, feeling very convenient and secure throughout the trip.
03 ways you can buy a SIM card when traveling in Vietnam
When traveling to Vietnam, there are several options available for purchasing a SIM card that suits your needs and schedule. Below are 03 ways I have experienced and learned always to have fast, convenient and cost-saving internet.
#1. Experience buying SIM at the airport
As soon as I landed at Noi Bai, I decided to buy a Vietnam sim card for tourists right at the airport to have internet access right away. I went to the Viettel counter, showed my passport, and was advised by the staff to choose a prepaid SIM card for tourists with a 10GB/30-day package, priced at around 200,000 VND (about 8 USD).
The staff explained in detail how to install the SIM, activate it, choose the data package that suits your needs, and also instructed me on how to make domestic and international calls.
It only took me about 5-10 minutes to complete, then the SIM worked immediately, I could look up maps, call taxis and contact friends without any trouble. This SIM is especially convenient because it has a Vietnamese number and a large data capacity enough for the whole trip.
#2. Buy Vietnam sim card for tourists after entering the city
After my airport experience, I learned more about buying SIM cards at stores in the city. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, official Viettel, Vinaphone or MobiFone stores are quite easy to find and SIM cards are often cheaper than buying at the airport.
According to research, similar data packages cost around 150,000 – 250,000 VND (about 6 – 10 USD), and staff also support quick registration with passport. This is a good choice if you do not need the network immediately upon landing at the airport or want to save money.
#3. Buy an eSIM before your trip (try it out)
In addition, I also tried to learn about eSIM, a convenient option for travelers who plan to travel Vietnam. You can order eSIM online before coming to Vietnam, receive a QR code, and install it directly on your eSIM-supported phone.
The advantage is that you don’t have to remove the original SIM, it’s quick to install, and you can turn on data and use it right away when you arrive at the airport. However, most eSIMs only have data, no voice calls, and large capacity usually costs more than physical SIMs. This is a great choice if your trip is short and you mainly need the Internet.
Quick comparison: Physical SIM vs eSIM for traveling to Vietnam
When traveling to Vietnam, you will see that there are two popular Vietnam SIM cards for tourists: Physical SIM and eSIM. Many travelers searching for the best SIM card for Vietnam often wonder which one to choose for their trip, because both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Personally, I was also hesitant when planning a trip to Vietnam. In the end, I chose a physical SIM, bought it right at the Viettel counter at the airport, because I need a Vietnamese number to call and text, and also travel to many remote places, rural areas, where a stable signal is top priority.
However, if you just short trip, mainly need the Internet to look up maps, call Grab or check social networks, and do not want to remove the phone’s original SIM, then. It is an extremely convenient choice. Here is a quick comparison table to help you visualize the differences between these two types of SIMs:
| Criteria | Physical SIM | eSIM for travel |
| Where to buy | Airport, Viettel/VinaPhone/MobiFone official stores | Buy online before the trip, install QR code on eSIM-supported phone |
| Average price | 150,000 – 250,000 VND (about 6 – 10 USD) for 7 – 30 day package | 100,000 – 400,000 VND (about 4 – 18 USD) depending on capacity/time |
| Voice call/SMS | Have | Usually not, just data |
| Install/Startup | Install SIM, register passport, turn on data | Scan QR code, turn on data, use it immediately |
| Advantage | Has Vietnamese number, can call/internal and international, large capacity | Convenient, no need to remove original SIM, turn it on and use, buy online before arriving |
| Disadvantages | Have to go to the store, have a registration process, takes a few minutes | Data only, no voice calls, large capacity, higher price than physical SIM |
| When to use | Need a Vietnamese number to make/receive calls, go to remote/rural areas, go for long trips | Short trip, just need internet, don’t want to change original SIM, prioritize convenience |
Personal comments:
- I find physical SIMs to be a safe and reliable option when traveling to different regions.
- eSIM is extremely convenient for short trips, no need for a Vietnamese number and prioritizes speed.
Review of 3 major network operators in Vietnam
When coming to Vietnam, choosing the right network provider is very important to ensure you always have a stable connection during your trip. Below is a review of my real-life experiences with the 3 major networks that tourists often use: Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone.
#1. Viettel – Strongest and most stable
On my recent trip, I chose to try Viettel SIM first, and I must say that this was the “safest” choice when looking for the best SIM card for Vietnam. Viettel’s signal is extremely strong and stable in both the city and the countryside, even when I went to Sa Pa or Ninh Binh.
The packages for tourists are quite diverse, starting from only 50,000 VND for a basic SIM, a good reference if you’re wondering how much is a SIM card in Vietnam or 10 – 30GB/30 days for about 150,000 – 250,000 VND. I feel that the network speed is very smooth, without interruption when looking up maps, calling Grab, or checking social networks, so I rate Viettel 9/10 for coverage and stability.
#2. VinaPhone – Cheap, stable price in central area
I also tried to find out about VinaPhone, especially when in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The biggest advantage is the cheap price, the basic package is only from 35,000 – 50,000 VND, suitable if you mainly use the Internet and make calls/text messages.
Trying to experience the reality, the network speed is enough to use in the city but when going to remote areas, mountainous areas, the signal is sometimes weaker than Viettel. VinaPhone is a reasonable choice if you want to save money and only travel mainly in the center.
#3. MobiFone – Stable, many “tourist” packages
Finally, I consulted MobiFone, a network operator with many popular “tourist” packages. For example, the 200,000 VND/14 days unlimited 4G package or 220,000 VND/30 days is very convenient for long trips in the city.
MobiFone stores are easy to find, have good consulting services and staff enthusiastically guide you on how to register a SIM card with your passport.
A small downside is that if you buy at a secondary counter or a non-genuine store, you may encounter some problems when activating. I rate MobiFone 8.5/10, stable, with many options and suitable for travelers who want many data package options.
Practical advice for tourists when buying a Vietnam sim card for tourists
After many experiences, I have drawn some useful lessons for those who are preparing to buy a SIM when traveling in Vietnam, especially for anyone looking for the best SIM card in Vietnam for tourists.
- First of all, always carry your passport because by law, all prepaid SIM cards for foreigners must be registered to the owner. I forgot my passport once and had to go back, which took a long time.
- Second, I recommend SIM at official counter or a reputable store, avoid small stalls or floating sales, because sometimes the SIM does not work, runs out of data early or the price is increased. Personally, I find buying at the airport a bit more expensive than buying in the city, but in return, you have internet as soon as you land, very convenient.
- Third, choose the carrier that suits your trip. If you travel to many remote, rural areas, I recommend using Viettel because the signal is strong and stable. If you only travel within the city and want to save money, VinaPhone or MobiFone are also good choices.
- Finally, if the trip is short and you only need the Internet to look up maps, call Grab or check social networks,eSIM is a quick and convenient choice, no need to remove the original SIM, pre-order online and turn on data to use immediately. Personally, I always prepare this information before the trip to avoid wasting time and feel secure connecting throughout the journey.
Conclusion
After my own experience, I found that buying Vietnam sim card for tourists is not as difficult as many people think. Having a physical SIM or eSIM ready helps me stay connected, check maps, call taxis and contact friends conveniently. If you need a Vietnamese number to make calls or text messages, go to remote areas or long trips, a physical SIM is a reliable choice. But if you only go for a short time, mainly need the Internet and want convenience, an eSIM is extremely suitable.
