Staying connected in Vietnam makes traveling easier, whether it’s navigating with Google Maps, booking Grab rides, or staying in touch with family. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in cafés and hotels, but having mobile data gives you freedom and convenience, especially when exploring rural areas or planning long journeys.
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1. Top Vietnamese SIM card providers
1. Viettel
Viettel is the most popular mobile network provider in Northern Vietnam.
| Pros | Cons |
| Consistent coverage: Viettel has extensive coverage across Vietnam, including both urban and rural areas. | Language barrier: Customer service might not always be available in English, which could be a challenge for tourists who don’t speak Vietnamese. It might be best to enlist a Vietnamese speaker to call on your behalf. |
| Affordable data packages: Viettel offers competitive data plans suitable for tourists. | Limited international roaming options: Viettel’s international roaming options may not be as extensive as some other providers. |
| Good customer service: Viettel is known for its responsive customer service, which can be helpful for tourists with inquiries or issues. | |
| Unlimited data bundles are available. |
2. VinaPhone
VinaPhone is also popular in the North, and it’s especially good for urban areas. Consider it if you are planning to stay in or near the big cities for your entire trip.
| Pros | Cons |
| Network quality: VinaPhone offers good network quality in urban areas and popular tourist destinations. | Limited coverage in rural areas: While VinaPhone’s coverage is generally good in cities, it may not be as reliable in rural or remote areas. |
| International roaming options: VinaPhone provides various international roaming packages suitable for tourists traveling to other countries around Vietnam. | Data package pricing: Some tourists might find VinaPhone’s data packages relatively expensive compared to other providers. |
| English support: VinaPhone may offer better English language support compared to other providers. |
3. MobiFone
MobiFone is the most popular carrier in Southern Vietnam.
| Pros | Cons |
| Flexible prepaid plans: MobiFone offers a variety of prepaid plans that can be suitable for tourists with different needs and budgets. You don’t need to worry about it if you’re just going to buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport. | Inconsistent network quality: While MobiFone’s coverage is generally good, network quality might vary in certain areas, especially remote Northern ones. |
| Excellent coverage in Southern Vietnam: In the south, MobiFone has strong coverage nearly everywhere, from the chaotic streets of Ho Chi Minh City to remote countryside trails. It still has good coverage in the North, but it’s best near cities. | Limited English support: Like Viettel, MobiFone’s English-language support is not always the best. |
| Easy to find: MobiFone SIM cards are widely available at convenience stores and kiosks across Vietnam. | |
| Unlimited data packages are available. |
2. Where to buy Vietnam SIM cards?
At the airport
Whether you’re arriving at Noi Bai International in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International in Ho Chi Minh city, or any of Vietnam’s other international terminals, there will be lots of SIM card kiosks as soon as you leave your gate. The booths will generally carry prepaid SIM cards from one or all of the carriers listed in the previous section, and they will offer prepaid data package options in whatever size you feel you need — you can refer to the table above to decide what one is best for you.
Once you settle on a carrier and a prepaid plan size, the person working at the booth will help you to open up your phone, insert the new SIM card, and activate it. You’re good to go!
Pro Tip: Immediately take a photo of your new Vietnamese phone number so that you won’t forget it. You can find the number on the packaging that comes with the SIM card.
At a mobile store
If you can wait to go into the city to buy a SIM card, you might be able to get a slightly better deal. By getting a SIM card at the same place the locals do, you can pay the local price for the card and then buy the plan separately.
Though this method is cheaper and might be the only option for those not traveling through an airport, it might not be as convenient for those who speak no Vietnamese since the clerks at the mobile stores may not speak English.
Online eSIM
If you’re buying an eSim, purchasing electronically is almost certainly easier. You can buy from anywhere in the world, meaning that you can buy the eSIM before your trip and then activate it for free as soon as you get to Vietnam.
NOTE: You might need to check if your phone supports eSIM. Let’s send us a message on WhatsApp for instant support about eSIM. ???? Contact us.
Tips for Using SIM Cards in Vietnam
- Bring your passport when purchasing, as registration is required.
- Make sure your phone is unlocked to accept a foreign SIM.
- Use apps like Grab and Zalo—both are widely used by locals.
- Data speeds are generally fast in cities, but can slow down in remote areas.
- For longer stays, topping up credit is easy at convenience stores and phone shops.
Conclusion
The best SIM card for tourists in Vietnam depends on where you plan to travel. For most visitors, Viettel is the safest choice thanks to its nationwide coverage, especially if you’re exploring beyond the big cities. Vinaphone is also a strong option for city travelers. With affordable data and easy setup at the airport, getting connected in Vietnam is simple—and will make your journey smoother.
📩 Got a question? Feel free to let us know by sending us a text on WhatsApp: +84868974028 or connect with us on our Facebook Page . We will absolutely offer you a free consultation, the best quotes, and promotions!
