Having a local SIM card makes your travels more convenient and it allows you to stay connected with your family and friends. Acquiring a local SIM should be the first point in every traveler’s itinerary. A precursory online search on how and where to buy a SIM card; the best network provider; the internet speed; documents needed, etc. helps you make an informed decision.
This blog will provide you with all the necessary information you’ll need to know as a tourist to purchase your ideal SIM card in Vietnam.
Buying a SIM Card in Vietnam as a Foreigner
Table of Contents
What Documents Are Required?
The entire process is very simple. Only a copy of your passport is required to buy a SIM card in Vietnam. No photographs are required for the process.
SIM Card Providers
Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobiphone are the three largest network providers in Vietnam with Viettel dominating the market.
eSIM Cards
You can either buy a physical SIM card or an eSIM. Since 2013, all major SIM providers have made eSIM cards available for tourists, and these can be acquired with no additional charges. The plans for eSIMS are similar to that of prepaid physical SIM cards.
When you register for an eSIM, the service provider will offer you a QR code. Scan it on your mobile and enter the necessary information such as username, password, mobile number, etc. Once the registration is complete, the eSIM card will be ready to use.
Nomad, Airalo, and SimOptions are some of the prevalent third-party companies that offer eSIM services in Vietnam. Similar to the prepaid ones, these companies also offer different plans catering to the number of days, speed, and price. We haven’t used them personally so we are unsure of their quality of service.
Best SIM Card To Buy
Viettel and Vinaphone are similar in terms of coverage and speed. We bought a Viettel SIM card per the suggestions online by several reliable blogs like ours. But after exploring Vietnam and enquiring with the locals about their preferences, Vinaphone stands out. Additionally, our friend bought Vinaphone and didn’t have any issues or complaints as well. So, both Viettel and Vinaphone are ideal and recommended for tourists.
Mobiphone’s network coverage tends to be spotty and they are still in the process of expanding its services. It has little to no connectivity in Northern Vietnam. In light of these facts, we don’t recommend you buy a Mobiphone SIM card.
Info on SIM Card Plans & Packages
Vietnam offers different packages for users dedicated to specific purposes.
- Calling only
- Internet usage only
- Multifunction SIM (both calling and internet)
- Roaming packages
How Much Does It Cost?
All the plans mentioned below are for your reference alone. For updated and latest prices, please check their official website.
| Network | Plan Description | Cost |
| Viettel (available in stores) | V90B – 30 days valid, 1 GB per day, 30 minutes abroad calls V160B – 30 days valid, 4 GB per day, 100 minutes abroad calls V180B – 30 days valid, 6 GB per day, 100 minutes abroad calls V250X – 30 days valid, 8 GB per day, 150 minutes abroad calls | 90.000 VND 160.000 VND 180.000 VND 200.000 VND Extra charges are applicable for the new SIM card |
| Viettel (available in airports) | Unlimited high-speed internet, 50 minutes local call, free calls to Viettel number Unlimited high-speed internet (data only) 4 GB per day, free calls for Viettel below 20 minutes, 50 minutes calls for other networks 1 GB per day, free calls for Viettel below 20 minutes, 20 minutes calls for other networks | 400.000 VND 350.000 VND 350.000 VND 250.000 VND |
| Vinaphone (available in stores) | VD90 – 30 days valid, 1 GB per day, 30 minutes free abroad calls VD 150 – 30 days valid, 2 GB per day, 80 minutes of free abroad calls D199G – 30 days valid, 8 GB per day, 250 minutes of free abroad calls | 90.000 VND 150.000 VDN 199.000 VDN 30,000 VDN additional fee for the new SIM card |
| Vinaphone (available in airports) | 6 GB per day, free same-network calls for 1500 minutes, 200 minutes calls for other networks 3 GB per day, free same-network calls for 1500 minutes, 30-minute calls to other networks | 350.000 VDN 300.000 VDN |
For Vinaphone and Viettel, if you purchase them at the stores, the tourist plans are similar to the local plans that Vietnamese use.
Choose Your Ideal Package
Most public places, restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, airport buses, etc. offer reliable Wi-Fi services in Vietnam. You’ll be using data less than you probably estimated. For data limit packages say 1 GB/day, after reaching the data limit, the internet is completely terminated, and there are no options that allow you to use the internet at a reduced speed.
- If you prefer Viettel, we suggest you buy the SIM cards at the airport. Go for the unlimited data-only plan in Viettel. It should cost you about 350.000 VND, negotiable to 300.000 VND. It is a pretty attractive deal.
- For Vinaphone, purchasing one at the official stores will get you a great deal. You can choose a VD90 or D199G pack for 90.000 VND or 200.000 VND respectively.
We have tried both Viettel’s unlimited package and Vinaphone’s VD90 package. Both are equally good with excellent coverage. If you want to save yourself from the hassles of constantly topping up the plan, choose a pack with more data. In Northern Vietnam, the more remote you go, expect less speed.
Where To Buy SIM Cards In Vietnam?
At The Airport
The three Airports most frequently used by international tourists include Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Noi Bai International Airport at Hanoi (IATA code: HAN), and Da Nang International Airport (DAD). Reliable SIM card counters are available at these three airports.
A huge advantage of buying SIM cards at Vietnam airports is that the stores are open 24*7 and you don’t have to pay in cash. All the stores accept card payments without any additional service charge. However, in none of the airports, will you find any network provider’s official store. Instead, you will find counters selling SIM cards and offering money exchange services.
The unlimited data pack that was suggested by us was commonly found in all the outlets at the airport, but, we also noticed some differences in other plans. On confirming the plan and completing the payment, an Associate will help you in activating your SIM card. They will also insert the SIM card and verify if it works.
Official Retail Stores
We have visited both the Viettel and Vinaphone stores solely to gather information and share it with you guys. The process involved here is different from buying SIM cards at the airport.
For Viettel, you’ll be given a list of available phone numbers from which you can choose. Each of these numbers comes with a price starting from 45000 VND and goes up to 500,000 VND. After choosing your preferred number, you can opt for a package based on your choice. After the passport and image verification, your SIM card will be activated.
For Vinaphone, the process is the same as Viettel. The only difference is that you can choose the new phone number for a flat price of 30000 VND unless you request a fancy number.
Find the list of store locations here – Viettel and Vinaphone.
Online
Although there is a provision to buy online for Viettel, it does not work. We tried uploading the necessary documents like our picture and passport, but it didn’t go past the last step. However, we do encourage you to try your luck. For Vinaphone, no online convenience exists.
Shopping Malls
There are official outlets in shopping malls spread across different cities in the country. You can purchase SIM cards from here as well.
Convenience Stores, Retail Shops & Tourist Agencies
Although SIM cards are available in grocery and retail shops, we recommend that you DO NOT buy from them. You can easily find reliable SIMs being sold at mobile shops. However, the price is not fixed. When we enquired in a shop, they didn’t even ask for passport verification and told us that the SIM was already active. Although this might work, we urge you to avoid purchasing from unauthorized agents.
We strongly urge that you do not buy from a tourist agency. This is to protect you from getting spammed. Also, they tend to charge you a high service charge, and the price quoted by them is always higher. However, if you do happen to buy one from them we urge that you put your haggling skills to good use and secure a better deal.
SIM cards are not sold at convenience stores in Vietnam like Winmart and Circle K, and 7Eleven stores are nonexistent in Vietnam.
Best Place To Buy SIM Cards
In Vietnam, we strongly recommend that you buy SIM cards either at the airport or at the providers’ official retail stores. The people at the counter tend to communicate well in English and will aid you in activating the new SIM card.
How To Activate The SIM Card?
If you buy from the airport or any official retail store, the staff will help you with the activation. You need not worry about doing it yourself. It’s all complete within minutes after inserting the SIM inside your mobile.
How To Recharge or Top Up?
Recharge cards are available in many shops across the streets. You have to scratch off the QR code to see the secret code. Follow the simple steps given on the card and you are done. This is the most easiest and convenient way to do it.
Online recharge options are also available. However, the only challenge is translating the website or mobile application to English or other familiar languages as they are available only in Vietnamese.
Self-Service Numbers
The following numbers can come in handy even when you’re offline. Make a note of them.
| Viettel | Vinaphone | |
| To check your phone number | *101# | *101# |
| To check the remaining balance | *101# | *101# |
| Current plan validity | *102# | *102# |
How Is The Internet Speed? Is 5G Available In Vietnam?
The Internet speed can be categorized as good to excellent throughout the country. However, the speed is poor to moderate particularly in Northern Vietnam. 5G network connectivity is only available in major cities.
Helpful Tips
- Wi-Fi services are available almost everywhere in Vietnam, even at the airport, overnight sleeper buses, and other prevalent places.
- You can Google translate the official websites and mobile applications that are only available in Vietnamese.
- Generally, Vietnamese mobile numbers start with +84 followed by 9 digits.
- To charge your device, the plug adapters in Vietnam are of Type A, C, F, and G.
Have you purchased a SIM card in Vietnam? If you have, share your experience in the comment section below.
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