Vietnam SIM Cards: The 2025 Traveler's Guide

Need internet in Vietnam? Good news: it's cheap, fast, and easy to get. Here's the no-nonsense guide from locals.

Quick Answer

Best Provider: Viettel (best coverage everywhere) Best Value: VinaPhone (great for cities) Data Needed: 10-15GB is plenty for 2 weeks Cost: ~$8-12 USD for a month

Top 3 Providers

1. Viettel (Our Pick 🏆)

Coverage: Excellent nationwide, even in mountains/caves
Speed: Fastest 4G/5G
Best for: Travelers going off the beaten path (Sapa, Ha Giang, Phong Nha)
Cost: Slightly higher, but worth it

2. VinaPhone

Coverage: Great in all cities and tourist areas
Speed: Very reliable
Best for: City hopping (Hanoi, Da Nang, Saigon)
Cost: Competitive

3. Mobifone

Coverage: Good in major cities
Best for: Budget travelers staying in urban centers
Cost: Often the cheapest

Where to Buy

Option 1: Airport (Easiest)

Pros: Done in 5 mins, staff speak English, internet immediately. Cons: ~20% more expensive. Verdict: Worth the extra $2 for the convenience.

Option 2: Official Stores (Cheapest)

Pros: Best prices, official support. Cons: Have to find a store, language barrier possible. Verdict: Good if you're on a strict budget or staying for months.

How Much Data Do You Need?

Light User (5-7GB): Maps, WhatsApp, occasional browsing. Normal User (10-15GB): Instagram stories, Grab bookings, video calls. Heavy User (20GB+): Streaming, working remotely, constant social media.

Pro Tip: Most tourist packages include unlimited data for social apps (Facebook, TikTok, etc.)!

Step-by-Step Setup

Unlock your phone before leaving home.
Bring your passport (required for registration).
Ask for "Tourist SIM" at the counter.
Let them install it and check that internet works before you walk away.

Common Questions

eSIMs? Yes, very popular now. Apps like Airalo work well but are usually more expensive than local physical SIMs.

WiFi? It's everywhere. Every cafe, hotel, and restaurant has free, fast WiFi. You might use less data than you think.

Keep my number? Your WhatsApp will still work with your home number. Regular calls/texts to your home number won't work unless you have dual SIM.

Need Help?

Confused about packages or need to find a store near your hotel?

Message us on WhatsApp and we'll point you in the right direction. We help travelers get connected every day! 📱