Vietnam SIM Card Guide for Tourists: How to Stay Connected Easily

Staying connected while traveling in Vietnam is essential — not just for Google Maps and Instagram, but for:

• Booking Grab rides
• Translating menus or street signs
• Getting emergency help
• Contacting hotels or tour providers
• Using travel apps like Zalo, MoMo, BusMap

Public Wi-Fi is available at cafés and airports, but it’s often slow or unsecured. A Vietnamese SIM card gives you stable, high-speed mobile data starting from just $5.

Planning to land in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City? Check our Vietnam Airport Arrival Guide for SIM pickup spots.

Yes. Foreigners can legally buy prepaid SIM cards in Vietnam — and it’s actually quick and easy.

Requirements:

• A valid passport (not just a photo)
• Optional: Hotel address or local contact (some providers ask)
• The SIM will be registered under your passport number

Registration is mandatory by law in Vietnam, so SIMs must be activated by an authorized agent or provider. Most airport kiosks will handle everything for you in less than 5 minutes.

💡 Tip: Avoid unregistered SIMs sold on the street or at small stalls — they may stop working after a few days.

There are two main types of SIM cards tourists can buy in Vietnam:

✅ Tourist SIM Card:

• Tailored for short stays (7 to 30 days)
• Big data packages (up to 15–30 GB)
• Some include free local calls & SMS
• Prices: 150,000–250,000 VND (~$6–10)
• No top-up or ID renewal needed

✅ Prepaid SIM Card:

• Pay-as-you-go
• Can be topped up anytime
• Longer validity (can last 60–90 days with activity)
• Better for long-term travelers or digital nomads
• Slightly cheaper base cost

Which one to choose?

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tourist SIM = simple, all-in-one, no fuss
• 💻 Prepaid SIM = better flexibility, especially for long-term stays

Need help deciding? Check out our Tourist vs Prepaid SIM Comparison.

Vietnam has three major mobile networks with great coverage:

1. Viettel – Best Overall

• Government-owned, wide rural and urban coverage
• Best choice if you’re traveling beyond cities
• Fastest 4G in many areas
• Official site: vietteltele.com.vn

2. Vinaphone – Best Urban Speeds

• Strong performance in Hanoi, Da Nang, HCMC
• Affordable tourist SIM bundles
• Fast speeds for video calls and YouTube

3. Mobifone – Good City Option

• Reliable in major cities, slightly less rural reach
• Great customer service and data packages

All three support 4G LTE, and 5G is rolling out in major cities (as of 2024).

💡 We recommend Viettel if you’re visiting more than one city or traveling by train/bus across Vietnam.

Need full plan breakdowns? See our Best Vietnam SIM Card Providers.

Tourist SIM plans in Vietnam are affordable and come preloaded with data, valid for 7 to 30 days.

🔥 Popular tourist SIM packages:

All of these offer 4G LTE, and some include:

• Free access to Facebook, Zalo, TikTok
• Hotspot/tethering allowed
• Extra data via top-up cards

Tip: If you're in Vietnam less than 2 weeks, don’t overpay. Even 150,000 VND (~$6) is more than enough.

Buy at the Airport (Recommended for Short Trips)

• Locations: After immigration at Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (HCMC), Da Nang International Airport
• Pros:
• Fast setup (5–10 mins)
• Staff speaks English
• SIM is registered and ready to use
• Cons:
• Slightly higher price (~$1–2 more)

Buy in the City (Best for Budget or Long Stay)

• Where:
• Official telecom stores (Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone)
• Electronics stores or mobile kiosks
• Pros:
• More options
• Better pricing
• Cons:
• Some staff may not speak English
• Longer wait times or limited tourist plans

Tip: Avoid buying from street vendors or convenience stores unless you're sure it's a legit SIM with passport registration.

Want a safe pickup? Book online via Klook or GetYourGuide and pick up at the airport.

📍 Get Your SIM from Friends Travel Vietnam

If you're looking for a trusted SIM provider with local service, check out Friends Travel Vietnam — a top-rated travel company supporting tourists across Vietnam.

Why choose us?

• We offer tourist SIM cards with up to 150GB of data
• All SIMs are pre-registered with your passport (no hassle)
• ✅ Airport or hotel delivery available
• ✅ Support via WhatsApp and email
• ✅ Combine SIM with tours, transport, and travel tips

💬 Need a SIM card before or after landing?
Contact Friends Travel Vietnam and we’ll get you connected — fast and stress-free.

By Vietnamese law, SIM registration is required for all users — including tourists. Without this step, your SIM may get blocked.

Registration process:

• Present your passport (original, not photocopy)
• Staff will take a photo or scan your info
• You’ll receive a registration confirmation SMS
• SIM usually activated in under 10 minutes

Activation steps:

• Insert SIM into your phone
• Restart the device
• You should get a welcome SMS with data details
• Use code (like  *101# ) to check balance/data

💡 Pro Tip: Ask staff to test mobile data before you walk away.

Prefer to skip the physical SIM card? eSIMs are a great alternative — especially for travelers with dual-SIM phones or no SIM slot.

Top eSIM providers for Vietnam:

• Airalo – Packages from $4.50, works in all major cities
• Holafly – Unlimited data options, higher cost
• Nomad – Budget-friendly with regional Southeast Asia plans

Pros:

• No need to visit a store
• Activate before arrival
• Easy to switch between numbers

Cons:

• No local number for calls or texts
• Slightly more expensive than local SIMs
• Not all phones support eSIM (check your device first)

📱 Compatible devices:
iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 4 and up, Samsung Galaxy S20 and up.

Vietnam has solid 4G LTE coverage across cities and tourist areas, and 5G is gradually rolling out in places like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Coverage comparison:

Where coverage drops:

• Mountainous regions like Ha Giang or Sapa
• Some islands (e.g., Con Dao)
• Underground in big malls or remote national parks

💡 Tip: Use Viettel for cross-country travel, and Vinaphone if you're staying mostly in Hanoi or HCMC.

Running out of data or minutes? It’s easy to top up a SIM in Vietnam.

How to top up:

• 💳 Top-up cards: Sold at convenience stores (Circle K, VinMart)
• 💻 Online top-up: Use apps like MoMo, ZaloPay, or provider websites
• 🧾 At official stores: Ask to top up + extend data plan

Popular codes:

• Check balance: *101#
• Check data: *102#
• Viettel app: My Viettel (iOS/Android)
• Vinaphone app: My VNPT

Pro tip: Ask staff to help with the top-up if you don’t speak Vietnamese. Most are happy to assist.

If you’re staying in Vietnam longer than 30 days — or working remotely — you should avoid tourist SIMs and go prepaid instead.

Recommended for long-term:

• Viettel or Vinaphone prepaid
• Plans:
• 30GB/month for ~100,000–150,000 VND
• Extendable every 30 days
• Add-ons for social media or YouTube

How to stay connected:

• Register your SIM with passport
• Set up auto-top-up via app
• Use hotspot for laptop or tablet

Despite being straightforward, some tourists still run into problems when using SIM cards in Vietnam. Here’s how to avoid them.

Problem 1: SIM not working

• Solution: Ensure SIM is registered and activated
• Restart phone, toggle airplane mode

Problem 2: Slow or no signal

• Solution: Move to an open area or switch providers
• Use manual network selection

Problem 3: Running out of data early

• Solution: Monitor usage through app or USSD code
• Turn off background app refresh

Problem 4: Can’t top up or extend plan

• Solution: Use official app or visit a Viettel/Vinaphone store

💡 Tip: Always screenshot your SIM plan details or confirmation messages in case of disputes.

Let’s compare options for staying connected while in Vietnam:

Verdict:

• Solo traveler: SIM is best
• Group (2–4 people): Pocket WiFi might save money
• Business trip (short): Roaming for convenience

Before wrapping up, here’s a quick checklist to make sure you’re always connected on your Vietnam trip:

✅ Travel SIM Checklist:

• Buy SIM at airport or official store
• Use passport for registration
• Activate data and test connection before leaving store
• Download provider app (My Viettel / My VNPT)
• Bring phone with unlocked SIM slot or eSIM support
• Keep SIM packaging and phone number saved for reference

📌 Bonus: Always carry a power bank if using data-heavy apps (like Google Maps + Grab all day)