Planning a trip to Vietnam and looking for the best way to stay connected? The cheapest way is a local prepaid sim card for tourists but the easiest way is an eSIM for Vietnam. In complete guide you find everything you need to know about buying a tourist sim card in Vietnam in 2025.
Here is everything you need to know about where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per January 2025, the best 4G/5G network in Vietnam, the best eSIMs for Vietnam, my recommendation and even information about international sim cards for Vietnam.
The first thing I do when arriving to a new country is looking for the best way to get internet on my phone. In most cases, especially for longer trips I buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival, for shorter trips I prefer an eSIM.
Local prepaid sim cards in Vietnam are cheap and you get a lot of data, but the convenience of getting an eSIM on the internet gives eSIMs the benefit of the doubt plus you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a Vietnam for sim card
- Mobile internet providers Vietnam
- Where to buy a sim card in Vietnam
- Prices prepaid Vietnam sim cards in 2025
- Best 4G/5G network in Vietnam in 2025
- Best sim card for Vietnam in 2025
- Best eSIMs for Vietnam
- Order a prepaid sim card for Vietnam online
- My experiences buying a sim card in Vietnam
Some links in this article about the best ways to stay connected when traveling to Vietnam are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Viettel sim card for Vietnam. Viettel has very affordable prepaid sim cards for tourists and they have by far the best 4G/5G mobile data network coverage and fastest data speed in Vietnam.
Viettel sim cards are the best for traveling in Vietnam.
Traveltomtom also recommends eSIMs that operate on the Viettel network. Airalo eSIM for Vietnam start from $4.5 USD and use the Viettel network.
Check out my comparison of the best eSIM for Vietnam in 2025.
Fact is that the local prepaid sim cards you buy in Vietnam are cheaper than eSIMs, but you can only buy them on arrival in Vietnam in a phone store or at the airport of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
Another great way of staying connected when traveling abroad is a global sim card with data. Although slightly more expensive these international sim cards can be used in multiple countries, so perfect if you are traveling all over Southeast Asia.
Check out my article about the best global sim cards with data for traveling abroad in 2025 and pick the one that suits your trip or have a look at my recommendations for the best prepaid and eSIMs for Asia in 2025.
Must visit when traveling to Vietnam
Visiting Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is highly recommend when traveling to Vietnam, a great off the beaten path tourist destination. No need to tell you that driving down a motorcycle from North to South was one of my dream trips, but that was already more than 10 years ago.
Vietnam is an amazing country for backpackers, but also has some great hidden gems and amazing luxury hotels for people that are not traveling on a budget. Click on the following link to read my guide with everything you need to know before traveling to Vietnam.
Why buying a Vietnam for sim card
Asia is much more modern than you may think and there is WiFi EVERYWHERE in Vietnam! So why buying a sim card for Vietnam, right? Well, there are multiple reasons, but the most important one is to stay connected while traveling in Vietnam as it simply makes life easier and traveling more fun. Imagine your smartphone without a data connection!
Without internet on your phone you will lose connection as soon as you walk out of the hotel or your hostel. Meaning getting an Uber/Grab on the streets becomes challenging, as well as getting direction or finding nearby places and friends. Staying connected makes traveling to Vietnam so much more convenient. Think about translation apps, banking issues, emergencies, etc.
Buying a sim card in Vietnam or getting an eSIM avoids high roaming charges. International roaming fees are still outrageous these days and overseas data roaming plans limit your data speed. Vietnam prepaid sim cards or eSIMs are cheap. Welcome to Asia, some things are very cheap and so are local prepaid sim cards and eSIMs for Vietnam.
Traveltomtom is aiming to travel to every country in the world and that is how you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom: Shanghai, China, Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, Indonesia, Bangkok, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Italy, USA, New York, Sydney, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Dubai, Turkey, Europe, Asia and many more.
So when planning you next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your destination. Bookmark me!
Mobile internet providers Vietnam
Let's first see which mobile internet providers sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. There are 3 main mobile internet operators in Vietnam:
- MobiFone
- Viettel
- Vinaphone
On top of that you have a couple small operators that offer sim cards like Vietnamobile, but their network is very much limited to the big cities only. Vietnamobile sim cards are not worth it for tourists traveling in Vietnam.
More about the best 4G/5G network in Vietnam later. However, it is something very important, because there is a huge difference between the mobile data networks of the mobile internet operators in Vietnam.
When buying a prepaid sim card in Vietnam make sure to bring your passport. A copy of your passport will be taken and your new prepaid sim card for Vietnam will be registered on your name and passport. You will get a physical prepaid sim card with a Vietnamese phone number starting with +84.
If you prefer not to be registered with your passport then look into eSIMs for Vietnam. When ordering an eSIM there is no need for an ID verification, you just need your e-mail address. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Vietnam via Airalo.
Also love to recommend you a great boutique hotel in Ho Chi Minh City: The Myst Dong Khoi. Totally worth spending a couple bucks extra and still affordable for those traveling to Vietnam on a budget.
Where to buy a sim card in Vietnam
All I can say is get it done as soon as you land. If you want to buy a local prepaid sim card in Vietnam then the easiest way to get connected is at the airport on arrival in Vietnam. On the international airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City there are endless opportunities for buying a Vietnam prepaid sim card.
In case you missed the opportunities at the airport there are mobile phone stores everywhere in the big cities. Finding a Vietnam data sim is really easy, finding the best one is a challenge. Prices vary a lot and if you feel like bargaining then do it.
Keep in mind that you can only buy physical prepaid sim cards in Vietnam, eSIMss for tourists are not available. You can only buy an eSIM for Vietnam on the internet.
Traveltomtom recommends buying a sim card for Vietnam at the international airport in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. At these sim card stores you can pay by international credit card and there is no need to get cash first. The sim card shops at the airports are open 24 hours and these people speak good English and know exactly what they are doing.
Buying a sim card at the airport goes fast. Make sure your sim card with data is working before you walk away.
Ho Chi Minh City
Finding a prepaid sim card in Ho Chi Minh City is as easy as buying bananas. You will see the 4G and sim card signs everywhere. Buying a Vietnam sim card in an official mobile internet provider shop is already confusing, then you can imagine what it is like in any kind of tour agency/information shop.
My advice: don't even be bothered! Get yourself an eSIM for Vietnam or buy your Vietnam sim card at the airport when you arrive.
Normally I don't advice travelers to buy a sim card at the airport as those are always more expensive, but saving $2 is NOT worth the hassle, trust me. In the city they will try to overcharge you anyway and you can even haggle for the price of a prepaid sim card for tourists.
Saigon Airport Ho Chi Minh City
There are many opportunities for getting your Vietnam sim card upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City Airport. There is already a kiosk before you even go through customs. After customs there are about 6 different sim card stores as well and all of them sell pretty much the same sim card plans for tourists, but for different prices. After you picked up your bags and you step into the arrival hall there are again about 5 different sim card stores.
As soon as you walk down the stairs after customs in Ho Chi Minh Airport you will walk up to seemingly endless tourist information shops which are all selling Vietnam sim card packages for tourists. On your left you have the Vinaphone, Viettel and Mobifone shops all next to each other.
It is literally impossible to miss the sim card stores at Ho Chi Minh City Airport. Most of them are open 24 hours and you can pay by international credit card.
Hanoi Airport Noi Bai
At the International Arrival Hall 2 all the mobile phone operators have a store. They are located on both sides at the end, it is impossible to miss them. They only close for a couple hours at night, operating hours from 6 am till 2 am. Rule of thumb is that for around $10 you will get about 20 GB data on prepaid sim cards for tourists sold at Hanoi Airport. That said, in the city you will get double data for the same price.
Above: tourists buying a Vietnam sim card at one of the many mobile phone shops at Noi Bai Airport Hanoi.
Online
As mentioned before you can also order your sim card for Vietnam online. If you want a physical sim card then check out the international sim cards for Vietnam. These travel sim cards with global coverage will be shipped to your home address. It is plug and play and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Then there are the eSIMs. eSIMs for Vietnam can only be ordered online. The most recommended eSIM operator for Vietnam eSIMs is Airalo.
For a more detailed guide check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIM for traveling to Vietnam in 2025.
Find cheap bus, train and flight tickets in Vietnam
Another recommendation but now for transportation in Vietnam is the search engine of 12Go Asia. They get you the best bus, boat, train, taxis, shuttles and even domestic flights in one overview. Try it out below yourself.
Powered by 12Go system
Directly book your tickets, choose your seat and receive them on your phone within just a couple clicks. Find travel duration, prices, available seats, travel schedule and everything you need to know in one overview.
Cheap domestic flights in Vietnam
Prices prepaid Vietnam sim cards in 2025
Prices for prepaid sim cards in Vietnam differ from shop to shop! But nothing that is going to hurt your wallet. Tourist sim cards with data are cheap, but the mobile network coverage makes the difference.
All the info below is updated as per January 2025 and prices are in Vietnamese Dong: $1 USD = 25.400 VND and 100,000 VND = $3.94 USD.
Viettel prepaid sim card
As I said before there are endless opportunities, packages and prices available. I filtered out the best Viettel prepaid sim card for you below.
Viettel Only Data - VND 30,000 = $1.2 USD
- 7 GB data
- valid for 7 days
- Hotspot: YES
Viettel Data & Call - VND 120,000 = $5 USD
- 2 GB daily 4G internet
- 60 minutes calling
- 30 days valid
- Hotspot: YES
- To register dial: *098*172#
The above two Viettal prepaid sim cards are the ones that I recommend for your trip to Vietnam. These are the up to date prepaid packages as per January 2025 you can also find on the Viettel website.
Viettel does now also offer eSIMs for tourists as well as physical prepaid sim cards. But only in official Viettel phone stores.
I also found many other offers, see the picture above. It is up to you which data packages suits you the most. All the above data packages for Viettel are valid for 30 days and you can use a hotspot.
Keep in mind that wherever you go in Vietnam Viettel has by far the best mobile data network, more about that later.
Mobifone prepaid sim card
Mobifone tourist sim card - VND 200,000 = $8.2 USD
- Unlimited 4G data
- No calling, no texting
- 14 days valid
- Hotspot: YES
Mobifone tourist sim card - VND 220,000 = $9 USD
- Unlimited 4G data
- 100 minutes calling, no texting
- 30 days valid
- Hotspot: YES
Note: with the above Mobifone prepaid sim cards it was not specified if 4G was unlimited on high speed internet. Traveltomtom is in general not a fan of sim cards with unlimited internet as in the small letters there are always restrictions. On the Mobifone website you can find more information about their prepaid sim cards and top ups.
Vinaphone prepaid sim card
Vinaphone Data & Call - VND 220,000 = $9 USD
- 2 GB daily 4G data
- 100 minutes calling
- 30 days valid
- Hotspot: YES
Vinaphone offers a wide array of prepaid sim card packages in Vietnam. Regardless if you buy your prepaid sim card at the airport or in the city, when it comes down to the price it is hard to choose because they are all very affordable.
I told you already though that the price is not the most important, so what is important? THE 4G/5G mobile data network coverage.
On the pictures below you will see some more Vietnam prepaid sim card deals I was offered.
As you can see again different packages, different prices.
Best 4G/5G network in Vietnam in 2025
So here comes the most valuable information for buying a sim card for Vietnam: the mobile internet network coverage! Let's have a look at the 4G/5G coverage maps in Vietnam and determine which sim card is the best for traveling in Vietnam.
Is there 5G in Vietnam? Yes, but as per January 2025 there is only 5G in the big cities in Vietnam. The Vinaphone and Mobifone 5G network is super small.
Mobifone 4G/5G network coverage map
Vinaphone 4G/5G network coverage map
Viettel 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Vietnam in 2025.
We can clearly see that Viettel has by far the best 4G/5G network in Vietnam in 2025.
As I have been traveling extensively around Vietnam over the past years I can confirm that in most places off the beaten path there is only a Viettel phone signal available. That said in the major tourist destinations and cities in Vietnam you will mostly find a good signal of the other operators too.
But trust me for long bus rides and motorbike rides and traveling off the beaten path in Vietnam you want a Viettel sim card.
RELATED: 20 things to know before you travel to Vietnam.
Best sim card for Vietnam in 2025
My conclusion is probably already clear for you. Buying a sim card for Vietnam is very easy but every phone store sells you a different tourist sim card for a different price. That said, prices for prepaid sim cards in Vietnam are cheap.
It is an easy conclusion that Viettel is the best sim card for traveling in Vietnam in 2025 because of their extensive 4G/5G mobile data network and cheap sim cards for tourists.
Why I recommend a Viettel sim card for traveling in Vietnam:
- Viettel has the best 4G/5G network in Vietnam
- A Viettel sim card will cost you on average about $3 USD
- For around $1 USD (30,000 VND) you can already get 7 GB data for 1 week
- For around $5 USD you get 60 GB for 1 month
When we compare the local prepaid sim card deals with eSIMs we can conclude that the local prepaid sim cards are cheaper. However, you can only buy them on arrival in Vietnam.
Airalo has a great eSIM for Vietnam with 20 GB data for $32 USD that operates on the Viettel network. You can buy this eSIMs on the internet within a couple clicks and as soon as the plane lands in Vietnam you are online.
For more info about eSIMs check out my article about the best eSIMs for traveling to Vietnam in 2025.
But as said if you want the cheapest prepaid sim card for tourists then wait till you get to Vietnam and buy a physical prepaid sim card from Viettel.
Buying a Viettel prepaid sim card at the International Airport of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi is very simple as there are stores everywhere. Sim cards at airports are more expensive. However, still very affordable in Vietnam.
Best eSIMs for Vietnam
Rather get an eSIM for your trip to Vietnam? Understandable! If your phone is eSIMs compatible this is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Vietnam in 2025. No more visiting a store or swapping sim cards.
You order an eSIM for Vietnam on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Vietnam eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Vietnam it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is eSIMs compatible before ordering an eSIM for Vietnam.
For more info about using eSIMs and all your answers to FAQ's about eSIMs check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for Vietnam.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted eSIMs provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $32 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Vietnam from Airalo.
The above data-only eSIMs for Vietnam are from from Xin Chao and they operate on the 4G/LTE networks of Viettel and Mobifone. Phone calls and texting services are NOT supported. The Airalo eSIMs for Vietnam are data-only.
Airalo is the most recommended eSIM for Vietnam as it operates on the Viettel network.
But there are also eSIM providers like GigSky, aloSIM, Saily, Roamless, eSIMple, Jetpac, Sim Local, SimOptions that offer different kind of Vietnam eSIMs.
For more detailed information and a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Vietnam in 2025 click on the link to read my guide.
Order a prepaid sim card for Vietnam online
If your phone is not eSIMs compatible but you would still like to buy a sim card for Vietnam on the internet then check out the following physical international prepaid sim cards.
Buying a sim card in Vietnam sounds like a lot of stress, right? So ordering an international sim card for traveling in Vietnam on the internet sounds much easier. These pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Vietnam.
You put them in your phone in the plane and as soon as you land you are online. Plug and Play!
- 10 GB data-only valid in 56 countries for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only valid in 56 countries for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Vietnam via SimOptions.
My experiences buying a sim card in Vietnam
Nowadays whenever I travel to Vietnam I always use an eSIM. I mostly order an eSIM for Vietnam through Airalo as I always want a sim card from Viettel.
On time, just to prove a point and for my experience I also once bought a Mobifone sim card to see if it was really that much of a difference. On that Vietnam trip I mostly stayed around Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta, but I also traveled to the Quang Binh Province.
I ended up at a friendly guy at the Ho Chi Minh Airport at one of the many mobile phone shops asking constantly: 'you buy sim card now?'. I roamed around many different phone shops for information and was basically done with all the sales people hassling me... buy now? You want? LOL.
When I explained him I only wanted data and would travel in Vietnam for about 9 days this friendly guy said: try this Mobifone sim package, specially for you.
VND 100,000 = $4 USD
- 12 GB data - 4G/LTE speed
- Unlimited data - 3G speed
- No calling, no texting
- Valid 30 days
I decided to put Mobifone to the test as it has the weakest 4G/5G network in Vietnam. Was I satisfied with Mobifone? No!
The internet speed was alright in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. I never really had too many issues watching Instagram stories or streaming videos on Facebook or TikTok. But when I entered buildings the signal got often pretty weak and in my hotel room (I stayed at Grand Hotel Saigon) I had just 1 bar 4G/LTE signal most of the time, which was pretty annoying.
In the rural areas of Quang Binh there was NO signal at all. Sometimes I had a weak 3G signal. Another confirmation to always get a Viettel sim card or an eSIM that operates on the Viettel network for traveling in Vietnam. Especially when visiting again in 2025 I want to try the Viettel 5G network in Vietnam.
Traveling through Southeast Asia and looking for a prepaid sim card or eSIM that covers all countries in Asia? Click on the link and I show you my Asia sim card comparison for 2025 including physical prepaid sim cards and eSIMs.
I wrote many guides for buying tourist sim cards and eSIMs and I know what to expect and what to look for. Vietnam is a different piece of cake, prepare yourself for an intense journey if you travel to Vietnam. Haggling is part of the culture and when you go to a market or even a shop never buy something for the original price unless it is printed on it, but even then you should haggle.
Traveling to Vietnam is always a good idea though, I love the country, but also be prepared to fight for your right or get ripped off! But, whatever you do, do it with respect.
As a big fan of traveling in Southeast AsiaI also wrote guides for buying a sim card in Thailand or tourist sim cards in Indonesia. If you are looking to buy a local prepaid sim card in Southeast Asia then you will find out that prices are often not fixed.
Thailand just has too many packages available, Indonesia simply is a mess, but what to say about Vietnam? Oh god! Welcome to the jungle! Finding the best sim card for tourists in Vietnam almost felt like mission impossible! Good thing: data sim cards in Vietnam are very cheap. So I wouldn't be bothered so much. Just make sure you get yourself a sim card or eSIM from Viettel.
Let me know if you have any questions about traveling to Vietnam, Im happy to help you or check out my blog with everything you need to know when traveling to Vietnam.
Also if this Vietnam blog was helpful for you would you like to help me a little in return? Please share the link of this article somewhere on the internet, that would mean a lot to me. Every tweet on Twitter, pin on Pinterest or post in a Facebook Group helps me a lot. Thanks so much in advance.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Vietnam!