The Vietnam Guides

Vietnam SIM Card 2026: Best Options, Where to Buy and Data Costs

· 2 min read Practical
Vietnam street scene

Contents

  1. Where to buy
  2. Main operators
  3. Tourist SIM packages
  4. eSIM
  5. Useful apps requiring data
  6. Public WiFi

A local SIM card is essential for Vietnam travel. Grab requires a local number, Google Maps works over data, and offline navigation apps need a data connection. SIMs are cheap and widely available.

Where to buy

Airport: All three major international airports (Noi Bai Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat HCMC, Da Nang) have SIM card booths in the arrivals hall after customs. Open on all arrival flights. Straightforward process.

City shops: Mobile phone shops and convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart, VinMart) sell SIMs throughout the country. Easier in cities but available in most towns.

What you need: Your passport. Registration requires passport details.

Main operators

Viettel: The largest network in Vietnam with the best rural coverage — important for northern highlands (Ha Giang, Sapa, Mu Cang Chai) and remote areas. Slightly more expensive than competitors.

Mobifone: Second-largest, good coverage in cities and tourist areas. Competitive pricing. Widely available.

Vietnamobile: Budget option. Coverage is more limited in rural areas. Fine for cities.

Tourist SIM packages

Tourist-oriented SIM packages are sold at airports and major tourist areas. A typical tourist SIM:

  • 30-day data SIM (Viettel or Mobifone): ₫100,000–200,000 ($4–8) for 5–20GB data + local calling credit.
  • Unlimited data plans: ₫150,000–250,000 ($6–10) for 30 days at reduced speed after a data threshold.

Data speeds are generally 4G LTE in cities. Rural areas may drop to 3G or 2G in remote highland locations (some areas of Ha Giang and the far north have limited connectivity).

eSIM

eSIM is available for Vietnam from multiple international providers (Airalo, Holafly, and others). Useful for travellers whose phones support eSIM and who don’t want the SIM swap process. Purchase before arriving.

Typical eSIM cost: $10–20 USD for 10GB/30 days. Coverage depends on the provider’s local partner network. Viettel-backed eSIMs have the best rural coverage.

Useful apps requiring data

  • Grab: Transport across all cities. Non-negotiable for Vietnam travel.
  • Google Maps: Navigation and restaurant search.
  • Google Translate: Camera translation for menus. Offline Vietnamese pack is useful.
  • XE Currency: Exchange rate reference.
  • Booking.com / Agoda: Accommodation booking.

Public WiFi

Hotels, guesthouses, and cafes throughout Vietnam offer free WiFi. In cities, cafe WiFi is fast enough for work. The national infrastructure supports reliable connectivity in most tourist areas. Rural guesthouses and homestays have variable WiFi quality.