Best Vietnam SIM Card Providers: Full Comparison for Travelers & Expats

Vietnam has 5 major mobile providers, but only 3-4 are truly useful for tourists and expats.

Most travelers stick to Viettel, Vinaphone, or Mobifone — all of which offer 4G/LTE, decent prepaid plans, and nationwide availability.

📶 Want the fastest speeds? See the latest Speedtest Global Index – Vietnam.

When comparing Vietnam SIM card providers, focus on the following:

✅ 1. Coverage

• Will you be in cities only, or exploring rural/mountainous areas?
• Viettel has the widest coverage, even in remote regions like Ha Giang or the Mekong Delta.

✅ 2. Internet Speed

• All major providers offer 4G/LTE
• Only Viettel and Vinaphone have started testing 5G in big cities

✅ 3. Top-Up Flexibility

• Can you add more data through apps or 7-Eleven/Circle K?
• Viettel and Vinaphone offer English-language apps, Mobifone is more limited.

✅ 4. Tourist Packages

• Some providers offer SIMs specifically for tourists (pre-activated, bundles)
• Others require in-store registration with passport

📌 Tip: Always ask if your SIM supports hotspot/tethering — not all tourist plans allow it.

Viettel is Vietnam’s #1 mobile network, owned by the Ministry of Defense. It's known for:

• Unbeatable coverage across cities, countryside, and islands
• Consistently strong 4G signal — even in rural provinces
• Easy SIM setup and refill options via the My Viettel app

🌍 Best For:

• Digital nomads
• Remote workers
• Travelers going off the beaten path

📦 Tourist SIM Options:

• 7–30 day SIMs available at airports & official stores
• Includes: Data (7–30GB), local calls, and limited international SMS
• Price: From 100,000 VND (~$4)

✅ Pros:

• Best network nationwide
• Cheap data top-ups
• Good English support via app

❌ Cons:

• SIM registration at store may be required (if not bought at airport)

Read our Vietnam SIM Card Registration Guide to avoid activation delays.

Vinaphone is one of Vietnam’s oldest providers and a strong competitor to Viettel.

It offers reliable data speed, solid coverage in urban areas, and affordable tourist SIM packages — especially for short-term stays.

🌆 Best For:

• Travelers staying mostly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang
• Short-term business travelers
• Users who prefer prepaid plans with combo packages

📦 Tourist SIM Options:

• 7-day and 30-day bundles
• Includes: 3–10GB high-speed data, free Vinaphone-to-Vinaphone calls
• Price: From 80,000–150,000 VND (~$3–6)

✅ Pros:

• Good city coverage
• Reliable 4G speed
• SIMs available at airports and local stores

❌ Cons:

• Slightly weaker signal in rural/mountain areas compared to Viettel
• App and support mainly in Vietnamese

📌 Tip: If staying in cities only, Vinaphone often gives better value per GB than Viettel.

Mobifone is the third-largest network in Vietnam, known for affordable plans and consistent call quality.

While its coverage isn’t as wide as Viettel or Vinaphone, it's very stable in cities and tourist zones.

🌍 Best For:

• Expats or long-term visitors
• Budget-conscious travelers
• Users mostly based in urban areas

📦 Prepaid Options:

• 30-day plans from 70,000–120,000 VND
• Custom data packs available (1–10GB)

✅ Pros:

• Cheaper for voice calls and SMS
• Stable 3G/4G in urban areas
• Easily available in local shops and Circle K stores

❌ Cons:

• Fewer tourist SIM options at airports
• Customer support mostly in Vietnamese
• App not as user-friendly for foreigners

📌 Tip: If you're staying for 1 month or more, Mobifone offers better monthly deals than tourist-only SIMs.

Vietnamobile is a smaller carrier, but one of the cheapest options for travelers who just need data.

It’s not ideal for remote areas, but if you're staying in big cities and want lots of mobile data at low cost, it's worth considering.

🏖️ Best For:

• Tourists staying only in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh
• Backpackers on a tight budget
• Travelers using dual SIM phones

📦 Tourist SIM:

• Unlimited daily data (subject to FUP)
• No ID registration at some kiosks
• Price: From 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–4)

✅ Pros:

• Very cheap data
• Great for streaming or social media
• Quick setup, no-frills

❌ Cons:

• Poor signal in rural or coastal areas
• Low call/SMS quality
• Short validity periods

⚠️ We don’t recommend Vietnamobile if you’re traveling to areas like Ninh Binh, Ha Giang, or the Central Highlands.

Gmobile has very limited presence and is not recommended for international visitors.

It’s used mainly by locals in select provinces and lacks:

• Tourist SIM offerings
• English support
• Nationwide 4G access

Unless you’re living long-term in a specific area that favors Gmobile, skip this provider.

Here’s a clear comparison of the most popular Vietnam SIM card providers based on real-world use:

📌 Note: All prices are in VND (Vietnamese Dong). 1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND (as of 2024).

Tip: For most travelers, Viettel or Vinaphone will deliver the best value for speed, coverage, and reliability.

Vietnam has started adopting eSIM technology, but support is still limited to major providers and newer phones.

✅ eSIM Supported By:

• Viettel: Available via official store or My Viettel app
• Vinaphone: Supports eSIM in-store with passport ID
• Mobifone: Available in select stores (limited info in English)

❌ Not Supported:

• Vietnamobile
• Gmobile

📱 Compatible phones include:

• iPhone XR and newer
• Pixel 4 and newer
• Samsung S20+ and newer (check local compatibility)

How to get an eSIM:

• Visit an official store with your passport
• Request eSIM setup and scan QR code on your phone
• Some providers allow online eSIM purchase with identity upload

Prefer hassle-free setup? Use international eSIM platforms like Airalo or Nomad before arrival.

Vietnam makes it easy to get a SIM card — but the where matters for price and convenience.

✈️ At the Airport:

• Fastest and easiest
• Tourist SIMs available on arrival (Da Nang, Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat)
• Slightly higher prices, but pre-registered and ready to use

🏪 Local Stores:

• Official Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone branches
• Better control over plan selection
• Requires passport for registration

🛒 Convenience Stores:

• Circle K, 7-Eleven, VinMart
• Limited SIM types
• Good for topping up prepaid SIMs

💻 Online:

• Pre-order through Klook, KKday, or SIM card delivery services
• Ideal for pickup at airport or hotel

📌 Avoid unverified street vendors. Fake or expired SIMs are common in tourist-heavy areas.

SIM registration is mandatory by law in Vietnam to prevent misuse and fraud.

What you need:

• Original passport
• SIM card (purchased at official store or airport)

Steps:

1. Visit the provider’s store or authorized reseller
2. Show your passport
3. Staff will scan and register the SIM to your name
4. Receive confirmation SMS — do not skip this step
5. Top-up or activate your selected plan

Important notes:

• Unregistered SIMs may be deactivated within 1–3 days
• Always request a receipt and phone number confirmation

For a full walkthrough, visit our Vietnam SIM Card Registration Guide.

Before picking a provider, it’s crucial to understand which SIM type suits your trip best.

🧳 Choose a Tourist SIM if:

• You're staying less than 30 days
• You want a ready-to-use SIM with data, no registration hassle
• You prefer to buy at the airport for immediate activation

🧑‍💻 Choose a Prepaid SIM if:

• You're staying longer than 1 month
• You want flexible top-ups and control over data plans
• You’ll be using mobile banking, ride-hailing, or remote work apps that require phone number verification

📌 Most providers offer both types — but tourist SIMs are often not rechargeable. Always check before buying.

Related: Tourist vs Prepaid SIM Comparison

While Vietnam is generally safe and easy to navigate, tourist-targeted SIM scams still happen.

⚠️ Common traps to avoid:

• Fake SIMs sold by unofficial vendors
• Expired SIMs that deactivate in 1–2 days
• Overpriced plans with poor data limits

✅ How to stay safe:

• Always buy from airport counters, official provider stores, or trusted platforms like Klook
• Double-check the expiration date, included data, and phone number
• Ask for an activation SMS confirmation or test mobile data before leaving

📌 Tip: Don’t let anyone insert a SIM card into your phone without your consent.

If you're working remotely from Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or even the mountains — you need stability, speed, and full app access.

🧑‍💻 Best SIM: Viettel Prepaid or eSIM

• Wide 4G coverage for stable video calls and tethering
• Easy top-up via the My Viettel app (available in English)
• Works well in rural co-working hubs like Ha Giang, Da Lat, and Quy Nhon

💡 Bonus: Combine with a global eSIM for dual-SIM setup — use Viettel for local data and your home number for 2FA logins.

If you're planning to explore Vietnam by train, motorbike, or open bus — you need a SIM with maximum reach.

🛵 Best SIM for full-country travel: Viettel Tourist or Prepaid

• Works in Sapa, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta
• Offers solid signal in mountains, beaches, and remote areas
• Fast recharge via app or top-up cards at any local shop

📌 Avoid Vietnamobile or Gmobile — they perform poorly outside major cities.

💬 Final tip: If unsure, start with a tourist SIM at the airport, then switch to prepaid after a week once you understand your data habits and routine.