Best SIM cards for tourists in Vietnam

While in Vietnam, it is crucial to maintain communication with your loved ones or have access to the internet for necessary travel information. A Vietnam SIM card is an indispensable companion in that situation. This article will examine the advantages of use a SIM card in Vietnam, provide information on where to acquire one, discuss the many varieties available, and offer guidance on how to maximize its utility during your visit.

1. Why do I need a new SIM card in Vietnam for my trip?

Travelers can benefit from many advantages when using a Vietnam SIM card. Firstly, it facilitates cost-efficient communication over your entire duration of stay. By using a local SIM card, you can avoid paying excessively high fees for using your phone abroad. With a local SIM card, you can make calls and send text messages at the same rates as local residents.

In addition, possessing a Vietnam SIM card guarantees uninterrupted local connectivity. You may effortlessly establish connections with local residents, tour providers, or fellow visitors without being dependent on public Wi-Fi networks. This convenience enables you to easily navigate around unknown locations, make reservations for accommodation, and request recommendations at any time and from any location.

A SIM card not only enables communication but also provides access to data and internet services. By utilizing messaging applications, you may maintain connectivity, explore online content, and be informed on various social media sites. A Vietnam SIM card enables you to stay connected in the digital realm, whether you require directions, wish to discover attractions, or want to share your great experiences.

2. Types of Vietnam SIM Cards

In Vietnam, various types of SIM cards are available to cater to individual requirements:
-    Physical SIM 
-    eSIM 

Let us examine how they differ:

Physical Sim vs eSim

3. What amount of data do you need for your trip to Vietnam?

For the majority of brief journeys, 3GB to 5GB of data will suffice to cover typical internet usage. However, if you anticipate increased internet usage or are embarking on a month-long trip, you may wish to contemplate purchasing 10–15GB of data, or significantly more.

4. Best Vietnam SIM Cards for tourists and Data packages

In Vietnam, three primary providers of SIM cards can be identified: Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone.

-> Viettel is the best SIM card available in Vietnam. They provide the finest coverage and the largest network among Vietnamese mobile carriers.

This is a quick list of those three Vietnam SIM card providers:

4.1 Viettel:

Viettel is a prominent telecommunications operator in Vietnam that sells cost-effective prepaid SIM cards.

- What is the extent of Viettel's network coverage in rural parts of Vietnam?

Viettel has established telecommunications towers and antennas throughout Vietnam to ensure extensive network coverage, encompassing remote areas that may have limited coverage from other operators.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that certain extremely isolated or hard-to-reach rural regions may still experience restricted connectivity, despite the broad coverage provided by Viettel. Network quality in remote places can be influenced by factors such as topography, population density, and local infrastructure.

However, Viettel is the favored telecommunications operator in isolated rural or mountainous areas.

- Data packages  : 
To ensure dependable access while traveling to remote locations in Vietnam, it is advisable to verify Viettel's network coverage for your desired destinations. To obtain the most recent information regarding network coverage in particular rural areas, you may reach out to Viettel's customer support or access their official website.
As of 2023, here is a new list of Viettel's costs, packages, and Data package, along with details about any possible deals:
The cost of a Viettel prepaid SIM card is usually between 50,000 and 60,000 VND, which is about 2 to 3 Euros.

- Packages of data:
- ST70K (70,000 VND for 30 days): 500 MB every day. Text "ST70K UP" to 9123 to sign up.
- SD90 (90,000VND for 30 days): 1.5 GB every day. Text "D90 UP" to 9123 to sign up.
  – SD120 (120,000VND/30 days): 2 GB every day. Text "SD120 UP" to 9123 to sign up.
- SD150 (200.000VND for 30 days): 3 GB per day. Text "SD120 UP" to 9123 to sign up.
The V90C deal, which costs 90,000 VND for 30 days, gives you 1 GB of data per day and free calls within the network for up to 20 minutes. It also gives you 20 minutes of free calls outside the network. Text "V90C UP" to 9123 to sign up.
 - V200C (200,000VND/30 days): 4 GB per day, free calls within the network for up to 20 minutes, and free calls outside the network for 100 minutes. Text "V90C UP" to 9123 to sign up.
Send the word "HUYDATA" to 191 as an SMS to stop the Viettel 4G plan. Once you get the confirmation letter, text "Y" to 191 to finish canceling.
- Text "KTTK" to 191 to see how much 4G data you still have left.

– Places to buy and shops to visit 

Addresses in Hanoi:
- 32 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem District
- 26 Hàng Dầu, Hoan Kiem District
- 53 Lương Văn Can, Hoan Kiem District
- 61 Cửa Đông, Ba Dinh District
- 49 Hoàng Hoa Thám, Ba Dinh District
- 50 Văn Cao, Ba Dinh District

Addresses in Ho Chi Minh City:
- 166C-DE Tran Hung Dao, 1st District
- 878A Le Duc Tho, Go Vap District
- 156 Tran Nao, 2nd District
- 162A Nguyen Thi Dinh, 2nd District
- 456 Le Van Sy, 3rd District

4.2 Vinaphone :

There is a prepaid SIM card from Vinaphone in Vietnam. It connects travelers across the country, in both cities and rural areas, in a reliable and cheap way. Most unlocked phones can use this SIM card, and it works with both GSM and 3G networks.
- How well does Vinaphone's network work in Vietnam's rural areas?
In rural areas, Vinaphone's network coverage may be different based on where you are. Some rural places that are hard to reach or are in difficult terrain may not have good network coverage.
By building more infrastructure, Vinaphone has tried to improve connectivity in rural places. To make their network reach more places, they have put up communication poles and antennas all over the country. There may still be times, though, when coverage is weaker or not available at all in very remote places.

These Vinaphone prepaid SIM cards cost around 50,000 to 60,000 VND, which is about 2 to 3 Euro.
- Data packages  : 
- BIG90 (90,000VND/30 days): 1GB per day. To subscribe, send "ID9 BIG90" to 1543 via SMS.
- BIG120 (120,000VND/30 days): 2GB per day. To subscribe, send "ID9 BIG120" to 1543 via SMS.
- BIG200 (200,000VND/30 days): 4GB per day. To subscribe, send "ID9 BIG200" to 1543 via SMS.
- BIG300 (300,000VND/30 days): 6GB per day. To subscribe, send "ID9 BIG300" to 1543 via SMS.
Data + phone call packages:
- VD90 (90,000VND/30 days): 1GB per day, free intra-network calls under 10 minutes, and 30 minutes of free off-network calls. To subscribe, send "ID9 VD90" to 1543 via SMS.
- VD120N (120,000VND/30 days): 1.5GB per day, free intra-network calls under 10 minutes, and 50 minutes of free off-network calls. To subscribe, send "ID9 VD120N" to 1543 via SMS.
- To check remaining 4G data capacity, text "DATA" to 888.
- To cancel the VinaPhone 4G plan, send “HUY [fortrait name]” to 888 via SMS.

Recommended stores and points of sale:

75 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem district.
64 Le Duan, Hoan Kiem district.
7 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem district.
33 Hang Thung, Hoan Kiem district.
21 Dang Dung, Ba Dinh district.
218 Doi Can, Ba Dinh district.
49 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh district.

4.3 Mobifone :

In Vietnam, Mobifone has a prepaid SIM card that tourists can use to get good and reliable cell phone service. 

- How well does Mobifone's network work in Vietnam's rural areas?

Mobifone's network coverage may be different in rural areas based on where you are. Mobifone is generally working hard to grow its network coverage across the country, even into rural areas, so that users can always stay connected. 

But it's important to keep in mind that some remote rural places may not have network coverage at all because of things like geography, population density, and the way phones are set up. There may be places in these areas where there is no service or only weak connectivity. 

You should check Mobifone's network coverage for your specific location or read reviews from other users about network quality in those areas if you plan to travel to rural areas of Vietnam and need to stay connected. For more information about Mobifone's network coverage in the rural places you want to visit, you can call their customer service line or go to their website.

- Price: The price of a Mobifone prepaid SIM card is usually between 50,000 and 60,000 VND (2 to 3 Euro).

- Data packages:

  - MXH100 (100,000VND/30 days): 1GB/day. Free data for TikTok, Youtube, Facebook. To subscribe, send "MO9 MXH100" to 9084.
  
  - TK135 (135,000VND/30 days): 7 GB/day. To subscribe, send "MO9 TK135" to 9084.
  
  - MXH90 (90,000VND/30 days): 1 GB/day. Free 4G data for Youtube, Facebook, Messenger messaging. To subscribe, send "MO9 MXH90" to 9084.

- Data + phone call packages:

  - MXH120 (120,000VND/30 days): 1 GB/day, free intra-network calls under 10 minutes, 30 minutes of free off-network calls. To subscribe, send "MO9 MXH120" to 9084.

  - FM (180,000VND/30 days): 8 GB/day, free intra-network calls under 10 minutes, 5 minutes of free off-network calls per day. To subscribe, send "MO9 FM" to 9084.

- Fortrait Mobifone for the first registration:

  - PT70 (70,000VND/30 days): 1 GB/day. To subscribe, send "MO9 PT70" to 9084.
  
  - PT90 (90,000VND/30 days): 1.5 GB/day. To subscribe, send "MO9 PT90" to 9084.
  
  - PT120 (120,000VND/30 days): 2 GB/day. To subscribe, send "MO9 PT120" to 9084.

- To check remaining 4G data capacity, send "KT DATA" to 999.

- To cancel the VinaPhone 4G plan, send "HUY [fortrait name]" to 999 by SMS.

- Recommended stores and points of sale:

  - n° 75 Dinh Tien Hoang, arr. Hoan Kiem
  
  - n° 80 Hang Ma, arr. Hoan Kiem
  
  - n° 49C Hang Bun, arr. Ba Dinh
  
  - n° 34 Dien Bien Phu, arr. Ba Dinh
  
  - n° 178 Kim Ma, arr. Ba Dinh

4.4 Buy Vietnam eSIM card online for your traveling

We think that getting a Vietnam eSIM is the best and fastest way to stay connected while you are traveling in Vietnam. When you buy a Vietnam eSIM, you can enjoy a lot of benefits:

It only takes a minute to order them online, so you can do it from anywhere. When you get an email with a QR code, all you have to do is scan it to activate your eSIM data and you'll be connected right away in Vietnam.
You don't have to pay to ship it.
You won't have to stand in line to get your SIM card at any store.
- You don't have to bring your ID with you to register.

Check out our great deals on eSIM cards for Vietnam:

- 7 GB of data for 8 days: $10 USD gets you 10 GB of data for 16 days: $12 for 15 GB of data for 30 days: $15 gets you 120 GB of data for 30 days, or 4 GB per day: US $19 - Plus, the first 20 minutes of every call you make to a Vinaphone number in the U.S. are free.
   - Not only that, but you'll also get 50 minutes of free calls within the United States.

We have BIG data and phone call plans for 6 months and 1 year that are good for the long term:

- BIG data and calls for 6 months: $59 USD. This includes: – 4GB of high-speed data every day for the first 3 months; – 2GB of high-speed data every day after that.
   - Plus, the first 20 minutes of every call you make to a Vinaphone number in the U.S. are free.
   - You'll also get 50 minutes of free calls to landlines and mobile phones in the United States every month.

For $89 a year, you can get BIG data and phone calls. This plan comes with 4GB of high-speed data every day for the first three months and 2GB of high-speed data every day after that.
   - Plus, the first 20 minutes of every call you make to a Vinaphone number in the U.S. are free.
   - You'll also get 50 minutes of free calls to landlines and mobile phones in the United States every month.

You will get the eSIM data QR code and instructions via email after you finish your buy.

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