Staying connected is inexpensive in Vietnam. During your travels, it is convenient to have a SIM card with a mobile data plan so that you can access Google Maps and navigate around the country or stay updated on social media. From our latest Vietnam travel guide and tips, please read this information carefully if you want a SIM card for mobile phone usage.
How to Buy a SIM Card before Traveling to Vietnam
An international travel SIM card is the most convenient way to stay connected while traveling overseas. It can be easily purchased online and shipped to your door, giving you ample time to research a reliable brand, plan your budget, and stay free from scams. An international SIM card is also an optimal choice should you plan to travel outside Vietnam on your trip.
A quality travel SIM card brand should be valid for 10 – 30 days and have a sufficient data plan.
The downside is that it is hard to manage the budget. You may be using too much of the data plan – completely unaware of the cost you will have to pay later and end up with a large bill after your travel
Check out recommended travel SIM Cards (price, validity, data plans, etc.)
How to Buy a SIM Card in Vietnam
A Vietnamese SIM card can be purchased anywhere: from street vendors, phone shops, credit kiosks, at the airport on arrival, and travel agencies. Most other vendors cannot register your SIM card, so it’s best to buy from the official carrier stores. Viettel Mobile, MobiFone, Vinaphone, and Vietnamobile are the most common networks.
TIP: Before getting a SIM, ensure your phone is unlocked and can be used abroad. If you can’t get your phone unlocked to use with a SIM card abroad, you can still connect to WiFi in Vietnam at hotels and cafes locally.
In Vietnam, there are four major network providers. You can search the official carrier store’s closest location on their website to find out where to buy a SIM card in Vietnam.
No contract is required. Bring your passport to register. The SIM is valid until the length of your visa’s stay.
Four Major Networks in Vietnam
Viettel
Tourist SIM:
$5 – $10 for the Sim, then buy credit to top up.
Recommended prepaid card to top up credit: Viettel
Note: Tourist SIM does not include SMS texting, so you need to add a phone credit voucher to your account to pay for SMS messages. You can add credits by buying prepaid scratch cards like VND 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, etc.
To check your account balance, dial *101#
To check the remaining data capacity, dial *102#
Data packages: Monthly packages on 4G and 3G Network (Read more)
Vinaphone
Tourist SIM:
Prepaid VinaCard: VND 199,000, valid for 15 days
Recommended prepaid card to top up credit: VinaCard
Data Packages:
Big Data (Monthly package on 3G/4G Network): Read more
MobiFone
Tourist SIM:
Happy Tourist: VND 200,000 valid for 60 days
Recommended prepaid card to top up credit: MobiCard
Monthly packages on 3G Network: Read more
Vietnamobile
Tourist 100: VND 125,000 valid for 30 days
Tourist 200: VND 225,000 valid for 30 days with twice minutes of call
3G Network and mobile data: Read more
Vietnamobile 4G is currently available in 10 provinces in North Vietnam and is available on Android devices only (October 2018). To activate 4G service, change your phone’s Mobile Network Mode to LTE.
Related article: Travel adaptors for your devices when travel in Vietnam
How to Use the Vietnamese Mobile Top-up Card
You should find a box at the back of the card, like the one marked by the red rectangle in the above picture. That box contains a series of numbers you need to input to top up your account. It should be properly covered with no sign of damage or scratch. You should also look for the expiry date of the top-up card (underlined part in the picture).
After scratching the opaque covering to review the numbers, open the dial pad on your phone, input the following code *100*[Series of numbers beneath the covering]#, then hit the call button. You will usually receive an SMS notification stating the top-up is successful and information on your account (the balance, expiry date, and balance of promotion accounts, etc.). You can also check the balance of your account by inputting the code *101#. A pop-up notification with all the information on your account will appear on the screen.
Note that most traditional top-up cards have been eradicated to make way for online top-ups using e-wallets.
Top up your Mobile Credits using E-Wallets in Vietnam
Using E-Wallets is a more convenient way in the 4.0 era to top up your phone credit. Popular e-wallets in Vietnam are Momo, Grabpay by Moca (integrated into the ride-hailing service Grab), ZaloPay, ViettelPay, etc. Note that these apps can only work with local currency in VND.
Read more about Useful Apps for Traveling Vietnam
If you need assistance with your SIM cards and data plans in Vietnam, you can call the customer service hotline or stop by their shop, which is widely available nationwide.
Conclusion on SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plan (3G/4G) in Vietnam
With the convenience of mobile phones and being connected to the internet and telecommunication services, traveling has become much more manageable. Just a call or a few online searches. Everything is at the tips of your fingers. We hope the above information about the SIM Cards and Mobile Data Plan in Vietnam will be helpful for travelers.