Vietnam Tourist SIM Card: What to Buy and What It Costs
Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone, prices in dong, passport registration and face verification in 2026, buying at the airport, and a comparison with a tourist eSIM.
A tourist SIM in Vietnam costs about 100,000–250,000 dong (around $4–10) for a pack lasting 15–30 days with a large data allowance. Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone sell them in stores and at airports, and you must buy in person with your passport: since 2026, registration may include a face scan. Airport prices are higher than in town, so for a short trip and internet right after landing, an eSIM set up in advance is easier.
Prices checked in October 2026 from reviews and public sources. We could not confirm official price lists. Tariffs change, so amounts are given as ranges. Exchange rate used: about 26,000 dong per dollar.
Which operators are there in Vietnam?
Three major operators, each with its own network.
- Viettel. The largest network, with the best coverage outside the cities, including the northern mountains and islands. It is often called the main choice for travel around the country.
- Vinaphone. The second-largest network. It has a separate tourist SIM for about 15 days.
- MobiFone. The third operator, often with the most flexible packs by duration and price.
There are also virtual operators, but tourists almost always choose one of these three.
How much does a SIM card cost for a tourist in Vietnam?
There is no single price list, and prices depend heavily on the point of sale. Ranges from reviews:
| Operator | What’s usually included | Price (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Viettel | Packs from 30 GB | about 90,000 ₫ (~$3.5) per pack; range 90,000–200,000 ₫ |
| Vinaphone | Tourist SIM: 1 GB a day for 15 days; packs from 30 GB | ~199,000 ₫ (~$7.5) for the tourist SIM; from ~120,000 ₫ for 30 GB |
| MobiFone | Packs for 1–30 days, from 1 to 250 GB | 90,000–250,000 ₫ (~$3.5–10) |
Also keep in mind:
- The SIM itself. A basic card costs about 50,000 dong (~$2) or is included in a pack.
- The airport costs more. Some reviews mention a 20–40% markup over city shops. Different authors give different numbers, and we found no official check.
- Sources disagree. Prices in English-language and Russian-language reviews differ several times over, so use the range and confirm with the seller.
Do you need a passport and registration?
Yes. In Vietnam, SIMs are tied to the owner’s identity. The basis is Decree 49/2017, under which the seller enters passport details into the operator’s system. Stricter rules took effect in April 2026 (Circular 08/2026/TT-BKHCN): verification now uses several parameters, including face biometrics, and changing a phone or SIM also requires confirmation. Media reports say foreigners who register with a passport must visit an operator’s store in person, with the passport and the SIM. Unconfirmed numbers may gradually lose functions, starting with outgoing calls.
Important caveats:
- We did not find the full text of the circular or the official procedure for foreigners. The information comes from secondary sources.
- Some reviews say certain kiosks in the arrivals hall sell SIMs without registration, and such a card may work for only 3–7 days. This is a risky option.
- Check what you need specifically at a Viettel, Vinaphone or MobiFone store before you pay. Bring your original passport.
For a travel eSIM bought online you don’t need a passport, but it has no local number: it is mobile data only. Some sellers claim foreign eSIMs “require no registration”, but that is a marketing claim, not a statement from a regulator.
Is a local SIM or an eSIM better for tourists?
| Local SIM | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | At a store or the airport, in person with passport | Online before the trip |
| Passport / documents | Required; verified with passport and biometrics in person | Not needed, only email |
| Internet on landing | After the queue and registration | Immediately, if the profile was installed in advance |
| Price | ~$4–10 a month; higher at the airport | Depends on data volume, see the table below |
| Local number | Yes | No, data only |
| Time to set up | 10–30 minutes plus a queue | Installation at home |
| Main SIM | Needs a second slot or a card swap | Stays in place; SMS codes still arrive |
Honest verdict: for a month or longer, a local SIM is usually cheaper, and you get a Vietnamese number for Grab, delivery and banking apps. For 5–10 days, a transit or a late arrival, an eSIM is more convenient.
How much does an eSIM for Vietnam cost?
You can buy a plan in advance and activate it within 180 days of purchase. The cheapest plan starts from $2.89.
| Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $2.89 |
| 3 GB | 1 month | $6.79 |
| 5 GB | 1 month | $8.49 |
| 10 GB | 1 month | $14.39 |
| 20 GB | 1 month | $21.19 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 7 days | $11.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 15 days | $22.90 |
| Day pass 1 GB/day | 1 month | $43.90 |
Our Vietnam plans use Viettel Mobile, Vinaphone and MobiFone, with 5G on Viettel Mobile, Vinaphone and MobiFone. The eSIM has no local number: you can call through messengers and receive SMS codes on your main SIM. Hotspot works on most plans, and if data runs low, you can top up the same eSIM on most plans. All plans: eSIM for Vietnam. For the differences in more detail, see eSIM or physical SIM.
How to get internet in Vietnam before your flight: step by step
- Check your phone. eSIM works on iPhone XS and newer and on most current Android phones. Compatibility list.
- Buy the plan in advance. The QR code arrives by email, usually within a few minutes.
- Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. On iPhone: Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM. Details: how to install an eSIM.
- Don’t turn it on before the flight. The plan starts when your phone first connects to a network in Vietnam.
- After landing, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming on that line. Keep your main SIM for calls and SMS, and turn off mobile data on it.
If something went wrong: how to activate an eSIM.
What is the coverage in the cities, on the beaches and in the mountains?
In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, the signal is stable for all three operators, 4G is almost everywhere, and 5G is deployed in the large cities. In the northern mountains (Ha Giang, Sa Pa), on passes and on islands, coverage varies, and Viettel is most often called the most reliable. We found no independent measurements for every route, so check your operator’s coverage map before the trip and download offline maps.
When is a local SIM cheaper, and when isn’t it?
Count by duration. For a month, a pack at $4–10 is cheaper than an eSIM with the same volume, and you get a local number. For a week the picture is different: you lose time on the queue and registration and, at the airport, you overpay. If you plan a long stay in Vietnam, a local SIM is set up once; keep the eSIM for the first day and as a backup.
Travel tips
- Don’t buy a SIM from a random person. Cards sold without registration in the arrivals hall may be disconnected after a few days.
- Turn off data roaming on your main SIM, or background updates will charge you.
- Dual SIM saves SMS codes. The main line receives the bank codes, and data comes from the eSIM.
- Download offline maps for the mountains and islands.
- For Grab and delivery, internet is enough; a local number is not required.
FAQ
How much does a SIM card cost for tourists in Vietnam?
About 100,000–250,000 dong ($4–10) for a pack with plenty of data lasting 15–30 days, according to October 2026 reviews. The card itself is about 50,000 dong. It costs more at the airport.
Can I buy a SIM at a Vietnamese airport?
Yes, the arrivals hall has operator counters, but prices there are usually 20–40% higher than in town.
Do I need a passport, and what about biometrics?
Yes, a passport is required. In 2026 stricter identity checks were introduced, including face biometrics. Ask the operator’s store what applies to foreigners.
Which operator is best for tourists in Vietnam?
Any of them in the big cities. For mountains and remote areas, Viettel is often chosen.
Can I buy an eSIM for Vietnam online?
Yes. The QR code arrives by email, and setup takes a few minutes.
Does an eSIM work as a hotspot for a laptop?
On most plans, yes. Check the plan description for the conditions.
Conclusion
If you are going for a month and are ready to spend time on registration, buy a SIM from Viettel, Vinaphone or MobiFone at a city store rather than at the airport. If the trip is short or you need internet right after landing, set up an eSIM in advance: plans for Vietnam. Refunds: 180 days if the profile is not installed, and 30 days if it is installed but not activated.