SIM card & internet in Vietnam (2026)
Vietnam is one of the most connected countries in Southeast Asia. 4G covers ~99% of the country, average mobile speed is around 100 Mbps, and a tourist SIM with generous data costs from about $4. Here's how to pick an operator, what the plans really cost, when an eSIM makes more sense, and the mistakes that make people overpay.
You'll want mobile data from the minute you arrive: Grab (the local Uber), Google Maps, Google Translate and QR-code payments all rely on it. Free Wi-Fi in cafés and hotels is everywhere, but it won't help you call a ride at the airport or find an address on the road. This guide covers the two ways foreigners get online — an eSIM installed before departure, or a physical SIM bought on arrival — plus operators, plans and prices.
Mobile internet & Wi-Fi in Vietnam
Vietnam ranks in the top five in Southeast Asia for mobile speed. Per Ookla Speedtest (Q1 2026), the average download speed is about 100 Mbps — on par with South Korea and Singapore. 4G reaches ~99% of populated areas, and 5G is live in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Hai Phong.
| Type | Speed | Coverage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | 50–150 Mbps | ~99% of the country | from ~$4/mo |
| 5G | 300–1,000 Mbps | Major cities | from ~$8/mo |
| Wi-Fi (cafés) | 10–50 Mbps | Cities & resorts | Free |
| Wi-Fi (hotels) | 20–100 Mbps | Everywhere | Free |
| Home fiber | 100–300 Mbps | Cities | ~$7–12/mo |
Free Wi-Fi is in most cafés, restaurants, malls and hotels — the password is usually on the wall or the receipt. Chains like Highlands Coffee, The Coffee House and Phuc Long are reliable (20–50 Mbps). For video calls and uploads, mobile 4G is steadier than café Wi-Fi.
Mobile operators in Vietnam
There are four operators. All sell tourist SIMs with data bundles; they differ in coverage, speed and price.
| Operator | Market share | 4G coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel | ~50% | Best in the country | Travelling nationwide |
| Vinaphone | ~28% | Excellent in cities | Cities & beach resorts |
| Mobifone | ~18% | Good in cities | Budget, tourist areas |
| Vietnamobile | ~4% | Limited | Cheapest, city-only |
Viettelis the market leader and reaches even Sapa's mountains and remote islands — pick it if you're travelling the whole country. Vinaphone is marginally faster in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and is great for city breaks and popular routes. Mobifone is usually 10–20% cheaper and fine in the main tourist zones. Vietnamobile is the cheapest but city-only.
Tourist SIM plans & prices
Every operator sells prepaid tourist bundles with big data allowances. Prices below are current for 2026 (VND with an approximate USD conversion at ~25,000 VND to $1).
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel ST | 3 GB/day | 7 days | 100,000 VND (~$4) |
| Viettel ST | 3 GB/day | 15 days | 150,000 VND (~$6) |
| Viettel ST | 5 GB/day | 30 days | 200,000 VND (~$8) |
| Vinaphone D | 2–3 GB/day | 7–15 days | 80,000–130,000 VND (~$3–5) |
"3 GB/day" means the fast-data cap resets daily — plenty for maps, calls, streaming and hotspotting a laptop. You almost never need the biggest plan.
Skip the airport queue in 5–10 min
In winter, immigration lines run 60–90 min. With Fast Track you’re met at the aircraft and taken through the priority lane. Arrange it before you fly.
Telegram managerWhere to buy a SIM (and the passport rule)
- Airport counters (best). Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone have staffed desks in the arrivals hall, open 24/7. Staff register the SIM to your passport, set the APN and check it works before you leave.
- Official operator stores. Same prices as the airport, found in every town — useful if you want to top up or change plans later.
- Avoid unregistered street SIMs. They may be sold without your passport and can be blocked without notice.
eSIM — get online before you land
If your phone supports eSIM (most recent iPhones and flagship Androids do), this is the smoothest option: buy a Vietnam plan online, install it before departure and switch it on when you land — no counter, no queue. Reliable providers are Airalo, Holafly and Saily.
- Pros: instant data on arrival, keep your home number active, nothing to lose.
- Cons: a bit pricier per GB than a local SIM, and most eSIMs give you data only (no local phone number).
Rule of thumb: eSIM for short trips and instant convenience; local physical SIM for longer stays when you want the cheapest data and a Vietnamese number for Grab, deliveries and bookings.
Getting set up in Vietnam?
SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerRoaming from your home carrier
Turning on your home carrier's roaming works everywhere but is the most expensive option by far — often 10–50× the price of a local SIM or eSIM. Use it only for the first hour if you need to (to call a ride or your hotel), then switch to an eSIM or local SIM. If you do roam, buy your carrier's travel day-pass rather than paying per-MB.
Phone code & dialing (+84)
Vietnam's country code is +84. To call a Vietnamese mobile from abroad, dial +84 then the number without its leading zero (e.g. local 090 123 4567 becomes +84 90 123 4567). Local mobile numbers have 10 digits and start with 0. Emergency numbers: 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on café Wi-Fi only — you'll be stuck the moment you step outside.
- Leaving home roaming on by accident and getting a huge bill.
- Buying an unregistered street SIM that gets blocked days later.
- Overbuying data — a 3 GB/day plan is more than enough for most trips.
- Forgetting a VPN if you rely on Telegram (it's blocked here).
- Not installing Zalo — it's how a lot of local businesses communicate.