Vietnam Tourist Sim Card For International Visitors

A tourist sim card in Vietnam will help your trip go more smoothly and conveniently, especially for foreign tourists visiting this beautiful country for the first time. If you don’t know how to use it or where to buy a sim card, this article is for you. Let’s find out with the Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club!  

Should international tourists buy a new sim card for their trip to Vietnam? 

International tourists should buy a new SIM card when coming to Vietnam. Local tourist SIM cards provide affordable data packages, making it easy for tourists to access the Internet, look up information and maps, and stay in touch via social networks such as WhatsApp or Facebook.

In addition, the price of Vietnamese tourist sim cards is much lower than that of international roaming services, which helps you save on travel costs. In addition, using a Vietnam tourist sim card also makes it easier for you to communicate domestically, such as calling hotels and restaurants and booking cars.

During your trip to Vietnam, you can use free wifi at hotels, restaurants, and cafes. However, it is difficult to connect to free wifi if you are on the road or in public places in Vietnam, so using a tourist sim card will help you stay connected anytime, anywhere.

See more: Tips for traveling Vietnam by motorbike in 2024

Types of Vietnam tourist sim card 

Currently, there are two popular types of Vietnam tourist SIM cards: physical SIM cards and eSIM cards. Let’s find out more about this type! 

Physical sim card 

When coming to Vietnam, visitors can choose to connect using a traditional physical SIM card. This SIM card can be easily purchased at stores of major carriers such as Viettel, Vinaphone, or Mobifone. Physical SIM cards provide a variety of packages, meeting all usage needs such as calling, texting, and accessing the internet. With a physical SIM card, you just need to insert the SIM card into the phone, follow the instructions for simple activation, and usually require personal information such as a passport.

Physical SIM cards are popular, easy to use, and compatible with all types of phones.

eSIM card Vietnam 

In addition to the conventional physical SIM, tourists coming to Vietnam can choose eSIM. Compared to traditional physical SIM cards, eSIM is embedded directly into compatible devices without inserting the SIM into the phone. Tourists can choose eSIM from local telecommunications service providers. Users will activate eSIM remotely by scanning a QR code or through the mobile network operator’s application. This process is quick, time-saving, and flexible, especially for tourists with eSIM-compatible phones. 

Top sim card providers in Vietnam 

Currently in Vietnam, there are 4 telecommunication networks providing quality and reputable tourist sim cards. They are Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone, Vietnamobile. 

Viettel 

Viettel is the number one network operator in Vietnam, and it is known for its wide coverage and high reliability. As a popular network operator, Viettel provides high-quality mobile services, stable 4G/5G speeds, and competitive prices. Viettel’s travel sim packages are specially designed to help you save money and enjoy unlimited data. In addition, Viettel also supports many languages, ensuring you always get the best support.

Viettel sim cards usually cost around 50,000 – 100,000 VND (equivalent to 2-5 USD). Below are some popular Viettel prepaid sim data packages for tourists:

VinaPhone 

When it comes to the leading tourist SIM card providers in Vietnam, Vinaphone must be addressed. This network operator offers travel sim packages with many attractive incentives, helping you save costs and enjoy digital life to the fullest. With fast, stable internet speed and abundant data capacity, you can comfortably surf the web, watch movies, and share images on social networks without worrying about interruption. VinaPhone is committed to bringing you a smooth and memorable connection experience throughout the trip.

If you use a regular sim card, you will spend 50,000 – 60,000 VND on buying a sim. You can also refer to some data packages below:

Vietnamobile 

Less known than the three carriers above, Vietnamobile is also a good choice for international travelers. With affordable prices and simple registration procedures, Vietnamobile is the perfect choice for those who want to save money while ensuring smooth communication throughout the trip. 

Mobifone

In addition to the two networks above, international visitors to Vietnam can choose Mobifone. This network is known for its vast network and stable quality. In particular, MobiFone’s diverse prepaid SIM packages are designed specifically for visitors, meeting all needs from communication and surfing the web to working. Whether you need a lot of data to explore the city or want to call home regularly, MobiFone has a suitable package, helping you stay connected anytime, anywhere, at an affordable price.  

Where to buy a Vietnam tourist sim card? 

Buy Direct 

Buying a 4G SIM card in Vietnam is relatively easy. You can buy it at the SIM card counters at international airports such as Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, or Da Nang. Here, you can ask the sales staff to guide you on activating the SIM card and choosing the appropriate data package.

In addition, you can buy SIM cards at mobile or telecommunications stores across the country. The staff will advise you and choose the package that suits your usage needs. Tourists can rest assured because most of the staff at the airport and mobile or telecommunications stores can speak English.

Buy Online 

Buying a Vietnam eSIM online is the fastest and most convenient way to get an internet connection when traveling in Vietnam. Providers such as Gigago, Viettel, and MobiFone all offer eSIM services with various packages, from short-term packages for tourists to long-term packages for foreigners living in Vietnam. To buy an eSIM, visit the provider’s website, choose the appropriate package, pay online, and scan the QR code to activate. With eSIM, you will have a high-speed internet connection anytime, anywhere, helping you explore Vietnam fully. 

Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club – A reputable address to buy Vietnam tourist sim card 

If you need to improve communication or find buying a SIM card in Vietnam too much of a hassle, let Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club take care of it for you. As the leading adventure travel company in Vietnam, specializing in unique motorbike and offroad tours, we bring you memorable journeys and support you with everything you need, including a quick and convenient travel SIM card purchase service. Just register with our staff or tour guide; we will help you buy, activate, and register your mobile plan in the fastest way, saving you time and effort. You will have an instant connection and be ready to explore Vietnam. In addition, our team will enthusiastically answer any questions so you can enjoy the journey without any worries!  

How much is a Vietnam tourist sim card? 

When choosing to buy a tourist sim card  in Vietnam, it is essential whether you prefer a prepaid or postpaid sim, a standard sim, or a data sim:

• Prepaid and postpaid sim: Prepaid sim is a flexible and economical choice for those who do not want to be tied down by a long-term contract. You only need to top up the sim when using it. The initial cost is low (about 50,000 VND), but you must regularly check your account balance. Postpaid sim is suitable for those who need stable services and want to manage their spending more clearly. You will pay the fee at the end of the month according to the registered package; the initial cost may be a little higher (about 60,000 VND).
• Regular sim and data sim: Regular sim is a multi-function sim, serving all basic needs such as calling, texting and accessing the internet. Data sim is reserved for those who have a large need to use mobile internet, often used to surf the web, watch movies, listen to music. Data SIM prices vary widely, depending on the network, capacity and duration of use. For example, Viettel data SIMs cost from 70,000 VND to 1,620,000 VND.

Instructions for activating Vietnamese sim card 

Activating a Vietnam tourist SIM card is quite simple and you can do it right at the place of purchase, with just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Insert the SIM card into the phone

Remove the SIM tray of the phone and insert the new SIM card. Make sure the SIM card fits into the tray and is installed in the correct position.

Step 2: Activate the SIM card

After inserting the SIM, restart the phone. The phone will automatically recognize the SIM and send a notification message from the network operator.

For most network operators in Vietnam such as Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone, the SIM will be automatically activated as soon as you insert and start the phone.

Step 3: Activate the data package (if any)

Method 1: Enter the USSD code: Each network operator will have its own USSD code to activate the package. Normally, you will need to enter a code such as *101# or another code printed on the SIM packaging to check your account or activate the package.

Method 2: Send a message: Some SIM cards have a pre-packaged package, you just need to send a message according to the syntax printed on the package to activate data services or make calls.

Step 4: Register user information

For SIM cards in Vietnam, you may need to register personal information for long-term use. You can do this at the carrier’s store or via the carrier’s mobile application, usually guided by the staff when buying the SIM.

Step 5: Check and start using

After successful activation, you can check your account balance or package by entering the USSD code such as *101#. Make sure data connections and other services are working normally.

Above is detailed information about Vietnam tourist SIM card. Hopefully, with the above sharing from Vietnam Motorcycle Tours Club, it will help you have a smoother and more enjoyable trip to Vietnam.