Having data the moment you land lets you book a ride, find your way and reach whoever is meeting you. The choice between a physical SIM and an eSIM depends on how long you stay and whether you need a Vietnamese phone number.
eSIM: convenient for short trips
An eSIM is a plan installed on your phone with a QR code, with no card to swap. You can buy and install it before you fly and be online on arrival. Your phone must support eSIM and must not be network-locked. Many travel eSIMs are data only, with no phone number for calls and text messages.
Physical SIM: better for longer stays
A physical SIM comes with a Vietnamese phone number. You will need that number to open a bank account, register an e-wallet, use ride-hailing and delivery apps and receive verification codes. Subscriptions must be registered to the user, and foreigners register with a passport.
Choosing by situation
- A holiday of under a month, data only: eSIM.
- A short business trip with local calls: a SIM with a number, or an eSIM with a number.
- Moving to Vietnam to work or live: a SIM with a number registered in your name.
- A single-SIM phone and you want to keep your home number: add a Vietnamese eSIM.
Notes
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked before you buy.
- Buy a SIM from an official outlet and register it in your own name. A SIM pre-registered to someone else may be blocked.
- Keep the SIM active if you use the number for banking. Losing the number means losing your verification codes.
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