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Tourists can get a Vietnam SIM card from one of three local carriers, MobiFone, Viettel, or VinaPhone, at the airport, in official stores, or online, as long as they bring a passport to register it. A local SIM is a practical way to get reliable mobile internet in Vietnam for maps, messaging, and video calls home.

Let’s take a closer look at what each of them offers to help you choose the best Vietnam SIM card for your trip. We’ll also introduce you to Holafly, a travel eSIM that gives you unlimited data without a physical SIM.

How much is a SIM card in Vietnam?

A prepaid SIM card in Vietnam costs 50,000-100,000 VND (~US$1.60-3.30), depending on the provider. The Vietnam SIM card price gets you the SIM and a number, but you’ll still need a data package. Daily packages start at 5,000 VND ($0.16), and 30-day packages cost 69,000-380,000 VND (~$2.30-12.50), depending on how much data and how many call minutes you need.

Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of November 4, 2026, and is subject to change.

Best SIM cards for Vietnam: Top 3 options

MobiFone, Viettel, and VinaPhone are the three major cell service providers in the country, and all three sell prepaid data packages that can help you get mobile internet in Vietnam. Viettel is the only one with a dedicated tourist SIM card for Vietnam.

All three carriers sell prepaid Vietnam SIM cards, so you buy the SIM first and then top it up with data and calls as needed.

Let’s take a closer look at what each of them has to offer to help you choose the right one for you.

MobiFone Vietnam SIM card 

The MobiFone Vietnam SIM card offers two prepaid plans, MobiCard for calls and MobiQ for texts, plus data packages you can add on top. The starter kit costs 50,000 VND (~$1.60) and covers the SIM and the connection fee. You buy it in person at a MobiFone store, dealer, or official distribution point with your passport, and after that you can top up and add data packages online.

  • MobiCard: prepaid plan for 30 to 135 minutes of calls a month, with no subscription fee or bills
  • MobiQ: prepaid plan for frequent texters, with domestic texts from 200 VND (~$0.01)
  • Daily data: 500 MB to 6 GB for 1 day, 5,000-10,000 VND (~$0.16-0.33)
  • Weekly data: 12 GB for 7 days, 30,000 VND (~$1.00)
  • Monthly data: 10 GB to 388 GB, or up to 7 GB per day, for 30 days, 69,000-135,000 VND (~$2.30-4.40), with call minutes included on some packages

Viettel Vietnam SIM card

The Viettel Vietnam SIM card offers a dedicated tourist SIM, regular prepaid SIMs, and data packages that last anywhere from one day to a full year. A prepaid Viettel SIM card costs 100,000 VND (~$3.30). On Viettel’s online store, you can pick your own number, choose a package, and have the SIM shipped to your location.

Here’s how Viettel tourist SIM packages and regular plans compare:

  • Tourist SIM: a Vietnam travel SIM card sold on Viettel’s online store, where you can check the Viettel SIM card for tourist price before you order
  • Prepaid SIM: choose your own number for 100,000 VND (~$3.30)
  • Daily data: 700 MB until midnight on the day you register, 7,000 VND (~$0.23)
  • 30-day data: 1.5 GB to 15 GB per day, 90,000-380,000 VND (~$3.00-12.50), with call minutes and TV360 streaming included on some packages
  • Long-term data: 90 to 360 days, from 100 MB per 30 days to 20 GB per day, 60,000-5,760,000 VND (~$2.00-189)

VinaPhone Vietnam SIM card

VinaPhone is another local operator with its own network in Vietnam. The VinaPhone Vietnam SIM card offers prepaid monthly packages that combine daily data with call minutes, plus a cheap calls-only plan. Every package runs for 30 days, and data stops once you reach the daily limit.

  • Monthly data and calls: 1.5 GB to 10 GB per day for 30 days, 145,000-349,000 VND (~$4.75-11.40), with call minutes included on every package
  • Calls only: 10 off-network minutes and free on-network calls for a group of 10, 29,000 VND (~$0.95) for 30 days

Holafly eSIM for Vietnam: Unlimited data wherever you go

Holafly’s eSIM Vietnam gives you peace of mind from the moment you land, with unlimited data and 24/7 customer support. There’s no SIM to pick up at a store, and the eSIM is reusable, so you install it once and use it every time you need data abroad. Every Holafly eSIM also comes with Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data in 150+ destinations, included at no added cost.

Planning a longer stay or traveling often? Check out Holafly Plans for monthly data in 160+ destinations with no long-term contracts, or Holafly Ultra for a monthly plan that’s always there for you, with data privacy and real-life support benefits that keep you protected as you travel.

Where to buy a SIM card in Vietnam

You can buy a SIM card for Vietnam before your trip or after you land. Either way, there are plenty of options for staying connected. Here’s how to get a SIM card in Vietnam at each stage of your trip:

  • Online: You can buy your Vietnam SIM card from international retailers such as Amazon or KKday and pick it up at the airport in Vietnam or have it delivered to your home before the trip. 
  • At the airport: You’ll find SIM card kiosks by local cell service providers at the Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh airports, so you can get connected almost as soon as you land. For a Vietnam SIM card, arrivals at Saigon airport can head to the carrier kiosks at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
  • In Vietnam: If you left the airport without your Vietnamese SIM card, you can get one at official stores throughout the country, as well as convenience stores such as Circle K, 7-Eleven, and Minimart.
  • Buy an eSIM: You don’t need a physical SIM card if you are after a Vietnam data SIM card. You can get an international eSIM instead and enjoy instant connectivity whenever you need it. It only takes a couple of minutes to buy, set up, and activate your eSIM, all you need is internet access and an eSIM-compatible phone.

How to register your Vietnam SIM card

SIM card registration is mandatory in Vietnam for both locals and foreigners — a policy introduced in 2016 to prevent misuse of unregistered SIM cards for illegal activities. The store workers will help you through the registration process when buying your SIM, but you will need to provide a valid passport and an unlocked phone at the store.

Once your SIM is registered, you’ll still need to activate it before it starts working. Here’s how you can do that:

  1. Insert the SIM card into the SIM slot in your phone
  2. Turn on your phone
  3. You will receive a text message with activation instructions from your SIM provider
  4. Follow the instructions to activate your SIM card
  5. Get a top-up for your SIM to start using it

If you’d rather skip the lengthy registration process, get an eSIM for Vietnam instead. Holafly doesn’t require you to register or provide your ID, simply buy your eSIM, activate it, and enjoy instant connectivity.

FAQs about Vietnam SIM card

Which SIM card is best for Vietnam?

It depends on what you need. Viettel is the only carrier with a dedicated tourist SIM, and you can order it online. MobiFone has the cheapest starter kit at 50,000 VND (~$1.60), and VinaPhone’s monthly packages bundle daily data with call minutes. If you’d rather not deal with a physical SIM at all, a travel eSIM gets you online as soon as you land.

Can a foreigner buy a SIM card in Vietnam?

Yes. Foreigners can buy a prepaid SIM card in Vietnam with a valid passport, which needs at least three months of validity left at MobiFone. Every SIM has to be registered, and store staff handle this for you when you buy it. That’s why Holafly eSIM for Vietnam sounds interesting, as there are no registration or language barriers.

How much should I pay for a SIM card in Vietnam?

A prepaid SIM card in Vietnam costs 50,000-100,000 VND (~$1.60-3.30), depending on the carrier. On top of that, you’ll need a data package. Daily packages start at 5,000 VND (~$0.16), and 30-day packages cost 69,000-380,000 VND (~$2.30-12.50).

Can I buy a Vietnam SIM card online?

Yes. Viettel’s online store lets you choose your number and package and have the SIM shipped to your location, while MobiFone sells its SIMs in person only. You can also buy a Holafly eSIM for Vietnam online and install it before your trip, with no shipping or pickup needed.

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Rokas Aniulis

Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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