Understanding Local Sim Cards and Data Plans in Vietnam

Understanding Local Sim Cards and Data Plans in Vietnam

G’day, fellow travellers! Aussie Mates here with some vital info that’ll save you a heap of drama on your Vietnamese adventure. When Tracy and I first moved to Vietnam nearly 20 years ago, we made every blunder in the book with mobile connectivity. These days, staying connected is as essential as packing your thongs (that’s flip-flops for non-Aussies). Whether you’re planning to share stunning photos of Halong Bay or need Google Maps to navigate the chaotic streets of Hanoi, a reliable SIM card is absolutely crucial. So grab a cold one and let me walk you through everything you need to know about local SIM cards and data plans in Vietnam.

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Why You Need a Vietnamese SIM Card

Look, I’ve seen plenty of Aussie tourists get stung with astronomical roaming charges from their home providers. One bloke I met last year in Hoi An had racked up over $300 in data charges in just three days! International roaming might seem convenient, but trust me, it’s a quick way to blow your beer budget.

Vietnamese SIM cards are ridiculously cheap, offer fantastic coverage (even in more remote areas), and provide lightning-fast data speeds that’ll make you question why our internet back home in Oz is so bloody expensive. Tracy and I rely on local SIMs for everything from booking Grab bikes to finding the best phở spots that tourists don’t know about.

Major Mobile Providers in Vietnam

Vietnam has several mobile networks, but these three are the main players you’ll want to consider:

• Viettel – The biggest network with the best coverage nationwide. It’s run by the military and reaches virtually every corner of the country. Slightly pricier than others but worth it if you’re venturing off the beaten track.
• Vinaphone – Great balance of good coverage and reasonable prices. Works well in cities and most tourist areas.
• Mobifone – Comparable to Vinaphone in terms of coverage and pricing, popular among locals and expats alike.

After trying all three extensively during our time here, Tracy and I primarily use Viettel. When we’re motorbiking through the mountains near Sapa or exploring the Mekong Delta’s backwaters, Viettel keeps us connected when other networks drop out.

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Where to Buy Your SIM Card

You’ve got a few options for purchasing a SIM card:

Airport Kiosks

The most convenient but slightly more expensive option. When you exit customs at Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh) or Noi Bai (Hanoi) airports, you’ll spot several counters selling SIM cards. They typically charge 200,000-350,000 VND (about $12-20 AUD) for a tourist SIM with generous data. The staff speak decent English and will set everything up for you.

Official Provider Stores

Found in all major cities and towns, these shops offer the most reliable service and usually have English-speaking staff. Prices are standardized and they’ll properly register your SIM (which is technically required by Vietnamese law).

Convenience Stores

Places like Circle K and Family Mart sell prepaid SIMs, but the setup is minimal and they might not register it properly. I’d recommend this only if you’re in a pinch.

A word of caution from personal experience: Avoid buying SIMs from random street vendors. Tracy once purchased one in the backpacker district in Saigon that stopped working after two days, and we had no recourse for getting it fixed.

Popular Data Plans for Tourists

Vietnamese data plans are remarkably generous compared to what we’re used to back in Australia. Here’s what you can expect in 2023:

• Tourist SIMs – Usually valid for 30 days with 60-100GB of data and some call/text credit. Expect to pay 200,000-350,000 VND ($12-20 AUD).
• Standard Prepaid Plans – If you’re staying longer, consider a regular plan. For around 100,000 VND ($6 AUD), you can get 30-day packages with 30GB+ data.
• Unlimited Data Plans – Yes, they exist! For about 250,000 VND ($15 AUD), you can get unlimited data for a month, though speeds may reduce after a certain threshold.

Since Tracy and I run our travel blog from all over Vietnam, we typically opt for the unlimited plans. When we’re uploading videos from a beachside café in Danang or livestreaming from a street food tour in Hanoi, having that unlimited data is an absolute godsend.

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Setting Up Your SIM Card

The process is pretty straightforward:

1. Bring your passport – it’s legally required for SIM registration in Vietnam.
2. Make sure your phone is unlocked before leaving Australia.
3. The staff will typically set everything up for you, including selecting and activating a data plan.
4. They’ll usually test it works before you leave the shop.
5. Take a photo of the SIM card package or write down your Vietnamese phone number somewhere safe.

Once activated, you’ll receive confirmation texts in Vietnamese. Don’t panic! The important info like your balance and data usage can usually be checked by dialing *101# for most providers.

Topping Up Your Credit

Running low on data? No worries! Topping up is dead simple:

• Convenience Stores – Any Circle K, Family Mart, or Vinmart can sell you top-up cards.
• Provider Apps – All major providers have apps where you can top up using international credit cards.
• Mobile Banking – If you’ve set up a local bank account like we have, you can top up through Vietnamese banking apps.

Tracy and I have found the provider apps to be the most convenient option. Viettel’s My Viettel app even has an English interface that makes managing your account a breeze.

Common Issues and How to Solve Them

Even after two decades here, we occasionally run into problems. Here are some quick fixes:

• SIM suddenly not working – Vietnam occasionally purges unregistered SIMs. If this happens, visit an official store with your passport.
• Can’t make international calls – You might need to specifically activate international calling. Ask for “cuộc gọi quốc tế” at a provider store.
• Receiving spam messages – Unfortunately common. Reply with “HUY” to opt out of marketing messages.
• Data seems slow – Some unlimited plans throttle speeds after certain usage. Check your plan details or consider a reset by dialing *109# for Viettel or *345# for Vinaphone.

Using eSIMs in Vietnam

For the tech-savvy Aussies with newer phones, eSIMs are becoming available in Vietnam. Viettel and Vinaphone now offer eSIM options, though the setup process requires visiting an official store with your passport. Tracy recently switched to an eSIM on her iPhone 13, and she loves not having to swap physical SIMs when we visit family back in Australia.

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