Buying a SIM card in Vietnam should not be a difficult task as this beautiful country offers you excellent network service with very affordable prices. Vietnam population is currently over 90 million people. As a result, the mobile network market here is flourishing and very well invested. For instance, although 4G has just recently been introduced, it has already been available in half of the country’s area. On your Asia tours and once you’ve settled in Vietnam, the information below will be your help.
Where to get a Vietnam SIM card?
you can buy a SIM card as soon as you arrive at the airport. Look for the sign of SIM card or brand names like Viettel, Vinaphone. Mobiphone. A small tip is that the staff who works in airports are usually better at speaking English, so you can expect better customer care there.
Outside the airport, SIM cards can be bought in official stores or phone shops.
How to Register for SIM card in Vietnam?
Passports are necessary for the registration process. Do not buy SIM cards from unofficial sources that require no registration as they might get deactivated.
There is no need to sign any contract or call any number to activate the SIM, it works right after when the salesperson finishes.
Mobile Network Providers in Vietnam
Viettel
This is the state-owned Mobile Network Provider in Vietnam. Thus, it is easy to understand why Viettel is the market leader with up to 40% of all customers on its network.
The coverage of Viettel (3G or 4G/LTE) is the best even when you enjoy a trip to remote regions.
The price for a SIM card does not differ from the other major operators Vinaphone & Mobifone but, Viettel is always the best choice.
Availability
You can easily get a Viettel SIM card in Vietnam at the airport or shops in the city. Also, recharge cards are available in small shops or even on the sidewalks. If you do not know how to do, ask the shop staff as they are always happy to help you even if they cannot understand English.
The price for a Viettel SIM Card is around 50.000 to 60.000 VND.
There are 2 prepaid brands: Tomato & Economy which do not come with data. Therefore, you have to book a package.
Dial *101# to check the main account, *102# for bonus one. Also, dial *100*# to top-up by voucher. The voucher can be found all around the city as if you see the Viettel logo, here they are. Even you can get a voucher in the convenience stores like Vin-mart or Circle K.
In order to keep your Viettel SIM card alive, you just do activities deducting some amount of your balance every month. A further option is to send VTVANG to 109 before leaving Vietnam. This action costs you 50.000 VND; however, keeps the safety of your SIM Card in Vietnam for a year.
3G Default Data
First of all, you may activate data by texting “Data ON” to 161. Default data rate out of these packages below is 75 VND/ 50KB. There packages below can be activated via your devices:
| 3G Data | Packages Price | Activation Codes | Overuse |
| 50 MB | 10.000 VND | MI10 | 0.5VND per KB |
| 200 MB | 30.000 VND | MI30 | 0.5VND per KB |
| 450 MB | 50.000 VND | MI50 | 0.5VND per KB |
| 1 GB | 30.000 VND | TOMD30 | Add-ons, cut off |
| 1.5 GB | 70.000 VND | MIMAX1.5 | Add-ons, cut off |
| 3 GB | 70.000 VND | MIMAX70 | Add-ons, cut off |
| 3 GB | 50.000 VND | ECOD50 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 5 GB | 90.000 VND | MIMAX90 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 8 GB | 125.000 VND | MIMAX125 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 15 GB | 200.000 VND | MIMAX200 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 30 GB | 500.000 VND | UMAX300 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 30 GB | 300.000 VND | MIMAX200 | Unlimited |
To activate these data packages, dial *098# and follow instructions on your screen or call to 191. A package is auto-renewed if it is credit. To stop it, text “Huy” to 191 and then, text Y to confirm.
4G/ LTE Default Data
Default data of 4G/ LTE of Viettel is 60 VND/ MB. These packages below can be given out for their new 4G/ month.
| 4G/ LTE Data | Packages Price | Activation Codes | Overuse |
| 3 GB | 70.000 VND | MIMAX70 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 5 GB | 90.000 VND | MIMAX90 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 8 GB | 125.000 VND | MIMAX125 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 15 GB | 200.000 VND | MIMAX200 | Add-ons – throttled |
| 30 GB | 300.000 VND | UMAX300 | Unlimited |
Viettel Tourist SIM Card Date Default
| Price | Data | Domestic Calls | International Calls | Validity |
| 100.000 VND | 1 GB | 20 minutes | 10 minutes | 5 days |
| 200.000 VND | 2 GB | 40 minutes | 20 minutes | 10 days |
| 300.000 VND | 3 GB | 60 minutes | 30 Minutes | 15 days |
| 500.000 VND | 5 GB | 100 minutes | 50 minutes | 25 days |
International calls are available up to 25 countries. Price for date overage charge is 9.76VND/ 50 KB.
Furthermore, the tourist SIM card doesn’t include SMS texting; So, to add it, you have to add a scratch-off card to your account for SMS messages.
Vinaphone
Another Mobile Network Provider owned by the government, Vinaphone has a market of up to 30% of all customers. Vinaphone SIM card’s coverage and speed are good across the country. 3G and 4G/ LTE are available.
Availability
A SIM card of Vinaphone is available in shops or street kiosks with the price of around 50.000 VND.
To extend the SIM life from 1 to 215 days, top-ups from 5.000 – 500.000 VND. Dial *100*# to top-up. *101# to check the main account and *102# to check bonus one.
3G Data Default
First of all, you need to activate data by texting “GPRS ON” to 888. Default data rate out of these packages below is 1.5 VND/ KB.
These data packages below can be activated monthly (without 4G access).
| 3G Date | Package Price | Activation Codes | Overuse |
| 50 MB | 10.000 VND | DK1 M10 | 0.5 VND per KB |
| 150 MB | 25.000 VND | DK1 M25 | |
| 500 MB | 50.000 VND | DK1 M50 | |
| 1.5 GB | 120.000 VND | DK1 M120 | |
| 600 MB | 70.000 VND | DK1 MAX | Throttled |
| 1.2 GB | 100.000 VND | DK1 MAX1 | |
| 3 GB | 200.000 VND | DK1 MAX2 | |
| 30 GB | 300.000 VND | DK1 MAX3 |
4G/ LTE Default Data
To turn on 4G, text “4G ON” to 888. These packages below are available for 3G too.
• Big Data Packages (3G & 4G)
| Data | Packages Price | Activation Codes | Overuse |
| 4.8 GB | 70.000 VND | DK1 BIG70 | 0.5 VND per KB |
| 7 GB | 90.000 VND | DK1 BIG90 | |
| 12 GB | 120.000 VND | DK1 BIG120 | |
| 22 GB | 200.000 VND | DK1 BIG200 | |
| 36 GB | 300.000 VND | DK1 BIG300 |
• Speed Packages (3G & 4G) – 30’ calls + 30 SMS
| 2 GB | 79.000 VND | DK1 S79 | 0.5 VND per KB |
| 6 GB | 199.000 VND | DK1 S199 | |
| 10 GB | 299.000 VND | DK1 S299 |
These data packages (Big and Speed) above will be cut-off after having reached the quota. Add-ons will be offered for the rest of the running time if you want more data.
• Activation: texting “X15” for 350 MB/ 15.000 VND
• Activation: texting “X25” for 600 MB/ 25.000 VND
• Activation: texting “X35” for 1 GB/ 35.000 VND
For these activations: DK to 888.
Vinaphone offers the longer periods Vinatel Packages for 6 – 12 months with a special discount.
For short period packages (3G & 4G available):
| Data Packages | Duration | Packages Price | Activation Codes |
| 2 GB | 2 Hours | 5.000 VND | DK H5 |
| 5 GB | 10.000 VND | DK H10 | |
| 1 GB | 24 Hours | 5.000 VND | DK D5 |
| 1.2 GB | 7.000 VND | DK D7 | |
| 2 GB | 10.000 VND | DK D2 | |
| 5 GB | 15.000 VND | DK D15 | |
| 1 GB | 7 Days | 20.000 VND | DK DT20 |
Vinaphone Tourist SIM Card
The starter pack of tourists SIM card of Vinaphone is sold for 300.000 VND including 8 GB (4G/ LTE), 80-minute domestic calls, 50-minute international calls to countries: Russia, UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, New Zealand. Israel, Ireland, Hungary, Germany, France, Denmark, Brazil, Belgium, Australia, Argentina. Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Canada, and the US.
The validity of the Vinaphone tourist SIM card is up to 30 days and cannot be extended in volume or time. Further information in English, dial +84 91 38 8111.
Mobifone
With 18% market, Mobifone is the 3rd largest Mobile Network Provider in Vietnam. Mobifone is a private Mobile Network Provider and its SIM card has good coverage and speed in the centers and the coast.
Availability
Mobifone SIM card is available in shops and street kiosks with the price are around 50.000 VND. To use 4G (available in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City), you need a 4G-enabled SIM. To extend the SIM life from 1 to 215 days, top-ups from 5.000 to 500.000 VND. Check the main account by dialing *101#. To activate data, you may need to text “DATA ON” to 999.
3G Default Data
3G speed is max. Default data rate out of these packages is 75 VND/ 50 KB. 4G is not available.
For activation, text “M0” to 999. For example 1.5 GB for 24 hours, text “D10” to 999.
This package will be auto-renewed. For cancel it, text “HUY QT” to 999.
These are other monthly 3G packages:
| Data Packages | Price Packages | Activation Codes | Overuse |
| 50 MB | 10.000 VND | M10 | 25VND/ 50KB |
| 150 MB | 25.000 VND | M25 | |
| 450 MB | 50.000 VND | M50 |
Activation: <Code> to 9084.
These packages above can be up-sized:
-
- MAX15 – 500 MB/ 15.000 VND
- MAX25 – 1 GB/ 25.000 VND
- MAX35 – 2G/ 35.000 VND
4G/ LTE Default Data
4G Basis Data Packages (Monthly)
| Data Packages | Price Packages | Activation Codes | Overuse |
| 3.8 GB | 70.000 VND | HD70 | Throttled |
| 5.5 GB | 90.000 VND | HD90 | |
| 8.8 GB | 120.000 VND | HD120 | |
| 16.5 GB | 200.000 VND | HD200 | |
| 33 GB | 300.000 VND | HD300 | |
| 44 GB | 400.000 VND | HD400 | |
| 55 GB | 500.000 VND | HD500 |
4G Default Data Packages + (Monthly)
| Data Packages | Price Packages | Activation Codes | Overuse | Calls |
| 1.5 GB | 70.000 VND | DP70 | Cut-off | 70 minutes |
| 2 GB | 100.000 VND | DP100 | 100 minutes | |
| 3 GB | 120.000 VND | DP120 | 120 minutes | |
| 4 GB | 200.000 VND | DP200 | 200 minutes | |
| 6 GB | 300.000 VND | DP300 | 300 minutes | |
| 9 GB | 600.000 VND | DP600 | 600 minutes | |
| 15 GB | 1.500.000 VND | DP1500 | Unlimited |
For activating, text “DK” to 999.
For checking data, text “KT DATA” to 999.
For canceling packages, text “HUY” to 999