Three carriers, six tourist packs, airport kiosks at 2–3× the city price, eSIM options that bypass registration but cost more, and the >30 day rule most guides don't mention. This widget picks the right SIM for your airport, stay length, and data needs.
The SIM card problem in Vietnam isn't coverage — it's the >30 day registration rule (Vietnamese law requires any foreign SIM used >30 days to be registered with the carrier, with passport scan) and the airport kiosk markup (often 2–3× what the same card costs in a city Viettel store). Most tourists either overpay at the airport or skip the registration and lose their number mid-trip.
This widget assumes a normal short-trip stay (1 day to 6 months) and picks the carrier, pack, and place to buy. eSIM is included as a real option — Airalo and Holafly work without registration but cost 1.5–2× the local SIM.
Three quick selections. Output below.
Each airport has different kiosk markup.
Registration kicks in at 30+ days.
Hotspot usage counts against the same pool.
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The recommended carrier is based on coverage, not brand. Viettel has the best rural and mountain coverage (Sapa, Hà Giang, Mekong Delta, mountain passes). Mobifone is strongest in HCMC urban core. Vinaphone is reliable but cheaper — usually the third choice unless you're watching budget.
Total cost includes the SIM, the data pack, and any registration fees. It assumes you buy at the recommended location (not the airport kiosk, unless you select that explicitly).
"Daily cap then throttled" is the fine print. Most tourist packs are advertised as "unlimited" but throttle to 256 kbps after 3–4 GB/day. Speeds after throttle are fine for messaging and maps, useless for video. The widget surfaces the realistic daily allowance.
Where to buy is the part that saves the most money. A 100,000đ SIM at a city Viettel store becomes 200,000–300,000đ at the airport, and the pack price is also marked up. If you can wait 30 minutes after landing to reach a city store, you save real money.
| Carrier | Coverage strength | Tourist pack (7 days) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel | National — best rural | 70,000–150,000đ | Most travelers |
| Mobifone | Strong HCMC urban | 70,000–120,000đ | HCMC-centric trips |
| Vinaphone | Solid north + south | 50,000–100,000đ | Budget trips |
| Vietnamobile | Patchy outside cities | 40,000–80,000đ | HCMC/SGN only |
| Airalo eSIM | Multi-carrier (Viettel host) | $5–16 (~125,000–400,000đ) | Dual-SIM phones, no registration |
| Holafly eSIM | Multi-carrier (Mobifone/Vinaphone) | $6–19 (~150,000–475,000đ) | Unlimited-data plans |
Only if you need data the moment you land (Grab driver, hotel address, emergency). Otherwise, walk out, take a Grab or airport bus, and hit a city Viettel store within 30 minutes — same SIM, 40–60% cheaper. The exception is Phú Quốc airport, where the kiosk markup is smaller and the city alternatives are 45 minutes away.
Vietnamese law (since 2023 update) requires any foreign passport holder using a SIM for more than 30 days to register with the carrier, providing passport scan + Vietnamese address. Most short-trip tourists don't hit this. If you stay 31+ days, the carrier will text you asking to visit a store with your passport. Skipping it means your SIM gets blocked mid-trip.
Different, not better. eSIM pros: zero registration (Airalo/Holafly handle their own identity verification), buy online before you fly, dual-SIM friendly so you keep your home number for SMS. eSIM cons: ~1.5–2× the price of a physical SIM for the same data, requires a recent phone (iPhone XS+, Pixel 3+, Galaxy S20+), no Vietnamese phone number (some apps require one).
Most tourist packs throttle to 256 kbps after 3–4 GB/day. That speed handles WhatsApp / Telegram text + Google Maps routing but not video calls, not hotspot, not Instagram reels. You can buy extra high-speed data in 1GB increments (~10,000–30,000đ) via the carrier's app or by dialing *102#.
SIM Card Decoder is a Vietnam Compass standalone tool. It exists because the right SIM choice depends on three variables — arrival airport, stay length, data needs — that generic travel guides flatten into "buy at the airport kiosk". The selector runs entirely in your browser.
Data collection. None. This tool is a single HTML file. The selector runs entirely in your browser — no input is sent anywhere.
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For reference only. All content on this tool page — carrier prices, registration rules, eSIM pack rates — is for general informational purposes and is not telecommunications advice.
Prices and policies change. Vietnamese carrier prices, eSIM pack rates, and the registration rule are updated without notice. Always confirm at the carrier store before relying on a recommendation.
No liability. Vietnam Compass is not responsible for SIM issues, registration failures, or service disruptions arising from reliance on this tool.
Last updated: 2026-10-07.