Viettel SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists in Vietnam

Clover Garcia

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Latest update: August 2026

If you are picking a mobile network for your Vietnam trip, Viettel is usually the first name locals and long-term expats recommend. As the country’s largest carrier, it offers the strongest coverage nationwide.

This guide breaks down why Viettel is worth choosing, how much a Viettel tourist SIM or eSIM costs, where to buy one, and how to pick the right option for your trip.

Why Choose Viettel for Your Vietnam Trip?

You will need reliable data for Google Maps, translation tools, and staying in touch. Viettel is the network most locals and long-time expats recommend first. Here is how Viettel performs in real-world conditions.

1. Coverage Even Beyond Big Cities

Viettel covers more ground than any other carrier in Vietnam, especially when you head into remote provinces where other networks drop signal.

According to Opensignal’s independent testing:

• 4G & 5G access: Covers 98.6% of the population on 4G and 91.2% on 5G.
• Top reliability: Ranked #1 for coverage and network consistency across independent tests.
• Remote signal: Works reliably in places like Ha Giang, Sapa, and Phu Quoc Island.

2. Speed Performance

Viettel delivers fast speeds overall. In daily travel use, you can stream HD video, use live map navigation, and upload photos smoothly, even in dense Hanoi traffic.

• Average speeds: Reaches up to 165.03 Mbps on download and 594.16 Mbps on 5G (according to 2025 Ookla data).
• Real-world performance: Opensignal tests show Viettel ties closely with MobiFone on average download speeds (49.4 Mbps). MobiFone edges ahead slightly on upload speeds and video streaming quality.

For daily tourist tasks like social media, messaging, maps, and video calls, Viettel gives you a very smooth experience.

Viettel Tourist SIM and eSIM Plans

Viettel tourist plans depend on your data needs and trip length. Prices range from 60,000 VND (~$2.40 USD) for short trips up to 180,000 VND (~$7.20 USD) for a full month. Higher-tier plans also include voice call minutes.

Notes on calls & cards:

• On-net means calls to Viettel numbers. Off-net means calls to other local networks.
• A physical SIM card carry a small extra fee of 50,000 VND (~$2 USD).

Where to Buy a Viettel SIM Card or eSIM

You have 4 main options depending on whether you value convenience, lower cost, or advance preparation.

1. Buy an eSIM Online without Passport Registration (Fastest & Easiest)

If you want to skip carrier paperwork and long airport lines, buying a Gigago Vietnam eSIM is the fastest route. This runs directly on top of Vietnam’s top local networks (including Viettel), giving you the same strong coverage from the second you land.

• No passport required: You only need an email address and a name to purchase.
• Instant delivery: Get your QR code via email immediately and scan to install.
• Ready in 3–5 minutes: Set it up before your flight, and turn on data roaming when you arrive in Vietnam.
• Pricing: Starts from $5.90 to $19.90 USD, depending on your data allowance and trip duration.

This is the ideal option for short-term travelers or anyone using an unlocked eSIM-compatible phone who prefers to land fully connected without submitting passport scans.

2. At the Airport (Fastest Setup)

Getting a SIM card right after landing sounds easy, but the airport layout and sales push can be overwhelming if it’s your first time in Vietnam. Here is exactly how it works (using Tan Son Nhat / Saigon Airport as a typical example):

1. The Route: After clearing immigration, walk downstairs to baggage collection and duty-free. Pass through customs (where your bags go through an X-ray scanner), and exit into the main arrival hall.
2. The Kiosks: Right in this hall, you’ll see a line of independent kiosks with staff shouting “Taxi sir! SIM card sir!” alongside currency exchange desks and tour counters.
3. The Reality Check: These airport kiosks operate as independent businesses selling tourist-packaged SIMs. Do not expect to find cheap local packages here (like Viettel’s 30,000 VND / 7GB daily plans). Airport sellers focus strictly on higher-priced tourist bundles.

Official Viettel Airport Counters:

To avoid issues with fake or improperly registered SIMs, clear customs and look for the official red-and-white Viettel counter in the arrival halls at major airports:

• Noi Bai (Hanoi)
• Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Da Nang
• Cam Ranh (Nha Trang)
• Phu Quoc

How to buy:

1. Pick your plan from the board and present your passport for mandatory registration.
2. Staff will insert and activate a physical SIM, or display a QR code for an eSIM setup.

Pro Tip: Airport counters charge 15–30% higher than city stores for convenience. You should stick to official counters with clear Viettel branding and avoid unofficial kiosks outside that sell pre-activated SIMs, as these often stop working after a few days.

3. At a Viettel Store in the City (Cheapest Option)

If you want to save money, head to an authorized Viettel store in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or any major downtown area. Prices there tend to run noticeably lower than at the airport

• Pros: You pay standard local prices without airport markups.
• Cons: Staff in local city stores may speak limited English. It helps to already know which plan you want before you walk in.
• What to bring: Bring your passport (required by law) and point directly to the plan you want from the table above. Always test your data connection before walking out of the shop so staff can sort out any issue on the spot rather than you discovering it later.

4. Online Through Viettel Official Website

You can register your SIM before landing through Viettel’s official portal at tourist.viettel.vn.

Required steps:

• Upload a photo of your passport.
• Upload a recent portrait photo.
• Provide an email address for confirmation.

This option works best if you prefer to set up your connection ahead of time, though you should leave enough buffer time for processing before your flight.

Physical SIM vs. eSIM: Which Should You Pick?

Once you’ve picked where to buy, you just need to choose between a physical SIM or an eSIM. It really comes down to two simple things: whether your phone supports eSIM and if you need a local Vietnamese phone number for calls

Here is a quick look at how both formats compare:

Which one should you choose?

• Choose Gigago eSIM if: your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible; you want instant data upon landing and want to skip airport lines and passport registration; and you value speed, convenience, and personal privacy.

• Choose Viettel SIM if: your phone lacks eSIM support (older models or iPhones from Mainland China/Hong Kong/Macao); you need to make traditional phone calls (e.g., calling hotels or drivers directly without apps like Grab or WhatsApp).

How to Top Up Your Viettel Balance

You can top up your Viettel SIM or eSIM a few different ways, and all of them post credit right away:

• Viettel app: Pay directly using Visa, Mastercard, or JCB.
• Viettel Stores: Top up with cash or local bank transfers.
• E-Wallets: Use local apps like MoMo or ZaloPay.

Frequently Asked Questions