Vietnam has good 4G across its cities and along the main north–south route, and plenty of visitors arrive with no plan for mobile data at all. That usually means queueing at an airport SIM counter. Vietnam's rules on local SIM registration have tightened in recent years, which makes a travel eSIM installed before you fly the simplest option for most trips.
Short answer: a 5–10GB travel eSIM with 30-day validity covers most two- to four-week trips. Install Grab before you land.
What a Vietnam eSIM costs
At the time of writing (October 2026), Wanderly's Vietnam plans start at $2.99 for 1GB, with 5GB for 30 days around $7, 10GB for 30 days around $12 and 20GB for 30 days around $20. That works out at roughly $1.00–$1.40 per GB on the larger 30-day plans.
Vietnam's plans come with 30-day validity even at larger sizes, which suits the long north–south routes most visitors take. Comparing providers? See Vietnam vs Airalo and Vietnam vs Holafly.
eSIM vs a local SIM in Vietnam
Local SIMs are cheap, but they have to be registered with your passport, and Vietnam has been enforcing identity checks on subscriber registration. Unregistered or incorrectly registered SIMs can be cut off. Airport counters handle this for tourists, but it adds a queue after a long flight.
A foreign travel eSIM roams onto Vietnamese networks, so there is no local registration. For a stay of several months, a properly registered local SIM is usually cheaper per gigabyte.
Networks and coverage
Vietnam's main networks are Viettel (the largest, with the widest rural coverage), VinaPhone and MobiFone. Travel eSIMs connect to a partner network automatically.
- Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City: strong 4G and growing 5G.
- Da Nang and Hoi An: good coverage.
- Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay cruises: coverage near the shore and in many bays; patchy further out.
- Sapa and Ha Giang loop: good in towns; gaps on remote passes and trekking routes.
- Phong Nha: coverage in town; none inside the caves.
- Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc: generally good.
- Overnight trains: usable along much of the route, with gaps.
Apps you will use
- Grab — rides, motorbike taxis and food delivery. Install it before you land.
- Google Maps — works well in Vietnam.
- Zalo — Vietnam's main messaging app, used by many hotels and tour operators alongside WhatsApp.
- Google Translate — download Vietnamese for offline use.
How much data you need
| Trip | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| One week, one or two cities | 3–5 GB |
| Two to three weeks, north to south | 5–10 GB |
| A month, or remote work | 20 GB |
See how much data you need for travel.
Vietnam on a Southeast Asia trip
Crossing into Cambodia or Laos, or combining with Thailand? A Vietnam plan will not cover those. Compare the best eSIM for Southeast Asia.
Setting it up
- 1Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility checker.
- 2Install the eSIM over WiFi before you fly — iPhone or Android steps.
- 3On landing in Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line.
- 4Keep your home number for calls and texts — see the dual-SIM guide.
FAQ
What is the best eSIM for Vietnam? For most travellers, a 5–10GB plan with 30-day validity.
How much does an eSIM for Vietnam cost? Wanderly Vietnam plans start at $2.99 for 1GB, with larger 30-day plans around $1.00–$1.40 per GB.
Do I need to register an eSIM in Vietnam? A foreign travel eSIM roams onto Vietnamese networks, so it does not go through local SIM registration. Local SIMs require passport registration.
Does an eSIM work on a Ha Long Bay cruise? Near the shore and in many bays, yes. Further out, coverage is patchy.
Does Grab work with a travel eSIM? Yes. Grab runs over mobile data.