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Vietnam is one of my favorite destinations in Southeast Asia, but the first moments after landing can be a little overwhelming. The warm, heavy air hits you as soon as you step off the plane, you’re tired from a long flight and everything feels different. Still, I’ve always been the type of traveler though who likes to walk out of the terminal as if I know exactly where I’m going, no matter if I already know the airport or not: The less you look like a clueless tourist on your first day, the smaller the chance that someone takes advantage of it. That’s why I always want to be online the moment I get off the plane, and why an eSIM is one of the first things I sort out before any trip.
However, there are so many providers by now that it’s genuinely hard to choose one. If you’re looking for the best eSIM for Vietnam, Sim Local is well worth a closer look, and in this guide I’ll show you why.
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Get your Sim Local eSIM for Vietnam and save 5% with my code HAPPYJETLAGGER
Why Mobile Data Matters So Much in Vietnam
Being online right away makes the first hours at a new destination so much easier, especially if you’re traveling alone and have to sort everything out yourself. I can check where my hotel actually is, and instead of jumping into the first taxi and relying on the meter, I order a Grab and see the price before I’ve even left the airport. During the ride, I can follow the route on the map, and if I spot a market or a café I’d like to come back to, I simply save the location for later. Being connected right away gives me a sense of control, and a good bit of safety too.
In general, your phone can make your trip so much easier. Hanoi’s Old Quarter, for example, is a maze of streets that change names every few hundred meters. In Ho Chi Minh City, much of the best street food is tucked away in narrow alleys you’d never find without a map. Or you might want to try to order your food in Vietnamese or just say thank you – a translation app lets you experience the culture on a whole different level.
What Is an eSIM & Why I Don’t Miss Physical SIM Cards
Many of us already use an eSIM at home. If you don’t, it’s basically a SIM card in digital form uploaded right to your phone. Instead of inserting a physical card, you can install a data plan by simply scanning a QR code or using an app to set it up. That’s how easy it is to use an eSIM!
Back in the day, I bought local SIM cards on more trips than I can count, but it was never as seamless as with an eSIM. There was always the line at the airport counter (if I could find one at all, since in some countries it’s not that easy to buy a SIM card at the airport, not to mention the higher price tag), the hunt for the tiny pin to open the SIM tray, and the question of where to keep my home SIM so it wouldn’t get lost somewhere in my bag.
With an eSIM, I install everything at home and simply switch it on when I land. Since switching to eSIMs, I’ve tried several providers on countless trips to countries like the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Montenegro, Serbia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, and I wouldn’t go back. (Within Europe, my regular cell phone plan from Germany covers most countries anyway.)
The best part is that you can still receive calls and text messages on your home number, including verification codes or any other messages, and WhatsApp stays exactly as it is. Most phones can also store several eSIMs at once. If Vietnam is the first stop on a longer route through Southeast Asia, you can install the plans for Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand in advance and simply switch when you cross the border.
Traveling on after Vietnam? Sim Local covers more than 200 destinations. Browse all countries with Sim Local eSIM* and set up your whole route in one app!
Why Sim Local Is My Pick for the Best eSIM for Vietnam
With so many eSIM providers out there, it’s sometimes hard to keep up with all those different companies – and if you’ve never heard of Sim Local, you might be surprised that it’s actually an eSIM veteran. Sim Local was founded in Dublin in 2011(!) and opened its first shop at Dublin Airport. Today it’s Heathrow’s official eSIM partner, with stores in every terminal, and you’ll also find it at the airports in Brussels, Vienna and Athens. So when you buy an eSIM from Sim Local, you’re getting it from a company that has been helping travelers stay connected for well over a decade, both online and in person at some of Europe’s busiest airports. With its Vietnam eSIMs, Sim Local connects you to MobiFone and VinaPhone, two of the country’s best-known networks.
Which Vietnam eSIM Is Right for You?
What I like most about Sim Local is that you can choose an eSIM plan that fits your needs. If you don’t need much data, stick to one of the smaller plans; if you need more, there are plenty of options.
Not sure how much data you’ll need? I always find it hard to estimate my own usage, especially since my habits on the road are often quite different from at home. That’s where Sim Local’s Find My Plan tool* comes in handy: it asks you four quick questions and suggests the plan that matches the way you travel.
Fixed Data Plans
These budget-friendlier plans start at around US$4.50 and go up to 20 GB for thirty days. They’re a good fit if you mainly use maps, messaging, and the occasional ride, and spend your evenings on hotel Wi-Fi. If you run low, you can add more data in the Sim Local app.
Unlimited eSIM Vietnam Plans
If you need a lot of data, you might want to opt for the unlimited eSIM Vietnam plans. With Unlimited you get 5 GB of high-speed data every day, and with Unlimited Pro it’s 10 GB. That’s enough to upload large files and stream Netflix or YouTube in high quality in the evening, and you’ll still have data left over for everything else. The allowance resets every 24 hours, and if you do reach it, you stay online at reduced speed until the next reset. Hotspot and tethering are included, so you can also connect your laptop or any other devices.
MobiFone Plans With Calls and Texts
Another option worth considering are the MobiFone Vietnam eSIM plans, which include calls and SMS. MobiFone is a well-known Vietnamese network, and although the plans aren’t unlimited, YouTube and Facebook don’t count toward your allowance. The 15-day plan comes with 75 GB of data plus calls and texts (currently US$33.25), and the 30-day plan includes 180 GB of data plus calls (currently US$40.25).
Bought an eSIM, but your travel plans changed? Sim Local has a very customer-friendly refund policy: You can request a 100% refund within 14 days of purchase, no questions asked! Also, if you ever need help, Sim Local’s support team is available 24/7 via WhatsApp and email (which is even more remarkable, as real people respond to your questions rather than an impersonal AI chatbot).
My discount for you: Choose your plan in the Sim Local eSIM* shop and save 5% with the code HAPPYJETLAGGER at checkout. It only takes a couple of minutes, and you’ll land in Vietnam already connected.
How To Set Up Your Vietnam Travel eSIM
At home, we rarely think about SIM cards. There’s one in the phone, the phone works, and that’s that. So the first time someone mentions an eSIM, it’s normal to wonder what exactly that is. The good news is that installing one is really easy, and Sim Local explains every step clearly. Once you’ve done it, you’ll know how it works, and next time it’ll take even less.
- Check that your phone supports eSIMs. (It very likely does. Every iPhone since the XS from 2018 can handle eSIMs, and so can most recent Android phones.) If you’re unsure, see the FAQ below or use Sim Local’s compatibility checker* on their website.
- Buy your Sim Local eSIM* and enter the code HAPPYJETLAGGER at checkout for 5% off.
- Install it before you leave. All you need is an internet connection, either Wi-Fi or cellular data, and you can do it via QR code or in the Sim Local app. Installing doesn’t start your plan yet. The eSIM stays inactive on your phone until you arrive.
- Switch it on when you land. Turn on the eSIM line, set it as your main line for cellular data, and enable data roaming for it. Your phone connects to the local network, and that’s when your plan starts.
Make sure to keep data roaming turned off for your home SIM to avoid roaming charges later!
Ready For Vietnam?
All in all, Sim Local makes it wonderfully easy to find exactly the plan you need. And it doesn’t stop at Vietnam. With more than 200 destinations, you’re covered in almost every corner of the world, so your next trip is taken care of in the same app, whether it takes you to Japan, Mexico, or somewhere you haven’t even thought of yet.
Get your Sim Local eSIM* now and save 5% with my code HAPPYJETLAGGER.
(Keep the code handy: You can use it for your next trip, and the one after that, and the one after that!)
FAQ: eSIMs in Vietnam
Is an eSIM worth it in Vietnam?
Absolutely. You’re online as soon as you land, without waiting in line at a counter or first figuring out where to buy a SIM card. You also don’t have to convert prices in Vietnamese dong, where even small amounts quickly run into hundreds of thousands, and it’s easy to slip by a zero. With an eSIM, you know exactly what you’re paying and what you’re getting.
Why shouldn’t I stick to my provider from home?
It’s probably much more expensive! I personally don’t know of any European cell phone plan that includes countries in Southeast Asia, and daily roaming packages are usually very pricey. With a dedicated Vietnam eSIM, the price is fixed, and there are no unpleasant surprises later on.
Does the eSIM work with my phone?
Most smartphones from the last few years support eSIMs, including iPhones from the XS onwards, recent Google Pixels, and many Samsung Galaxy models. Your phone shouldn’t be SIM-locked to your home provider, which is rare with phones bought outright. You can check your model with Sim Local’s compatibility checker*.
When should I install my eSIM?
Ideally at home before your trip, so everything is ready when you land. The Sim Local app explains each step clearly and is worth downloading beforehand, although installing via QR code works just as well without it.
How good is mobile coverage in Vietnam?
Very good, in my experience. With Sim Local, you’ll use well-known local networks, so your connection is just as good as that of the people who live there. I’ve traveled quite a lot around Vietnam, and in the cities and popular tourist areas, mobile data was always fast and reliable. Even when I ventured further out, for example over the Hai Van Pass, on a trip to Ha Long Bay or into the more remote corners of Con Dao, I honestly can’t remember ever losing my signal. In very remote regions, such as the mountains around Sapa, the Ha Giang Loop, parts of the Mekong Delta or the quieter parts of Phu Quoc, coverage can be patchier. That’s more likely to affect you if you’re heading off the beaten track for days than if you’re exploring Vietnam’s highlights on your first trip. Either way, it’s a good idea to download offline maps on your accommodation’s Wi-Fi before setting out on a hike or a motorbike tour.
