Which eSIM for Vietnam in 2026? Brands, pricing models and data sizes compared
Compare eSIM options for Vietnam by pricing model, phone number and network (Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone), with a simple way to size your data by trip length.
한눈에 보기
- Most Vietnam trips suit a data-only eSIM that names its network, because Grab and maps are the main need and a local phone number is rarely required.
- Brands differ mostly in pricing model: fixed GB, a daily cap, or unlimited with fair use, so compare the current price for your exact dates before buying.
- A 3 to 4 day trip usually fits in about 3 to 5 GB, while a 10-day north-to-south trip with Grab, maps and hotspot is safer at 10 GB or more.
This comparison draws on each brand's published plans, policies and help pages as of October 2026. It is not based on a test trip, and it lists no prices because they change weekly. This site also sells eSIMs, so we appear as one option among several.
Which networks run in Vietnam
Third-party reports list four mobile operators in Vietnam: Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone and Vietnamobile. Treat that as something to recheck before you travel. Our Vietnam plans use MobiFone, Viettel or VinaPhone depending on the plan, and each plan page names the network.
The same reports say 2G-only phones were cut off in September 2024 and that 3G is planned to close in September 2028. We have not confirmed this with the operators. A recent 4G phone works as normal.
eSIM options for Vietnam compared
| 옵션 | Pricing model | 전화번호 | 구매 전 확인 사항 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS SIM2Fly | Country or zone packs, such as Asia and Australia | A separate AIS prepaid number | Whether Vietnam is in the pack; use abroad within 60 days of opening; Thai ID needed to register |
| True GO Travel MyPlan | You choose countries, days and data | A separate TrueMove H number, no bundled calls or SMS | Face scan plus Thai ID; use abroad within 60 days; 128 Kbps after the quota |
| Airalo | Country, regional and global packages; unlimited slows after 3 GB in a day | Mostly data only | Each package's validity start and the refund rules |
| Holafly | Priced by number of days, unlimited with a fair-use clause | 데이터만 사용 | Hotspot is limited and varies by destination; top-ups ended, so buy a new plan |
| Nomad | Fixed-GB packages, Unlimited, and Day Plans in some countries | Data only in general | Unlimited plans are non-refundable; others refundable within 30 days if not installed |
| Saily | Fixed-GB plans with top-ups and sharing for up to 4 people | Data only; a virtual US number is a paid add-on | The app has no Thai and prices are in USD |
| esimonline | Priced in THB; plans vary by days and GB | Data only, no number | No app, QR by email, self-service refund within 14 days if not installed |
North to south trips, Sapa, Ha Long and the islands
We have no coverage-map data for Sapa, Ha Long Bay or the islands, so we do not claim any network is better there. Mountain and sea areas are where a single network is more likely to drop out than it is in the cities.
- Open the plan page and see which network it names. A plan that lists several networks may be able to switch to the stronger one.
- Download offline maps and keep tickets and bookings saved on the phone before boarding a boat or heading uphill.
- Ask your hotel or tour organiser which network works locally, then compare it with the network your plan uses.
For trips through several remote areas, see the guide “Connectivity off the beaten track: what to expect”.
Grab needs data from the moment you land
Grab needs data both to book a ride and to show the pickup point, so a connection that has not started at the airport means no ride. Install the eSIM at home before flying, then check whether the plan starts counting days at installation or at the first connection in Vietnam.
Register your Grab account before leaving while your Thai SIM is working, so you are not waiting for a verification SMS abroad. For how much data Grab uses, see “How much data do ride-hailing and delivery apps use?”.
Local SIM registration and entry
An eSIM bought abroad arrives as a QR code by email and installs itself, with no shop visit or paperwork at the airport. That makes it quicker to get online on a short trip.
How much data by trip length
| 여행 기간 | Light use (maps, chat) | Heavy use (video, hotspot) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 days | About 3 GB | About 5 GB |
| 5 to 7 days | About 5 GB | About 10 GB |
| 8 to 10 days | About 10 GB | 15 to 20 GB |
| 14 days or more | About 15 GB | 20 GB or more, or an unlimited plan |
Unlimited plans tend to slow down past a daily threshold; Airalo, for example, drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB in a day. A short trip rarely needs unlimited.
Choosing in four steps
- 1Count your daysCount the days you are actually in Vietnam and pick a size from the table above.
- 2Decide on a numberIf data is enough, a standard eSIM works. If you want a number, look at SIM2Fly or GO Travel, which come with a separate number.
- 3Check network and hotspotOpen the plan page and read the network name and hotspot terms before paying.
- 4Compare price and refundCompare the current price for your dates and check whether you can still get a refund after installing.
자주 묻는 질문
자주 묻는 질문
Do I need a phone number with a Vietnam eSIM?+
Most trips do not. Grab, maps and chat run on data alone. If you must place calls, look at plans that come with a separate number, such as SIM2Fly.
Can I install the eSIM before flying?+
Yes. Install it at home on Wi-Fi and switch it on when you arrive. Check when each plan starts counting days; SIM2Fly and GO Travel count from the first connection abroad.
Unlimited or fixed GB, which suits better?+
A short or light-use trip usually fits fixed GB. Unlimited suits heavy hotspot or video use, but read the fair-use threshold first.
Can I get a refund if the eSIM does not work?+
It depends on the brand. Airalo and Nomad each have their own rules. On this site you can request a refund yourself within 14 days if the eSIM is not installed. Check current terms before buying.
About the author
Bob Kanokphon Thongdee
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- More than 7 years in online marketing
- Founder of Cojourney Visa and Cojourney Travel
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