Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team Since 15 April 2026, putting a Vietnamese SIM into a different phone triggers a facial-verification check you must complete within two hours. If you miss it, outgoing calls and texts are suspended, and the number can be reclaimed if you don't fix it. If you buy a local SIM, keep it in one phone and have the carrier's app ready before you switch devices.
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This page is for visitors and new arrivals in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and beyond who want data on arrival. Travel eSIMs are easy to install before you fly. Local tourist SIMs are cheap and include a Vietnamese number, but they now come with stricter identity rules.
At a glance
| Best for | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Low-cost fixed data | Saily Vietnam | 10 GB for 30 days at $17.99 |
| Short trips with small data needs | Airalo Xin Chao | 3 GB for 7 days at $8 |
| Vietnam plus other countries | Holafly Asia | Unlimited data across 16 destinations |
| Local number and calls | Vinaphone tourist SIM | 1 GB a day plus calls for 15 days |
How we chose
We compared published prices, data allowances, what happens after "unlimited" daily caps, and whether you get a Vietnamese number. Sources: eSIMDB listings of provider plans, Holafly's Asia page, a VinaPhone tourist SIM guide, and Viet Nam News on the 2026 SIM rules. Checked on 31 October 2026.
1. Saily — best for low-cost fixed data
eSIMDB's listing of Saily's Vietnam plans shows 3 GB for 30 days at $7.99, 10 GB for 30 days at $17.99, and 20 GB for 30 days at $28.99. Unlimited plans from 5 to 30 days cost $18.99 to $71.99 and give 5 GB a day at full speed. The listing doesn't say which Vietnamese network Saily uses, or what speed you get after the daily allowance. Ask before you rely on it in rural areas.
2. Airalo Xin Chao — best for short trips
Airalo's Vietnam eSIM, Xin Chao, starts at 1 GB for 3 days at $4. eSIMDB also lists 3 GB for 7 days at $8 and 10 GB for 30 days at $18. Its unlimited versions give 3 GB a day, then slow to 1 Mbps. eSIMDB notes these plans are data-only, with no phone number or SMS.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
3. Holafly Asia — best if Vietnam is one stop of several
Holafly's Asia eSIM includes Vietnam alongside Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia and other destinations. Prices run from $6.90 for one day to $219.90 for 90 days. Data is unlimited, but hotspot sharing is limited to 500 MB a day, so it isn't ideal for laptop work.
4. Vinaphone tourist SIM — best for a local number
A VinaPhone tourist SIM guide updated in October 2026 lists a 15-day tourist SIM at 199,000 VND. It includes 1 GB of data a day, 50 local minutes, 50 international minutes to selected countries and 50 SMS. The same guide says it can't be topped up or extended. You need your original passport; copies aren't accepted. Under the 2026 rules, foreigners who registered SIMs with a passport also had to re-verify their details. A local number helps with Grab, food delivery and landlords who prefer calls.
What to check before you decide
- Device changes: if you use a local SIM, moving it to a new phone triggers facial verification (see Expert take).
- Passport in hand: local SIM shops need the original, not a photo.
- Daily caps: compare 3 GB a day (Airalo) and 5 GB a day (Saily) against how much video you'll stream.
- Hotspot: Holafly limits sharing to 500 MB a day.
- Place names: Vietnam's 2025 administrative reform merged and renamed many districts and wards. Shop listings and addresses may use either old or new names.
FAQ
Do I need a Vietnamese number as a tourist?
Not for most trips. A data-only eSIM covers maps, Grab and messaging apps. A local number helps if landlords, clinics or couriers need to call or text you.
Are travel eSIMs affected by Vietnam's SIM rules?
The 2026 rules target subscribers on Vietnamese networks. Travel eSIMs from foreign providers don't give you a Vietnamese number. Check with the provider if you're unsure.
Related guides
- Vietnam cost of living
- eSIM services for expats
- Best eSIMs for Southeast Asia
- Moving to Vietnam
- Budget calculator
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