How to Stay Online in Vietnam in 2025

wes
Nov 16
6 min read

eSIM, SIM Card, Pocket Wi-Fi & MASX Tips

Landing in Vietnam without internet is like arriving hungry to a night market with no cash – technically possible, but why would you do that to yourself?

From ordering Grab, checking Google Maps, and finding that hidden phở spot your friend swore by, staying connected makes your Vietnam trip smoother, safer, and way more fun. The good news: mobile data in Vietnam is fast, cheap, and easy to get if you know your options.

In this MASX guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to stay online in Vietnam right now – eSIM, local SIM, pocket Wi-Fi, roaming, and free Wi-Fi – and help you choose what fits your travel style.

Quick TL;DR – What MASX Recommends

If you don’t want to read the whole thing (though we hope you do 😉):

Best for most travelers:eSIM on a Vietnamese network (Viettel/Vinaphone/MobiFone) installed before you land.
Best for long trips / heavy data users:Local physical SIM card from Viettel for the widest coverage across cities, beaches, and mountains.
Best for families & groups:Pocket Wi-Fi router so everyone can share one connection.
OK for very short trips or lazy planners:Use roaming from your home carrier, but check the price carefully.
Nice bonus, not a main plan:Free Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés, and some public spaces.

At MASX, we usually suggest eSIM first + local SIM/pocket Wi-Fi if needed, so you’re online from the moment your plane’s wheels touch down.

Meet Vietnam’s Mobile Networks (In Simple Terms)

Vietnam’s mobile internet scene is actually pretty impressive. The big names you’ll see are:

Viettel – Best nationwide coverage, strong 4G/5G, especially good if you’re going beyond big cities.
Vinaphone (VNPT) – Very solid coverage and speeds, good for city-based trips.
MobiFone – One of the oldest operators, reliable in most urban areas.
Vietnamobile & others – Cheaper packages, but more limited coverage outside major cities.

If you want “one network to rule them all”, Viettel is the usual winner for travelers.

Option 1: eSIM – The Easiest Way to Land Already Online

If your phone supports eSIM (most recent iPhones, Google Pixels, and many Android flagships do), this is usually the best way to stay connected in Vietnam in 2025.

Why travelers love eSIMs

No SIM card hunt at the airport – Scan a QR code, and you’re done.
Keep your home number active for OTP codes, banking, and messages.
Buy and activate before you fly, so you can call Grab or your hotel as soon as you land.
Plans are very affordable – data packages on Vietnam networks typically range from around 100,000–250,000 VND (approx US$4–10) for 7–30 days with generous data.

Types of eSIM you can get

You’ll generally see:

Vietnam-specific eSIMs - These use local networks like Viettel, Vinaphone or MobiFone and are designed specifically for Vietnam. Great speeds and value.
Regional or global travel eSIMs - Ideal if you’re hopping around Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, etc.). Slightly more expensive, but super convenient. Many 2025 guides suggest that for most tourists, an eSIM is the most hassle-free choice for Vietnam.

How to use an eSIM in Vietnam (simple steps)

Check if your phone supports eSIM in settings or on your phone maker’s website.
Buy an eSIM plan from a reputable provider (Vietnam-specific or global).
Scan the QR code you receive and follow the install steps.
Set the eSIM as “Mobile Data” and keep your home number for calls/SMS if you want.
When you land in Vietnam, switch on data roaming for that eSIM, and you’re good to go.

Best for:Solo travelers, digital nomads, and anyone who wants zero drama at the airport.

Option 2: Local Physical SIM Card – Great Value for Longer Stays

If your phone is unlocked and you don’t mind swapping SIM cards, a local prepaid SIM is still a fantastic option in 2025.

Where to buy a tourist SIM

Airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, etc.)You’ll see Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone kiosks right after customs. It’s very convenient, staff usually set it up for you, but prices can be a little higher than in town.
Official stores in the cityBest if you want the cheapest prices and full support.
Convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart, etc.)Handy, but sometimes fewer plan choices.

Important: Vietnam requires SIM registration, so bring your passport when buying a local SIM.

Pros of buying a local SIM

Super cheap data – Vietnam is known for very competitive mobile prices.
Works perfectly for Grab, Google Maps, Zalo, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and more.
Good for longer stays (2+ weeks) or if you use a lot of data (video calls, streaming, remote work).

Cons

You need an unlocked phone.
You might temporarily lose access to your home number (unless you use dual SIM or an eSIM as well).

Best for:Budget travelers, long-stay guests, remote workers who want maximum data for minimum money.

Option 3: Pocket Wi-Fi – Share the Connection With Your Crew

Traveling with friends, family, or your favorite group chat in real life? Pocket Wi-Fi can be a smart choice.

A pocket Wi-Fi is a small router that uses a local SIM and broadcasts Wi-Fi so multiple devices can connect at once. You’ll find Vietnam-focused rental services that offer:

Unlimited or high-data packages
Speeds using 4G (and in some places 5G)
Connections for 5–10 devices
Prices around US$4–10 per day, often cheaper if you book ahead.

You can usually:

Pre-book online and pick up at the airport, or
Have it delivered to your hotel or rental.

Pros

One connection for everyone’s phones, tablets, and laptops.
No need to swap SIMs in each device.
Good if only one person in the group is tech-confident and handles the setup.

Cons

It’s a device you have to carry and charge.
If you lose it, there may be a penalty fee.
For solo travelers, it can be more expensive than an eSIM or SIM.

Best for:Families, friend groups, content creators with multiple devices.

Option 4: International Roaming – Easiest, But Watch the Bill

Most major carriers offer roaming packages for Vietnam. Sometimes they’re:

Daily flat-rate bundles (e.g., US$5–15 per day for a set data amount), or
Pay-as-you-go rates (which can be very expensive if you’re not careful).

Roaming is super easy – you just land and your phone connects – but for longer trips, local options (eSIM/SIM) are almost always cheaper.

Best for:Very short business trips, or travelers whose company pays the phone bill.

Option 5: Free Wi-Fi – Good Bonus, Not a Full Plan

Vietnam has plenty of free Wi-Fi:

Hotels and homestays
Cafés and restaurants
Coworking spaces
Some shopping malls and tourist areas

However, coverage between places (in taxis, on buses, on the street, out in the countryside) is where you really need mobile data – and Wi-Fi won’t help you there.

Use free Wi-Fi as a nice bonus, but not your only plan.

MASX Pro Tips for Staying Online in Vietnam

Check if your phone is unlocked - If it’s locked to your home carrier, ask them about unlocking before your trip.
Install your eSIM while you still have good Wi-Fi at home - That way, if anything goes wrong, you’re not debugging in the arrivals hall.
Screenshot your QR codes & instructions - Just in case your email doesn’t load immediately.
Turn off background data hogs - Cloud backups, auto-updates, and HD video uploads can eat your data quickly.
Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi - Especially for banking or sensitive logins.
Keep a little offline backup - Download offline maps of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, etc., just in case you lose signal.
Ask us! - When you book with MASX, we can suggest specific eSIM/local SIM options that match your route and length of stay – and even help you plan where to pick them up.

So… What’s the “Best” Way?

Here’s the simple MASX formula:

Short trip (under 10 days)→ eSIM on a Vietnamese network or a regional travel eSIM
2+ weeks or lots of data→ eSIM or local Viettel SIM, depending on whether you want to keep your home number active
Family / group trip→ eSIM or local SIM for the main planner + pocket Wi-Fi for everyone’s devices
Business trip with tight schedule→ Roaming backup + eSIM or local SIM as your main connection

Whichever you choose, staying online in Vietnam is affordable, easy, and totally worth it for the comfort of being able to book, navigate, and share your adventure in real time.

eSIM, SIM Card, Pocket Wi-Fi & MASX Tips

Landing in Vietnam without internet is like arriving hungry to a night market with no cash – technically possible, but why would you do that to yourself?

From ordering Grab, checking Google Maps, and finding that hidden phở spot your friend swore by, staying connected makes your Vietnam trip smoother, safer, and way more fun. The good news: mobile data in Vietnam is fast, cheap, and easy to get if you know your options.

In this MASX guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to stay online in Vietnam right now – eSIM, local SIM, pocket Wi-Fi, roaming, and free Wi-Fi – and help you choose what fits your travel style.

Quick TL;DR – What MASX Recommends

If you don’t want to read the whole thing (though we hope you do 😉):

Best for most travelers:eSIM on a Vietnamese network (Viettel/Vinaphone/MobiFone) installed before you land.

Best for long trips / heavy data users:Local physical SIM card from Viettel for the widest coverage across cities, beaches, and mountains.

Best for families & groups:Pocket Wi-Fi router so everyone can share one connection.

OK for very short trips or lazy planners:Use roaming from your home carrier, but check the price carefully.

Nice bonus, not a main plan:Free Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés, and some public spaces.

At MASX, we usually suggest eSIM first + local SIM/pocket Wi-Fi if needed, so you’re online from the moment your plane’s wheels touch down.

Meet Vietnam’s Mobile Networks (In Simple Terms)

Vietnam’s mobile internet scene is actually pretty impressive. The big names you’ll see are:

Viettel – Best nationwide coverage, strong 4G/5G, especially good if you’re going beyond big cities.

Vinaphone (VNPT) – Very solid coverage and speeds, good for city-based trips.

MobiFone – One of the oldest operators, reliable in most urban areas.

Vietnamobile & others – Cheaper packages, but more limited coverage outside major cities.

If you want “one network to rule them all”, Viettel is the usual winner for travelers.

Option 1: eSIM – The Easiest Way to Land Already Online

If your phone supports eSIM (most recent iPhones, Google Pixels, and many Android flagships do), this is usually the best way to stay connected in Vietnam in 2025.

Why travelers love eSIMs

No SIM card hunt at the airport – Scan a QR code, and you’re done.

Keep your home number active for OTP codes, banking, and messages.

Buy and activate before you fly, so you can call Grab or your hotel as soon as you land.

Plans are very affordable – data packages on Vietnam networks typically range from around 100,000–250,000 VND (approx US$4–10) for 7–30 days with generous data.

Types of eSIM you can get

You’ll generally see:

Vietnam-specific eSIMs - These use local networks like Viettel, Vinaphone or MobiFone and are designed specifically for Vietnam. Great speeds and value.

Regional or global travel eSIMs - Ideal if you’re hopping around Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, etc.). Slightly more expensive, but super convenient. Many 2025 guides suggest that for most tourists, an eSIM is the most hassle-free choice for Vietnam.

How to use an eSIM in Vietnam (simple steps)

Check if your phone supports eSIM in settings or on your phone maker’s website.

Buy an eSIM plan from a reputable provider (Vietnam-specific or global).

Scan the QR code you receive and follow the install steps.

Set the eSIM as “Mobile Data” and keep your home number for calls/SMS if you want.

When you land in Vietnam, switch on data roaming for that eSIM, and you’re good to go.

Best for:Solo travelers, digital nomads, and anyone who wants zero drama at the airport.

Option 2: Local Physical SIM Card – Great Value for Longer Stays

If your phone is unlocked and you don’t mind swapping SIM cards, a local prepaid SIM is still a fantastic option in 2025.

Where to buy a tourist SIM

Airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, etc.)You’ll see Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone kiosks right after customs. It’s very convenient, staff usually set it up for you, but prices can be a little higher than in town.

Official stores in the cityBest if you want the cheapest prices and full support.

Convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart, etc.)Handy, but sometimes fewer plan choices.

Important: Vietnam requires SIM registration, so bring your passport when buying a local SIM.

Pros of buying a local SIM

Super cheap data – Vietnam is known for very competitive mobile prices.

Works perfectly for Grab, Google Maps, Zalo, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and more.

Good for longer stays (2+ weeks) or if you use a lot of data (video calls, streaming, remote work).

Cons

You need an unlocked phone.

You might temporarily lose access to your home number (unless you use dual SIM or an eSIM as well).

Best for:Budget travelers, long-stay guests, remote workers who want maximum data for minimum money.

Option 3: Pocket Wi-Fi – Share the Connection With Your Crew

Traveling with friends, family, or your favorite group chat in real life? Pocket Wi-Fi can be a smart choice.

A pocket Wi-Fi is a small router that uses a local SIM and broadcasts Wi-Fi so multiple devices can connect at once. You’ll find Vietnam-focused rental services that offer:

Unlimited or high-data packages

Speeds using 4G (and in some places 5G)

Connections for 5–10 devices

Prices around US$4–10 per day, often cheaper if you book ahead.

You can usually:

Pre-book online and pick up at the airport, or

Have it delivered to your hotel or rental.

Pros

One connection for everyone’s phones, tablets, and laptops.

No need to swap SIMs in each device.

Good if only one person in the group is tech-confident and handles the setup.

Cons

It’s a device you have to carry and charge.

If you lose it, there may be a penalty fee.

For solo travelers, it can be more expensive than an eSIM or SIM.

Best for:Families, friend groups, content creators with multiple devices.

Option 4: International Roaming – Easiest, But Watch the Bill

Most major carriers offer roaming packages for Vietnam. Sometimes they’re:

Daily flat-rate bundles (e.g., US$5–15 per day for a set data amount), or

Pay-as-you-go rates (which can be very expensive if you’re not careful).

Roaming is super easy – you just land and your phone connects – but for longer trips, local options (eSIM/SIM) are almost always cheaper.

Best for:Very short business trips, or travelers whose company pays the phone bill.

Option 5: Free Wi-Fi – Good Bonus, Not a Full Plan

Vietnam has plenty of free Wi-Fi:

Hotels and homestays