Mobile internet in Vietnam: best network, eSIM or SIM card

Updated October 30, 2026

In Vietnam you need mobile data for almost everything: Grab rides, Google Maps, translating menus and messaging your hotel. The good news: mobile internet in Vietnam is fast and cheap, as long as you pick the right network.

The three networks: Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone

Vietnam has three big mobile networks. Viettel is the market leader: roughly every second mobile customer in the country uses it. Viettel also has the widest coverage, which matters once you leave the big cities for the mountains in the north, the Mekong Delta or the islands. In Ookla’s Speedtest report (August 2025), Vietnam’s mobile performance ranked third worldwide.

For travelers, Viettel is the safest choice. VinaPhone and MobiFone work well in cities, but coverage gets thinner in rural areas.

Our own speed test: local SIM vs Hong Kong roaming

Many travel eSIMs for Vietnam are not Vietnamese SIMs. They roam on a Vietnamese network, but your data travels through Hong Kong first. We tested both on the same day, in the same place in Vietnam (28 October 2026, Google speed test):

• Local Viettel eSIM: 296 Mbit/s download, 9.6 Mbit/s upload, 50 ms ping.
• Roaming eSIM with a Hong Kong exit (VinaPhone 5G, routed via Hong Kong): 0.82 Mbit/s download, 0.49 Mbit/s upload, 99 ms ping.

That is one measurement, and speeds vary by place and time. But the route matters: with a Hong Kong exit, websites see a Hong Kong connection, and services that are not offered in Hong Kong, such as ChatGPT or Claude, may only work with a VPN. Before you buy any Vietnam eSIM, check whether it is a local SIM or Hong Kong roaming. Ours is a local Viettel SIM.

eSIM, airport SIM or roaming?

• Roaming with your home plan: easiest, but often expensive. Many carriers charge a daily fee of around 10 dollars or more, and the data often runs through your home country, which makes it slower.
• SIM card at the airport: cheap, but you queue after a long flight, need your passport for registration and have to swap the SIM card in your phone.
• eSIM: you buy it before the trip, get a QR code by email and scan it after landing. Your home SIM stays in the phone, so you keep your number for calls and SMS.

How much data do you need?

Maps, Grab and messaging use little data. Video calls, Instagram and streaming use a lot. Our Viettel plans include 5 GB of high-speed data per day. If you use it all, data pauses until midnight Vietnam time and then starts fresh. For most travelers, that is more than enough.

Tips for your arrival

• Check whether your phone supports eSIM: dial *#06#. If an EID appears, it does. More in the eSIM check.
• Install the eSIM once you are in Vietnam, for example on the airport Wi-Fi. The plan starts when it activates.
• Days are counted as calendar days in Vietnam time. The activation day counts in full, so activate in the morning if you can.
• Turn on data roaming for the eSIM and set it as your mobile data line. Step-by-step: installation guide.

Ready? See the Vietnam eSIM plans on Viettel.