Best Vietnam SIM Cards for Digital Nomads & Long-Term Stays

You land in Vietnam planning to stay three months or more, and the first problem shows up fast. The SIM guy at the arrivals hall wants your passport. The shop near your Airbnb says “no problem, no ID,” and then your number gets blocked two weeks later. Since 2024, SIM rules have tightened a lot, and in 2026 the easy anonymous SIM is basically gone. This guide shows which SIM to pick, how to register it properly, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.

Registration in 2026: What You Need Before Any SIM Works

Every new SIM activation, physical or eSIM, now requires personal identification. Bring these to an official store:

• Original passport, valid for at least 6 months.
• A valid visa or a visa exemption stamp.
• Yourself. Biometric verification, meaning a face scan and/or fingerprint scan, is done in person at an official operator store.

The staff photograph you, scan your documents and run the biometric check. Expect 10 to 20 minutes, and activation is usually immediate. The rule is expected to apply to all foreigners, regardless of visa type, so plan on doing it in person rather than hoping for an exception. If you want certainty, ask the store when you arrive.

Convenience stores and small phone shops still sell SIMs. But they often hand you a pre-registered card, or the vendor does the registration for you, and that may not be compliant or transparent. For a long stay, a SIM registered under someone else’s details is a risk you do not need.

Viettel vs Mobifone vs Vinaphone: Matching a Network to Your Lifestyle

Vietnam’s market is dominated by three operators. All offer 4G LTE nationwide and are expanding 5G, mainly in major cities. The differences matter more for where you live and travel than for price.

Viettel: Best for Moving Around

Viettel is the largest operator, state-owned, with the widest coverage, including rural and remote areas. If your nomad life includes motorbike loops in the north or trips to small coastal towns, this is the safest bet. Website: viettel.vn. App: My Viettel.

Mobifone: Best for City-Based Work

Mobifone is the second largest, with a strong presence in urban areas and good data speeds. It suits you if you will mostly stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or Da Nang. Website: mobifone.vn. App: My Mobifone.

Vinaphone: Solid in the Centre and South

Vinaphone is third largest and part of VNPT (Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group). It has good coverage, particularly in central and southern regions. Website: vinaphone.com.vn. App: My VNPT. It was previously “My Vinaphone” but is now integrated into My VNPT.

Best Data Plans by Network, With SMS Codes

A basic prepaid SIM costs about 50,000 VND ($2) at all three operators. You then subscribe to a package by SMS or through the app. Prices below are 2026 estimates at 1 USD = 25,000 VND, and operators revise packages often, so confirm in the app before paying.

Viettel Packages

• ST70K, 70,000 VND ($2.80): 15GB per month (0.5GB/day), 30 days. SMS “ST70K” to 191.
• ST90K, 90,000 VND ($3.60): 30GB per month (1GB/day), 30 days. SMS “ST90K” to 191.
• V90C, 90,000 VND ($3.60): 30GB (1GB/day), unlimited on-net calls under 20 minutes per call, 50 off-net minutes, 30 days. SMS “V90C” to 191.
• V120N, 120,000 VND ($4.80): 45GB (1.5GB/day), unlimited on-net calls under 20 minutes per call, 50 off-net minutes, 30 days. SMS “V120N” to 191.

Mobifone Packages

• C90N, 90,000 VND ($3.60): 120GB per month (4GB/day), unlimited on-net calls under 20 minutes per call, 50 off-net minutes, 30 days. SMS “DK C90N” to 999.
• KC90, 90,000 VND ($3.60): 30GB (1GB/day), unlimited on-net calls under 10 minutes per call, 30 off-net minutes. SMS “DK KC90” to 999.
• ED60, 60,000 VND ($2.40): 60GB (2GB/day), 30 days. SMS “DK ED60” to 999.

Vinaphone Packages

• BIG90, 90,000 VND ($3.60): 30GB (1GB/day), 30 days. SMS “DK BIG90” to 888.
• VD90, 90,000 VND ($3.60): 30GB (1GB/day), unlimited on-net calls under 10 minutes per call, 30 off-net minutes. SMS “DK VD90” to 888.
• D60G, 60,000 VND ($2.40): 60GB (2GB/day), 30 days. SMS “DK D60G” to 888.

For pure data value on paper, Mobifone’s C90N (120GB for 90,000 VND) is the standout. If you rely on coverage outside the cities, Viettel’s V90C or V120N is the more cautious pick. All three operators also sell multi-month versions of popular packages at a discount. For example, Viettel’s 6ST90K covers six months of ST90K for about 500,000 VND ($20). Check the app for current multi-month options.

eSIM or Physical SIM: Which One for Long Stays

An eSIM needs a compatible phone, and you still have to register in person. All three operators offer eSIM, and Viettel has done so since 2019. Vinaphone has been rolling out support and is expected to have it widely available by 2026.

The process is the same at each operator:

1. Go to an official store with your passport and visa for biometric registration.
2. Ask for a new eSIM activation, or a conversion from a physical SIM.



3. Scan the QR code the staff give you to install the profile on your phone.

The conversion or activation fee is typically 35,000 VND ($1.40). An eSIM keeps your physical SIM slot free for a home-country number, which is handy for banking codes. The downside is that if your phone breaks or is stolen, you have to go back to the store to move the number. A physical SIM can be swapped to a backup phone in seconds. Pick whichever matches how much you worry about losing your phone.

Why Tourist SIMs Fall Short for Nomads

Tourist SIM packages are pre-packed with fixed data and sometimes local calls and SMS, for 7, 15 or 30 days. They work immediately and are fine for a short holiday. For a long stay, the limits add up:

• Short validity: usually 30 days at most, so you keep buying new ones or convert to a regular plan.
• Little flexibility: fixed packages with few options to customise or top up.
• Higher cost per GB than regular prepaid plans.
• No registration shortcut: in 2026, even tourist SIMs from official airport kiosks go through the biometric process.

Airport kiosks for Viettel, Mobifone and Vinaphone exist at Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Da Nang International Airport. Buying a standard prepaid SIM at one of them is fine for instant connectivity. Just choose a regular prepaid SIM and a monthly package rather than a tourist bundle.

2026 Budget Reality: Monthly Connectivity Costs

Connectivity in Vietnam is cheap. These are estimated 2026 figures at roughly 25,000 VND per USD.

• Budget: basic SIM (about 50,000 VND / $2, one time) plus ED60 or D60G at 60,000 VND ($2.40) per month, or ST70K at 70,000 VND ($2.80). Cafe and coworking WiFi covers the rest.
• Mid-range: a 90,000 VND ($3.60) package such as C90N, V90C or VD90, plus a mobile hotspot device bought once for about 800,000 VND ($32) when you need a stable backup.
• Comfortable: V120N at 120,000 VND ($4.80), a hotspot device up to 1,500,000 VND ($60) one time, and home fiber. Mid-range fiber (200-300 Mbps) runs 250,000 to 350,000 VND ($10 to $14) per month.

Beyond the SIM: Fiber, Hotspots and Cafe WiFi

Free WiFi is almost everywhere in hotels, hostels, cafes, restaurants and malls. Quality varies a lot. You usually have to ask for the password, and public networks are less secure, so use a VPN for sensitive work.

If you stay long in one place, fiber (FTTH) is the best upgrade. Providers include Viettel, VNPT and FPT Telecom. Installation usually takes 1 to 3 days, but you need a local address and typically a 12 to 24 month contract. Foreigners may need a local contact or a long-term rental agreement. Estimated 2026 prices:

• Basic (100-150 Mbps): 180,000 to 250,000 VND ($7.20 to $10) per month.
• Mid-range (200-300 Mbps): 250,000 to 350,000 VND ($10 to $14).
• High-speed (500 Mbps+): from 350,000 VND ($14).

The modem or router is usually included. Because of the contract length, many nomads skip fiber and instead buy a MiFi hotspot for about 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND ($32 to $60), insert a regular data SIM and connect several devices. A large data plan such as Mobifone’s C90N suits this setup.

Keeping Your Number Alive: Top-Ups, Apps and Support Lines

You can top up in several ways:

• Scratch cards from convenience stores, small shops and operator stores.
• Operator apps: My Viettel, My Mobifone, My VNPT.
• Payment apps: MoMo, ZaloPay, ShopeePay. These generally need a local bank account, or an international credit card, which may add fees.
• In-store at any official operator shop.

Monitor your data in the app so a package does not run out mid-call. Most monthly packages reset at the end of the validity period, and unused data typically does not roll over unless the terms say so. English-speaking support lines: Viettel 1800 8098, Mobifone 9090, Vinaphone 1800 1091.

If you leave Vietnam and plan to come back, keep a small balance and top up every 3 to 6 months. A SIM is typically deactivated after 60 to 90 days with no activity (top-up, call, SMS or data use), but exact timelines differ by operator, so confirm yours at the store.

A local number also helps with domestic travel. The Vietnam Railways website (dsvn.vn) and app often send OTP codes to a local number for payment and booking confirmation, along with schedule updates.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• Biometric registration: face and/or fingerprint verification in person at an official store is now standard for new SIMs, including for foreigners. Easy anonymous SIM purchases have effectively disappeared.
• eSIM: activation is simpler and available across the major operators, making it a mainstream option.



• 5G: rollout continues in major cities and tourist areas. 4G is still excellent.
• Packages: operators revise plans often. Expect slightly bigger data allowances for similar prices, and expect some packages to be discontinued. Always check the app.
• Prices: inflation could nudge costs up, but competition usually keeps them stable and affordable.
• Regulatory focus: more attention on data privacy and on spam calls and SMS, which is why registration is so strict.
• Unofficial tourist SIMs: generic, unregistered SIMs from non-official vendors are largely obsolete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying from a street vendor who “registers it for you.” The registration may not be compliant, which can cause problems later. Use an official store.
• Arriving without your original passport. Photocopies and phone photos will not work, and your passport must have 6 months of validity.
• Choosing a tourist bundle for a long stay. You pay more per GB and have to renew often.
• Ignoring coverage. If you travel to remote areas, Viettel’s reach matters more than a slightly better data deal.
• Letting the SIM go dormant. Leaving for months with no balance or activity risks losing your number, which could be linked to your banking and delivery apps.
• Skipping the app. Without My Viettel, My Mobifone or My VNPT, you will miss expiry dates and cheaper multi-month options.
• Relying only on public WiFi. It is free but inconsistent and less secure. Keep mobile data as a backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Vietnam SIM card is best for digital nomads?

Viettel is best if you travel widely, because it has the broadest coverage including rural areas. Mobifone suits city-based nomads who want big data allowances, such as C90N with 120GB. Vinaphone is solid in central and southern regions. Pick based on where you will spend most of your time.

Do foreigners need to register a SIM card in Vietnam in 2026?

Yes. Every new SIM or eSIM needs personal identification. You need your original passport (valid for at least 6 months), a valid visa or exemption stamp, and in-person biometric verification, a face and/or fingerprint scan, at an official operator store. It usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Can I get an eSIM in Vietnam as a long-term visitor?

Yes. Viettel, Mobifone and Vinaphone all offer eSIM, and Viettel has since 2019. You still go to an official store with your passport and visa for biometric registration, then scan a QR code. The activation or conversion fee is typically 35,000 VND ($1.40).

How much does a monthly SIM plan cost in Vietnam?

A basic SIM costs about 50,000 VND ($2) once. Monthly data packages range from 60,000 VND ($2.40) for plans like ED60 and D60G to 120,000 VND ($4.80) for Viettel’s V120N. Most popular plans are around 90,000 VND ($3.60). Multi-month deals can lower the monthly cost.

What happens to my SIM if I leave Vietnam for a few months?

A SIM is typically deactivated after 60 to 90 days with no top-up, call, SMS or data use, though exact timelines vary by operator. Keep a small balance and top up every 3 to 6 months. Confirm your operator’s rules at a store.

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📷 Featured image by Zero Vo on Unsplash.