Travel To Vietnam: What Is The Most Must-buy Network Plan For Tourists?

Wherever your shoes head, bustling metropolis of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or far-flung destinations such as Ha Giang, Dak Lak, or Mekong Delta, Internet/Data access is always the indispensable inclusion, ensuring tourists to connect with local people and to maneuver travel with ease. Without further ado, let us guide you to the most favorable data plan when traveling to Vietnam in this post!

Comparison: Pre-paid SIM vs Post-paid SIM

The key difference between these two is the time you pay for the bill.

	Pre-paid	Post-paid
Definition	Users pay for mobile services (for example, calls, texts, and data) upfront by purchasing credit or top-up cards. They can top up their plan when running out of data anytime	Users pay for mobile services (for example, calls, texts, and data) at the end of a billing period, the bill varies depending on how much data utilized
Eligibility	Personal documents (passport for identification)	- They must sign a service contract or register with a local phone number. - Personal documents and possibly a local address.
Advantages	- Avoid overage charges as you can only use the amount of data loaded onto the SIM card. - No contracts involved, perfect for short-time travelers. - Cheaper prices with promotions and vouchers from third parties: Momo, ZaloPay, etc.	- Convenient as you don’t need to top up the service until the due date. - Cheaper calling and texting rates. - Easier to keep track of one-month charges as a form of bills.
Disadvantages	- Calling and texting rates can be higher. - Inconvenient as you must top up to continue using the service.	- Contract and commitment required, difficult to unsubscribe when returning. - May face unexpected high bills due to overage usage. - Obligated to pay the monthly subscription fee whether using the SIM or not.

Comparison: Physical SIM vs eSIM

	Physical SIM	eSIM
Definition	A physical SIM is a plastic chip that activates your carrier's plan once inserted in phones	eSIM is an embedded SIM that activates your carrier’s plan once scanning a QR code
Advantages	- Compatible with phones of all brands and versions, unlocked or not. - Easy to remove and insert physical SIMs into another device in case your phone is lost, damaged, or low on battery. - Available and supported by most mobile carriers worldwide.	- Instant connection to the local network by scanning a QR code. - Resistant to physical damage or loss, or corruption. - Can be bought outside Vietnam and buyers will receive it in minutes via email. - Travelers with single-SIM phones can retain their local SIM card on their phones.
Disadvantages	- Possibly get physically lost, damaged or corrupted when switching. - Only accessible within Vietnam as network carriers require you to physically present your passport. - Only accommodate up to two physical SIM cards simultaneously.	Due to its recent introduction, eSIM may not be compatible with older phone models or some handsets.
Where to buy	At any physical store of Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone within Vietnam	Online. You will receive a QR code via email

Comparison: Types of eSIM

Depending on tourists’ needs, there are two kinds of eSIM with different features and functions.

Photo: @vietnamnet.vn

Data-only eSIM: perfect for those who only need access to the Internet, for example Google Maps or social media apps.
Voice, SMS, and Data eSIM: all-in-one mobile plan for business travelers or those who have a long trip in Vietnam. This eSIM type offers a local phone number to make phone calls and send SMS messages.

How much data do I need for my travel?

Depending on your trip duration and the demand for Internet, you can choose the suitable data plan of physical SIMs or eSIMs. The following table demonstrates the approximate data consumption of each activity for your references.

Activity	Data Usage
Internet and email	50MB/hour
Social media	600MB/hour
Netflix	250MB/hour
YouTube	500MB/hour
Streaming music	43MB/hour
Instant messaging	50MB/hour
Video calls	250MB/hour

Data source: @airalo

Conclusion

By comparing all types of Vietnam SIM cards and the average amount of data utilized in Vietnam, short-term tourists can now choose the perfect SIM for their trips.

Pre-paid SIM: Because visitors will not make phone calls or send SMS messages regularly using Vietnam SIM and prefer no contracts/commitments after returning to their home country.
eSIM: Considering some cons of physical SIMs, visitors will lose some of their valuable time in Vietnam without the Internet connection and they may even experience hassle finding a physical SIM store.
Data plan: 3GB to 5GB for common Internet usage; you need more than that if watching Youtube, Netflix, and especially calling via Facetime.

Instant ESIM delivery via your email. Therein, we provide a QR code and clear instruction for easy activation. Go to https://vietnam-airports.com/booking to stay connected!

Vietnam Airport Fast Track