How to Get a SIM or eSIM in Hanoi (2025 Travel Guide) 📱🛬

Landing at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and wondering how to get connected? Whether you're ordering a Grab to your hotel, checking into your Airbnb, or sharing your first bowl of phở on Instagram – having mobile data from the start makes everything easier.

This guide covers everything you need to know: where to buy a Vietnam SIM card for tourists, how to set up an eSIM in Vietnam, airport vs city prices, and insider tips for avoiding common pitfalls.

🗺️ Quick Overview: SIM vs eSIM in Vietnam

Option	Where to Buy	Price Range (USD)	Best For
📶 Physical SIM	Hanoi Airport or city phone shops	$6–$12	Unlocked phones, short or long trips
💡 eSIM	Online (before or after landing)	$5–$25	eSIM-compatible phones, hassle-free setup

📍 Option 1: Buying a SIM Card at Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai – HAN)

If you're looking for the fastest way to get mobile data in Vietnam, the airport is your best bet. You'll find official SIM kiosks right outside the International Arrivals gate in Terminal 2.

✅ What You’ll Find:

• English-speaking staff

• Tourist-friendly SIM packages

• Quick setup – just hand over your phone and passport

  
  

💰 Typical Prices:

• Viettel: 10–15GB data, 30 days – around $10–$12

• Vinaphone: 7–10GB with call credit – about $8–$10

• Mobifone: 4–6GB data – from $6

These plans are ideal for most tourists spending up to a month in Vietnam.

💡 Tip:

Choose Viettel if you're planning to travel to remote areas like Sapa or Ha Giang – their rural coverage is the best.

📱 Option 2: Using an eSIM in Vietnam (Great for iPhone & Google Pixel Users)

Got an iPhone XS or newer? Or a Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S20+, or similar? You can skip the physical SIM and install a Vietnam eSIM instead – super handy if you want to stay connected immediately without visiting a shop.

🔹 Why Go eSIM?

• No need to swap SIM cards

• Activate before or after you land

• Works instantly once set up

🔹 Where to Buy Vietnam eSIMs:

Provider	Plan Example	Price (USD)	Network Used
Airalo	10GB (30 days)	$21	Viettel
Holafly	Unlimited data, 5–30 days	from $19	Mobifone
Nomad	5–20GB data options	from $7	Vinaphone

Most of these are data-only, which is fine for most travellers using WhatsApp or Messenger. Activation is via QR code – takes 5–10 minutes.

🏙️ Option 3: Buying a SIM in Central Hanoi

If you’re staying in the Old Quarter or have time to look around, you’ll find better deals than the airport by visiting a local mobile shop.

📍 Where to Buy:

• Official Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone stores (search on Google Maps)

• Reliable mobile phone shops – ask your hotel for a nearby one

  
  

💰 Typical Prices:

• 5GB–15GB for around $5–$9

• Some plans include local calls and social media data (Zalo, Facebook, etc.)

📝 What You’ll Need:

• Passport

• Unlocked phone

• Cash is easiest – not all places accept card

Avoid street sellers or market stalls – those SIMs may be pre-used or not properly registered.

🔁 How to Top Up Mobile Data or Call Credit in Vietnam

Once you’ve got your Vietnam SIM or eSIM:

• Download the official app (e.g. My Viettel, My VNPT)

• Top up by card through the app or buy recharge cards at Circle K, VinMart, or any corner shop

  
  

Most apps are available in English and easy to use.

💡 Do’s and Don’ts When Buying a SIM Card in Vietnam

✅ What To Do

✔️ Bring your passport – Required for SIM registration

✔️ Make sure your phone is unlocked – Foreign SIMs won’t work otherwise

✔️ Buy from trusted shops or airport kiosks – Avoid random sellers

✔️ Choose the right plan for your trip length – 7-day, 15-day, or 30-day tourist SIM

✔️ Test your SIM before leaving the shop – Make sure data and calls are working

✔️ Use apps like My Viettel or My VNPT – Easy top-ups and balance checks

✔️ Save your home SIM safely – Use a labelled pouch or passport wallet

✔️ Consider a regional eSIM – If you're visiting multiple Southeast Asia countries

❌ What Not To Do

✖️ Don’t buy from street vendors – They may sell invalid or pre-used SIMs

✖️ Don’t assume all plans have unlimited data – Many have daily limits

✖️ Don’t wait until you're in remote areas to sort a SIM – Hanoi is the best place to set up

✖️ Don’t forget to scan your eSIM QR code while on Wi-Fi – Setup requires an internet connection

✖️ Don’t ignore the expiry date of your eSIM – Most cannot be topped up

📈 Long-Stay or Travelling Beyond Vietnam?

If you're in Vietnam for longer than a few weeks or doing regional travel:

• Search for “Vietnam SIM card with long-term validity” or “90-day tourist SIM Vietnam”

• Try a Southeast Asia eSIM with coverage in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Singapore

• Look into data-only SIM cards if you don’t need a local number

These terms are also great to Google if you're planning in advance.

🧭 Which SIM Option Is Best for You?

You Are...	Best Option
Just landed & want fast setup	Airport SIM or pre-installed eSIM
Digital nomad	Long-term SIM or eSIM with top-ups
Visiting remote areas	Viettel SIM or Airalo (on Viettel)
Staying under 2 weeks	Tourist SIM from airport or city
Multi-country traveller	Airalo or Nomad regional eSIM
Budget traveller	Buy a SIM in the city for best rates

📲 Need Help Choosing the Right SIM?

Message our team – we’ll guide you to the best option based on your trip, phone model, and travel plans.

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