Rubric Scorecard · VietnamHelloRoam leads the Vietnam eSIM rankings at $3.50/GB on Viettel's 5G network, ahead of Airalo at $4.50/GB and Nomad at $3.00/GB. Airalo lists Vietnam from $1.37/GB, with its 20GB plan at $27.49. HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on our published rubric. 5 providers scored for Vietnam. Budget pick: HelloRoam at $3.50/GB. Unlimited option: Holafly at $2.99/day. Viettel routes all 5 providers through 2 networks in Vietnam. Airalo's catalogue starts at $1.37/GB, with its unlimited daily option at $4.43/day.
HelloRoam earns our Vietnam pick at $3.50/GB on Viettel's 4G LTE network, scoring 9.5/10 on our published rubric. Coverage runs across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Sapa has improved coverage but Ha Long Bay has intermittent signal. Holafly offers unlimited daily data. 5 providers scored on the rubric. Nomad's SE Asia pricing gives the best value per gigabyte.
Nomad leads on budget at $3/GB for Vietnam
Holafly unlimited daily data for Vietnam
Source: bestesimfortravel.com (2026 published-rubric scoring)
Vietnam draws 17.6M (2024) annually and supports 3 carrier networks for eSIM roaming. The assessment covered all five providers (HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) on Viettel's published 5G infrastructure. The market offers 7 distinct plans with per-GB rates from $1.37 to $3.49. We scored each provider across 5 weighted dimensions to produce the rankings below.
Vietnam's 3 networks give providers real carrier options: Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. Viettel is the primary routing partner for all five providers, on published coverage breadth.
The pricing ladder spans from 1GB at $3.49 ($3.49/GB) to 20GB at $27.49 ($1.37/GB). Best per-GB value sits at 20GB for $27.49 ($1.37/GB), our recommended tier for most Vietnam travelers. Holafly adds an unlimited daily option from $2.99/day, which suits heavy data users on trips of 5+ days. All fixed-data plans deliver full 5G speed until the data cap is reached, with no mid-plan throttling.
Coverage notes from the carriers' published maps: Viettel publishes 4G along the Hai Van Pass route and across the Sapa mountain area. Vinaphone's map thins out in remote Ha Giang. That is the expected shape for a Asia destination with 3 active eSIM-accepting networks. Viettel's 5G coverage is expected to reach standard tourist zones across the country.
HelloRoam earns the top position for Vietnam at 9.5/10, with Airalo close behind at 9.3/10. These scores reflect Vietnam-specific conditions: Viettel routing, 7 available plans, and 5G as the network standard. Rankings may differ for neighboring Asia destinations where carrier partnerships and plan availability change.
Vietnam processes 17.6M (2024) visitors per year. peak travel runs during Oct-Apr. most arrivals land at Tan Son Nhat (SGN) / Noi Bai (HAN). the local currency is VND (₫). These travel logistics inform our plan recommendations. The 20GB plan at $27.49 aligns with the typical visitor profile for this destination.
The rubric ranked 7 eSIM plans from 5 providers for Vietnam on five dimensions: Coverage (25%), Pricing (25%), Network tier (20%), App features (15%), Support access (15%). Each provider takes a 1-5 mark per dimension, and the weighted total is doubled to give the /10 display score.
Scores for Vietnam use the published weighted formula: Coverage (25%), Pricing (25%), Network tier (20%), App features (15%), and Support access (15%). Each dimension receives a raw score from 1 to 5. The composite multiplies by 2 for a 0-10 display scale. Coverage and Pricing carry equal top weight because for travel eSIMs, network reach and cost matter most.
Country-specific adjustments for Vietnam: Unlimited plan availability in Vietnam adjusts the Pricing dimension to weight per-day unlimited rates alongside per-GB fixed rates. These calibrations keep scores comparable across the 185+ destinations in our database.
The scoring spread across 5 providers for Vietnam is 1.5 points (HelloRoam at 9.5/10 down to Nomad at 8.0/10). A spread under 1.5 points indicates that all providers deliver comparable service for this destination. The wider gap here reflects meaningful differences in pricing, coverage, or support quality.
BesteSIM runs no speed tests and publishes no throughput figure for Vietnam. The network-tier score reads the technology each carrier publishes, which is 5G here.
Vietnam has 2 mobile networks: Vinaphone (5G), Viettel Mobile (5G). Viettel delivers the strongest coverage combination. All 5 providers route through these carriers.
Vietnam operates 2 mobile networks: Vinaphone (5G), Viettel Mobile (5G). Viettel serves as the primary routing partner for travel eSIMs in this market. All five ranked providers maintain routing agreements with Viettel. Some providers additionally route through Viettel Mobile as a fallback when Viettel's signal weakens.
Viettel publishes 5G across Vietnam, and every ranked provider attaches to it rather than to a network of its own. Two carriers give Vietnam travelers basic redundancy. Viettel Mobile supplements Viettel's coverage in areas where the primary signal is weak.
Provider routing varies subtly in Vietnam. Airalo and Saily default to Viettel, while Holafly may route through Viettel Mobile in specific regions. Nomad uses Viettel exclusively. These routing differences show up in rural reach rather than in the plan terms.
Plans and pricing for Vietnam were last verified in May 2026. All 7 plans confirmed active on Viettel's 5G network. Provider scores reflect the most recent data available for this destination.
Our awards panel revisits Vietnam every 3 months and after significant market events. Recent quarterly reviews confirmed Viettel as the primary routing partner and verified all plan tiers. Scores are updated within 14 days of any carrier infrastructure change or provider pricing shift.
Recent update for Vietnam: Viettel launched 5G in Hanoi and HCMC in 2024; expanding to major cities. This 5G rollout feeds the network-tier dimension of the current scores.
Choose HelloRoam for the combination of broad 186-country coverage and competitive per-GB pricing. Our highest-scoring provider of 2026 at 9.5/10. The localized currency support is a differentiator for travelers outside the US dollar zone. For unlimited data, Holafly remains stronger. For the widest country count, Airalo covers 200+.
HelloRoam routes through Viettel in Vietnam, delivering 5G speeds. The best-value plan is 20GB at $27.49 ($1.37/GB).
| Dimension | Weight | Raw Score | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 25% | 4.9/5 | 9.8/10 |
| Speed | 20% | 4.7/5 | 9.4/10 |
| App | 15% | 4.7/5 | 9.4/10 |
| Pricing | 25% | 4.8/5 | 9.6/10 |
| Support | 15% | 4.5/5 | 9.0/10 |
| Total | 100% | 9.5/10 |
HelloRoam earns the Vietnam pick at 9.5/10, with the top mark on network tier, pricing and support. Its published entry rate is $3.50/GB, which the 20GB rung on this ladder beats at $1.37/GB.
Airalo follows at 9.3/10, 0.2 points back, and the ladder this page quotes is Airalo's own Vietnam catalogue, which bottoms out at $1.37/GB.
Worth knowing before you buy for Vietnam: Vietnam has extremely cheap local SIM data, often under $1/GB from carrier stores.
Airalo's recommended plan for Vietnam: 20GB at $27.49 ($1.37/GB). A moderate traveler using 1.5GB/day for 8 days needs 12GB. The 20GB plan covers that with headroom.
Get HelloRoam for Vietnam →Airalo outscores HelloRoam in Coverage (10.0 vs 9.8), App (9.8 vs 9.4).
Airalo trails HelloRoam on Speed, Pricing, Support.
| Dimension | HelloRoam | Airalo | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 9.8/10 | 10.0/10 | Airalo |
| Speed | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 | HelloRoam |
| App | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | Airalo |
| Pricing | 9.6/10 | 8.8/10 | HelloRoam |
| Support | 9.0/10 | 8.6/10 | HelloRoam |
Choose Airalo for the widest coverage (200+ countries) and the strongest app experience. Ideal for multi-country itineraries. Full Airalo review.
Light travelers visiting Vietnam for 1-3 days. Maps, messaging, and email only. Around 0.5GB/day usage. First-time eSIM users wanting a low-risk trial. The cheapest plan is 1GB at $3.49.
The 1GB plan costs $3.49. The best-value 20GB plan costs $27.49 at $1.37/GB. You pay $24 more but get 20.0x the data.
Airalo lists an unlimited daily option for Vietnam at $4.43/day with a 2GB fair-use threshold.
| Days | Price | Per Day | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.25 | $4.25 | 4% |
| 3 | $12.23 | $4.08 | 8% |
| 7 | $28.53 | $4.08 | 8% |
| 14 | $55.20 | $3.94 | 11% |
| 30 | $108.98 | $3.63 | 18% |
Unlimited costs less than the largest fixed plan after 7 days. If you use more than 2.9GB per day, unlimited wins on value. For trips under 7 days with moderate usage, a fixed plan saves money.
A travel eSIM in Vietnam attaches to Viettel on 5G. All 5 ranked providers ride that same host network rather than one of their own, so the network under a HelloRoam plan and the network under an Airalo plan is the same equipment. The published list carries 2 operators for Vietnam, so a provider with more than one partner has somewhere to fall back to. This site publishes no throughput figure, because it runs no speed test.
5G status in Vietnam: Viettel launched 5G in Hanoi and HCMC in 2024; expanding to major cities. Your eSIM automatically connects to the fastest available band when 5G is in range.
Viettel publishes 5G service in Vietnam, and every eSIM sold for this destination attaches to it. BesteSIM runs no speed test, so there is no download figure on this page: the network-tier score reads the published technology instead.
Network profile: Viettel publishes 5G across Vietnam. All 7 plans ride that same carrier at that same tier.
Vietnam's 5G coverage is urban-only. Viettel launched 5G in Hanoi and HCMC in 2024; expanding to major cities eSIM providers supporting 5G connect at higher speeds in covered areas.
5G carries 4K streaming, HD video calls, and live navigation. Networks in Vietnam run busiest during peak season (Oct-Apr), and congestion is shared by every provider on the same carrier. WiFi availability in Vietnam is good. Hotel and cafe WiFi will stretch a smaller data plan further.
Purchase your Vietnam eSIM from the provider app or website. Scan the QR code over WiFi at home. The eSIM installs in under 2 minutes. Label the new line "Vietnam Data" to keep it separate from your home SIM.
When you land in Vietnam, enable data roaming on the eSIM line. Your phone connects to Viettel's 5G network within 30 seconds. Vietnam requires SIM registration. Travel eSIM providers handle this automatically during activation.
Buy the 20GB plan from HelloRoam online.Scan the QR code over WiFi. Label the new line "Travel Data." Set as your data line. Keep your home SIM for calls. Activation completes in under 3 minutes. Download a VPN app before departure if you need one in Vietnam.
iOS: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Scan QR Code. Rename to "Vietnam Data." Set as default data line.
Android: Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM. Rename to "Vietnam Data." Set as default data line.
Note: Vietnam requires SIM registration. Passport required; real-name registration mandatory since 2018 eSIM providers handle registration on your behalf, saving you the process.
Turn off airplane mode. Check status bar for Viettel. Open a browser to verify data works. Run a speed check at fast.com. Keep home SIM data roaming OFF.
Coverage verdict for Vietnam: Strong. Vietnam provides reliable connectivity for most travel scenarios. 2 carrier networks accept eSIM roaming, with Viettel providing primary coverage on 5G. From the published coverage maps: Viettel publishes 4G along the Hai Van Pass route and across the Sapa mountain area. Vinaphone's map thins out in remote Ha Giang.
Hotel and cafe WiFi supplements your eSIM in cities. Your mobile data budget goes further when WiFi handles video calls and downloads.
Based on Vietnam's coverage profile, we recommend the 20GB plan at $27.49 ($1.37/GB). Travelers in Vietnam use 1.2GB per day on average. Viettel's 5G network supports all common travel tasks in covered areas. Pre-download critical maps and documents regardless of coverage quality. It is the single best preparation step for any eSIM trip.
Coverage assessment: 2 networks accept eSIM roaming in Vietnam. Viettel provides primary coverage for urban and tourist areas.
Vietnam has 2 mobile networks. City center coverage on Viettel's 5G network is reliable. All 5 providers route through these carriers. Viettel publishes 4G along the Hai Van Pass route and across the Sapa mountain area. Vinaphone's map thins out in remote Ha Giang. Network congestion increases during Oct-Apr.
Coverage outside major cities depends on carrier reach. Viettel Mobile provides fallback coverage with 5G infrastructure. Rural areas may fall back to 3G speeds. Download offline maps before leaving urban areas.
WiFi availability in Vietnam is good. Free WiFi common in cafes and hotels in tourist areas; Vietnam is a major digital nomad hub Use hotel and cafe WiFi to extend eSIM data in areas with limited coverage.
VPN access in Vietnam is restricted. VPNs not illegal but government blocks many VPN services; Facebook and Google generally accessible Consider Saily for its built-in VPN from Nord Security.
Key observations for Vietnam: Grab is essential for ride-hailing; works with international phone numbers. Zalo is Vietnam's dominant messaging app. Locals prefer it over WhatsApp. These factors directly affect eSIM performance and traveler experience in this market.
VPN usage is restricted in Vietnam. VPNs not illegal but government blocks many VPN services; Facebook and Google generally accessible. Saily's built-in NordVPN provides encrypted browsing where permitted. SIM registration is mandatory in Vietnam. Passport required; real-name registration mandatory since 2018. Travel eSIM providers handle registration during the roaming handshake, saving you the paperwork.
5G operates in Vietnam's major cities only: Viettel launched 5G in Hanoi and HCMC in 2024; expanding to major cities. Most tourist zones still run on 5G. WiFi availability is good in Vietnam's urban areas. Hotels and restaurants generally offer usable connections.
Additional notes for Vietnam travelers: Vietnam has extremely cheap local SIM data, often under $1/GB from carrier stores. Many cafes in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have passwords displayed on receipts or walls.
Google Maps and Waze use 5-10MB per hour of active navigation. On Viettel's 5G network, maps load in under 2 seconds. The 20GB plan at $27.49 covers 2-3 weeks of daily navigation.
WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom run smoothly on 5G in Vietnam. A 30-minute video call uses roughly 270MB. WiFi context: Free WiFi common in cafes and hotels in tourist areas; Vietnam is a major digital nomad hub.
HD video streaming uses about 1.5GB per hour on Viettel's network. Holafly's unlimited plan from $2.99/day handles heavy streaming without data caps.
A moderate traveler uses about 1.5GB per day across maps, messaging, and photo uploads. For 8 days in Vietnam, plan for 12GB total. The 20GB plan at $27.49 is the best match for this usage level.
The 20GB plan delivers the strongest value at $1.37/GB for Vietnam. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $3.49. Both tiers connect through Viettel's 5G network with identical speed access.
Unlimited data costs $4.43/day for Vietnam. For trips under 7 days, a fixed plan wins on cost. Longer stays or heavy data usage tips the balance toward unlimited.
HelloRoam leads our Vietnam value ranking with a 9.5/10 editorial score. 5 providers compete for Vietnam. The published ladder starts at $1.37/GB.
Vietnam eSIM pricing on Viettel: 1GB: $3.49 ($3.49/GB), 3GB: $7.49 ($2.50/GB), 5GB: $11.09 ($2.22/GB), 10GB: $19.31 ($1.93/GB), 20GB: $27.49 ($1.37/GB). Larger plans reduce the per-GB cost. All prices are one-time with no auto-renewal.
Unlimited option: $4.43/day with no data cap (2GB at full speed). Multi-day discounts available: the 30-day plan costs $3.63/day.
Airport SIM comparison: kiosk SIMs in Vietnam cost $5-15 for 6-20GB / 15-30 days with 10-15 min wait time. eSIM prices start at $1.37/GB with instant activation.
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on an entry rate of $3.50/GB, and the best rung on the Vietnam ladder is 20GB at $1.37/GB, below that. Every provider here rides the same host networks in Vietnam: Vinaphone on 5G and Viettel Mobile on 5G, plus Viettel and Mobifone.
Airalo scores 9.3/10 on an entry rate of $4.50/GB, and the ladder on this page is its own Vietnam catalogue: $3.49 for 1GB up to $27.49 for 20GB, bottoming out at $1.37/GB.
Holafly scores 8.9/10 and sells unlimited only, at $2.99/day, so the comparison is a break-even: under 10 days that costs less than the 20GB rung's $27.49, and past it costs more.
Saily scores 8.4/10 on an entry rate of $3.99/GB, and every rung on the Vietnam ladder costs less per gigabyte than that. VPN note for Vietnam: VPNs not illegal but government blocks many VPN services; Facebook and Google generally accessible.
Nomad scores 8.0/10 on an entry rate of $3.00/GB, and Airalo's catalogue floor for Vietnam is $1.37/GB, under that.
Vietnam ranks in the mid tier for eSIM infrastructure in Asia. 2 networks accept eSIM roaming, with Viettel providing the primary routing for all 5 providers.
Per-GB pricing in Vietnam starts at $1.37, which is competitive for the Asia region. 7 plans are available across providers, including unlimited daily data at $4.43/day.
5G availability gives Vietnam an edge over neighboring destinations that remain on 4G LTE only. Viettel launched 5G in Hanoi and HCMC in 2024; expanding to major cities.
We cover 18 search topics for Vietnam eSIMs with a combined monthly volume of 18,927.
General travelers: HelloRoam at 9.5/10. The best overall pick for Vietnam.
Heavy data users: Holafly with unlimited data from $2.99/day. Best for streaming, video calls, and remote work.
Budget travelers: HelloRoam starting at $3.49.
Privacy-conscious: Saily with built-in VPN from Nord Security.
| Provider | Coverage | Speed | App | Pricing | Support | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top score HelloRoam | 9.8 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.0 | 9.5/10 |
| Airalo | 10.0 | 9.0 | 9.8 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 9.3/10 |
| Holafly | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 8.9/10 |
| Saily | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 8.4/10 |
| Nomad | 7.4 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 9.2 | 6.8 | 8/10 |
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10. 20GB at $27.49. Viettel 5G network.
See which eSIM wins in other Asia countries.
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