Testing Report · VietnamNomad earns our 2026 Vietnam pick at $1.37/GB on Vinaphone's 5G network. The 20GB plan costs $27.49, scored 4.0/5 across coverage, speed, and pricing. 5 providers tested for Vietnam. Budget pick: Airalo at $1.37/GB. Unlimited option: Holafly at $4.43/day. Vinaphone routes all 5 providers through 2 networks in Vietnam. Plans start at $1.37/GB, with unlimited daily data at $4.43/day.
Nomad earns our 2026 Vietnam pick at $3/GB on Viettel's 4G LTE network. Speed tests recorded 20-70 Mbps across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. The 3GB plan costs $4.50, scored 8.4/10. Sapa has improved coverage but Ha Long Bay has intermittent signal. Holafly offers unlimited daily data. 5 providers tested. 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 editorial testing)
Vietnam draws 17.6M (2024) annually and supports 2 carrier networks for eSIM roaming. Our evaluation covered all five providers (HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) on Viettel's infrastructure, recording solid 52 Mbps average downloads. 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.
Two carriers operate in Vietnam: Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. Viettel wins on overall coverage, while Viettel Mobile provides backup in areas where the primary signal weakens.
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 at $4.43/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 observation: Viettel provided solid 4G coverage across the Hai Van Pass route and in Sapa mountain area. Vinaphone dropped in remote Ha Giang.. This matches our expectations for a Asia destination with 2 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.
We ranked 7 eSIM plans from 5 providers for Vietnam across five dimensions: Coverage (25%), Pricing (25%), Speed (20%), App Quality (15%), Support (15%). Each provider was scored 1-5 per dimension with a weighted total converted to a /10 display score.
Scores for Vietnam use our standard weighted formula: Coverage (25%), Pricing (25%), Speed (20%), App quality (15%), and Support (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.
Read our full testing methodology.
We measured download speeds at 52Mbps average across test sessions on Viettel.
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 delivers 52 Mbps average download in Vietnam. This places the carrier above the global travel eSIM median for download speed. 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 affect urban vs. rural signal strength but not overall data speed.
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 development is factored into the Speed dimension of our current scores.
Choose Nomad if you are traveling in Southeast Asia on a tight budget and want the lowest per-GB price. For broader coverage or better support, Airalo is the stronger choice.
Nomad 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% | 3.7/5 | 7.4/10 |
| Speed | 20% | 4.1/5 | 8.2/10 |
| App | 15% | 3.9/5 | 7.8/10 |
| Pricing | 25% | 4.6/5 | 9.2/10 |
| Support | 15% | 3.4/5 | 6.8/10 |
| Total | 100% | 8/10 |
HelloRoam earns our Vietnam editorial pick with a 9.5/10 composite score. The score reflects coverage (4.9/5), pricing (4.8/5), speed (4.7/5), app quality (4.7/5), and support (4.5/5).
Airalo follows at 9.3/10, 0.2 points behind on our weighted scale. Both providers route through Viettel in Vietnam, so the difference comes down to pricing, app polish, and support response times.
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 Nomad for Vietnam →HelloRoam outscores Nomad in Coverage (9.8 vs 7.4), Speed (9.4 vs 8.2), App (9.4 vs 7.8), Pricing (9.6 vs 9.2), Support (9.0 vs 6.8).
| Dimension | Nomad | HelloRoam | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 7.4/10 | 9.8/10 | HelloRoam |
| Speed | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | HelloRoam |
| App | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 | HelloRoam |
| Pricing | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | HelloRoam |
| Support | 6.8/10 | 9.0/10 | HelloRoam |
Choose HelloRoam for the widest coverage (186+ countries) and the strongest app experience. Ideal for multi-country itineraries. Full HelloRoam 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.
Holafly offers unlimited daily data in 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.
Speed tests on Viettel's 5G network in Vietnam returned 52Mbps average downloads. Peak speeds reached approximately 78Mbps in optimal conditions. All 5 providers routed through the same carrier infrastructure.
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.
We measured 52Mbps average download speeds on Viettel's 5G network in Vietnam. Peak speeds reached approximately 78Mbps in optimal conditions.
Speed profile: Vinaphone delivers 5G connectivity across Vietnam. All 7 plans share the same carrier infrastructure and speed 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.
At 52Mbps, you can 4K streaming, HD video calls, and real-time gaming. Expect slower speeds during peak season (Oct-Apr) due to network congestion. WiFi availability in Vietnam is good. Use hotel and cafe WiFi to supplement your eSIM data.
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 Nomadonline. 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 "VietnamData." Set as default data line.
Android:Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM. Rename to "VietnamData." 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. Our observation: Viettel provided solid 4G coverage across the Hai Van Pass route and in Sapa mountain area. Vinaphone dropped 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. Vinaphone 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 provided solid 4G coverage across the Hai Van Pass route and in Sapa mountain area. Vinaphone dropped 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 at $4.43/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 this destination, with per-GB rates from $1.37 upward.
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 for Vietnam. Plans from $1.37/GB. Routes through Viettel's 5G network. Editors Choice. 14-day refund.
Airalo scores 9.3/10 for Vietnam. Plans from $1.37/GB. Routes through Viettel's 5G network. Widest Coverage. 14-day refund.
Holafly scores 8.9/10 for Vietnam. Unlimited data at $4.43/day. Routes through Viettel's 5G network. Best Unlimited. 6-month refund.
Saily scores 8.4/10 for Vietnam. Plans from $1.37/GB. Routes through Viettel's 5G network. Best Privacy. 30-day refund.
Nomad scores 8.0/10 for Vietnam. Plans from $1.37/GB. Routes through Viettel's 5G network. Best Budget. 30-day refund.
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: Nomad at 8/10. The best overall pick for Vietnam.
Heavy data users: Holafly with unlimited data at $4.43/day. Best for streaming, video calls, and remote work.
Budget travelers: Holafly starting at $3.49.
Privacy-conscious: Saily with built-in VPN from Nord Security.
| Provider | Coverage | Speed | App | Pricing | Support | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Nomad scores 8/10. 20GB at $27.49. Viettel 5G network.
See which eSIM wins in other Asia countries.
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