Best eSIM for Vietnam: Top plans compared for UK travellers

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Whether you are cruising through Halong Bay, exploring the ancient streets of Hoi An, eating your way through Hanoi, or discovering Ho Chi Minh City, having mobile data makes every part of the journey easier.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Instead of swapping out your UK SIM at the airport, you download a local data plan directly to your device before you travel. Your UK number stays active in the background for calls and texts, while the eSIM handles your data in Vietnam.

This guide compares the best eSIM options for Vietnam so you can get connected before you leave home. To find out more about how the technology works, take a look at our guide on how eSIMs work.

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Best eSIM providers for Vietnam: Quick look

Here is a quick overview of the top eSIM providers for Vietnam:

Prices and plan details may vary depending on your location, currency and promotions. Prices may also be shown in different currencies depending on the provider. Always check the provider's website for the latest information before buying.

Airalo

Airalo's Vietnam eSIM operates on the Vinaphone network, one of Vietnam's two leading mobile networks, with strong 4G coverage across major cities and popular tourist routes.¹ Plans start from $4.00, with a range of fixed data packages and unlimited options to suit different trip lengths.¹

Top-ups are available directly in the Airalo app if you need more data mid-trip. Customer support is accessible 24/7 via WhatsApp, and the app is available in 53 languages across multiple currencies.¹ Airalo's Vietnam plans are data-only, so traditional phone calls and SMS are not included — you will use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime for voice calls.

Good for: Travellers who want flexibility with plan sizes and easy in-app top-ups on an established network.

Read more in our full Airalo eSIM review.

Nomad

Nomad's Vietnam eSIM connects to MobiFone, Vinaphone, and Vietnamobile, giving access to multiple local networks.² Plans start from $4.00 and cover a broad range of fixed data packages and unlimited options for longer or heavier-use trips.²

Hotspot and tethering are fully supported, and add-on plans are available that activate automatically when your main plan runs out, keeping you connected without any gap in service.² The Nomad app, available on iOS and Android, lets you track your usage and manage your plan while you are away.

Coverage can vary between networks depending on your location. Nomad's Vietnam plans connect primarily to MobiFone and Vinaphone networks. If you plan to travel beyond major cities, it may be worth checking the provider's coverage information for the specific areas you intend to visit, as network performance can differ between urban and more remote regions.²

Nomad's Vietnam plans are data-only. Calls and texts are not included.

Good for: Travellers who want access to multiple networks and the option to add more data without switching eSIMs.

Read more in our full Nomad eSIM review.

Saily

Saily is built by the team behind NordVPN, so online privacy is a major focus. Plans for Vietnam start from $6.99 and include a range of fixed data options as well as unlimited plans for heavier users.³

A practical advantage is that Saily uses a single eSIM for all supported destinations. Once installed, you simply add new destinations to the same eSIM each time you travel, with no reinstallation needed.³ Hotspot sharing is unlimited with no daily cap, and three built-in security features are included: a virtual location tool, an ad blocker, and web protection against malicious sites and trackers.³ You receive a notification when you reach 80% of your data, and top-ups can be added directly in the app.³

Saily states their Vietnam plans cover major destinations including Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, with a note that coverage may be weaker in remote areas such as mountains or jungle terrain.³

Saily plans are data-only and do not include calls or texts.

Good for: Security-conscious travellers who want one eSIM across multiple trips and unlimited hotspot sharing without restrictions.

Read more in our full Saily eSIM review.

Holafly

Holafly sells only unlimited data plans for Vietnam, which suits travellers who want to use navigation, streaming, and social media without counting gigabytes. Plans start from $3.90 for a one-day plan, with longer durations available at progressively lower daily rates.⁴ Holafly's Vietnam eSIM connects to the GPC Vinaphone (VNPT) network, covering urban areas with 4G and 5G where available.⁴

Hotspot sharing is available, capped at 1 GB per day.⁴ Every Holafly plan also includes an "Always On" feature, which provides 1 GB of free backup data per month.⁴ Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat. Holafly plans are data-only and do not include traditional calls or texts.

Good for: Longer-stay travellers and those who want unlimited data without monitoring a cap on the Vinaphone network.

Read more in our full Holafly eSIM review.

How to choose the best eSIM for your Vietnam trip

Vietnam is a long, narrow country with busy cities in the north and south, a popular central coastline, and more remote mountain regions. Here are the key things to consider:

• Network coverage: Vinaphone and Viettel have the broadest national coverage in Vietnam, including in rural and mountainous areas. MobiFone is strong in cities and towns.
• Remote areas: If you are visiting places like Sapa, Ha Giang, or the northern highlands, prioritise a plan on the Vinaphone or Viettel network. Signal can be limited in deep mountain valleys on any network.
• Fixed vs unlimited data: A fixed data plan works well for a short city trip. Unlimited plans suit longer stays or travellers who will stream, video call, or tether a laptop frequently.
• Hotspot use: If you want to share your data with a tablet or laptop, check whether hotspot is supported and whether there is a daily cap. Saily has no cap; Holafly caps at 1 GB per day.
• Plan duration: Match your plan length to your itinerary. Plans typically range from three days to 30 days.
• Phone compatibility: Your phone must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Most iPhones from the XR onwards and many recent Android flagships support eSIM.

How to install and activate an eSIM for Vietnam travel

Setting up a Vietnam eSIM is straightforward. Here is what to do before you fly:

1. Check compatibility: Confirm your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. On an iPhone, go to Settings and look for an option to add a mobile plan. On Android, check under SIM settings or network settings.
2. Buy your plan: Visit the provider's app or website and select a Vietnam data plan. Do this before you leave the UK.
3. Receive your QR code: After purchase, you will receive a QR code by email or directly in the app.
4. Install the eSIM: Go to your phone settings, select "Add mobile plan" (or the equivalent on your device), and scan the QR code. You need a Wi-Fi connection during installation.
5. Enable data roaming: In your phone settings, turn on data roaming for the new eSIM profile.
6. Activate on arrival: Most plans activate automatically once your phone connects to a Vietnamese network. You can install at home before you fly — it will stay inactive until you land.

A useful tip: install your eSIM one or two days before departure so you have time to troubleshoot at home if anything is unclear, rather than searching for Wi-Fi at the airport.

Why use an eSIM for travelling to Vietnam?

Here are the main reasons a Vietnam travel eSIM is worth considering:

• Grab app access from landing: Using Grab — Vietnam's main ride-hailing and delivery platform — requires data. Having your eSIM active the moment you land means you can book a Grab from the airport immediately, avoiding often-overpriced fixed-price taxis.
• Avoid high UK roaming costs: UK carrier roaming charges to Vietnam can be significant and are rarely competitive compared to a local data rate.
• Keep your UK number active: Your physical SIM stays in your phone, so you can still receive calls, bank verification texts, and two-factor authentication codes on your UK number throughout your trip.
• Buy before you fly: Everything is set up from home, so you are connected the moment you land — no queueing at airport SIM stalls or dealing with registration requirements.
• Flexible top-ups: Most providers let you add more data through an app, without visiting a store.
• Security on public Wi-Fi: Using your own mobile data is more secure than connecting to unknown public Wi-Fi networks in cafés, hotels, or hostels.

Make your spending go further in Vietnam with the Wise card

Sorting your data before you fly is one part of trip preparation. Having the right card for spending in Vietnam is another.

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies across 150+ countries, converting your pounds to Vietnamese dong (VND) at the mid-market exchange rate. There is only a small, transparent conversion fee* and no foreign transaction fees.

The card costs a one-time fee of £7 to order. Free ATM withdrawals are available up to £250 per month, with a 2.69% fee on any amount above that. Additional charges may apply from independent ATM networks.

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FAQs about using an eSIM in Vietnam

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?

Most iPhones from the XR onwards support eSIM, as do many recent Android devices including Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later. Your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked. The quickest way to check is to go into your phone's settings and look for an option to add a new mobile plan, or search your phone model followed by "eSIM compatible".

Can I keep my UK phone number while using a Vietnam eSIM?

Yes. The eSIM handles your data connection while your UK physical SIM stays active for calls and texts. Set your UK SIM as the default for calls and SMS, and set the eSIM as your data line. This means you can still receive bank verification codes and calls on your UK number while travelling in Vietnam.

Will my eSIM work in remote areas like Sapa or Ha Giang?

Coverage in Vietnam's major cities and along popular tourist routes is generally strong on most travel eSIMs. In more remote northern highlands — including mountainous areas around Sapa and Ha Giang — signal can be weaker or patchy on any network. Downloading offline maps (such as Google Maps offline areas) before heading into remote terrain is always a sensible backup.

Can I make calls and send texts with a Vietnam eSIM?

Most Vietnam travel eSIMs are data-only. That means traditional phone calls and SMS are not supported through the eSIM itself. You can still make voice and video calls and send messages using WhatsApp, FaceTime, or similar apps over your data connection. Your UK SIM remains active for receiving calls and texts.

How much data do I need for my trip to Vietnam?

It depends on how you use your phone. For a short city-focused trip using maps, messaging, and Grab, a smaller fixed data plan of 3–5 GB can be enough. If you plan to stream video, share photos regularly, or use your phone as a hotspot for a laptop, a larger or unlimited plan is worth considering. Vietnam has plenty of free Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés, and restaurants, so you may find you use less data than expected.

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Sources used:

1. Vietnam eSIMs - Airalo — Starting price from $4.00 USD, Vinaphone network, plan range, top-up availability, 24/7 WhatsApp support. Checked 02-06-2026.
2. Vietnam Travel eSIM - Nomad — Starting price from $4.00 USD, MobiFone / Vinaphone / Vietnamobile networks, 4G/5G, hotspot support, add-on plans. Checked 02-06-2026.
3. Vietnam eSIM - Saily — Starting price from $6.99 USD, unlimited hotspot, security features, one eSIM for all trips, 80% data usage alert, city and remote area coverage notes. Checked 02-06-2026.
4. eSIM for Vietnam - Holafly — Starting price from $3.90 USD (1-day plan), GPC Vinaphone (VNPT) network, unlimited data only, 1GB/day hotspot cap, Always On feature, FUP above 90GB/month. Checked 02-06-2026.

Sources last checked on date: 02-06-2026.