If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, you are probably looking for the best option to have internet during your holiday. By now you probably already know that travel eSIMs are the best option to connect to the internet in Vietnam immediately without paying excessive bills as with roaming, or endangering your data on public wifi networks. But which brand offers the best eSIM cards
In this article we tell you how to find the best eSIM for Vietnam depending on the type of trip you are going to make. In the market there are a variety of brands with different features such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of plans, so we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Simoptions, among others, and we tell you their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We already tell you that the eSIM cards with unlimited data like those of Holafly are a safe bet with which there will be no extra charges, and you will also have 24h support.
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Comparison of eSIMs for a trip to Vietnam
When comparing different eSIM brands, we must take into account all the features that will determine if the card fits the needs of our trip. That’s why we have prepared this table with all the essential information about each brand to help you choose. Later on we will delve into all the important points so that you don’t miss any of the information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited Data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 days | No | + | + | Unlimited | In English, direct chat and WhatsApp | €19-99 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Nomad | 7, 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB, 50GB and 100GB | In English, by email or App | $4-240 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 and 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB. | In English, via bot | $4.5- $32 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Truphone | 1 and 30 days | Only some devices | – | + | 500MB, 1GB, 3GB and 5GB | In English by chat | $14-27 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and unlimited | In English by email | €5-54 | 4.4 | 3.2 |
1. Holafly, eSIM with unlimited data and 24h support for Vietnam
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. 24/7 technical support in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. They have an App where you can check your usage and the number of days left on your contract. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. One of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because they offer more gigabytes than the rest. The Holafly eSIM card for Australia does not allow data sharing. You can’t do the installation through their App. The eSIM for Australia does not have unlimited data. |
Holafly is a Spanish company with offices around the world and more than 100 employees, offering eSIM cards with unlimited data for Vietnam and many more countries. At Passporter we think it is one of the most trusted brands in the market as it offers a 24h customer service in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese that responds in less than a minute by chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the company with the best customer rating on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6. With Holafly we always travel with peace of mind.
On their website, you can find 8 unlimited data plans with varying durations between 5 and 90 days. The price ranges from €19 to €99. The brand also makes available eSIM plans for 12 countries in Asia, including Vietnam, so you can move from one country to another without installing a new eSIM.
| Data plan | Euros | Dollars | Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | €19 | $19 | $399 |
| 7 days – unlimited data | €27 | $27 | $517 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | €34 | $34 | $699 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | €47 | $47 | $899 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | €57 | $54 | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | €69 | $64 | $1399 |
| 60 days – unlimited data | €87 | $84 | $1699 |
| 90 days – unlimited data | €99 | $99 | $1999 |
The Holafly eSIM cards can be easily installed by scanning the QR code that will be sent to your email once you have completed the purchase. The installation can also be done manually without the need for a computer, simply writing a code in the settings of your mobile that you can consult in the mail or in your App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards, we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but that in the end they pay off because you will never have to recharge again because you will never run out of data. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of the Holafly’s eSIM cards for Vietnam based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
In this post, you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our opinion of Holafly eSIM
2. Nomad and its App
| Advantages | Offer regional, country or global data packages. Nomad’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. The App is very convenient and allows you to recharge the eSIM. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different prices and amount of gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 112 countries. Technical support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 100GB or less and they do not have cards with unlimited data. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB) Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. The duration of data plans is limited to 7, 15 or 30 days. Their services and technical support are exclusively in English. |
Nomad is a company dedicated to the sale of eSIM cards so you can have internet during your travels. Its main feature is that in addition to its website, it has an App with which its customers can hire data plans easily and quickly. It is also a marketplace like SimOptions, but the web is more intuitive and easy to use.
The brand offers data plans in more than 100 countries and also by continents so that we can make use of our internet connection even if we are moving between different countries. In the case of Vietnam, the data packages have durations of 7, 15 and 30 days, which is quite flexible. In addition, they have data limits ranging from 1 GB to 100 GB. The fact that they do not have unlimited data plans is a big disadvantage since we will be forced to recharge. From their website and App, you can also buy eSIM from Mobifone.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | $4 |
| 15 days – 3 GB | $9 |
| 15 days – 5 GB | $13 |
| 30 days – 10 GB | $22 |
| 30 days – 15 GB | $28 |
| 30 days – 20 GB | $34 |
| 30 days – 30 GB | $80 |
| 30 days – 40 GB | $110 |
| 30 days – 50 GB | $125 |
| 30 days – 100 GB | $240 |
The Nomad App is very useful to control the consumption and recharge in case we run out of data. Through it we can also contact customer service, which unfortunately is only in English.
Here you can see our ranking of Nomad’s eSIMs.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.6 |
3. Airalo and its cheap data plans
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They are the cheapest brand on the market. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. Top up the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Disadvantages | The gigabytes are limited to 20GB or less and they do not have cards with unlimited data. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. ESIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of data plans is limited to 7, 15 and 30 days. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
This company, founded in Singapore in 2019 by Turkish entrepreneurs Abraham Burak and Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir, was one of the first to offer these services, and has a wide coverage of countries where they offer eSIM cards.
Although Airalo is one of the cheapest brands on the market, the truth is that in the long run it can get expensive as its data plans have very limited gigabytes that can run out at any time, and its technical service takes a long time to respond.
Airalo’s eSIM card data plans for Vietnam have durations of 7, 15 and 30 days, and prices range from $4.5 to $32. The brand has an App through which you can buy and install the eSIM, and later recharge it when you run out of data.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 4.5$ |
| 15 days – 2 GB | 7$ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 9.5$ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 13$ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | $21 |
| 30 days – 20 GB | $32 |
On Airalo’s website, you can choose from6 data plans between 1GB and 20GB. We compared customer reviews and feedback on Trustpilot and found that Airalo has one of the lowest ratings at 3.7. Here you have the ranking for each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our opinion of Airalo: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 3.8 |
4. Truphone and its App
| Advantages | Offer regional, country or global data packages. Truphone eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install in your App. They have eSIM cards for 188 countries. Technical support both in the app and on the web 24/7. Very affordable prices. You can recharge data from the App. No need to scan QR code. Only on some devices you can share data. Offer data plans for Apple Watch. Offer 100 MB free trial for 1 day. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 5GB, they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB) You cannot make purchases on the web, only from mobile. The duration of data plans is limited to 1 or 30 days. Their services and technical support are exclusively in English. |
Truphone is a UK company that offers eSIM cards to connect to the internet in over 160 countries. It was a pioneer in the industry and thefirst global operator to launch eSIM for iPad, Apple Watch and Google Pixel devices. In addition, it has been since 2016a technology partner of Apple, which gives it a great competitive advantage and makes it easier to install eSIMs on its devices.
For Vietnam the brand does not offer a data plan exclusively for this country, but has a plan for 14 countries in Asia that includes it. For Asia there are 4 data plans, 2 1-day and 2 30-day plans with a data limit of 2GB and 5GB. The 100MB plan lasts for one day and is free, so you can try their product. The problem with this brand is that their data plans have very few gigabytes (maximum5GB) and this means that you can run out of internet in the middle of your trip.
| Data plan | Euro | Dollars | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 100 MB | €0 | $0 | £0 |
| 1 day – 1 GB | €14 | $14 | £13 |
| 30 days – 3GB | £18 | $18 | £17 |
| 30 days – 5 GB | €27 | $27 | £25 |
Although on the website you can check the data plans and all the details about their eSIMs, to buy the eSIM card you will need to download the mobile app. Once downloaded you will need to create an account by entering your details directly or via Google or Facebook. You can then choose the country and data plan you need for your trip and pay securely. A great advantage of the App is that it detects if your mobile is compatible with eSIM before allowing you to make the purchase.
The installation and activation processes are done through the App, so you won’t need to scan any QR code. Just keep in mind that you will need internet to perform the operation.
If you go to Trustpilot you can see that Truphone has over 100 reviews and a score of 1.9, one of the lowest among eSIM card providers. We have also rated the Truphone eSIM card based on our experience and these are our findings.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.8 |
If you want to know more about our experience with Truphone eSIM cards and the opinion of other users, visit this post: Our opinion of the Truphone eSIM.
5. Maya Mobile, one-month data packages
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. They have plans with unlimited data. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. They allow data sharing with other devices. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. No App. The unlimited data plan is limited to 5Mbps Technical support only in English via a bot. Only 30-day data plans. |
This company makes eSIM cards available for 30 days in Vietnam. In this case, the price of data packages varies depending on gigabytes. In total they have 4 packages of 1, 3, 5 and 10 gigabytes, and another with unlimited gigabytes for 12 countries in Asia. The unlimited data plan is relative as the maximum browsing speed is 5Mbps and after you have used 30GB of the plan, it drops to 1Mbps.The price ranges from €5 to €54.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting and installation process, which is also done via a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in case the data does not work, which is not usual since they have at least two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 5€ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 10€ |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 16€ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 33€ |
| 30 days – unlimited (Asia) | 54€ |
In the case of Maya Mobile, we find the disadvantage that their plans are very inflexible and only have a duration of 30 days. In Trustpilot, you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.4, but there are hardly any comments. Here we leave you this table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 3.2 |
Conclusion of which is the best eSIM for Vietnam
There are many important factors to take into account when comparing eSIM cards, so we have prepared this section where we tell you based on our experience which eSIM card is best for a trip in Vietnam.
When we travel, we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our holiday, that’s why eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option. In this case, the only brands offering unlimited eSIM data are Holafly and Ubigi, but as we have already seen, Ubigi’s unlimited data is not real.
With some companies like Airalo or Truphone you can recharge the eSIM already installed through their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data.
We know it can be tricky to calculate the gigabytes you’ll need during your trip, so we’ve prepared this table to help you make an estimate if you end up choosing an eSIM card with a data limit, which we don’t recommend.
| Platform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0.18 GB – 0.8 GB |
| Netflix | 0.3 GB – 7 GB |
| Youtube | 0.14 GB – 1.7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0.8 GB – 6 GB |
The installation process for eSIM cards is always simple and fast, but it is true that there are some companies that make it even easier. The first thing is to check if your mobile is compatible with the eSIM of the brand. This information you can check on the website of each provider. In the case of Truphone, the App itself will tell you if your mobile is compatible when you download it.
The purchase of the eSIM for Vietnam can be done through the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly, or through the app such as Truphone. Both methods are simple and fast.
The only brand that allows you to do the installation through the App is Truphone, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation scanning a QR code that you will receive in the mail as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly or Maya Mobile.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile or Truphone have a chatbot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of SimOptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this aspect Holafly’s technical support is the best as it responds in less than 1 minute in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese through the web chat or by WhatsApp, where a conversation is opened automatically after the purchase.
One of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Maya Mobile and Airalo, however, their data plans are very limited, and you’re likely to run out and have to pay again with the top-up. That’s why it’s sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get a eSIM card with unlimited data like Holafly’s for peace of mind and no need to recharge again.
All in all, Holafly’s eSIM cards are the best choice for travel to Vietnam because of their unlimited data and multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute. Also, their plans are really flexible and fit all types of travel. With Holafly you will never run out of data on your trip.
Other options to have internet in Vietnam
Although eSIM cards are the best option to have internet in Vietnam for all the advantages and conveniences they offer, there are other alternatives as we tell you below. For the moment, here we leave you this table with all the reasons why we prefer to use travel eSIM cards rather than other options.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Pre-purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, you don’t have to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a shop first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No dependency on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Tranquility | 24h technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You won’t have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your mobile. |
| Security | Without using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. Avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your mobile as with eSIM cards. |
1. SIM cards
SIM cards are one of the most widespread options today, but that does not imply that they are the best option, since as we show below they have quite a few drawbacks.
| Advantages | A variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is quick. They can be purchased online or in physical shops. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Disadvantages | You have to exchange it for your regular SIM card, which can be lost or damaged. You have to open and handle the mobile phone during the installation process. When your travel SIM contract runs out, you have to replace it with another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to arrive at home. |
In Vietnam there are many brands offering SIM cards, such as Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone. All three have good coverage throughout the country, but Viettel is the main network in the country.
SIM cards can be purchased online before you start your trip, at the airport or at official stores in the commercial areas of the destination country.
The advantage of SIMs is that they also include calls and SMS, but as you may know, the installation process requires removing your regular SIM and running the risk of losing it. Also, SIM cards have limited data, and can run out of data prematurely.
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi
Another alternative for connecting to the Internet in Vietnam is to rent a Pocket WiFi, i.e. a portable router with which you can access the Internet wherever you go.
| Advantages | It can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Long-term contracts are the norm. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay rent, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts at most 6 hours. If you use it with other people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
Some brands that rent these routers in Vietnam are Travelerswifi or Wifi4asia. The latter offers 5GB per day and costs $6 per day. You also have to account for shipping costs and extras such as insurance.
This option is interesting when we only need internet in a very specific space, for long periods of time or when we travel with more people, since everyone can benefit from the connection and share the costs.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Vietnam
As you can imagine, this is the cheapest option. However, as you may already know, it is also the most frustrating option in most cases. Slow connection, time limit or eternal forms that promise WIFI after you give all your data.
| Advantages | It’s free. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is difficult to find free wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or have connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and give your personal details. Some free wifi networks are time-limited. You should always connect close to the router. They are vulnerable to hacking. |
This is an option that should be used with caution for security reasons. Public WiFi hotspots are very vulnerable to hacks or cyber-attacks, through which they access your private data. It is therefore recommended to spend as little time as possible connected, to use it for specific queries and not to expose personal data.
These are some places where you can find WiFi is your trip in Vietnam in case of need: airports, museums, subway, parks, cafes, restaurants and hotels. There are also APPs that tell you where to find WiFi hotspots, as well as Facebook, which also offers this service.
4. Activate roaming for Vietnam
One of the options that is losing more and more popularity due to its high costs is roaming, also known as data roaming. It is the simplest option as you can receive calls and connect to the internet without having to install anything or change your phone number, however, the bills are very high. The gigabyte can cost up to 25€.
Before embarking on a trip it is recommended to ask your usual company about the cost of roaming to be able to compare with other services such as eSIM cards. In Spain some of the companies that offer roaming in Vietnam are Orange, Yoigo, Jazztel, Movistar or Vodafone.
If in the end you decide to use another option, remember to turn off data roaming on your cell phones or change the main line in the case of using an eSIM.
| Advantages | No installation on our mobile. No extra services to sign up for. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Disadvantages | It is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without realising it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
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Frequently asked questions about having internet in Vietnam
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your usual SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is built into the latest generation of mobile phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the website or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your mobile phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. The camera will then open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, which is why it is recommended that you do it before setting off on your trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
Most models of popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will indicate all the compatible models.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical shops or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same day express delivery.
It is best to activate it just before your trip as you will need an internet connection.
Most plans have a duration of 7, 15 or 30 days.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly has been marketing eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences published on Trustpilot, with a rating of “Excellent” and an average score of 4.6.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and a lower average Trustpilot rating than Holafly at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong based company.
No, Maya actually limits the speed on its unlimited plans to only 5mbps. Once 30GB is consumed, Maya further limits the speed to 1mbps.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average rating of 4.5.
The price varies depending on the provider, the gigabytes and the duration of the contract. The price range is between €9 and €119.
Airalo reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average score of 3.9.
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