📑 Why Streaming & Calls Matter for Tourists

Tourism isn’t only about sightseeing anymore. Tourists expect to stream videos, upload stories, or join calls with family back home. Poor connections can ruin travel experiences. That’s why comparing Pocket WiFi vs prepaid eSIM helps you pick the best internet for tourists vietnam.

🎥 What You Need for Streaming & Calls

• YouTube/Netflix: ~3–5 Mbps for HD; 10 Mbps for 4K.
• Zoom/Teams video calls: ~2–3 Mbps for stable quality.
• WhatsApp/FaceTime: Light use, ~1 Mbps.
• Upload speed: Important for sharing videos and photos.

Most Vietnamese networks can deliver this in cities, but your choice of device and plan affects consistency.

🧰 Options for Tourists

Prepaid eSIM

Prepaid eSIMs offer 4–6GB/day at high speed, with costs from US$14.50–19.50 for 20–30 days. They support tethering, so tourists can stream on laptops or tablets. Carriers like MobiFone, VinaPhone, and Viettel cover both cities and rural areas, making them reliable for travelers who mix sightseeing with video calls.

Pocket WiFi

Pocket WiFi routers are marketed as “unlimited” but often apply Fair Use Policy (FUP). After 2–5GB/day, speeds drop, making streaming and calls unstable. Daily rental costs are US$5–7 plus a deposit, and airport kiosks charge ~40% more than prepaid eSIM equivalents.

Airport SIM cards

Airport counters sell 7–15 day SIMs for US$17–23. Validity and data limits often exceed what short-term tourists need, but prices are ~30–40% higher than online eSIMs.

💸 Cost Comparison — Streaming & Calls

Streaming requires stable daily data. Prepaid eSIMs deliver enough for HD/Zoom use, while Pocket WiFi routers often throttle speeds after moderate usage.

🧭 Traveler Story: Netflix Nights in Ho Chi Minh City

Anna from Germany stayed 10 days in Ho Chi Minh City. She rented a Pocket WiFi for ~US$6/day. It worked for browsing, but after 3GB her Netflix streamed in poor quality due to throttling. Frustrated, she switched mid-trip to a prepaid eSIM (~US$12.50 for 15 days, 4GB/day), which streamed Netflix in HD without interruptions.

🧭 Traveler Story: Family Calls from Hanoi

Michael from the UK visited Hanoi for a week. Hotel Wi-Fi was unstable during evening hours, dropping his WhatsApp calls. He activated a Viettel prepaid eSIM (US$14.90 for 30 days, 5GB/day). With hotspot tethering, he connected his laptop and made Zoom calls home without issues, even from cafés in the Old Quarter.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Prepaid eSIM

• ✅ High-speed daily allowance for streaming.
• ✅ No deposits or returns.
• ✅ Reliable in cities and rural areas.
• ❌ Requires eSIM-compatible device.

Pocket WiFi

• ✅ Shareable with group members.
• ❌ FUP throttling disrupts video quality.
• ❌ Deposit and pickup/return required.

Airport SIM

• ✅ Quick purchase on arrival.
• ❌ More expensive than prepaid eSIMs.
• ❌ Not always transparent about daily caps.

🛠️ Practical Tips for Tourists Streaming & Calling

• Check your data plan: Look for clear daily limits (4–6GB/day is enough for most).
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for calls: Speeds vary and security is low.
• Pre-order online: Prepaid eSIMs are ~20–30% cheaper than airport SIMs.
• Use tethering: Share your eSIM connection to laptops for Zoom meetings.

🔗 Related Reading

Want a deeper comparison of Pocket WiFi vs eSIM? See our Decision Hub guide for deposits, coverage, and long-term use.

✅ Final Thoughts — Best Internet for Tourists Vietnam

• Prepaid eSIM: Best balance of speed, cost, and convenience for streaming & calls.
• Pocket WiFi: Works for groups but limited by FUP and higher costs.
• Airport SIM: Easy but overpriced compared to eSIMs.