🏦 What is bank OTP in Vietnam?

OTP (One-Time Password) is a numeric code sent by SMS or voice call to verify sensitive actions such as money transfers, bill payments, or login attempts.
In Vietnam, all major banks — such as Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, and VPBank — use OTP as part of their online security.

If you only have a data-only eSIM, you cannot receive bank OTPs. To receive bank OTP Vietnam eSIM, you must have a Vietnam eSIM with phone number.

🔑 Why you need an eSIM with phone number for bank OTP

• ✅ Secure transactions: Bank OTPs are mandatory for transfers, so you need a Vietnam number registered with your bank.
• ✅ Local compliance: Banks require a +84 phone number under your account profile to activate SMS OTP services.
• ✅ App access: Beyond banking, services like Grab and Zalo also rely on OTP SMS.
• ✅ Daily life: Bill payments, delivery apps, and even utility contracts may require OTP linked to a local number.

According to the State Bank of Vietnam, 100% of online transactions above 200,000 VND must use OTP verification. This regulation means you cannot bypass OTP if you want to manage finances in Vietnam.

⚙️ How to set up eSIM to receive bank OTPs

Setting up your eSIM correctly ensures you can receive SMS OTPs without issues:

iPhone

1. Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM.
2. Scan the QR code sent by your eSIM provider.
3. Label it “Vietnam Bank OTP”.
4. Enable “Allow SMS” for this line.

Samsung Galaxy

1. Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM.
2. Scan QR to activate.
3. Set the Vietnam eSIM as the default SMS line.

Google Pixel

1. Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add SIM.
2. Choose “Download a SIM instead” and scan QR.
3. Activate SMS/Voice on this line.

After setup, you must visit your bank branch (e.g., Techcombank, BIDV) and update your registered number to your new eSIM Vietnam phone number to receive OTPs.

📲 Banking and apps requiring OTP in Vietnam

Banking

Banks like Vietcombank, BIDV, VPBank, and ACB require OTP SMS for online banking. You must provide your Vietnam eSIM phone number when opening or updating your account. Without this, you cannot confirm transactions.

Grab

Grab uses OTP SMS for sign-in and number verification. Many foreigners encounter login issues without a local number.

Zalo

Zalo requires OTP for registration and account recovery. It is the primary communication app for business and personal use in Vietnam.

Food Delivery

ShopeeFood and Gojek rely on OTP SMS for account verification and secure ordering. A local number is required to use them fully.

👤 Case study: Expat opening a Vietnamese bank account

Maria, a software engineer from Spain, relocated to Ho Chi Minh City for a one-year assignment. To receive her salary locally, she opened an account at Vietcombank.
The bank required her to provide a Vietnamese phone number for SMS OTP activation. At first, Maria only had a data-only eSIM, so she could not complete the process.

After switching to an eSIM Vietnam phone number, she updated her bank records. From then on, she successfully received OTPs for every online transaction.
Her experience shows why being able to receive bank otp vietnam esim is vital for expats who need to manage finances in Vietnam.

🧩 Common OTP issues and solutions

🚀 Where to get a Vietnam eSIM with OTP support

If you need to receive bank OTP Vietnam eSIM, the only option is a plan that includes a local phone number. This enables SMS OTPs for banks, Grab, Zalo, and other services.
Get your plan here: Vietnam eSIM with phone number.

For more detailed steps and comparisons, see our pillar article:
Vietnam eSIM with Phone Number & OTP (2025 Guide).