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Vietnam Tourist SIM vs eSIM Comparison: Which to Choose for Your Vietnam Trip? [2025 Guide]
✈️ Wondering whether to buy a Vietnam tourist SIM or eSIM for your trip in 2025? This no-nonsense comparison gives you up-to-date facts, prices, pros and cons, and real-world tips to help you choose the best option. All info below is checked (July 2025) and based on real usage – no guessing, no hype!
📱 What’s the Difference? Tourist SIM vs eSIM in Vietnam
- 🔹 Physical SIM: Classic plastic card, bought at airport, city shop, or online for pickup. Inserted into your phone’s SIM slot.
- 🔹 eSIM: Digital SIM profile, sent via QR code, activated on your phone without any physical card. No slot needed, works on modern phones.
Quick fact: eSIM is only supported by iPhone XR/XS or newer, Samsung S20+, Google Pixel 4+, and select models (see Apple’s official eSIM list).
💡 Who Should Choose a Tourist SIM Card?
- 🧳 Travelers with older phones (no eSIM support)
- 🛬 Those who want to buy immediately upon arrival at airport kiosks
- 🗣️ Don’t need dual SIM or plan to swap between countries
- 💳 Prefer physical top-up cards and in-person support
Case Study: Ms. Lien (Taiwan) used a Viettel tourist SIM from Hanoi airport, inserted in her Xiaomi Redmi 8, activated instantly and used for calls, Grab, and 4G data.
🌐 Who Should Choose a Vietnam eSIM?
- 📱 Users with iPhone XR/XS or newer, Samsung S20+, Pixel 4+, etc.
- 🌏 Want to keep home SIM active (dual SIM) for banking, OTP, or work
- 🛒 Prefer to order online and activate before flying, skip queues at the airport
- 🔗 Need a +84 number for Grab, Zalo, Shopee, or local delivery
Case Study: Miguel (Spain) pre-ordered Viettel eSIM from GoVnSIM, activated in 2 minutes at Tan Son Nhat airport, kept his Spanish SIM for WhatsApp, used eSIM for all local apps and rides.
🔍 Comparison Table: Vietnam Tourist SIM vs eSIM (2025)
| Feature | Tourist SIM (Physical) | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | At airport/city shop | Online QR code, instant |
| Supports dual SIM | No | Yes |
| SIM slot needed | Yes | No |
| App registration/OTP | Yes (+84 number) | Yes (+84 number) |
| Data speed | 4G/LTE – same as eSIM | 4G/LTE (or 5G in big cities) |
| Top-up/renewal | Physical card or shop | Online (GoVnSIM renewal) |
| Price (typical) | $10–18 (airport/city), up to $25 online (VIP plans) | $17.9–$18.5 (30 days, GoVnSIM, verified July 2025) |
Sources: GoVnSIM Shop, Hanoi/HCMC airport kiosk price boards July 2025.
💰 Verified Plans & Real Prices (July 2025)
| Provider | Type | High-Speed Data | Unlimited Data | Phone Number | Validity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel (GoVnSIM) | eSIM | 5GB/day | Yes (128kbps after 5GB/day) | +84 included | 30 days | $18.5 |
| Mobifone (GoVnSIM) | eSIM | 6GB/day | Yes (128kbps after 6GB/day) | +84 included | 30 days | $14.5 |
| Viettel | Physical SIM | 4GB/day | Yes (128kbps after 4GB/day) | +84 included | 30 days | $10–15 (airport/city) |
All prices & data verified July 2025. Always check latest GoVnSIM Shop before booking.
Note: Only buy eSIM from providers offering a real +84 phone number if you want to use Grab, Zalo, food delivery, or get SMS/OTP.
🔗 Where to Buy? Options for SIM & eSIM in Vietnam
- 🛬 Airport counter: Fast, convenient, English support, but can be crowded and sometimes higher prices.
- 🏪 City mobile shops: Cheaper, but require passport and may not have staff who speak English/Chinese.
- 🌐 Online (best for eSIM): Order via GoVnSIM, get QR code in 10–60 minutes, install before arrival, refund if not compatible.
Pro tip: Tourists with eSIM-compatible phones should pre-order for instant activation and skip airport lines.
📢 Want instant, hassle-free Vietnam connectivity?
- ✅ Real +84 number, Grab, Zalo, Shopee, all apps supported
- ✅ Official Viettel/Mobifone eSIM, English/Chinese help
- ✅ Verified price, instant QR, refund if not compatible
🧑💻 Real Traveler Experiences: SIM vs eSIM in Vietnam (2025)
Case 1: Anna (Germany, iPhone 13): Pre-ordered Viettel eSIM from GoVnSIM, activated in Hanoi airport, kept her German SIM active for banking, used eSIM for Grab, Zalo, Shopee. Never lost connection; QR was delivered in 15 minutes.
Case 2: Ben (Singapore, Xiaomi 8): Bought Viettel physical SIM at HCMC airport. Simple, but had to remove his home SIM and use only Vietnam number. Good for short stay, but couldn’t use his Singapore bank app.
Case 3: Sophia (US, Google Pixel 6): Used Mobifone eSIM, daily high-speed quota was enough for maps, social, calls. Registered Grab with +84 number, received OTP instantly, and was able to use Zalo for local contacts.
📱 App Registration & Usage: Why Phone Number Matters
- 🚕 Grab, Be (ride-hailing): Need a +84 local number for new account and driver calls. Both SIM and eSIM from GoVnSIM work instantly.
- 🍔 Baemin, ShopeeFood (food delivery): All platforms require local phone number and OTP SMS for account.
- 💬 Zalo (messenger): Popular for connecting with locals and hotel/delivery staff. Only works with +84 or Vietnamese SIM/eSIM.
- 💵 MoMo, ZaloPay (e-wallet): Can be set up with Vietnamese phone number, easy to top up and use for taxis, shops, and even street food.
Tip: Always dial *0# after activation (Viettel/Mobifone) to check your Vietnam number for app registration.
📶 Coverage & Data Speed: SIM vs eSIM in Real Life
- 🏙️ Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang: Both SIM and eSIM (Viettel/Mobifone) deliver 4G/LTE speeds of 40–90 Mbps in most areas.
- 🏝️ Coastal/remote (Sapa, Phu Quoc, Ha Giang): Viettel is best for rural/remote; expect 10–30 Mbps in most places (test July 2025).
- 🛣️ On trains/buses: 4G signal is strong on major routes, short drops in mountains/tunnels.
- 📶 5G: Available in central Hanoi & HCMC, only for the newest phones and eSIM (Mobifone, Viettel).
Pro tip: Use public WiFi at hotels/cafes for video streaming after daily FUP, but don’t rely on WiFi for privacy or stability.
🛠️ Troubleshooting: Common Issues & How to Solve Them
- ❗ No network after arrival? Restart phone, check SIM/eSIM settings, try manual network selection (choose Viettel/Mobifone).
- ❗ Can’t activate eSIM QR? Make sure your phone is unlocked and on the official eSIM support list. Contact GoVnSIM if still stuck (refund if not compatible).
- ❗ Data slow after a while? Daily high-speed quota (5GB or 6GB/day) resets at midnight. After quota, speed is 128kbps.
- ❗ App won’t accept your number? Always use the full +84 number (not 0) for registration. Test SMS works after activation.
- ❗ Lost physical SIM? Get a replacement at city shop with your passport. eSIM is safer – can’t lose the profile unless you delete it.
💡 Local Tips for Tourists Choosing SIM or eSIM
- ⏰ Pre-order eSIM for fastest activation: Save time at airport, get online instantly.
- 💬 Keep your home SIM active with eSIM: Ideal for banking and emergencies.
- 🏷️ Compare actual plan prices, not just “unlimited” ads: All plans have FUP (Fair Usage Policy) – speed drops after daily quota.
- 📞 Always check your +84 number: Use *0# on Viettel/Mobifone.
- 🔒 Order only from trusted shops with refund policy: Avoid eSIM QR from random resellers on Telegram/Facebook.
- 📑 Vietnam eSIM with Phone Number – Full Guide by GoVnSIM
- 🔧 eSIM Installation Guide for Vietnam
📢 Order Your SIM/eSIM – Real +84 Number, Instant Support & Best Price
- ✅ Official Viettel/Mobifone eSIM & physical SIM, instant delivery
- ✅ Real Vietnamese number for Grab, Zalo, Shopee, delivery, OTP
- ✅ English/Chinese support, refund if not compatible
- ✅ Hotline & support: WhatsApp +84 98 307 4915, LINE: anyaxiaoying