Quick Answer
Buy a Viettel or Vietnamobile SIM at Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC) or Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) — available at operator counters in arrivals, passport only required, active immediately. Viettel has the best nationwide coverage. Monthly unlimited data costs VND 70,000–150,000/month ($2.80–6) — among the cheapest in Asia. For eSIM, use Airalo.
The Networks
Viettel — Vietnam's largest and most reliable network. Best nationwide coverage including rural areas and Da Nang / Hoi An. Recommended as primary SIM.
Vinaphone (VNPT) — state-owned, good urban coverage. Second choice if Viettel is unavailable.
Vietnamobile — good 4G in cities, very cheap plans. Good value backup option.
Gmobile — smaller operator, not recommended for primary.
Best Plans
Viettel
| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MAX70 | Unlimited (throttled after 5GB/day) | VND 70,000/month (~$2.80) |
| MAX100 | Unlimited (throttled after 8GB/day) | VND 100,000/month (~$4) |
| MAX150 | Unlimited (no throttle up to 12GB/day) | VND 150,000/month (~$6) |
The MAX150 plan at VND 150,000/month ($6) is excellent value for remote work — essentially unlimited high-speed data for $6/month.
Vietnamobile
Even cheaper — plans from VND 49,000/month ($2) for unlimited throttled data. Good backup option.
Getting a SIM at the Airport
Both Tan Son Nhat (HCMC) and Noi Bai (Hanoi) have Viettel, Vinaphone, and other operator counters in arrivals. Show passport, choose plan, pay cash (VND, or USD at some counters). Active immediately. Takes 5–10 minutes.
Tip: Airport prices are slightly higher than city store prices for the same plans — if you know someone meeting you at the airport or are transiting to the city directly, buying at a city store (every block in HCMC has a mobile shop) saves VND 20,000–50,000.
eSIM Options
Airalo Vietnam eSIMs: 3GB/30 days ~$7.50, 10GB/30 days ~$14. Good pre-arrival option. Data-only, no Vietnamese number.
Internet Speed Reality in Vietnam
Vietnam has excellent 4G coverage in cities and along the main tourist routes (HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang). Speeds: 20–60 Mbps on Viettel 4G in urban areas. Home broadband (FPT, Viettel fibre): 100–300 Mbps for VND 200,000–400,000/month ($8–16). Vietnam generally ranks well in Asia for mobile internet quality.
VPN in Vietnam
Vietnam blocks some social media and content. NordVPN is strongly recommended — Facebook and some other services are periodically restricted without VPN. This is a genuine operational issue, not just a privacy preference.
Bottom Line
Viettel MAX150 at VND 150,000/month ($6). Get it at the airport. Add NordVPN for unrestricted internet access. Airalo eSIM as pre-arrival bridge.
Next steps: Vietnam E-Visa | Cost of Living in HCMC | Hanoi vs Da Nang vs HCMC
*Last updated: May 2026*