VIETNAM TRAVEL • DATA ROAMING

Vietnam eSIM vs Your Home Carrier’s International Roaming

Travelling to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or Ha Long Bay? Compare an ETravelSim Vietnam eSIM on Viettel with what your own network charges for roaming in Vietnam. ETravelSim prices below are live and shown in your currency.

Factor Home-carrier roaming ETravelSim Vietnam eSIM
Typical cost for a 7–15 day trip Home carriers usually bill roaming per day or per MB, and the rate depends on your carrier and plan From €3,95; 35 GB for 7 days, 75 GB for 15 days or 150 GB for 30 days
Data allowance Often capped or slowed once you pass your plan’s roaming data limit 1 GB, 30 GB or 35 GB for 7 days, 75 GB for 15 days, 150 GB for 30 days
Plan prices (live) Set by your carrier, by country and by pack 75 GB - 15 Days €13,95 · 150 GB - 30 Days €22,95 · 35 GB - 7 Days €9,95 · 30 GB - 7 Days €8,95 · 1 GB - 7 Days €3,95
Daily limit Depends on your carrier’s fair-use rules Up to 5 GB a day on the 30, 35, 75 and 150 GB plans; data stops after 5 GB and resets the next day
Network in Vietnam Depends on the local partner your carrier has an agreement with Viettel, Vietnam’s largest network (4G / 5G / LTE)
Setup before you travel Usually needs a roaming add-on enabled with your carrier in advance QR code by email right after purchase; install at home, then turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM when you land
When validity starts Roaming packs often start when you buy or activate them On first connection in Vietnam, not on the day you buy or install
Hotspot / tethering Often restricted or charged separately while roaming Allowed on all plans
Calls and a number You keep your home number; roaming calls are often charged per minute Data-only eSIM with no Vietnamese number; WhatsApp, Zalo and FaceTime calls work over data
Top-ups Usually extra packs bought from your carrier One-time use, no top-up; buy a new eSIM if you need more data
Paperwork None – it is your existing plan None – no passport registration needed
  • ✓Keep your home SIM active for calls and bank codes, and use the eSIM for data in Vietnam
  • ✓QR code by email straight after purchase – install before you fly
  • ✓Runs on Viettel, with the widest coverage in Vietnam, including the northern mountains
  • ✓Fixed prepaid price, so no roaming bill when you get home
View Vietnam eSIM plans

Vietnam eSIM questions

Is a Vietnam eSIM cheaper than my carrier's roaming?

For most trips, yes. Home carriers usually charge roaming per day or per MB, and the rate depends on your carrier and plan. ETravelSim Vietnam eSIM plans start at €3,95 and cost a fixed prepaid price, so there is no roaming bill when you get home. Check your carrier's Vietnam roaming rates to compare for your own plan.

Which network does the Vietnam eSIM use?

The ETravelSim Vietnam eSIM connects to Viettel, Vietnam's largest mobile network, on every plan. Viettel has the widest coverage in Vietnam, including rural northern provinces such as Sapa and Ha Giang and the central highlands. 5G is available in major cities; elsewhere your phone uses 4G/LTE.

What data options are available for the Vietnam eSIM?

There are five plans: 1 GB for 7 days, 30 GB for 7 days, 35 GB for 7 days, 75 GB for 15 days and 150 GB for 30 days. The 30, 35, 75 and 150 GB plans include up to 5 GB per day; after 5 GB, data stops until it resets the next day.

Is there a daily data limit on the Vietnam eSIM?

Yes. The 30 GB, 35 GB, 75 GB and 150 GB plans give up to 5 GB of data per day. Once you use 5 GB in a day, data stops until the limit resets the next day — it is not slowed down. If you need more than 5 GB a day, see Truly Unlimited Data for Vietnam.

When does the validity period start — at purchase or when I land?

Validity on the ETravelSim Vietnam eSIM starts the day you begin using it in Vietnam, not the day you buy or install it. You can purchase weeks in advance, install the QR code at home before flying, and the timer only starts when your phone connects to the Vietnamese network on arrival. Installing at home is the safer option because you'll know before boarding the eSIM is set up correctly. Don't delete the eSIM profile after installation — reinstallation may not be possible.

Can I use the Vietnam eSIM as a mobile hotspot?

Yes. Hotspot and tethering are allowed on every Vietnam eSIM plan. You can share data with a laptop or a travel partner's phone. Shared data counts toward your plan and its 5 GB daily limit.

Can I make calls and send texts on the Vietnam eSIM?

The ETravelSim Vietnam eSIM is data-only. There are no incoming calls, no SMS, and no Vietnamese phone number assigned. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, iMessage, or Zalo (Vietnam's most popular messaging app) over the data connection. Most hotels, tour operators, and Grab drivers in Vietnam reach you on Zalo or WhatsApp. Keep your home SIM active in your phone for calls to your usual number and to receive banking OTPs, with cellular data turned off on that line.

What happens if I run out of data? Can I top up?

The Vietnam eSIM is one-time use and can't be topped up. When your plan's data or validity runs out, buy a new Vietnam eSIM — the QR code arrives by email within minutes.

Can I get a refund?

Yes, within 5 days of purchase. You get a full refund if the problem is ours (for example, the QR email never arrived or the eSIM has a fault we can't fix). If you ordered by mistake or your phone isn't eSIM-compatible, we refund the amount minus USD 5, as long as the eSIM hasn't been installed or used. See our Refund Policy.