SIM card in Ho Chi Minh City: operator stores, documents, eSIM
Where a foreigner can get a SIM in Ho Chi Minh City, which documents are needed, whether the airport sells SIMs, how eSIM works and what to do if a SIM is blocked.
A foreigner gets a SIM in Ho Chi Minh City on a passport, at an operator's store or through its app before arrival. In District 1 (Quận 1) we confirmed the official MobiFone store (101 Trần Hưng Đạo) and the Vietnamobile store (98 Tôn Thất Tùng) from the mobile and SIM section. The key rule since 15 April 2026: the number is registered to your passport and checked against your face, or it is switched off.
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Where can I buy a SIM in Ho Chi Minh City?
At the stores in the mobile and SIM section. MobiFone is at 101 Trần Hưng Đạo near Phạm Ngũ Lão: the operator's own page gives weekdays 7:30 to 20:00 and weekends 8:00 to 17:00 (checked 25 October 2026). Vietnamobile is at 98 Tôn Thất Tùng near Bến Thành Market: the address is on the operator's site, but the page gives no hours, so check opening time on the day. VinaPhone has a service centre at 80 Nguyễn Du, listed by CellphoneS (21 July 2026); we found no official VinaPhone page for it, so check it on the map or call before going.
Can I buy a SIM at Tân Sơn Nhất airport?
We found no confirmation. Official operator and airport pages do not describe SIM counters, and blogs and shops that mention arrivals-hall counters are not a source. Do not count on a counter: install an eSIM beforehand or buy a SIM at a store in the city.
What documents does a foreigner need?
An original passport with a valid visa or a permitted visa-free stay. This is Circular 08/2026/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology, in force since 15 April 2026 (LuatVietnam). The operator matches the document number, full name, date of birth and a face image against the national entry-exit database. Without that electronic check, a passport holder registers in person at the operator's point or in its app.
Can I order a SIM before I arrive?
Yes, Viettel has a tourist SIM order form at tourist.viettel.vn. It asks for a photo of the passport's front page, a portrait photo and an email address. The page does not say how you receive the SIM, so ask the operator before you fly.
How does a tourist get an eSIM?
MobiFone issues eSIMs in its Hi Vietnam app (MobiFone, 18 March 2026). The steps: download the app, choose a language, register, upload a passport photo, pass the electronic identity check, join a video call and add an e-signature. After installing the eSIM, call 900 to activate it. Paid packages are paid with a Visa or Mastercard (for money in the city see the banks section). The phone must support eSIM; check the terms on the day in the app.
What changed on 15 April 2026?
Every number must be checked against a document and your face. Operators had to notify holders of foreign SIMs registered on a passport before April and re-verify them within 60 days of the circular taking effect. Those who do not pass lose outgoing calls and SMS first. If there is still no check, incoming service is cut too, and after 5 more days the operator may terminate the contract (LuatVietnam). If you bought your SIM long ago, visit an operator store and make sure the number is verified.
What if I change my phone?
Since 15 June 2026, if a SIM is put into a different phone, the operator within 2 hours cuts outgoing calls and SMS and asks for a face check. You have 30 days, after which service can be cut entirely (LSVN, 3 June 2026). The check is not needed if the number was registered through a level-2 VNeID account or a chip CCCD card, which tourists usually do not have. So install the eSIM on the phone you will actually use.
What if my SIM stopped working?
The number may have failed the check, or you changed phones. Take your passport and SIM to your operator's store and repeat the face check. If no store is near, you can do the check in the operator's app.
Also on the topic: Russian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City: Booking, Hours, Lost Passport.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy a SIM in Ho Chi Minh City? Yes, on a passport at an operator's store. We confirmed MobiFone and Vietnamobile stores in District 1.
What documents do I need? An original passport with a valid visa or visa-free entry. The number is checked against the document and your face.
Is there a SIM counter at Tân Sơn Nhất airport? We found no confirmation: install an eSIM beforehand or buy a SIM in town.
Is there an eSIM for tourists? Yes, MobiFone issues eSIMs in the Hi Vietnam app. You need a passport, the electronic check and a Visa or Mastercard for paid packages.
Can I order a SIM before arriving? Yes, Viettel has a tourist order form at tourist.viettel.vn. Ask how you receive it before you fly.
What if my SIM was blocked? Take your passport and SIM to the operator's store and repeat the face check.
When is the MobiFone store on Trần Hưng Đạo open? Per the operator's site: weekdays 7:30–20:00, weekends 8:00–17:00. Check on the day of your visit.
Sources and checks
MobiFone store: the operator's page (25 Oct 2026). Vietnamobile: the operator's contact page (25 Oct 2026), no hours on it. VinaPhone, 80 Nguyễn Du: CellphoneS list (21 Jul 2026) and the VietGid card with Google Maps; no official operator page found. For official operator stores, one source is enough for us: they serve tourists. Subscriber verification rules: the text of Circular 08/2026/TT-BKHCN on LuatVietnam (some sections of the page are closed); the phone-change rule: LSVN (3 Jun 2026). Viettel tourist SIM: tourist.viettel.vn. MobiFone Hi Vietnam app and eSIM: MobiFone article (18 Mar 2026). SIM sales at Tân Sơn Nhất airport are not confirmed by official sources. We do not list the Viettel Store at 151A or the VinaPhone point at 21 Điện Biên Phủ: they are ordinary points of sale, not official stores. We publish no tariffs or packages. Updated 25 October 2026.