Internet in Vietnam: SIM card, eSIM and what changed in April 2026
The easiest way to get online in Vietnam is a local SIM or eSIM from Viettel, MobiFone, VinaPhone or Vietnamobile. SIMs are registered to your passport at an operator store; since 15 April 2026 subscribers are verified by face. eSIMs are sold on Viettel's site and in MobiFone's app.
The easiest way to get online in Vietnam is a local SIM card or eSIM from one of four operators — Viettel, MobiFone, VinaPhone or Vietnamobile. You buy a SIM at an operator store with your original passport, and the key thing is that it's registered to you. Since 15 April 2026 Vietnam verifies subscribers by face, and a SIM registered to someone else may stop working. Tourist eSIMs are sold by Viettel at tourist.viettel.vn and by MobiFone through the Hi Vietnam app.
| Option | Where | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM at an operator store | Viettel, MobiFone, VinaPhone, Vietnamobile in every city | original passport | almost everyone, especially long stays |
| Viettel eSIM | tourist.viettel.vn | passport photo | phones that support eSIM |
| MobiFone eSIM | Hi Vietnam app | — | phones that support eSIM |
| SIM at the airport or from a reseller | kiosks, sellers | — | a couple of weeks; often not registered to you |
Where can you buy a SIM card in Vietnam?
The safest place to buy a SIM card in Vietnam is an operator store — Viettel, MobiFone, VinaPhone or Vietnamobile — where it's registered to your passport on the spot. Bring your original passport; staff usually ask about your visa or residence card too. Every city has stores — addresses are in our city guides: Nha Trang, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Hoi An, Da Lat, Mui Ne.
What changed with SIM cards in April 2026?
Since 15 April 2026 new subscribers in Vietnam are verified by face, and existing SIMs go through re-verification. A foreigner with a passport-registered SIM must visit an operator store in person with the passport and the SIM; if you don't, outgoing calls are cut first and then the SIM may be disconnected. These rules are in Ministry of Science and Technology Circular No. 08/2026/TT-BKHCN of 31 March 2026.
Is there an eSIM for tourists in Vietnam?
Yes: Viettel sells tourist SIMs and eSIMs at tourist.viettel.vn — you'll be asked for a passport photo — and MobiFone offers an eSIM through the Hi Vietnam app. Viettel also has tourist SIMs with a delayed start: buy ahead and the package activates on the day you arrive. Check that your phone supports eSIM before buying.
Should you buy a SIM at the airport or from a reseller?
An airport or reseller SIM is fine for a short trip, but if you're in Vietnam for more than a couple of weeks, get your own at an operator store. Such SIMs are often registered to someone else, and after the 2026 subscriber checks they may be cut off. A city store registers the SIM to you on the spot.
FAQ
How do you get internet in Vietnam? Buy a local SIM at a Viettel, MobiFone, VinaPhone or Vietnamobile store, or an eSIM on Viettel's site or in MobiFone's app.
What do you need to buy a SIM in Vietnam? Your original passport. The SIM must be registered to you.
Is there an eSIM in Vietnam? Yes: Viettel (tourist.viettel.vn) and MobiFone (Hi Vietnam app).
What is the face check for SIMs? Since 15 April 2026 subscribers are verified by face; foreigners visit a store with their passport and SIM.