How to Get a Vietnam Phone Number as a Tourist: Physical SIM vs. eSIM

An essential part of preparing for a trip to Vietnam is ensuring reliable mobile connectivity. For many travelers, this means getting a local Vietnamese phone number. A local number, identified by the +84 country code, can be invaluable for various daily activities, from navigating cities with ride-hailing apps to communicating with local businesses. This guide explores the two main ways tourists can acquire a Vietnamese phone number: by purchasing a physical SIM card after arriving in Vietnam or by activating an eSIM that includes a local number before departure.

Why a Local Vietnamese Phone Number is Useful for Tourists

Having a local +84 phone number in Vietnam offers several practical benefits that a data-only connection might not provide. It enables seamless interaction with local services and applications, enhancing your travel experience.

• Ride-Hailing Apps: Services like Grab and Xanh SM, Vietnam's prominent ride-hailing platforms, often require a local number for new account registration and SMS verification. While existing Grab accounts registered with your home number might still function, a local number ensures drivers can easily contact you, especially in busy areas or if the pickup location needs clarification. For more on navigating these services, consider our guide on which ride-hailing app to use in Vietnam.
• Zalo Messaging App: Zalo is Vietnam's most widely used messaging application, with over 70 million users. Many local guesthouses, tour operators, and restaurants prefer communicating through Zalo rather than WhatsApp or email. Registering for Zalo typically requires SMS verification with a Vietnamese number.
• Restaurant and Spa Bookings: Outside major tourist hubs, many local businesses still rely on phone calls for bookings and reservations, making a local number highly convenient.
• Food Delivery Services: Apps like ShopeeFood and GrabFood often require a local phone number for delivery confirmation, ensuring your orders reach you without issues.
• One-Time Password (OTP) Codes: For various local services, including some banking applications, verification codes are sent via SMS to a local number. While app-based verification is sometimes an alternative, a local number provides broader compatibility. It's advisable to check specific plan details if you intend to rely on an eSIM for critical app-based verifications.

Option 1: Purchasing a Physical SIM Card in Vietnam

For many long-term visitors and expats, buying a physical SIM card directly from a carrier store in Vietnam is the preferred method. This process typically involves a quick in-person registration and payment.

What You Need for a Physical SIM

To purchase a physical SIM card from an official carrier store, you will generally need:

• Your original passport (a photo or copy is usually not accepted).
• Vietnamese Dong (VND) cash, as many stores may not accept card payments for SIM purchases or top-ups.
• An unlocked mobile phone. Your phone must not be locked to a specific carrier from your home country to accept a new SIM card.

Choosing a Local Carrier: Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone

Vietnam has several major mobile network operators, each with its strengths. The choice often depends on your travel itinerary and priorities.

• Viettel: Often recommended in expat communities, Viettel holds a significant share of Vietnam's mobile market (over 54%). It is known for having the strongest rural coverage. If your travel plans include exploring remote areas such as Ha Giang, Sapa, Phong Nha, or the Mekong Delta, Viettel is generally considered the most reliable option for connectivity.
• Vinaphone: Vinaphone offers competitive plans, sometimes starting at slightly lower prices than Viettel. It provides fast speeds in urban areas and typically includes a local number with its plans. However, its network coverage may thin out more rapidly than Viettel's in very remote regions.
• Mobifone: Mobifone generally performs well within cities. Its coverage can become noticeably less reliable outside major city centers, making it a less ideal choice for extensive rural travel. For more details on Mobifone's offerings, you can refer to our guide on MobiFone SIM cards for tourists.

Typical In-Store Plan Examples (Prices as of September 19, 2026)

When purchasing a physical SIM in-store, you can expect various plans that include a local Vietnamese number. Prices and plan details are subject to change, so it is always advisable to verify them at the store. Here are some examples of plans that have been offered:

• Viettel:
  • 5G60T: Approximately 60,000₫ for 5GB/day, valid for 15 days. Includes a local number.
  • 5G100T: Approximately 100,000₫ for 5GB/day, valid for 30 days. Includes a local number.
• Vinaphone:
  • SD89: Approximately 89,000₫ for 4GB/day plus 50 minutes of calls, valid for 30 days. Includes a local number.
  • SD199: Approximately 199,000₫ for 1GB/day plus calls, valid for 15 days. Includes a local number.
• Mobifone:
  • HVN7: Varies in price for 25GB total data, valid for 7 days. Includes a local number.

All these plans are generally understood to include a local Vietnamese phone number.

Where to Buy a Physical SIM Card

Official carrier stores are conveniently located for tourists:

• Airports: Major international airports, such as Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang International, have carrier counters in their arrival halls.
• City Centers: You can find numerous official Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone stores throughout city centers. These locations often have shorter queues compared to airport counters, especially during peak arrival times. To locate an official branch, search Google Maps for “Viettel store” or “Vinaphone store”; listings with over 200 reviews are typically a good indicator of an established, official branch.

While staff may have limited English, pointing to your passport and phone, along with a printed plan menu usually available on the counter, is often sufficient to complete the purchase. Be aware that top-ups might also be cash-only, even if the initial purchase accepts cards.

Pros and Cons of Physical SIM Cards

Pros:

• Generally the most economical option overall.
• Offers the widest selection of plans from all three major carriers.
• Compatible with any unlocked phone, including older models that may not support eSIM.
• Easy to top up credit at numerous convenience stores (e.g., Circle K, Vinmart) across Vietnam.

Cons:

• Requires in-person registration with your physical passport.
• Can only be purchased after you arrive in Vietnam.
• Airport queues can be lengthy during peak travel periods.
• Some stores may only accept cash payments.

Option 2: Getting an eSIM with a Vietnamese Number Before You Travel

For travelers who prefer to have their connectivity sorted before landing, or who wish to avoid in-person registration and passport requirements, an eSIM that includes a Vietnamese phone number is a practical alternative. It's important to note that not all eSIM plans for Vietnam come with a local phone number; many are data-only. For example, some Viettel eSIM and Skyfi (Mobifone) eSIM plans are typically data-only.

eSIM Plans That Include a Vietnamese Number

Several online providers offer eSIMs that come with a local +84 Vietnamese number. These plans allow you to receive calls and SMS, which is crucial for registering with local apps like Grab and Zalo. The QR code for activation is usually delivered via email shortly after payment.

Based on available information, certain Vinaphone and MobiFone eSIMs are known to include a local number. Additionally, NexaEsim offers a range of eSIM plans for Vietnam, including options from Wintel (Vinaphone) that provide a local number.

Here are examples of eSIM plans that include a voice number, with prices and details as of September 19, 2026. Please note that prices and availability can change.

• Vinaphone (VNPT) eSIMs (as per source information):
  • 7 days, 2GB/day: Approximately $10.90 USD. Includes a +84 number and 1,000 free on-net minutes.
  • 10 days, 5GB/day: Approximately $12.90 USD. Includes a +84 number and 1,000 free on-net minutes.
  • 15 days, 5GB/day: Approximately $14.90 USD. Includes a +84 number and 1,000 free on-net minutes.
  • 30 days, 5GB/day: Approximately $19.90 USD. Includes a +84 number, with options to top up for calls and texts.
• MobiFone eSIMs (as per source information):
  • 10 days, 6GB/day: Approximately $9.90 USD. Includes a +84 number, 100 on-net minutes, and 100 on-net SMS. No top-up option mentioned.
  • 15 days, 5GB/day: Approximately $16.90 USD. Includes a +84 number, 1,000 on-net minutes, 100 off-net minutes, and 50 domestic SMS. No top-up option mentioned.
  • 30 days, 6GB/day: Approximately $19.90 USD. Includes a +84 number and free data for Facebook & YouTube.
• Wintel (Vinaphone) eSIMs from NexaEsim (Voice Number Listed: True):
  • For example, an eSIM Vietnam unlimited data, 3-day plan is available for $2.94 USD. It includes 6GB of high-speed data per day, after which the speed is reduced to 5 Mbps. This plan is listed with a voice number.
  • Another option is an eSIM Vietnam unlimited data, 30-day plan for $10.30 USD. This plan also offers 6GB of high-speed data per day, with speed reduced to 5 Mbps after the daily allowance, and includes a voice number.

These Wintel (Vinaphone) plans operate on the Vinaphone network, offering 4G and 5G technologies. Activation typically starts upon the first network connection at your destination.

eSIM Compatibility

To use an eSIM, your phone must be eSIM-compatible. Most iPhones from the XR model onwards and many flagship Android devices released from 2020 onwards support eSIM technology. It's recommended to check if your specific device is on a full eSIM-compatible device list before purchasing.

Pros and Cons of eSIMs with a Vietnamese Number

Pros:

• Convenience of purchasing and installing the eSIM before you travel, eliminating the need for airport queues or in-person paperwork upon arrival.
• No passport scan or physical registration required.
• Works effectively for essential services like Grab, Zalo, and OTP verification from Vietnamese apps.
• Supports dual SIM functionality, allowing you to keep your home number active alongside your new Vietnamese number.

Cons:

• Generally slightly more expensive than purchasing a physical SIM card directly in-store.
• Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
• While Vinaphone coverage is excellent in urban centers, it may be weaker than Viettel's in deeply rural areas.

Choosing the Right Option for Your Trip

The best choice between a physical SIM and an eSIM largely depends on your travel style, itinerary, and personal preferences. Consider the following scenarios:

For most tourists on short trips primarily staying in urban areas, both options provide reliable connectivity. However, if your itinerary includes extensive travel through Vietnam's rural landscapes, a physical Viettel SIM might offer more consistent coverage. For a detailed comparison, you can explore resources that compare physical SIMs vs. eSIMs in Vietnam.

Essential Steps After Getting Your Vietnam Number

Once you have your Vietnamese SIM or eSIM active, there are a few quick steps to ensure you're fully set up:

1. Find Out Your Number: For Viettel and Vinaphone, you can typically dial *0# to display your assigned Vietnamese phone number. It's a good practice to save this number immediately, as you'll need it for registering with apps like Grab or Zalo.
2. Activate Your Plan (MobiFone Physical SIM Only): If you purchased a physical MobiFone SIM, you might need to manually activate your plan. Dial 900, then press 2. This step is crucial for the plan to function correctly. Viettel and Vinaphone plans usually activate automatically upon connecting to the network.
3. Check Your Data Balance:
   • For Viettel: Send an SMS with “KTTK” to 191.
   • For Vinaphone: Dial *101#.
   • For MobiFone: Dial 0905#.

Both physical SIM cards and eSIMs offer a way to obtain a real +84 Vietnamese phone number. The choice ultimately comes down to your preference for convenience versus cost, and whether you prioritize pre-arrival setup or in-country flexibility.