By Sumer. Fact-check status: DRAFT, pending verification (partly checked on 2026-10-21; open items are listed under Sources).
Prototype draft. The facts below are marked for verification before publishing.
Staying online is easy in Vietnam, but the rules around registering a SIM are explained differently by different websites. Many guides are written by eSIM sellers with a commercial interest. This guide separates what sources agree on from what you should confirm yourself.
Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone are the three main carriers. Travel sources generally agree that Viettel has the widest rural and mountain coverage, that Vinaphone often has slightly cheaper tourist packages and good urban performance, and that Mobifone is the smallest of the three. In a city such as Hai Phong, any of them should be fine for daily use.
Sources agree that a Vietnamese SIM must be registered to a passport when bought. Sources differ on when the rule started, with one dating it to 2016 and another to July 2024, so we do not state a date. Several sources say airport kiosks register the SIM at the counter. One warns that street vendors may sell unregistered SIMs that are blocked after a few days, so buy from an official shop or a kiosk that scans your passport.
An eSIM avoids the counter queue if your phone supports it and is not locked to another carrier. Sources conflict on registration: one says an eSIM bought online from a reputable provider is already registered, while another says you must still comply with Vietnamese registration rules. We could not find an official source, so ask the provider what identity details they collect before you pay.
For a stay of a few days, an eSIM bought before you fly is convenient. For a stay of weeks or months, a local carrier SIM or package usually gives more data for the price, and you can top it up at carrier shops or in apps. Compare data amount, validity days and whether the plan includes a Vietnamese phone number for delivery apps and calls.
Check that your phone is unlocked, keep your passport with you, and take a screenshot of the plan terms. Be cautious of provider reviews that read like advertising, and confirm the current rules with a carrier shop or the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Sources agree that registration to a passport is required for a physical SIM.
Sources disagree; confirm with the provider.
Viettel is usually described as having the widest coverage; for city use all three work.
Checked 2026-10-21. Items still open: Official rule on eSIM registration for foreign visitors; Date the passport-registration requirement started; Current tourist package prices at the three carriers.
Related: Hai Phong living dashboard