Is it better to pay cash or card in Vietnam?
Should you pay with cash or card in Vietnam? A handy guide including cash etiquette, Vietnamese ATMs and using your UK card.
How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Vietnam?
If you’ll be travelling to Vietnam soon, you’re probably in the middle of packing and planning your adventures. However, another practical thing you should think about is how you’ll be getting around and communicating while you’re there.
To make the most out of your trip, consider swapping your UK SIM for a Vietnam SIM card. This will help you avoid additional expenses and also allow you to use translation apps and maps without having to search for Wi-Fi.
Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise. It can help you get ready for your stay in Vietnam and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.
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Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to Vietnam from the UK?
Using a Vietnam SIM card during your vacation is a great way to save money. International calls or data usage usually aren’t included in UK monthly plans and they’re an extra expense. So, better to have a Vietnam SIM card than to get charged extra by your provider for using your phone abroad.
Another reason is that having a local SIM makes it easier to stay in touch with friends and family. You’ll have better network coverage and be connected all day long, since you won’t have to rely on Wi-Fi. Also, having a Vietnam SIM card will allow you to use translation apps and maps whenever you need to, which is essential when travelling.
If you’re still not entirely convinced, you could rely on international roaming instead. Various networks, such as VOXI or Virgin Mobile, have global roaming packages that include Vietnam. Others, like Tesco Mobile, Sky or Three, will have you pay roaming charges as you go.
How much does a SIM card cost in Vietnam?
SIM cards are very cheap in Vietnam. There are plenty of different options and the price usually depends on the amount of data included in the plan. For as little as £2, you can get enough data to comfortably use whenever you need to throughout your trip.
When it comes to eSIMs, they’re slightly more expensive on average, but you can still find a decent deal for a few pounds. However, they’re very affordable compared to international roaming expenses.
How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Vietnam?¹
Buying a Vietnam SIM card isn’t complicated, nor is it hard to find a selling point. You can find them at official mobile provider stores or at various retail chains. You can even order one online and have it delivered to your address.
Cellphone S, FPT and The gioi di dong are some of those stores that sell SIM cards. When it comes to official providers, the biggest ones are Viettel, VinaPhone, Vietnamobile and MobiPhone.
When buying a SIM card, make sure you ask them about the payment methods they accept. You’ll probably be able to pay with your credit card or debit card, but it could also be a cash-only store.
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Where can you buy a SIM card for Vietnam in the UK?
If you decide to buy a Vietnam SIM card in the UK, you won’t have many options and they will be expensive. For example, SimCorner sells two Vietnam SIM cards and both have 6 GB of data. One is valid for 15 days and it costs £24², while the other will last you 10 days and it costs £14 at the moment³.
Can you buy a Vietnam SIM card at the airport?⁴
Yes, you can buy a local SIM card as soon as you touch down in Vietnam. This way, you’ll avoid using international roaming and have coverage from the first day.
For example, if you’ll be landing at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, you’ll be able to find various mobile operators there, such as Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone and Vietnamobile.
Best prepaid SIM cards for Vietnam
Here are some of the best SIM card options for a vacation in Vietnam.
Viettel⁵
One of Vietnam’s biggest providers has three unlimited data SIM card plans for tourists - Tour60, Tour100 and Tour200. Their prices are approximately £2, £3 and £6.
Tour60 has a 15-day validity period and it includes 5 GB of high speed internet. Tour100 and Tour200 have 30-day coverage and they also include some domestic and international minutes. Calls to the UK are not included, but you can call the following countries: China, Korea, USA, Hong Kong, Russia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
MobiFone⁶
MobiFone is another popular operator, which means they have expansive coverage across Vietnam. Their best offer for tourists is the HP2 plan, known as the Happy Tourist plan.
The package will last you 30 days and it costs around £3. It includes 8 GB of data, as well as 40 minutes of calls, both domestic and international.
VinaPhone⁷
VinaPhone has a variety of 30-day SIM packages that automatically get cancelled if you don’t pay for the next month. For example, their YOLO90 deal has 1.5 GB of data per day and it costs just under £3.
Best e-SIM cards for Vietnam
Getting an eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected in Vietnam. You can even get one before leaving the UK, as long as you activate it when you arrive.
The most important thing is to make sure your phone is compatible with eSIMs. And if it is, here are some of the best eSIM cards for Vietnam.
Airalo⁸
At Airalo, you can choose between plans made for Vietnam, regional plans and eSIMs with global coverage.
There are 6 different Vietnam plans. The first one is valid for 7 days, the second one for 15 days and the remaining 4 have a 30-day validity period.
The prices start at $4.50 for the shortest plan with 1 GB of data, followed by $7 for 2 GB. The 30-day plans have 3, 5, 10 and 20 GB of data each. The prices are the following, in the same order: $9.50, $13, $21 and $32.
If you plan on visiting multiple Asian countries on your trip, a regional eSIM might be a good option. Airalo’s Asia plans are valid for 7, 30, 90 and 180 days. The most affordable plan costs $5 for 1 GB of data, while the 3-month regional eSIM with 100 GB of data will set you back $185.
Viettel⁵
Viettel’s tourist SIM card plans Tour60, Tour100 and Tour200 also come in eSIM form. The prices and features are the same with regular SIM cards and eSIMs. So, £2, £3 or £6 for unlimited data and some extra perks.
Holafly⁹
Holafly eSIMs have unlimited data that you can share via hotspot. This is a convenient choice for everyone travelling with a group of friends, since all of you can share one data plan.
The prices start at £5 per day, but the price deal gets better as the number of days grows. So, if you plan on staying in Vietnam for a week, you’ll pay £23 and if you’re on a 15-day trip, your eSIM will cost £40.
Spend like a local in Vietnam with Wise
While you’re picking a Vietnam SIM card for your trip, you’ll also want to check out options for holiday spending.
The Wise card, from the money services provider Wise, is a convenient choice. Order a card for a one-time fee of £7, and you can spend and withdraw like a local in Vietnam and 150+ more countries. You can also send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation, or the like while still in the UK.
With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.
Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.
Sources used:
- Luma Health - Best SIM card in Vietnam for tourists
- SimCorner - Vietnam Travel Sim Card (6GB | 15 Days)
- SimCorner - Vietnam Travel Sim Card (6GB | 10 Days)
- Vietnam eSIM - Noi Bai Hanoi Airport SIM card
- Viettel - Tourist SIM card
- Vin Wonders - Vietnam SIM card for tourists
- VinaPhone - YOLO90
- Airalo - Vietnam eSIM
- Holafly - Vietnam eSIM
Sources last checked on date: 11-July-2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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