The 5 Best eSIMS for Vietnam Travel: Our Experience

We think every digital nomad should experience Vietnam at least once, but if we’re being real, the first time you arrive can be a little overwhelming. Navigating trains, buses, and the famously chaotic traffic is no small feat…and when you do it without any internet connection, it gets even harder.

That’s why we recommend having your Vietnam eSIM bought, prepped, and ready before even arriving in the country. It means you’re connected from the moment you touch down, with high-speed internet, and access to the apps you need to get yourself situated.

These days, there are countless great international eSIM providers, but when it comes to Vietnam, not all plans are made equally. We’ve tested a whole bunch of options, and these are the 5 best eSIMs for Vietnam travel this year.

Easy Vietnam eSIM Comparison Table

	Saily	Holafly	BNESIM	Ubigi
Network	Unspecified	GPC Vinaphone (VNPT)	VNPT, MOBIFONE,VIETTEL	VNPT
Data Options	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or unlimited data	Unlimited	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, 100GB, Unlimited	3GB, 10GB, 50GB, unlimited GB, or 20 GB/month on monthly plan
Prepaid Data Plan Lengths	7 or 30 days	N/A	30 days	7, 15, or 30 days, or monthly
Unlimited Plan Lengths	5, 7, 10, 15, or 30 days	1-90 days	10 days	7, 15, or 30 days
Throttle?	5GB/day without a speed limit	Unlimited data at 5G/4G speeds (with some exceptions)	3GB/day at high speed	Varies on plan
Lowest Data Plan	1GB for 7 days for $3.99	1 day of unlimited data for $3.90	1GB for 30 days for $2.89 (€2.49)	3GB for 15 days for $6.90
Highest Data Plan	Unlimited data for 30 days for $71.99	Unlimited GB for 30 days for $74.90	100GB for 30 days for $46.37 (€39.99) or non-expiring for $52.16 (€44.99)	Unlimited data for 30 days for $54.90
Data Sharing	No hotspot restrictions or limitations	1GB per day	Yes (prepaid data plans only)	Yes
International Number?	No	No	No	No

1. Saily - Best eSIM for All Around Use

As digital nomads, we’ve learned the hard way that cybersecurity cannot be overlooked. Having a great VPN is a non-negotiable, and with Saily, it comes built-in to your eSIM. This isn’t too surprising when you realize Saily was created by the people behind NordVPN, but when you add the other bonus security perks (like the malicious URL and ad blocker, which actually save you data), it's clear just how good these eSIMs are.

And guess what? That’s just one reason that Saily is our top eSIM pick for Vietnam. Beyond cybersecurity, Saily gives you a great range of plan options that cover you from 1GB for a week for just $3.99, up to a whole month of unlimited data at $71.99.

When we tested the eSIM in Vietnam, we were happy to get consistent 5G speeds, plus the setup was a breeze. We also really appreciate the 24/7 live chat customer service that never leaves you hanging (unlike a lot of other eSIM providers).

• Data Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or unlimited data
• Unlimited Data Throttle: 5GB/day without a speed limit
• Extra Perks: VPN, virtual locations, ad blocker, and web safety tools
• Pros: Is both an eSIM and a cybersecurity tool
• Cons: Prices could be more competitive

2. Holafly - Best Unlimited Plans

Listen, we’ve all experienced the pain of an ”unlimited” data plan that hits you with a throttle after a single video call. With Holafly, that worry never needs to cross your mind again. They promise uncapped data at 5G/4G speeds, meaning you get an international unlimited data plan that’s finally actually unlimited.

Holafly is also the only provider in Vietnam we could find that tailors your eSIM plan length literally to the day. That means you won’t have to pay for 2, 3, 5, or even 7 days of data that you don’t need, making the plan ideal for anyone with precise dates for their trip.

Now, we will say, this flexibility is slightly counteracted by the price, as Holafly’s Vietnam unlimited plans tend to work out pricier per day than other options. However, their 17-day plan is definitely going to end up being cheaper than a 30-day plan somewhere else. So, the best option will probably depend on your dates.

• Data Options: Unlimited data plans only (no fixed-data options)
• Unlimited Data Throttle: Unlimited high-speed data
• Pros: Flexible to the exact number of days you need
• Cons: Hotspot limited to 1GB per day

3. BNESIM - Most Budget-Friendly

If you’re looking for the undisputed best eSIM by value in Vietnam, it has to be with BNESIM. Their plans are consistently the cheapest across the board, and in a lot of cases, the price difference is significant (e.g., the 10GB for a 30-day plan is half the price of most competitors).

Their Vietnam eSIM options start as low as $2.89 (€2.49) for 1GB over 30 days, all the way up to 100GB for $46.37 (€39.99) for 30 days. For context, that’s cheaper than every other 30-day unlimited data plan we found in Vietnam, for essentially more data than most people would ever need, zero throttle, and no data sharing caps.

To add another layer of flexibility, BNESIM also has non-expiring options, which means your data has no end date. It only costs a few extra dollars per plan to go from 30-days to unlimited, which we love as digital nomads who often have no idea how long we’re staying in one place.

• Data Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, 100GB, or unlimited data
• Unique Plans: Non-expiring data with 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 50GB, and 100GB options
• Pros: The best value eSIM plans in Vietnam
• Cons: Only one unlimited plan option that doesn’t include data sharing

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4. Ubigi - Best for Long-Term Travel

Ubigi might not have the biggest range of eSIM plans for Vietnam, but in terms of long-term options, it comes out on top. Cutting straight to the chase, Ubigi was the only provider we came across that offers rolling monthly eSIM data plans in Vietnam.

For $19/month, you get 20GB of data with no hotspot cap, and the contract doesn’t require any documentation to buy. There are a few cons, like having to commit to three months minimum, or that you can only buy it through the app (not the website), but if you’re planning to be in Vietnam for at least 90 days, it’s well worth considering.

Ubigi’s 30-day unlimited plan is another great option for long-term travel in Vietnam as it’s very reasonably priced at $54.90…just be aware that Ubigi’s data throttle rules are a bit confusing. Data speeds will be reduced after a certain amount of data use, but that depends on the length of the unlimited plan. On the 30-day plan, you get 60,480MB, for 15-days its 30,720MB, and for 7 days it's 20,480 MB.

• Data Options: 3GB, 10GB, 50GB, unlimited data, or 20GB/month rolling
• Monthly Plan Option: 20GB for $19/month
• Pros: Monthly plan option and a competitively priced 30-day unlimited data plan
• Cons: Confusing data throttling with lower thresholds than other unlimited plan providers

5. aloSIM - Best for Texts and Calling

aloSIM has a little bit of everything. The prices are good, you get a range of prepaid or unlimited data options, and the setup is about as easy as it gets. The reason we really love aloSIM? Every eSIM comes with a free international number.

Trust us, it’s difficult to find an eSIM plan that includes calls and texts in Vietnam, so if this is a priority for you, an aloSIM is what you need. The international phone number is provided by Hushed, comes with $3 of free credits, and will work for calls and texts anywhere on the globe.

Now, one thing to keep in mind is that we’ve found aloSIM’s data speeds aren’t always the fastest in Vietnam. We mostly had 4G or LTE data with much less 5G coverage than with the other providers that we’ve tested.

• Data Options: 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or unlimited data
• Unlimited Data Throttle: 2 GB/day without a speed limit
• Extra Perks: International number included
• Pros: Lots of lower data and shorter unlimited plan choices
• Cons: Limited 5G data in Vietnam

Are Internet Speeds Actually Slow in Vietnam?

We don’t know where the myth came from that data and wifi speeds are slow in Vietnam…but we are happy to squash it. In our experience, there’s consistent 5G data speeds all over the country, especially in the cities. Of course, if you find yourself in a rural village or in the middle of the mountains, those speeds might drop, but that’s the same for anywhere in the world.

And don’t just take our word for it. Vietnam has the 15th fastest mobile speeds in the entire world (and 10th for fixed broadband). So, if you thought getting an eSIM wouldn’t be worth it due to slow connection, you really couldn’t be more wrong.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk of slow connection, but if you keep the following in mind, you shouldn’t have an issue:

• Avoid relying solely on public WiFi in cafés or hotels, as speeds can vary depending on the time of day and how many people are connected
• Choose an eSIM provider with a consistent 5G/4G connection
• Look for eSIMs that work with multiple networks instead of just one
• Check the network coverage map before purchasing, especially if you plan to visit rural areas or islands

At the end of the day, we promise it’s much harder to end up with bad internet in Vietnam than you think.

Vietnam eSIM FAQs

Is it worth getting an eSIM for Vietnam?

We definitely think so. You can get great 5G/4G data at very reasonable prices, plus buying and activating an eSIM is much more convenient than having to go out and buy a physical SIM card.

Which eSIM is best for Vietnam tourists?

In our opinion, Saily has the best eSIM plans in Vietnam. They’re well-priced, offer high-speed data, and provide an extra layer of security when activated.

Is using an eSIM illegal in Vietnam?

No! Using an eSIM in Vietnam has been completely legal since 2020, and is actually recommended by many people as a way to keep you safe and connected when traveling.

Do I need a VPN with a Vietnam eSIM?

While you definitely don’t need a VPN with a Vietnam eSIM, having one is always a good idea as it adds an extra layer of security when you switch over to using public WiFi. If you use a Saily eSIM, it comes built-in with this protection, so you won’t need an additional VPN as well.

Can I get a Vietnam eSIM before I travel?

Yes, you can absolutely get a Vietnam eSIM before you travel, and it’s actually one of the easiest ways to ensure you have reliable data as soon as you land. Most providers let you buy your eSIM in advance, then either activate automatically when you arrive in Vietnam or require a simple manual activation to start working.