My fascination with Vietnam started in my grandma’s house, whilst studying at the University of Bucharest. It was that time when pirated movies burned on multiple CD’s were getting swapped between students like candies between kids at Halloween. Somehow I got my hands on “The Lover” and I was hooked. The sepia tone the movie was filmed in managed to make me feel the humidity and heat of Vietnam through the screen of my computer, and that old ferry the main characters met on made my mind wonder far, far away. I didn’t find that Vietnam on my first visit to the country. The Saigon I was dreaming about was a huge metropolis with sky scrapers, glass buildings and a different, modern name. Ho Chi Minh City. Disappointing.
Years later, I came back to Saigon. And there I was, deep in the Mekong Delta, on the top deck of a ferry slowly sailing over the river, at sunset. There was that orange tint of the sun setting over the scenery around me, the humidity rising from the water below me, the sounds of birds and frogs, the world slowing down. I’ve learned then that all I had to do to find the Saigon from “L’Amant” was to search a little bit better and get off the beaten path.
Being in the deepness of the delta however, came with a biggish issue. As much as I loved to be in the middle of nature, disconnected from the buzz of modern world, as a business owner, I just had to have access to the internet. During my first trip to Vietnam I was young, just out of uni, on a gap year around the world, by public transport. I had one of the first ever smartphones with me, a Blackberry that could only load web pages in a full black and white browser, with clunky up and down buttons that I had to press tens of times to reach the right link. I used it mostly for emails, Couchsurfing, and Hostelworld. Even so, most of the times I would go to an Internet café to book my onward travel and accommodation. This time though, I was a business owner who couldn’t be off the grid for days at a time. And if you’ve been to Vietnam, you will know that the web is not as free as in everywhere else in the world. Therefore, having an eSIM rather than a local SIM card with unrestricted internet access was essential.
In this article I want to share my experience with having a Sim Local eSIM whilst travelling for 3 weeks around the South of Vietnam, and my recommendations on how to make your trip in this beautiful country seamless.
Why Do You Need an eSIM in Vietnam
When I landed in Ho Chi Minh City this time around, I already knew what to expect: the humidity wrapping around me like a sticky blanket the moment I stepped outside, the constant hum of scooters, and that slightly overwhelming feeling of arriving in a place that moves fast, very fast! Even so, I still got scammed by following a random woman to the taxi rank, which wasn’t the official one. Don’t do like me, and read me article about how to avoid getting scammed at Ho Chi Minh City airport!
What I didn’t want to deal with as well was the usual airport routine of hunting for a SIM card.
I’ve done that before in other destinations. Standing in line, trying to understand different data packages, handing over my passport, finding an ATM which overcharged me because nobody would accept card payments, waiting while someone fiddles with my phone… all while being tired, a bit confused after a 12 hours flight, and just wanting to get to my hotel. It’s not exactly how you want to start a trip in Vietnam.
This time I was ready. I switched off airplane mode, connected to the airport free WiFi network, activate my Sim Local eSIM and within seconds, I was online.
Vietnam has grown to be a very digital country. Calling a Grab, ordering food, finding directions, even paying – all is digital. You DO need to be connected when you explore Vietnam, even if you are backpacking.
eSIM vs a Physical SIM Card in Vietnam
On my first trip to Vietnam I didn’t even dream of having the whole internet in my pocket. Smartphones were just emerging. Who remembers their first one, with a memory capacity of 3 MP3s? Connectivity wasn’t something I depended on constantly, and whenever I needed proper internet access, I would just find an Internet café. But that’s how those times, back in 2010, used to be. It doesn’t really fit the way most of us travel anymore.
Now, being connected isn’t something you plan occasionally but something you rely on all the time. And while you can still buy a local SIM card in Vietnam quite easily, it comes with a bit more friction than you might want at the start of a trip.
You need to find a shop, go through the setup process, and hope that the plan you’re getting actually delivers what you expect. And in a country where internet access isn’t always as open as you might be used to, that choice can make a difference.
With an eSIM, all of that hassle disappears. You set it up before you even leave home, and from the moment you land, you’re connected. No swapping cards, no paperwork, no uncertainty. It’s a much smoother way to start your trip, especially when you know you’ll be moving around a lot, between cities and more remote areas.
My Experience Using a Sim Local eSIM in Vietnam
By the time I reached the Mekong Delta, I had already stopped thinking about my internet connection altogether. Even in that stillness of slowly sailing through the mangroves, the sound of birds around me, the heat and the pressure of the humidity, I was still connected to my business.
I remember checking my emails one evening as the sun was going down, more out of habit than urgency. I wasn’t expecting much, maybe messages loading slowly, maybe attachments refusing to open. But everything came through without any issues. No lag, no interruptions, no frustration.
Over the three weeks I spent travelling through the south of Vietnam, my connection stayed consistent. Using the Sim Local eSIM I knew exactly how much data I was using, as well as how much I had left. As I travelled quite a bit off grid, I was happy to see that the signal stayed pretty much the same throughout the trip. It’s not just about having internet in the big cities. Most providers will give you that. The real difference shows up when you’re further out, when you’re travelling slowly, when you’re in places where WiFi is either weak, unreliable, or just not there. That’s where a good eSIM makes all the difference.
Why I Recommend Sim Local for Vietnam
I’ve tried different options over the years in different countries, and not all eSIMs are created equal. Some are cheaper, some offer “unlimited” data that isn’t quite what it sounds like, and some work perfectly in cities but struggle the moment you step outside them.
Having used Sim Local before, in Morocco and in Canada, I knew I could reply on them for my trip to Vietnam as well.
The setup took just a few minutes before my trip, and once I landed, there was nothing else I needed to do. No extra steps, no confusion, just instant connectivity. But more importantly, it was the consistency that made the difference.
Throughout my time in Vietnam, the connection remained stable, not just in urban areas but also in more remote parts of the Mekong Delta, Phong Nha National Park or rural Da Lat. I didn’t experience those sudden drops in speed or moments where things simply stop loading which, if you’ve travelled enough, you know can happen with some providers.
It also gave me something that I value more and more when I travel: predictability.
I knew what I was getting, I knew it would work, and I didn’t have to think about it again. And when you’re in a place as immersive as Vietnam, that’s exactly how it should be.
Of course, there are other eSIM providers out there, and I’ll go through them in a moment so you can compare your options. But based on my experience, if you want something that simply works from the moment you land until the moment you leave, Sim Local is the one I would go for. I also have a code for you which will give you 15% your first order, if you are planning on buying an eSIM with Sim Local by clicking here and using my code “MYPOCKET” at checkout.
Comparing Sim Local with Other eSIM Providers
I always like to compare before I buy, so here’s how Sim Local stacks up against the other top contenders in the best eSIM for Vietnam category.
| Feature | Sim Local | Airalo | Nomad eSIM | Holafly |
| Data type | Flexible plans | Fixed GB | Fixed GB | Unlimited |
| Starting price | $4.00 / 1GB | ~$4.50 / 1GB | ~$4.00 / 1 GB | ~$4.00 / day |
| Coverage | Strong across Vietnam | Good (Viettel/Mobifone) | Multi-network | Strong (Viettel/Vinaphone) |
| Setup | Very easy | Easy via app | Easy | Easy |
| Best for | Reliability + ease | Budget travellers | Value data users | Heavy data users |
At the end of the day, the “best” eSIM depends on how you travel.
But if your trip looks anything like mine, moving between cities and quieter regions, wanting a connection that just works without constantly thinking about it, then choosing something reliable over simply cheap makes all the difference.
Final Verdict: Which eSIM Should You Choose for Vietnam?
After spending three weeks travelling through southern Vietnam I once again congratulated myself for using a Sim Local eSIM.
On paper, many eSIMs them look similar. Prices are relatively low across the board, typically ranging anywhere between $4–$18 for standard data plans depending on how much you need. But once you’re actually there, moving between places, relying on your phone throughout the day, the small differences start to matter.
That’s why, for Vietnam specifically, I recommend Sim Local.
Not because it’s the cheapest because it isn’t. And not because it promises something unrealistic like “perfect unlimited everything.” But because it offers what actually matters when you’re travelling through a country like Vietnam: reliable coverage, consistent speeds, and complete peace of mind.
I didn’t have to think about my connection once during the entire trip. Not in the city, not on the road, and not in the middle of the Mekong delta. And that, for me, is what makes the difference between a good option and the right one.
If your trip is short, your data usage is minimal, and you’re happy to manage everything closely, then yes, there are cheaper alternatives. But if you want to arrive in Vietnam already connected, move around freely without worrying about signal or limits, and focus on experiencing the country rather than troubleshooting your internet, then Sim Local is the option I would choose again without hesitation. Click here to check out the current plans for Vietnam eSIMS.
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