When I landed in Hanoi for my 2025 trip, I promised myself I wouldn’t waste another hour queuing at the airport for a SIM card. On my previous visits, that was always my first task — find a kiosk, hand over my passport, wait for activation, and hope the connection worked. This time, I decided to try a Viettel eSIM. Viettel has the widest coverage in Vietnam, and I wanted to see if an eSIM would really make travel smoother.

Buying and Setting Up

Viettel eSIM

I ordered my Viettel eSIM through GoVnSIM before departure. The process required a quick eKYC step: I uploaded a photo of my passport’s main page, and within ten minutes, I received an email with my QR code. Scanning it on my iPhone took less than three minutes. No paperwork at the airport, no searching for kiosks — just a smooth start. As soon as I scanned the code, my phone showed ‘Viettel LTE.’

What I found useful was that the plan came with 5GB per day, more than enough for my needs. I was able to use hotspot immediately, which meant I could work from cafés without worrying.

Using Viettel eSIM Across Vietnam

Over the next three weeks, I tested the eSIM in real travel conditions. In Hanoi’s Old Quarter, I relied on it to order Grab rides, use Google Maps, and keep in touch on WhatsApp. Even in crowded streets, the signal stayed strong.

On a day trip to Halong Bay, I was surprised to have stable 4G service on parts of the cruise. I sent photos in real time and checked the weather forecast for the next day. This gave me confidence that coverage wasn’t limited to just big cities.

Later, I took the train south to Hue. During the long journey, the connection switched between 4G and 5G, but it never completely dropped. Once in Hue, I walked around the Imperial Citadel using Google Maps without any issue.

In Da Nang, the real test came when I used hotspot for remote work. I spent hours at a riverside café, attending Zoom meetings and uploading large files. The connection handled everything smoothly. Even when I moved to the beach at My Khe, I was still able to browse social media without interruption.

Finally, in Ho Chi Minh City, the eSIM proved essential. I received OTP codes from Grab and Zalo instantly, booked food delivery late at night, and navigated the busy streets with Google Maps. Having reliable internet gave me peace of mind in such a fast-paced city.

Pros and Cons from My Experience

✅ Pros:

– Reliable coverage, even in rural and coastal areas.

– 5GB/day data was generous for my needs.

– Hotspot worked flawlessly for remote work.

– Quick setup via QR code after passport verification.

⚠️ Cons:

– Requires passport verification (adds a small step before activation).

– Data-only plan — no Vietnamese phone number.

– Daily data cap might be limiting for very heavy streamers.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, choosing Viettel eSIM was one of the smartest travel decisions I made. It saved me time, gave me consistent coverage, and allowed me to enjoy Vietnam without worrying about connectivity. For travellers who value convenience and strong coverage, I’d definitely recommend it.

I got my Viettel eSIM through GoVnSIM, and the whole process from purchase to activation took less than ten minutes. If you’re planning your trip, you can explore their Viettel eSIM options here: https://govnsim.com/viettel-esim/

For a straightforward setup and plans, see Viettel eSIM for Vietnam.