Viettel and friends:
Vietnam networks & the +84 number

Three state carriers, 80%+ of the market

Vietnam's mobile market is refreshingly simple to read: Viettel, VinaPhone, and MobiFone — all state-owned — are reported to hold more than 80% of it between them. VinaPhone, the number two, is the mobile brand of the state telecom group VNPT. Whatever travel eSIM you buy, it will connect through one of these three networks.

Choosing a Vietnam eSIM is therefore really a question of which network your plan rides. In Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Nang, all three are fast and comfortable. The further your itinerary strays from the cities, the more the network choice starts to matter.

5G: why "Viettel 5G" is on every listing

Commercial 5G service is live in Vietnam, and "Viettel 5G" has become a keyword sellers like to put on their listings. Among the plans on this site, Airalo's Vietnam eSIM advertises 5G on the VNPT network. Keep expectations realistic, though: 5G coverage is still expanding city-first, and whether you actually get 5G depends on where you stay and which bands your phone supports. If 5G is your reason for choosing a plan, confirm the coverage and conditions on the official site — and know that 4G in the cities is perfectly usable anyway.

The +84 local number option

Beyond data-only plans, some Vietnam eSIMs come with a local phone number starting with +84. That number earns its keep in three places: Grab (drivers often call to confirm pickup), Zalo (Vietnam's dominant messaging app), and restaurant or spa bookings made by phone. Simply being able to answer a driver's call makes getting around noticeably smoother.

On this site, the Vietnam specialist store GIGAGO lists 11 plans that include a +84 number — and the fine print differs by network. Vinaphone-network plans are receive-only, while MobiFone-family plans include calling minutes (30 to 1,000 minutes, depending on the plan). So pick by whether you only need to answer calls or also want to make them, and check the exact minute conditions on the official site.

Which network do our listed sellers ride?

Here's how the Vietnam plans listed on this site map to networks (accurate as of listing; subject to change):

• GIGAGO (Vietnam specialist): shows the network per plan — Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone, or Skyfi. Its unlimited plans run on Wintel, a Vinaphone-family MVNO. Viettel-network plans are available for travelers heading beyond the cities.
• Airalo (global): VNPT network, with 5G.
• Nomad (global): MobiFone, Vinaphone, and Vietnamobile networks.

If Sapa, Ha Giang, or Phu Quoc is on your route, a plan explicitly labeled Viettel buys real peace of mind. If you're staying in the cities, pick by data and price — any of the three networks will treat you well.

"N GB per day" vs. "N GB total": how to compare

Local Vietnamese sellers price plans as daily allowances — "3GB/day," "5GB/day" — while global brands mostly sell a total pool, like "5GB for 30 days." The two formats aren't comparable until you convert: daily allowance × trip days = total equivalent. A "7 days, 3GB/day" plan works out to about 21GB total. Daily plans reset every morning, which is reassuring if you can't predict your heavy days; total-pool plans suit steady, lighter usage. Rule of thumb: unpredictable video and hotspot days favor per-day plans, maps-and-messages trips favor a small total pool.

Choosing a Vietnam eSIM in 4 steps

1. Write down your routeCities only? Any network works. Sapa, Ha Giang, or Phu Quoc on the list? Shortlist Viettel-network plans.
2. Decide whether you need a +84 numberYes for Grab calls and phone bookings; add MobiFone-family minutes if you'll dial out. Not recommended for SMS verification alone.
3. Convert data allowances to totalsMultiply "GB per day" by your days to compare against total-pool plans, then match to your trip length and habits.
4. Install before you flyQR codes arrive by email — add the eSIM over home Wi-Fi, then activate it after landing in Vietnam.

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