vietnam sim cards

http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Vietnam

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There are 4 major GSM network operators in Vietnam:

ViettelVinaphoneMobifoneVietnamobile

Two further providers are not on the list as Gmobile (formerly Beeline) is on 2G only and S-Fone on incompatible CDMA standard.

Coverage and speeds are quite good for SE Asian standards: 2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz. Viettel and Vinaphone introduced DC-HSPA in 2014, 4G/LTE has not started yet, but is expected to launch in 2016.

In March 2015, a new numbering plan was introduced and all 11-digit mobile numbers will be shortened to 10 digits. As prices are more or less ruled by the state, there is in fact not much competition going on between the operators and rates are pretty much the same amongst them.

To buy a prepaid SIM card, you have to officially show your ID or passport and need to be registered, before the SIM card can be activated. But in practice, this is not really enforced. You don't need to look for branded stores of the operators, but get them at many street outlets and other stores that double as SIM sellers. Just look for a sign saying 'SIM card' or an operator's name. There, they sell SIM cards that are already activated. These cards are new and never used before, but the shops already register them under someone's fake name, so that they don't have to register or take any actions at the time they sell the SIM cards to you. This scheme is still supposed to be safe.

When setting up, better check balance and validity as well as data, if you have bought a package to avoid getting cheated.

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ViettelEdit

Viettel is owned by the Ministry of Defence and thus the Vietnamese army. It's the market leader in Vietnam with about 40% of all customers on its network. It has the best coverage in remote places even on 3G. As prices don't differ so much between the 3 major operators, Viettel should be your first choice when you are going to rural areas.

AvailabilityEdit

SIM cards are available at the airports and lots of shops in town. Recharge cards are widely available in small shops and on the sidewalks. Shop staff is usually happy to try to help when adding credit, even if they don't speak a word of English. Best option is to visit a Viettel store in a bigger city. They speak good English and prepare everything for you, even cutting to nano sim. SIM cards are around 50,000 VND with some credit. Their regular prepaid brand is called Tomato and doesn't come with data. So you have to book a package. Balance check is *101# for main account and *102# for bonus account. To top up by voucher, type *100*<voucher PIN># and <call>. The vouchers can be aquired all around town, just look for the Viettel logo.

Data feature packages Edit

Data on 3G is up to 21.2/5.76 Mbps. You may need to activate 3G data by texting "3G ON" to 161. Type *101# to check your call balance. Default rate outside of packages is 75 VND per 50 KB by default. In the big Viettel stores they can offer you big packages like 20GB for ~200.000 VND. These monthly packages can be booked:

DataPriceActivation to 9123200 MB30,000 VNDMI30500 MB50,000 VNDMI50600 MB70,000 VNDMiMax1.2 GB90,000 VNDMiMax901.5 GB120,000 VNDDmax3 GB200,000 VNDDmax200

The first two packs are hard-capped, overuse is charged by 25 VND per 50 KB. The last 5 packages are soft-capped and speed will be throttled when reached quota. To subscribe, text activation code with blank in between to 9123 for free. All packages auto-renew, if there is credit. To stop, text "HUY" to 191, but all packages will be cancelled immediately and the rest of your data volume will be lost.

Some larger packages can be extended by add-ons giving you more data volume at high speed:

100 MB: 10,000 VND, activation: text "Max10" to 109300 MB: 20,000 VND, activation: text "Max20" to 109500 MB: 30,000 VND, activation, text "Max30" to 109

This additional data is only valid during the monthly cycle of the prepaid package you are on and will expire if not used. You can check your current data balance by sending the text "KTMI" or "KTTK" to 191

Tourist SIM Edit

Viettel introduced a tourist SIM for visitors sold mostly at the airports and their big stores. It's sold for US$ 5 or 10 and needs to be added with one of these plans:

Price (VND)Datadomest. callsinterntl. callsValidity100,0001 GB20 mins10 mins5 days200,0002 GB40 mins20 mins10 days300,0003 GB60 mins30 mins15 days500,0005 GB100 mins50 mins25 days

International calls are to 25 countries only. Data overage charge is 9.76 VND per 50 KB.

One thing to note is that the Tourist Sim does not include SMS texting. To add texting, you need to add a scratch off card to the account to pay for SMS messages.

Data-only SIM: Dcom Edit

Their Dcom service is for Mobile Broadband in 3G: data-only for any devices. It can be used in smartphones too, but doesn't have voice and text. SIM cards can be switched from/to Tomato, but rates are very similar and you should think twice about losing text and voice capability. They sell these monthly data bundles for Dcom only:

DC5: 5,000 VND, 1 GB, for 24 hoursD10: 10,000 VND, 3 GB for 24 hoursDC10: 10,000 VND, 50 MBDC30: 30,000 VND, 200 MBDC50: 50,000 VND, 400 MBDC70: 70,000 VND, 600 MBDC120: 120,000 VND, 1.5 GBDC200: 200,000 VND, 3 GBKM50: 50,000 VND, 3.5 GBDC300: 300,000 VND, 4 GB for 6 monthsDC500: 500,000 VND, 5 GB for 12 months

Daily packages will renew every 24 hours until out of credit. DC10 is the default package, when no other bundle is booked. DC10, DC30 and DC50 are hard-capped with 9.76 VND per MB overuse fee. DC70, DC120, DC200, KM50, DC300 and DC500 are soft-capped and throttled when having reached volume. To activate, text the name of the bundle to 191. All bundles auto-renew. To stop text "HUY" to 191.

More infoEditAPN: v-internetPersonal Hotspot (for iPhone tethering) APN: v-internettswhen starting up, the default PIN code will be 1111.be aware that Viettel sends a lot of advertising SMSTourist Card on Viettel website: Tourist Card infoVinaphoneEdit

Vinaphone is the 2nd operator in Vietnam. It is owned be the governement through the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group. It has a market share of 30% and is local partner of Vodafone. It gives a good coverage and speed throughout the country.

Availability Edit

SIM cards are widely available in shops and street kiosks where you see their logo for around 50,000 VND. Top-ups from 5,000 VND to 500,000 extend SIM life 1 to 215 days available at the same stores. To top up, type *100*<PIN code>#. There are different stater packs called VinaCard or similar. It doesn't make a difference which you choose for data as all have the same data packs.

Data feature packages Edit

You may need to activate data first by texting "GPRS ON" to 888. Speed on 3G is a max. of 14.4 Mbps. Default data rate outside of packages is 1.5 VND per KB. You can book these monthly packages:

Data VolumePriceActivation codeHard-capped packages:50 MB5,000 VNDM10150 MB25,000 VNDM25500 MB50,000 VNDM501.5 GB120,000 VNDM120Soft-capped packages:600 MB70,000 VNDMAX1.2 GB100,000 VNDMAX1003 GB200,000 VNDMAX200

Hard-capped packages will charge for overuse 0.5 VND per KB. Soft-capped packages will throttle speed when reached data quota. To subscribe text "DK"<blank><activation code> to 888. All packages auto-renew. To stop text "HUY" <blank><activation code> to 888. To check data balance, text "DATA" to 888. All texts to 888 are free.

More info EditAPN: m3-worldWebsite mostly in English: http://vinaphone.com.vnMobifone Edit

Mobifone is the 3rd provider in the country with 18% market share. In 2015 it's in the process of privatisation. Speeds and coverage may be good in the centers and around the coast but patchy in the mountains.

Availability Edit

SIM cards are widely available in shops and street kiosks where you see their logo for 50,000 VND. Top-ups from 5,000 VND to 500,000 extend SIM life 1 to 215 days available at the same stores.There are different stater packs called MobiCard or similar. It doesn't make a difference which you choose for data as all have the same data packs.

Data feature packages Edit

You may need to activate data first by texting "DATA ON" to 999. Speed on 3G is a max. of 7.2 Mbps. Default data rate outside of packages is 75 VND per 50 KB.

daily package: 150 MB, 8.000 VND, hard-capped, activation code: D1

Furthermore, you can book these monthly packages:

Data VolumePriceActivation codeHard-capped packages:50 MB10,000 VNDM10150 MB25,000 VNDM25450 MB50,000 VNDM50Soft-capped packages:600 MB70,000 VNDMIU1.5 GB120,000 VNDM1203 GB200,000 VNDBMIU

Hard-capped packages will charge for overuse 25 VND per 50 KB. Soft-capped packages will throttle speed when reached data quota. To subscribe text "DK"<blank><activation code> to 999. All packages auto-renew. To stop text "HUY"<blank><activation code> to 999. To check data balance, text "KT DATA" to 999. All texts to 999 cost 200 VND per SMS.

Tourist SIM Edit

Like Viettel, Mobifone sells Tourist SIM cards called "Happy Tourist". They cost 250,000 VND and come in 2 plans:

Happy Tourist Data (no voice): credit: 3 GB for 30 days, overuse data rate: 9.77 VND per 50 KBHappy Tourist Voice and Data: credit: 1.5 GB and 80.000 VND for 30 days, overuse data rate: 25 VND per 50 KB

The data card can be topped up by 200,000 VND for 3 GB, 300,000 VND for 5 GB or 500,000 VND for 8 GB valid for 30 days. The voice and data card can be tooped up by 200,000 VND for 1.5 GB and 80,000 VND call credit, 300,000 VND for 3 GB and 100,000 VND call credit and 500,000 VND for 5 GB and 200,000 VND call credit all valid for 30 days.

More info EditAPN: m-wapWebsite in English: http://www.mobifone.com.vnto order Mobifone SIM cards online to be shipped abroad for a steep surcharge:www.vietsimcard.comVietnamobile Edit

Vietnamobile is the smallest of the 4 providers. It is privately owned. It gives out the best prices in Vietnam, but their 3G coverage is very limited. It has a market share of around 10% and 3G only in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi and a few other places. So make a network scan before you buy a SIM card.

Availability Edit

In the major towns you have to look for their logo to find an outlet first, as their English online store locator is not working. But, you can try your luck here: [1] Starter kits come in different varieties. Their standard VMOne is for 25,000 VND with 10,000 credit, valid for 30 days. Other kits may be higher with more credit preloaded.

Top-ups are by scratch cards of 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 VND. You get a bonus of 100% for the first 10 recharges of 20k or higher.

Data feature package Edit

You have to enable 3G data by typing *345# <call>. Default rate outside of package is 75 VND per 15 KB. They offer these packages:

Data VolumePeriodPriceActivation120 MB1 day5,000 VNDD1120 MB10 days10,000 VNDD10300 MB30 days25,000 VNDD251.2 GB30 days40,000 VNDD402.2 GB30 days80,000 VNDD803 GB30 days125,000 VNDD1255 GB30 days200,000 VNDD200

Night offer: unlimted data 1am-7am within 7 nights for 10,000 VND. Activation: N10

To activate send text "DK"<blank><code> to 345. All plans auto-renew. To stop send "HUY"<blank<code> to 345. All overuse is charged at the default rate.

More info EditAPN: internetWebsite partly in English: http://www.vietnamobile.com.vn