Prepaid SIM - Vietnam
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
2 euros difference and no hassle with the app, data allowance, etc - I couldn't really care less. But I guess there is a generation now out there, who does everything via an app - to each his own, I guess
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Location: YYZ
Posts: 731
I use Uber regularly in HCMC and never bother to call. I don't get cancelled on either - perhaps that's because I use my overseas number that they don't know how to or are unable to call.
That being said, I always enter the name of a larger restaurant/hotel nearby instead of relying on GPS or street numbers.
The $ difference is probably the least important part, though I am one of those who must have data, so why not save some money? The best part is not having to explain or give directions to drivers whenever I want to visit a small restaurant/cafe/whatever.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Three weeks ago it was easy, they just took a photocopy of the passport's data page, so I guess that's registration. My fav seller (100k VND for a week) ran out of stock so I shelled out 160k at the next kiosk for the same.
Taking into account that my home operator's roaming in SE-Asia costs 12€/MB (no kidding) buying local SIMs is just a non-brainer.
Taking into account that my home operator's roaming in SE-Asia costs 12€/MB (no kidding) buying local SIMs is just a non-brainer.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
How much money am I looking at for a SIM card - need 2 weeks and at least 2 GB data (is WiFi readily available in public areas and/or hotels) and for calling texting, need an incoming number (not data only) and preferably 100 minutes, but both domestic AND international.
Do any companies have nano SIMs available, in HAN?
Also, saw conflicting things when searching in English. Is LTE available in Vietnam?
Do any companies have nano SIMs available, in HAN?
Also, saw conflicting things when searching in English. Is LTE available in Vietnam?
#22
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
How much money am I looking at for a SIM card - need 2 weeks and at least 2 GB data (is WiFi readily available in public areas and/or hotels) and for calling texting, need an incoming number (not data only) and preferably 100 minutes, but both domestic AND international.
Do any companies have nano SIMs available, in HAN?
Also, saw conflicting things when searching in English. Is LTE available in Vietnam?
Do any companies have nano SIMs available, in HAN?
Also, saw conflicting things when searching in English. Is LTE available in Vietnam?
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
What kind of speeds did you get on these 3G SIMs?
Supposedly Viettel has the largest network but heard some people saying Vinaphone is faster? Maybe more congestion on some Viettel towers?
Also supposedly the airport sellers will sell SIMs registered to others but then they get deactivated after 4 days. So some have to go to the shops operated by the companies to get the SIM re-registered and re-activated.
That said, is there any value in getting a SIM with voice, rather than data-only, which seems to be much cheaper, like 120k VND or less versus 200-300k VND for the same amount of data with voice? That is if you don't speak Vietnamese anyways?
Supposedly Viettel has the largest network but heard some people saying Vinaphone is faster? Maybe more congestion on some Viettel towers?
Also supposedly the airport sellers will sell SIMs registered to others but then they get deactivated after 4 days. So some have to go to the shops operated by the companies to get the SIM re-registered and re-activated.
That said, is there any value in getting a SIM with voice, rather than data-only, which seems to be much cheaper, like 120k VND or less versus 200-300k VND for the same amount of data with voice? That is if you don't speak Vietnamese anyways?
#24
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
You can obviously use skype etc. over the data package you have to achieve that though.
And of course, if you might need to accept incoming calls from family/work then it is a no brainer to go for a SIM that have a number, yes it may cost more, but we are still talking about ~10$ or even less
#25
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: IAD/DCA, USA (MD Suburbs)
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, HH Diamond, Fairmont RIP, Hertz Plat, BA Gold
Posts: 1,622
What kind of speeds did you get on these 3G SIMs?
Supposedly Viettel has the largest network but heard some people saying Vinaphone is faster? Maybe more congestion on some Viettel towers?
Also supposedly the airport sellers will sell SIMs registered to others but then they get deactivated after 4 days. So some have to go to the shops operated by the companies to get the SIM re-registered and re-activated.
That said, is there any value in getting a SIM with voice, rather than data-only, which seems to be much cheaper, like 120k VND or less versus 200-300k VND for the same amount of data with voice? That is if you don't speak Vietnamese anyways?
Supposedly Viettel has the largest network but heard some people saying Vinaphone is faster? Maybe more congestion on some Viettel towers?
Also supposedly the airport sellers will sell SIMs registered to others but then they get deactivated after 4 days. So some have to go to the shops operated by the companies to get the SIM re-registered and re-activated.
That said, is there any value in getting a SIM with voice, rather than data-only, which seems to be much cheaper, like 120k VND or less versus 200-300k VND for the same amount of data with voice? That is if you don't speak Vietnamese anyways?
#27
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: IAD/DCA, USA (MD Suburbs)
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, HH Diamond, Fairmont RIP, Hertz Plat, BA Gold
Posts: 1,622
It was about 3GB of data, unlimited sms and I believe 120/min of voice. I was bleary eyed coming off IAD-DOH-SGN so didn't drive a hard bargain! There are several kiosks right out of customs. Tried to buy a sim for my wife's phone but apparently her iPhone was locked to AT&T. I thought both mine and my wife's were unlocked but only mine was. They put the sim in and activated my phone right on the spot. They didn't charge me for the sim they tried with my wife's phone.
On a side note, one thing I learned on our trip is that the exchange rate is the same or even a little better when exchanging cash rather than going to the ATM. I wished I had brought more hard currency rather than rely on the ATM. The max I could get out of an ATM was 3million Dong which is about $140. You then get hit with the ATM fee from your bank and my exchange rate ended up a little under 21,000/$. When exchanging CASH, I got 22,500 Dong/$. They gave even better rates if you had 50s or 100s.
Enjoy your trip! We absolutely loved it.
On a side note, one thing I learned on our trip is that the exchange rate is the same or even a little better when exchanging cash rather than going to the ATM. I wished I had brought more hard currency rather than rely on the ATM. The max I could get out of an ATM was 3million Dong which is about $140. You then get hit with the ATM fee from your bank and my exchange rate ended up a little under 21,000/$. When exchanging CASH, I got 22,500 Dong/$. They gave even better rates if you had 50s or 100s.
Enjoy your trip! We absolutely loved it.
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Thanks, that sounds like the tourist SIM with 3 GB of data for 300k VND:
https://translate.google.com/transla...157f380811f903
https://translate.google.com/transla...157f380811f903
#29
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
On a side note, one thing I learned on our trip is that the exchange rate is the same or even a little better when exchanging cash rather than going to the ATM. I wished I had brought more hard currency rather than rely on the ATM. The max I could get out of an ATM was 3million Dong which is about $140. You then get hit with the ATM fee from your bank and my exchange rate ended up a little under 21,000/$. When exchanging CASH, I got 22,500 Dong/$. They gave even better rates if you had 50s or 100s.