Best SIM and eSIM in Hanoi, Vietnam (2025 Guide: Viettel, Vinaphone, Airalo & More)

Hanoi, the dynamic capital city of Vietnam. Motorbikes zooming, street vendors yelling. Phở stalls at every corner. I landed in 2025, jet-lagged, craving connection. Not the emotional kind—data. Google Maps to dodge scooters. Instagram to flex those noodle pics. I’ve tested Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone, Airalo, Holafly, even Nomad.

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In Hanoi. In Sapa. Even a random village in Ha Giang. Some worked. Some flopped. Let’s talk SIMs and eSIMs. What’s best? I got you.

Quick Answer: Best SIM and eSIM in Hanoi (For the Impatient)

• Best SIM: Viettel. It’s the champ. Covers Hanoi, Sapa, everywhere.

• Best eSIM: Airalo. Scan a QR code. Done. No fuss.

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I made a table. Tested these myself. Sweated through Hanoi’s humidity to bring you the truth. Prices are 2025, fresh as that morning bánh mì.

Physical SIM Cards: The Hanoi Hustle

Viettel

Viettel’s the boss. Seriously. I landed at Noi Bai Airport. Grabbed a Viettel SIM. Paid $8 for 1GB/day, 30 days. Popped it in. Bam. 5G in Hanoi’s chaos. Took it to Sapa. Still worked. Even in Ha Giang’s mountains, where I got lost. True story. My phone was my lifeline. Viettel’s coverage is insane. Rural villages? No problem. You need a passport to buy. No exceptions. Official stores or airport booths. Done.

Vinaphone

Vinaphone’s cool. I tried it on my second trip. Old Quarter, Hanoi. 4G was snappy. Posted Stories without a hitch. Paid $7 for 1GB/day. Solid deal. But Sapa? Oof. Signal dropped.

I was hiking, needed Maps. Nope. Vinaphone ghosted me. Fine for city slickers. Not for adventurers. Passport needed here, too.

Mobifone

Mobifone’s the budget pick. $6 for 1GB/day. Tempting, right? I thought so. Got one in Hanoi. Worked okay. Old Quarter, no issues. But Ninh Binh? Disaster. Signal was weaker than my coffee. Forget Sapa or Ha Giang. Mobifone’s for urban warriors only. Passport, same drill.

eSIMs: The Future’s Calling

Airalo

Airalo’s my jam. eSIMs are life. No tiny card to lose. I’m clumsy. Trust me, I’d lose it. Downloaded Airalo’s app. Scanned a QR code. $9 for 1GB/day. Hanoi was smooth. Sapa, too. Uses Viettel’s network mostly. Fast 4G, sometimes 5G. Setup took 2 minutes. I was posting lake views while sipping cà phê sữa đá. No stress.

Holafly

Holafly’s the big spender’s choice. Unlimited data. Yeah, unlimited. I paid $14 for 30 days. Hanoi was flawless. Video calls to family. Binge-watched a show in my hostel. Sapa? Slower but worked. $14–20 depending on the plan. Worth it if you’re a data hog. QR code setup, easy peasy.

Nomad

Nomad’s okay. I tried it. $10 for 1GB/day. Hanoi was fine. Old Quarter, no complaints. But Sapa? Dropped calls. Spotty data. I was annoyed. Got lost again. Not fun. Still, it’s online-only. Convenient if you’re prepping before you land.

Ubigi

Ubigi? Skipped it. Heard horror stories. Friends said it’s $12 for 1GB/day. Patchy outside Hanoi. Sapa? Forget it. I didn’t bother. Stick with Airalo or Holafly.

Where to Buy SIMs in Hanoi

Noi Bai Airport

You land. You’re tired. Noi Bai’s SIM booths are right there. Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone. I grabbed Viettel for $8. Took 5 minutes. Showed my passport. Done. Prices are higher than the city—10–20% more. But it’s fast. No haggling. You’re online before you hit the taxi stand.

Old Quarter Stores

Old Quarter’s where it’s at. Official stores, I mean. Viettel on Hang Bong. Vinaphone on Dinh Liet. Mobifone’s harder to find. I got Viettel for $7 here. Cheaper than the airport. But beware. Sketchy vendors lurk. One guy offered me a “Viettel” SIM for $2. Smelled like a scam. I passed. It didn’t work for another tourist. Stick to legit shops. Look for branded signs.

Price Breakdown: What’s the Damage?

• 1GB/day (30 days): Viettel ($8), Vinaphone ($7), Mobifone ($6), Airalo ($9), Nomad ($10).

• Unlimited Data: Holafly ($14–20). Nobody else does this. Perfect for streamers.

• Short-Term (7 days): Viettel ($3), Airalo ($4), Vinaphone ($3.50).

• Pro Move: Buy in the Old Quarter. Airport’s convenient but pricier. I learned the hard way.

Hanoi Airport to Old Quarter: All Transport Options Compared (2025)

Special Tips: Don’t Get Screwed

• Passport’s a Must: Vietnam’s strict. No passport, no SIM. I forgot mine once. Had to go back to my hotel. Wasted an hour. Don’t be me.

• Airport vs City: Airport’s easy. But you pay more. Viettel’s $8 at Noi Bai. $7 in the Old Quarter. Save a buck, walk a block.

• Scam Alert: Old Quarter’s got fakes. I saw a guy sell a “Viettel” SIM. Didn’t work. Poor tourist was pissed. Stick to official stores. If it’s too cheap, it’s trash.

• eSIM Life Hack: Got a new phone? eSIM-compatible? Airalo or Holafly’s your friend. No SIM tray struggles. I dropped a physical SIM in a café. Never again.

• Sapa Test: Going rural? Viettel or Airalo. I was in Sapa, needed data. Viettel saved me. Vinaphone and Mobifone? Nope.

My Hanoi SIM Saga

Okay, story time. First trip to Hanoi, 2025. I land at Noi Bai. Jet-lagged and grumpy. Grab a Viettel SIM at the airport. It was $8. Easy to buy. I’m online, navigating to my hostel. Old Quarter’s chaos hits me. Scooters everywhere. I’m dodging them, using Google Maps. Viettel’s 5G is blazing. I’m impressed. Fast forward, I’m in Sapa and it was fog everywhere. No signal on my friend’s Vinaphone. My Viettel? Still kicking. I’m the hero, sharing my hotspot. Second trip, I try Airalo. eSIM setup’s a breeze. QR code, done. Sapa again and works fine. Not as strong as Viettel, but no complaints. Moral? Viettel for physical. Airalo for eSIM. Don’t mess with Mobifone in the boonies.

Why You Need Data in Hanoi

Hanoi’s not just a city. It’s a vibe. You’re lost in alleys. Eating street food. Booking Grab bikes. You need data. I tried using Wi-Fi only. Big mistake. Cafés have spotty connections. Hostels, too. I missed a Grab ride because Wi-Fi crapped out. Local SIM or eSIM? Non-negotiable. You’re not here to stress. You’re here for phở and vibes.

Rural Vietnam: Does Your SIM Hold Up?

Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Giang. They’re stunning. But remote. I took Viettel to Ha Giang. Worked like a charm. Vinaphone? Struggled in Sapa. Mobifone? Don’t even try. Airalo’s eSIM was decent in Sapa. Holafly, too. If you’re sticking to Hanoi, any SIM works. Going rural? Viettel or bust.

eSIM vs Physical: My Two Cents

Physical SIMs are old-school. Cheap. Reliable. Viettel’s $8 plan is hard to beat. But eSIMs? Game-changer. No tiny card to lose. No SIM tray tool nonsense. I’m clumsy. I lost a SIM in a Hanoi café. Never found it. Airalo’s QR code setup saved me on trip two. eSIMs are pricier—Airalo’s $9 vs Viettel’s $8—but convenient. If your phone’s eSIM-ready, go for it. If not, Viettel’s your guy.

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Scams to Dodge

Old Quarter’s got charm. And scams. Fake SIMs are everywhere. I saw a guy sell a “Viettel” SIM for $2. Too good to be true. It was. Didn’t work. Tourist was fuming. Stick to official stores. Viettel’s on Hang Bong. Vinaphone’s on Dinh Liet. Look for logos. Ask for a receipt. If they hesitate, run.

FAQs

Can I use my Indian SIM in Vietnam?

Tried it. Bad idea. Roaming charges hit like a truck. My bill was $50 for two days. Ouch. Get a local SIM. Viettel’s $8. Airalo’s $9. Save your wallet.

Do Hanoi SIMs work in Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Giang?
Viettel, yes. Everywhere. Vinaphone, okay in Ninh Binh, shaky in Sapa. Mobifone? City only. Airalo and Holafly eSIMs work in Sapa. Viettel’s the safest bet.

Is eSIM better than physical SIM for Vietnam?
Depends. eSIMs are easy. No card to lose. Airalo’s setup is dummy-proof. But Viettel’s physical SIM is cheaper. And stronger in mountains. I’d pick Viettel for rural, Airalo for city.

Which is the cheapest SIM in Hanoi 2025?
Mobifone. $6 for 1GB/day. But coverage sucks outside Hanoi. Viettel’s $8 is worth it. Trust me, I tried both.

What about unlimited data?
Holafly. $14–20. Only one with unlimited. I binged Netflix in Hanoi. No regrets. Perfect for heavy users.

Do I need a passport for a SIM?
Yup. Every time. Forgot mine once. Had to trek back to my hostel. Don’t be that guy.

Final Thoughts

Hanoi’s a whirlwind. You’ll love it. Stay connected. Viettel’s the king for physical SIMs. Airalo’s the eSIM champ. Avoid scams. Save money in the Old Quarter. And don’t skimp on coverage if you’re hitting Sapa or Ha Giang. I’ve been there so many times.  Got questions? I’m here. Let’s chat.

Also read: Guide for Public Transport in Hanoi, Vietnam