Buying a SIM in Vietnam does not always end the verification process. Under Vietnam’s 2026 telecom rules, one provision applies from 15 June: when a number is moved to a different phone, the carrier must, within 2 hours at the latest, suspend outgoing calls and SMS and require facial re-verification. This guide explains how foreigners can get a Vietnamese phone number, split into two routes: short-stay visitors and longer-term residents.
The short answer: for a short trip where you only need data, a tourist SIM or eSIM will do, but ask before buying whether it comes with a Vietnamese number and SMS. If you will stay longer or tie the number to banks and other accounts, use your own passport to get a regular prepaid or postpaid number at an official carrier location, and plan how to keep it alive. Either way, ask how re-verification works before you change phones.
This guide answers:
- What do you need to buy a SIM or eSIM as a visitor, and how do Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone plans differ?
- How do the documents differ for long-term prepaid and postpaid numbers?
- Can a data-only eSIM receive verification codes, and do banks, VNeID and Grab need a Vietnamese number?
- How do you keep a number if you leave Vietnam for a few months, and what should you know about roaming on your home number?
Key Points
- Who should read this: visitors to Vietnam for travel, family visits or property viewing, and people who will work, live, rent or buy property in Vietnam and want a Vietnamese number for banks and apps.
- Documents: foreigners registering a number must use a passport that is valid for the period of their visa or visa-exempt stay, or a legally established electronic identification account. Carriers list different documents for tourist SIMs, prepaid and postpaid.
- Verification before activation: from 15 April 2026, a carrier can provide service on a new number only after registration data has been completed and verified.
- Changing phones: from 15 June 2026, you must redo facial verification after changing devices. If you do not, the number can go from outgoing-only suspension to termination of service.
- Tourist plan prices: Viettel’s November 2025 guide lists plans from VND 150,000 for 30 days (SIM not included). MobiFone’s official Travel page (checked October 2026) lists VND 150,000 for 10 days and VND 250,000 for 30 days. Confirm that a plan is still on sale before you plan around it.
- Keeping a number: the end of a data pack and the end of a number’s validity are two different things. For example, on MobiFone’s MobiQ, 60 days without a top-up or paid transaction starts the suspension process.
First, Which Kind of User Are You?
Your route depends on how long you stay and what you need the number for.
| Your situation | Suggested route | Confirm first |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip, data only | Tourist SIM, eSIM, or roaming on your home number | Number of days, data allowance, whether tethering is allowed |
| Short stay, but you need bank or platform verification codes | Keep your home number on roaming, or buy a plan that includes a number and SMS | Whether SMS arrives, and whether roaming must be enabled first |
| Mid-length stay, independent travel | Regular prepaid number | Rules for keeping the number; passport and visa or temporary residence card |
| Long-term work or business | Regular prepaid or postpaid number | Postpaid documents, contract term, how to cancel when you leave |
VNPT Hanoi’s comparison table divides users the same way: tourist SIMs for short-stay visitors, prepaid for mid-length visitors and independent travelers, and postpaid for experts, long-term workers and business people.
Comparing Plans (Checked October 2026)
The plans differ in data allowance, validity and whether they include calls and SMS.
| Plan | Type | Data and validity | Calls and SMS | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viettel 5G150T (November 2025 guide) | Tourist plan | 5 GB per day, 30 days | Not listed in the plan table | VND 150,000, SIM not included | The official guide mentions the international arrivals hall |
| Viettel 5G180H (November 2025 guide) | Tourist plan | 5 GB per day, 30 days | 30 minutes on-net, 15 minutes off-net | VND 180,000, SIM not included | The official guide mentions the international arrivals hall |
| MobiFone free eSIM | eSIM for arriving visitors | 10 GB, 24 hours | Data only; calls or SMS need an FR10 or FR30 add-on | Free, one per valid passport | Register on the official Travel page, or by QR code in the airport arrivals area |
| MobiFone FR10 | Tourist eSIM | 50 GB, 10 days | 70 minutes of domestic calls | VND 150,000 | Official Travel page |
| MobiFone FR30 | Tourist eSIM | 150 GB, 30 days | 200 minutes of domestic calls | VND 250,000 | Official Travel page |
| MobiFone MobiQ | Regular prepaid SIM | Data pack of your choice | Depends on the plan | New-line package VND 50,000 (SIM 25,000, activation 25,000, VAT included) | Confirm at an official MobiFone location |
A few things to note when reading the table:
- Viettel’s table comes from a guide dated 20 November 2025. Other parts of that guide do not match its plan names and table, and the plan fees do not include the SIM price. At purchase, rely on the plan code and total price shown in store or on the current page.
- MobiFone’s plans and prices come from its official Travel page (checked October 2026). FR10 and FR30 can be paid for with Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express.
- VinaPhone’s Tourist SIM has only older data to go on. A 2019 guide lists VND 199,000, 15 days, 1 GB per day, with the SIM cancelled automatically after 15 days. That does not mean the same plan is sold in 2026, so ask at an official location what is on sale now.
- Check which direction a “tourist SIM” works in. Some “tourist SIM” content on VinaPhone’s website is about Vietnamese numbers roaming abroad, which is different from the card an arriving visitor needs.
For Visitors: What to Do
Step 1: Decide on an eSIM or a physical SIM before you leave. First confirm your phone supports eSIM. An eSIM is only a card format; whether it comes with a phone number depends on the plan, and you cannot tell from the name.
Step 2: Prepare your documents. Bring your passport and confirm it is valid for the length of your visa or visa-exempt stay. VNPT Hanoi lists the documents for a tourist SIM as a passport plus a visa or entry stamp. Zagdim recommends also keeping the approval documents saved on your phone if you have an e-visa.
Step 3: Choose where to buy.
- Viettel: the official guide mentions the international arrivals hall.
- MobiFone free eSIM: there are two routes. If you hold an e-visa, register before arrival on the official Travel page or through the link in your e-visa result email, entering your email, passport number, e-visa application number and expected arrival date. Other visitors scan the QR code on posters or leaflets in the airport arrivals area after landing and photograph their passport to complete verification. After installing the eSIM, dial 900 on arrival to activate it. If registration is not completed within 24 hours of dialing 900, the number is suspended, and it is restored once registration is complete. Visitors who entered visa-free should take the airport route and not enter a made-up e-visa number just to get through the form.
- VinaPhone: ask at an official carrier store after arrival where its current tourist card is sold.
Step 4: Confirm verification is complete. A new number must have its registration data completed and verified before the carrier can provide service. Electronic verification for foreigners compares the personal identification number, name, date of birth and facial data against Vietnam’s national entry and exit database. If you use your passport through another verification route, you must go to a fixed service point run or authorized by the carrier.
Zagdim recommends that once you have the card, you check on the spot that the number is registered under your own passport details, then try going online and receiving a text.
For Longer-Term Residents: What to Do
A longer-term resident needs a number that lasts and can be tied to accounts. That takes more documents than a tourist SIM, and carriers describe them differently.
| Type | Documents listed by VNPT Hanoi | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist SIM | Passport plus visa or entry stamp | Short-stay visitors |
| Regular prepaid | Passport plus valid visa or temporary residence card | Mid-length visitors, independent travelers |
| Postpaid | Passport plus long-term temporary residence card plus labor contract | Experts, long-term workers, business people |
For foreigners living in Vietnam who apply for a long-term prepaid or postpaid eSIM, Viettel’s eSIM FAQ lists a passport as the document. That short answer does not mention visa, residence or deposit requirements, so Zagdim recommends not assuming you can get a postpaid plan if you hold a short-term visa, and asking at a store which type your visa allows.
Some questions long-term residents often have:
- How many numbers can one passport register? Under the regulation, for the first 3 prepaid numbers with each carrier you show your document and sign a confirmation, and from the 4th you must sign a standard contract at a fixed service point set up by the carrier. This is not the same as a legal maximum of 3, and individual carriers or their remote channels may set their own limits.
- Can a tourist card be converted to a long-term plan? Ask each carrier. A regular prepaid number being convertible to postpaid does not mean a tourist card can be, and buying extra data is not the same as completing a conversion.
- Want to switch carriers and keep the number? A directly issued number must have been active for 90 days before you can apply to port it. A postpaid number must have its arrears cleared, with current-period charges not above VND 500,000, and no dispute over rights to the number and no breach of contract.
After You Get the SIM, Do You Need to Re-Verify When You Change Phones?
Yes. Under Article 8 of Circular 08/2026, when a number is used on a different device, the carrier must suspend the outgoing direction of service and notify you to redo facial verification. This article applies from 15 June 2026, while the rest of the circular took effect on 15 April.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Within 2 hours of the device change at the latest | The carrier detects the change, suspends outgoing calls and SMS, and requires re-verification |
| Within 30 days of the outgoing suspension | The user must complete re-verification |
| If not completed by then | Two-way suspension, with notice that service will be terminated |
| 5 days after two-way suspension, still not completed | Contract and service are terminated |
These time limits are specific to the device-change procedure. They are separate from the verification required before a new card is activated, and they cannot be treated as a grace period for all unverified SIMs. The 30-day and 5-day timeline is stated to apply to numbers used for person-to-person communication.
For example, a foreign resident of Ho Chi Minh City moves their Vietnamese number to a new phone. Zagdim recommends that they watch for the carrier’s notice, complete facial verification in the first stage, and ask before changing phones which method the carrier uses to re-verify a passport-registered number.
What this means for you:
- Visitors: Zagdim recommends putting the card into the phone you will use before activating it, and avoiding moving it to another phone during your trip.
- Longer-term residents: Zagdim recommends asking the carrier about the verification method before changing phones, and, if the number is linked to a bank, avoiding changing phones when you urgently need to make calls or send texts.
Receiving Verification Codes: Do Banks, Government and Ride-Hailing Need a Vietnamese Number?
The answer depends on the service, and different features at the same bank may differ.
| Service | What the current source says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | HSBC Vietnam’s Digital Secure Key activation code can be sent to a Vietnamese or international number registered with the bank; this applies only to that service | Account opening, OTP and Smart OTP are separate procedures, so ask your bank about each |
| Government VNeID | A government explanation dated 28 September 2026 says accounts using a number that is not the user’s own may be locked | This is a reminder for general users; for how it applies to a foreigner’s account, ask the handling office, and do not use a number registered in someone else’s name |
| Ride-hailing, delivery | Grab Vietnam’s terms effective 22 July 2026 include a Traveller User category for accounts created outside Vietnam and used in Vietnam | Register with your home number and test receiving a code before you leave; test other delivery apps yourself |
What does a data-only eSIM not receive? A data-only plan provides no SMS or calls, so that card cannot receive SMS verification codes. Singtel’s hi! Tourist eSIM in Singapore, for example, is explicitly a data-only product.
Does a tourist card with a Vietnamese number get you through? Not necessarily. There is no general guarantee that a tourist card can be linked to a particular bank or government app, so Zagdim recommends asking the service before linking an important account.
Using Your Home Number in Vietnam: Roaming
The benefit of keeping your home number is that you do not need to change the registered number at your bank and platforms. The examples below are individual carriers and plans, not all plans:
| Your home network | Example | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | SmarTone daily roaming data plan; destinations include Vietnam | Rates and voice and SMS conditions depend on your plan; confirm with your carrier |
| Taiwan | Chunghwa Telecom autumn-travel offer: Vietnam single-country daily rental at TWD 99 per day, slowing to 256 kbps after 2 GB per day | Promotion period 14 September to 16 November 2026; applications only through the carrier’s web store or app |
| Mainland China | China Mobile lists Vietnam as a roaming destination, and its tariff notes list receiving SMS as free | The number needs roaming enabled, and the phone must connect to a local network |
| Singapore | Singtel’s prepaid FAQ says whether you can receive SMS while roaming depends on the local 3G network | This is a prepaid card explanation; having data roaming does not guarantee that verification texts will arrive |
| Malaysia | CelcomDigi Spark roaming pass; Vietnam is in Zone B, with 1 GB for 1 day at MYR 8 and 3 GB for 7 days at MYR 20 | Applies to Spark only; when the phone is connected to an overseas partner network, SMS can be received with or without a roaming pass |
If your phone supports dual SIM, Zagdim recommends keeping your home number for receiving texts and using the Vietnamese card or eSIM for data. Before you leave, ask whether receiving texts on your home number costs money and whether roaming must be enabled first.
Keeping a Number, Expiry and What to Do Before You Leave
First separate four dates: the data pack’s validity, the SIM’s active validity, the suspension grace period, and the validity of the documents that let you stay in Vietnam. A data pack that is still valid does not mean the number cannot be reclaimed.
How often does a prepaid number need topping up? It varies by plan. These are examples from official pages:
| Plan | Rule for keeping the number | After the deadline |
|---|---|---|
| MobiFone MobiQ | Each top-up or paid transaction such as a call or SMS extends validity to 60 days | 10 days of outgoing-only suspension, then 30 days of two-way suspension; topping up during that time restores service; after the period ends the number is reclaimed and may be assigned to another customer |
| VinaPhone VinaXtra | VNPT Hau Giang’s page lists 60 days, while another VNPT page gives both 60 and 90 days | The official pages are inconsistent, so confirm the current rule at a store |
For Viettel prepaid, ask about validity when you buy the card. MobiQ’s official pages list top-ups and paid transactions; simply receiving a verification code may not count, so Zagdim recommends not relying on receiving texts to keep a number.
Zagdim recommends working through this list before leaving Vietnam:
- Enable roaming: Viettel’s eSIM FAQ says to enable it before leaving Vietnam, by sending CVQT to 138. Other carriers have their own methods.
- Top up: Zagdim recommends topping up before you leave and noting the date of the next top-up.
- Confirm how to top up from overseas: ask the carrier whether a foreign card or app can be used; there is no universal guarantee.
- Ask how your residence expiry affects the number: ask the carrier whether you can keep the number by topping up after your stay documents expire.
- Formally cancel postpaid: for plans listed on its page that still have a commitment period, VNPT requires you to release the commitment at a store when porting, and the charge is the monthly plan fee (including any applicable basic monthly fee) multiplied by the remaining months of commitment. This cannot be applied to all plans. Deleting the eSIM from your phone is not cancellation; you must do it with the carrier and keep a record.
Checklist: What to Ask Before You Buy and Which Words to Watch
Zagdim recommends asking these before you buy:
- Does this plan have a phone number? Can it receive SMS?
- What is the total price? Is the SIM fee included?
- Is the number registered under my passport, and has verification been completed?
- After the data pack expires, how long can I keep the number, and how do I extend it?
- If I change phones later, how do I re-verify a number registered with a passport?
- Can this card be converted to a long-term plan, and with what documents and fees?
Six words and phrases deserve a second look:
- “eSIM”: it describes the card format only, not whether there is a number or SMS.
- “Free 10 GB”: check the validity; this MobiFone plan lasts 24 hours.
- “SIM not included”: the plan fee and the actual payment may differ.
- “Tourist SIM”: ask first whether it is for visitors arriving in Vietnam or for a Vietnamese number used abroad.
- “Maximum 3 cards”: when this comes from a carrier or retailer, ask what it is based on. The regulation distinguishes between different procedures for the first 3 and from the 4th.
- “We’ll open it with someone else’s details”: do not accept. Register the number with your own details. The Vietnamese government has warned that VNeID accounts using a number that is not the user’s own may be locked (for how this applies to foreigners’ accounts, confirm with the carrier or the competent authority).
FAQ
What do foreign visitors need to buy a Vietnam SIM?
A valid passport. VNPT Hanoi lists a passport plus a visa or entry stamp for a tourist SIM, and a passport plus a valid visa or temporary residence card for regular prepaid.
Can a Vietnam tourist eSIM receive SMS verification codes?
It depends on the plan. An eSIM is only a card format, and a data-only plan cannot receive SMS. Ask before buying whether it has a Vietnamese number and SMS.
How many numbers can one passport register in Vietnam?
Under the regulation, the first 3 prepaid numbers with each carrier are registered with a document and a confirmation, and from the 4th you sign a contract at a fixed service point set up by the carrier. Individual carriers or remote channels may set other limits.
Do I need a Vietnamese number to use a bank or Grab?
It depends on the service. HSBC Vietnam’s Digital Secure Key activation code can be sent to a registered international number, and Grab’s terms include a category for accounts created outside Vietnam, but neither guarantees the same for other banks or for every home number.
If I leave Vietnam for a few months, can I keep my number?
It depends on the plan. On MobiQ, each top-up or paid transaction extends validity to 60 days, so you must act within that time. Enable roaming before you leave and ask how to top up from overseas.
Can I get a prepaid number back after it is suspended?
On MobiQ, topping up within the 10 days of outgoing-only suspension and 30 days of two-way suspension restores service. After the period ends, the number is reclaimed and assigned to another customer, so there is no guarantee of getting it back.
What happens if I do not re-verify after changing phones?
The carrier first suspends outgoing calls and SMS, and you must complete re-verification within 30 days of the outgoing suspension. After that there is a two-way suspension, and if it is still not done 5 days later, service is terminated.
Important Notice
This guide is general information and is not legal or consumer advice. It is based on the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnamese government websites, and the official websites of carriers, banks and ride-hailing platforms, checked on 30 October 2026. Plans, prices, document requirements, verification procedures and number-retention rules change, so rely on the latest notices of each agency and carrier and the explanations given in store. Carrier plans mentioned here are examples only, are not recommendations, and are not guaranteed to still be on sale at the counter.
Have a question about this guide? Leave a comment below, or ask Zagdim directly.
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Sources
- Vietnam Government policy portal, summary of Decree 163/2024/NĐ-CP rules on documents for registering mobile subscriber information: https://xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn/quy-dinh-moi-ve-giay-to-su-dung-de-dang-ky-thong-tin-thue-bao-di-dong-mat-dat-119241227182059844.htm
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