Start your holiday off right, here’s the best eSIM for Vietnam to stay connected as soon as the plane wheels hit the tarmac.
I have traveled to a lot of countries and getting connected has always been a hassle of hoping I didn’t get scammed or searching for a phone store that would give me a local SIM card.
Don’t make this mistake. This is a terrible way to start a holiday.
Let me save you time and stress with Holafly eSIM. It is easy to set up even before boarding the plane. For some it seems complicated but actually it makes your travels so much easier.
International eSIMs Save Time
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lives inside your phone. I’ve tried a lot of eSIMs and Holafly has made it so easy.
You purchase a plan online, receive a QR code by email and scan it to install your eSIM in about a minute. That is it.
You can keep your WhatsApp number, stay reachable, and have internet access from the moment you land.
Most modern smartphones support eSIMs.
Why I Use Holafly in Vietnam
The moment that convinced me happened at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
I had just come off a long flight and all I wanted was to get to my hotel. In Vietnam, the way to do that is Grab, which is the local rideshare app, like Uber but better.
The airport has good WiFi inside the terminal, so I opened the app, put in my hotel address and headed toward the exit. And then I walked into the parking lot.
No signal. No WiFi.
And my driver was somewhere in a sea of cars with no way to find me and no way for me to find him.
I had to run back inside, reconnect to the airport WiFi, message my driver to wait, and then sprint back out trying to match the car description before I lost signal again.
After traveling for more than 20 hours, that is not how you want to start a trip.
SAVE NOW
With a Holafly eSIM you step off the plane and you already have data. While you’re waiting in the infamous immigration line you can text people you love that you landed.
And once you pick up your bags you book your Grab in the terminal, walk out, and your driver is right where the app says he is.
This is how a good trip begins.
Why Holafly Specifically
There are a few eSIM providers out there and I have tried more than one.
What keeps me coming back to Holafly comes down to a few things: unlimited data, real customer support and a feature called Always On that I will explain below.
24/7 Real Human Support
Many people compare prices and speeds but service is far more important, especially when you cannot get connected.
In Thailand, I had an issue with a different eSIM provider and contacted their support. I was sitting on the bench next to the baggage claim because I was worried after I left here the airport may not have wifi.
It was 30 minutes of going back and forth with unhelpful customer service. Finally they suggested I call the local phone company directly to resolve it.
Beyond being frustrated, I pointed out that I could not call anyone because I had no phone service, and also that I do not speak Thai.
Holafly has 24/7 support through their website chat and WhatsApp, and it is actual people, not bots.
I have never been told to figure it out myself. For anyone who is not super confident with tech, that is worth a lot.
Unlimited Data
Holafly covers over 200 destinations with unlimited data, including Vietnam.
They also offer 15+ regional eSIMs and 1 global eSIM covering 110+ destinations, so if your trip extends beyond Vietnam or you are doing a longer Southeast Asia loop, one provider has you covered for all of it.
For Vietnam specifically, the unlimited data plans are what matter most. And you can book the exact number of days you need.
I use my phone for everything. Google Maps is running constantly. I am constantly at street food stalls translating menus, checking opening hours, booking taxis. Then posting on social media, uploading photos.
I need a lot of data.
Always On: 1 GB Backup Every Month
This is the best feature I never knew I needed until I had it.
Once you install your Holafly eSIM, a feature called Always On activates automatically. Every month, you get 1 GB of backup data in over 70 destinations, including Vietnam.
You do not have to do anything to get it. It is just there.
Think about what that covers: a flight delay, a long layover, a last-minute change of plans where you end up somewhere you did not expect to be. Not every airport offers free wifi.
Your eSIM plan might have ended but Always On keeps you connected. You can message someone, pull up a map, check a booking, call for help. It is a safety net that runs in the background.
Holafly Plans: Monthly Coverage for Long-Term Travelers
If you are like me. spending more than a few weeks in Vietnam, or you travel frequently throughout the year, Holafly also offers monthly subscription plans.
These cover over 160 destinations with one eSIM and include hotspot capabilities on the unlimited plans. You stay connected wherever you go without buying a new eSIM for every trip.
FAQs: Here’s What Really Matters
Does Holafly work in rural Vietnam? Holafly connects to premium local networks and provides reliable coverage in cities and most popular tourist destinations.
Very remote mountainous areas may have weaker signal regardless of provider, but internet coverage in Vietnam is better than my home province of Nova Scotia. You will be well covered for the vast majority of Vietnam travel.
Can I use Holafly as a hotspot in Vietnam? Yes. Holafly’s Vietnam plans include hotspot capabilities, so you can share your connection with a laptop or another device.
Can I keep my regular phone number? Yes. Your home SIM stays in your phone. Holafly is a data-only eSIM, so you still receive calls and texts on your regular number while using Holafly for internet.
What if I need help installing it? Holafly’s support team is available 24/7 via website chat and WhatsApp. They can walk you through the installation step by step.
Can I buy a plan last minute? Yes. You receive your QR code by email within minutes of purchasing. That said, I always recommend installing it at home the day before you fly so you are not doing it on airport WiFi on a tired brain.
Is my phone compatible? Most iPhones from the XS onward and recent Android phones from Samsung, Google Pixel and others support eSIMs. You can check device compatibility here.
What is the difference between a regular plan and Holafly Plans? A regular Holafly eSIM is purchased per trip with a set number of days. Holafly Plans is a monthly subscription that gives you continuous coverage in 160+ destinations with one eSIM, which is ideal if you travel frequently throughout the year.
How to Install Your Holafly eSIM for Vietnam
This is the part that worries people most and I promise it is simpler than you think.
The whole installation takes about two minutes.
And if you purchase and then your plans change, Holafly offers a six-month refund policy, so there is no risk in buying early. Here is exactly what to do:
Step 1: Check your phone is eSIM compatible and unlocked. You can visit esim.holafly.com to check your device. If your phone is locked to your home carrier, contact them to unlock it before you travel.
Step 2: Buy your plan. Go to the Holafly website. Choose how many days you need for Vietnam and complete your purchase. Use the code BACON at checkout to get 5% off your eSIM, or 10% off Holafly Plans for the first 12 months.
Step 3: Install your eSIM at home before you leave. You will get a QR code by email within minutes. Go to your phone settings and scan it. The whole process takes about a minute. Do this at home on your own WiFi, not at the airport.
Step 4: Do not activate it yet. Once installed, leave your eSIM ready but not active until you land. When your plane touches down, go into your settings, switch on the Holafly line and make sure data roaming is enabled for that line.
Step 5: Walk off the plane with data. That is it. You are connected.
This post is in partnership with Holafly, an eSIM I have used in many countries and am happy to recommend.