Internet and Calling in Vietnam.

Vietnam offers a wide network of mobile calling and internet coverage.

Internet connection, is available at the hotel or guesthouse, or restaurant offering Wifi internet connection. Mobile operators

of course also offer decent 3G/4G mobile internet.

There are 4 major GSM network operators in Vietnam:

• Viettel
• Vinaphone
• MobiFone
• Vietnamobile

Two other providers are not on the list as Gmobile (formerly Beeline) is on 2G (they received / LTE 4G license in 2016 but have not yet started operating ) and S-Fone on the incompatible CDMA standard.

Coverage and speed is pretty good for Asian SE standards: 2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 2100 MHz. Viettel and Vinaphone introduced DC-HSPA in 2014, 4G/LTE is just launching on 1800 and 2600 MHz after Viettel, Vinaphone, MobiFone and Gmobile got clearance in 2016.

In March 2015, a new numbering plan was introduced and all 11-digit mobile numbers were truncated to 10 digits. Prices are more or less controlled by the state, there is not really much competition between operators and the rates are pretty much the same.

Regulation

To buy prepaid SIM cards, you must officially show your ID or passport and be registered as a first user before the SIM card can be activated. But in practice, this was not much practiced before November 2016. After that, the government shut down 12 million falsely registered SIM cards. The rules are now more strictly enforced, meaning it's best to buy a SIM card directly from the operator and register it. Small independent shops that you can find on every corner. They will sell you a SIM card but there is no guarantee how long it will work.

With these retailers you need to make sure they activate it in your name or show you where and how to do it. Official registration can be done at the operators' main shops or the sellers will direct you to registration points where you will need to show your passport. Do not leave the shop without instructions on how to activate the SIM. You can check if your SIM has been activated by texting 'Tttb ' to 1414 at all major operators, the reply will be the date until when the card is active.

So how to buy a SIM in 2019?

You can still buy a SIM card at the corner shop or at the airport. But you must remember that they are not properly registered. Even at airport kiosks. If you ask if the SIM is registered, they will smile or just lie.

Passengers who are only coming for a few days can buy a SIM without registering at the kiosk. The only risk is that your SIM will be switched off at any time without notice. Such cases have been detected after as little as 4 days. To avoid losing your credit, you will have to go to the registration point in the official store and re-register your SIM in your name by showing your passport as required by law.

If you constantly need a mobile data connection, and you are traveling to remote places where there are no registration points / or staying in Vietnam longer, I would recommend everyone to go the legal way through buying and registering a SIM card at the main operator's store.

Viettel

Viettel is owned by the Ministry of Defense and thus the Vietnamese military. It has the leading market position in Vietnam with about 40% of all customers. It has the best coverage in remote locations and on 3G.

Otherwise, prices don't differ that much between the 3 major operators, Viettel should be your first choice if you are going to rural areas. 4G/LTE was launched in early 2017 on 1800 MHz in major cities and will be expanding across the country.

Availability

SIM cards are available at airports and many retailers in the city. Rechargeable cards are widely available in small shops and on pavements. Shop staff are usually very willing to help you top up your credit, even if they don't speak a word of English. Your best bet is to visit a Viettel store in a larger city. They speak some English and can provide you with the best service, even cutting to the nano SIM. SIM cards are about 50,000-60,000 VND depending on the number of credits you put in.

To check your existing credit, enter *101# for the main account and *102# for the bonus account and hit submit. To replenish the credit on your card, enter *100* <coupon PIN>#. Credit can be purchased all over town, just look for the Viettel logo. The downside - Viettel sends a lot of promotional text messages.

Call 191 and you'll be taken to the voice system. You can switch to English by pressing 3 and then immediately press 2 (select English).

4G/LTE

For 4G/LTE, get one of their new 4G SIM cards. Old 3G SIMS can be replaced for free in their stores until June 2017.

Data packages

Data on 3G is 21.2 / 5.76 Mbps, 4G / LTE is only slightly faster. You may need to activate data by texting "3G" to 161. To check your account status press *101# and send. The price outside the package is VND 75,000 for 50 KB by default.

These are the following monthly 3G packages can be activated through your device:

Send the activation text by SMS to 191. If you have sufficient credit on your SIM card, your package will be automatically renewed after 30 days.

Packages can be extended for data volume for one day only at high speeds:

• 150 MB: VND 8,000, activation: MT1
• 20 MB: 2,000 VND, activation: MT2
• 100 MB: 4,000 VND, activation: MT3

You can check your current data balance by texting "KTTK" to 191.

Tourist SIM

Viettel has introduced a tourist SIM card for visitors. It is mainly sold at airports and their big shops. The price ranges from US$5 or 10 and must be activated with one of these plans:

International calls are for 25 countries only. Overage of the data plan is charged at VND 9.76 per 50 KB.

To check the account balance *101# (free), check the remaining data capacity, USSD code: * 102 # (free)

Vinaphone

Vinaphone is the second largest operator in Vietnam. It is owned by the government, Vietnam Post, and the Telecommunications Group. It has a market share of 30% and is a local partner of Vodafone. It guarantees good coverage throughout the country. 4G/LTE was launched on Phu Quoc island in 2016 and will be rolled out to the whole of Vietnam.

Availability

SIM cards are widely available in shops and street stalls where you will see their logo. Price VND 50,000. Recharge from VND5,000 to VND500,000 to extend the life of the SIM card to 1 to 215 days available at the same outlets. To recharge, enter *100* <PIN code> #. Check credit status *101# and validity *102#.

Data packages

You may need to activate data first by texting "GPRS ON" to 888. 3G speed is a maximum of 14.4 Mbps. The default data speed outside of packages is VND1.5 per KB.

They have two new daily packages valid for 24 hours:

• 1.2 GB: VND 7,000, activation: D7
• 2 GB: 10,000 VND, activation: D2

Once the data is exhausted, the speed will decrease. A new weekly package is available for 7 days:

• 1 GB: 20,000 VND
• 0.5 VND / KB after running out of data.

You can choose a monthly package, for 30 days:

To order text "DK" <measurement> <activation code> to 888. All packages are automatically renewed. To cancel text "Huy" <space> <activation code> to 888. To check, text "data" to 888. All texts to 888 are free.

Big Packages will be canceled when exhausted. You can, however, purchase data:

• 350 MB: 15,000 VND - activation: X15
• 600 MB: 25,000 VND - activation: X25
• 1 GB: 35,000 VND - activation: X35
• 350 MB: 19,000 VND - activation: X19
• 550 MB: 29,000 VND - activation: X29
• 850 MB: 39,000 VND - activation: X39
• 1.2 GB: 49,000 VND - activation: X49
• To activate, text DK <measer> <activation code> to 888.

Tourist SIM

In 2017, they introduced their own Tourist SIM card through their subsidiary GCS Vietnam called "Global Connection SIM". This is sold pre-activated and no registration is required.

The starter pack is 300. 000 VND and comes with 8 GB of data ( 3G, NOT 4G/LTE), 80 minutes of calls, 80 SMS and 50 international minutes to the following countries: landline and mobile calls to the US, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and Malaysia; landline calls to Japan, Taiwan, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and Russia.

Validity is for 30 days only, and cannot be extended. It is available at the Hanoi International VinaPhone outlets. Airports at both terminals or in downtown Hanoi. For more information in English (+84) 91 38 8111

MobiFone

MobiFone is the third service provider in the country with a market share of 18%. It is in the process of being privatized. Speeds and coverage can be good in city centers and around the coast but can be inadequate in the mountains. Since 2016, it has been possible to move around the country on the VinaPhone network with a MobiFone prepaid SIM. MobiFone 4G was launched in 2016 in Hanoi, Da Nang, and HCMC on 1800 and 2600 MHz.

Availability

SIM cards are widely available in shops and at street stalls where you see their logo priced at 50,000 VND. There are various stater packs called MobiCard or similar.

You can buy 4G SIM in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. You will need your passport to purchase a 4G SIM card, which is only available at official MobiFone stores.

Recharge coupons are from VND5,000 to VND500,000 to extend the life of the SIM from 1 to 215 days available at the same outlets. Check credit *101#.

Data packages

You may need to activate data first by texting "DATA ON" to 999. 3G speed is max 7.2 Mbps. The default data speed outside of packages is VND 75 per 50 KB.

Daily package: 150 MB, for VND 8,000, activation code: D1 - this package is not automatically renewed.

In addition, you can order the following monthly packages:

• 350 MB: 15,000 VND, activation: MAX15
• 600 MB: 25,000 VND, activation: MAX25
• 1 GB: 35,000 VND, activation: MAX35

• 1.8 GB per month for 3 months: 210,000 VND, 3M70
• 2 GB per month for 6 months: 420,000 VND, 6M70
• 2.2 GB per month for 12 months: 840.000 VND, 12M70
• 4 GB per month for 12 months: 1,440,000 VND, 12M120
• 7 GB per month for 12 months, 2,400,000 VND, 12M200
• To order, text "DK" <mezera> <activation code> to 999. All packages are automatically renewed. To check data, text "KT DATA" to 999. All texts to 999 cost 200 VND per text.

• VND 200,000 for 3 GB
• VND 300,000 for 5 GB
• 500,000 VND for 8 GB

• VND 200,000 for 1.5 GB and VND 80,000 call credit
• VND 300,000 for 3 GB and VND 100,000 call credit
• 500,000 VND for 5 GB and 200,000 VND call credit

Availability

In big cities, you have to search. There are few shops and the online shop doesn't work.

Recharging is via scratch cards of VND 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000. You get a 100% bonus for the first 10 recharge coupons that exceed 20,000 VND.

Data packs

You need to activate 3G data by entering *345#. The basic out-of-pack rate is VND75 per 15KB, if the data limit is exceeded, the internet will slow down and the price is VND25 per 50KB.

They offer the following packages:

Night offer: unlimited dates from 1am-7am - 7 nights for 10.000 VND. N10

To activate, text "DK" <meter> <code> to 345. All plans automatically renew. To stop send text "Huy" <space> <code> to 345.

Tourist SIM

In 2016, they introduced the Tourist SIM card. But keep in mind that their coverage is not that good for traveling only if you are in big cities.

Tourist 100: 125,000 VND 50 minutes to the US, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, India, South Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong, 1GB data per day, unlimited Vietnamobile calls and SMS for 7 days - activation: *699*1#.

Tourist 200: VND 250,000 120 minutes to the above countries, 1 GB of data per day, unlimited Vietnamobile calls and SMS for 14 days - activation: *699*#2.

SIM must be activated on phone number 118 by clicking on one of the packages above. The package will be automatically extended after 7 or 14 days and the SIM card will expire in 60 days after activation.

Data SIM

Sold for VND65,000 excluding calls and SMS. It comes with 5GB for 30 days.

Special packages valid for 30 days:

• 1 GB: VND 20,000, activation: DK USB20
• 5 GB: 50,000 VND, activation: DK USB50
• 10 GB: 100,000 VND, activation: DK USB100

Send activation code text to 345.