Home›Blog›Vietnam

🇻🇳

Asie · 2026

Vietnam eSIM 2026: Hanoi, Halong, Hoi An, Saigon

Q: Is Vietnam in the EU?

NO. SE Asian country, outside EU for roaming.

Q: Do I need a visa?

90-day E-Visa since August 2023 (~$25 USD via evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). Short stay < 45 days sometimes exempt.

Q: Does eSIM work well in Vietnam?

Yes, perfectly. 5G in Hanoi/Saigon/Da Nang since 2020-2022. 4G everywhere except remote mountain zones.

Q: Which carrier does Alosea use?

Viettel (~52 %), Vinaphone or MobiFone — automatic selection.

Q: Coverage in Sapa / Ha Giang?

Good via Viettel in main valleys. Variable in high mountains (Ma Pi Leng pass).

Q: Power adapter?

NO for EU equipment — type C compatible. Type A USA and G UK also present.

Q: Is my iPhone eSIM-compatible?

iPhone XR (2018)+. Android: Pixel 3+, Samsung S20+, Xiaomi 13+.

📖 8 min•🍜 Vietnam•The Alosea team•Updated 2026-05-26

Planning the classic Hanoi-Halong-Hoi An-Saigon trip (3 weeks minimum), Northern trek (Sapa, Mai Châu, Ha Giang Loop), Hoi An stay (UNESCO 1999, ancient merchant town, lanterns), Halong Bay 2-3 day cruise (UNESCO 1994/2000, 1,600 karstic islands), Mekong Delta tour, or Saigon business trip? Vietnam — 100 million inhabitants, 3,700 km coastline, 1975 independence (US war reunification), Asia's 8th economy, world's #1 black pepper exporter and #2 coffee (after Brazil), cuisine voted 4th world cuisine by CNN — combines millennial heritage (Buddhism + Confucianism + ancestor cult + 1,000 years Chinese dynastic influence), French occupation 1858-1954 (Hanoi/Hoi An/Saigon architecture, baguette, condensed milk coffee), and explosive economic emergence. To use Grab, GoBike (moto taxi), translate Vietnamese (Latin alphabet since 19th century! designed by Alexandre de Rhodes), your phone is essential. HEADS-UP: Vietnam is OUTSIDE the EU. CHANGE 2023: 90-DAY E-VISA since August 2023 (was: 30 days visa-free).

› WHY AN eSIM

Why an eSIM for Vietnam

Vietnam is OUTSIDE the European Union. Non-EU roaming on home plans is expensive. An Alosea eSIM = a few euros to stay connected throughout. Your home number stays active for banking SMS. Installation in 2 min via QR. Viettel has Vietnam's best coverage (Ministry of Defence subsidiary, 5G everywhere except remote zones). And concretely on arrival at Hanoi (HAN) or Saigon Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)? You can buy a Viettel or Vinaphone SIM, but expect to pay around €10 just for the SIM card itself — on top of the data plan. With an Alosea eSIM, you walk off the plane already connected for Grab, GoBike, Hanoi Maps or WhatsApp.

› HOW MUCH IT COSTS

Travel eSIM pricing

A Vietnam travel eSIM sits in an accessible price range — well below non-EU roaming fees. Price depends on data volume (7-10 GB for Hanoi-Halong-Hoi An-Saigon 2 weeks, 15-20 GB for full 3-week Vietnam + Ha Giang Loop), validity (7/15/30 days).

› DATA GUIDE

How many GB do you need?

Short stay 1 week (Hanoi + Halong)

Grab, Maps, Halong Bay photos

7-10 GB

2 weeks (Hanoi-Halong-Hoi An-Saigon)

Classic Vietnam, multi-cities

15-20 GB

3 weeks (+Sapa + Ha Giang Loop)

North trek + full circuit

15-20 GB

Long stay / Saigon-Hanoi digital nomad

Remote work Saigon, coworking

Unlimited

› COVERAGE & OPERATORS

Network coverage and local carriers

Vietnam has good mobile coverage — 4G everywhere, commercial 5G in Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, Hoi An since 2020-2022. Three dominant national operators: Viettel (~52 % market share, Ministry of Defence subsidiary, best rural + national 5G coverage), Vinaphone (~22 %, public VNPT group), MobiFone (~21 %, public). Vietnamobile minority. Excellent coverage on entire Hanoi-Da Nang-Saigon north-south axis. An Alosea travel eSIM automatically picks the best available carrier.

Local operators

› PRACTICAL TIPS

Practical travel tips

Visa & passport

Vietnam is OUTSIDE the EU. For UK/EU/US/CA/AU passports: 90-DAY E-VISA since 15 August 2023 (was: 30 days visa-free, still valid for short stay ≤ 45 days per 2024 update). E-Visa ~$25 USD (single or multi-entry), 3-5 days processing via evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (English OK). For simple < 45 days trip, VISA EXEMPTION still possible for many nationalities (verify latest rules). Passport 6 months validity.

Source ↗

Currency

Vietnamese Dong (VND ₫)

Time zone

GMT+7 year-round (Indochina Time, ICT). NO DST. Same as Thailand/Cambodia/Laos.

Power outlets

Type A (USA), C (Europe) and sometimes G (UK) plugs. EU equipment: type C compatible directly. UK/US travellers need adapter. 220 V, 50 Hz. Power cuts rare in urban zones.

Climate & best season

Tropical but VERY different North-Centre-South. NORTH (Hanoi, Halong, Sapa): 4 distinct seasons, cold winter 10-18°C Jan-Feb, hot humid summer 28-38°C, June-Aug monsoon. CENTRE (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang): Oct-Jan rains (typhoons Aug-Oct), Feb-Aug dry. SOUTH (Saigon, Mekong): tropical hot 25-35°C year-round, May-Oct monsoon. Overall best period: October-April.

Health & vaccines

No mandatory vaccines for tourism. Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis (rural) recommended. Antimalarial RECOMMENDED for Mekong delta + mountainous zones (Ha Giang). Dengue present rainy season. EHIC/GHIC NOT valid — travel insurance.

› CULTURE & ETIQUETTE

Culture and best practices

Greetings

« Xin chào » (« hello », optional joined hands), « Cảm ơn » (« thanks »), « Tạm biệt » (« goodbye »). Respect for elders (formal « anh/chị » = elder brother/sister, « ông/bà » = sir/madam). Take off shoes when entering someone's home and temples.

Tipping

Tipping not cultural but tourists' tips appreciated: 10 % at restaurant without service charge, 20,000-50,000 VND for porters, round up taxi/Grab. Trek guide (Sapa, Ha Giang): $10-20 USD/day at end. Halong tour boat: ~$5 USD/day.

Dress code

Casual Hanoi, Saigon, beaches. In BUDDHIST TEMPLES and PAGODAS: MODEST dress mandatory (shoulders/knees covered), shoes off. If visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi (5:30am morning queue): strict dress required (no shorts, no flip-flops, MANDATORY RESPECT before « Uncle Ho » embalmed body).

Religion

Mahayana Buddhism 16 %, Catholicism 8 % (French missionary heritage, Asia's 2nd largest Catholic population after Philippines), no religion 81 % officially but generalised ancestor cult practice. Confucianism philosophical. Cao Dai and Hoa Hao in South (20th-century syncretic religions).

Languages

Vietnamese (official, Latin « Quốc Ngữ » alphabet invented in 17th century by Portuguese-French Jesuit Alexandre de Rhodes for transcribing Vietnamese, 6 tones) · English (spoken by youth, hotels) · French (residual among seniors and some elites — Vietnam = former French Indochina 1858-1954) · Mandarin Chinese (tourist zones)

Useful phrases

Xin chào — Hello
Cảm ơn — Thanks
Bao nhiêu tiền? — How much?
Ngon quá! — It's delicious!
Tạm biệt — Goodbye

› MUST-SEE PLACES

Top iconic places

Halong Bay (UNESCO 1994/2000)

North-east Vietnam, Gulf of Tonkin. 1,600 karstic (limestone) islands emerging from the sea, forming a spectacular maritime labyrinth over 1,553 km². Classic 2-3 day cruises (sleep on boat, night in traditional junk), Sung Sot and Thien Cung caves, Titov beach, floating Cua Van fishing village. Halong Bay city ↔ Hanoi 3.5h by road. Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay less crowded.

Halong Bay (« descent of the dragon » in Vietnamese) takes its name from a founding legend: a dragon descended from sky to defend Vietnamese against invaders, spitting precious stones that became the 1,600 karstic islands. Geologically, this karst landscape formed over 500 million years by Triassic limestone erosion. Halong is one of the world's ONLY sites listed TWICE UNESCO (1994 aesthetic, 2000 geological). 8 million visitors/year, junk traffic jam high season.

Wikipedia ↗

Hoi An (UNESCO 1999) — the lantern town

Central Vietnam, on Thu Bon river, 30 km from Da Nang. Former international trade hub (15th-19th centuries) where Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Dutch, Portuguese merchants crossed. Miraculously preserved historic centre (not bombed during Vietnam War): Tan Ky merchant houses (1741), Japanese Covered Bridge (1593), Phuc Kien temple, central market, multi-coloured silk lanterns lit EVERY NIGHT, monthly full moon festival (floating lanterns on river). An Bang, Cua Dai beaches 5 km. Custom tailoring (~24h, quality silk suits/dresses).

Hoi An is one of the ONLY UNESCO sites NEVER bombed during the Vietnam War (1955-1975) — MIRACULOUS preservation due to its remoteness from front lines and harbour silting making it obsolete in 19th century. While cities like Hue, Hanoi, Saigon were bombed, Hoi An remained intact with its 1,100 15th-19th century buildings. Today one of SE Asia's BEST PRESERVED old centres. At night, 5,000 silk lanterns illuminate the streets — each house must hang them per UNESCO regulation since 1999.

Wikipedia ↗

Hue (UNESCO 1993) — former imperial capital

Central Vietnam, on Perfume River. Capital of last imperial Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). UNESCO 1993: Hue Citadel (10 km ramparts, Purple Forbidden City imitating Beijing, partially destroyed by 1968 American bombings during Tet Offensive), 7 imperial tombs in hills (Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Duc — architectural masterpieces), Thien Mu Pagoda (1601, 21m octagonal tower), Dong Ba market.

Hue Citadel was DEVASTATED during Battle of Hue (30 Jan-24 Feb 1968) — one of Vietnam War's most violent battles (Tet Offensive). 80 % of Purple Forbidden City buildings were DESTROYED by bombings and hand-to-hand combat. UNESCO 1993 + Vietnam restoration ongoing for 30 years. Today ~30 % of site restored, rest by 2030 per official plan. Moving visit: bullet marks, combat traces.

Wikipedia ↗

Hanoi — millennial capital

Vietnam's capital, ~9M metro inhabitants, 1,000 years history (founded 1010 by King Ly Thai To, « Thang Long » = « ascending dragon »). Old Quarter 36 Guilds (pedestrian merchant district, each street specialised: silver, silk, paper...), Hoan Kiem Lake (legendary turtle), Long Bien Bridge (Eiffel 1899), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (open 8-11am, closed Mon/Fri), Temple of Literature (1070, Vietnam's 1st university, 82 UNESCO stelae), One Pillar Pagoda (1049). 33h Reunification train to Saigon (1,730 km), iconic moto jams.

Hanoi is one of SE Asia's OLDEST capitals with continuous history over 1,000 years (since 1010) — celebrated its MILLENNIUM in October 2010 with massive commemoration. The « Old Quarter » of « 36 Guilds » is the world's only district where each street retains its medieval commercial specialty name: Hang Bac (« silver street »), Hang Quat (« fan street »), Hang Dao (« silk street »), Hang Ma (« paper funeral street »). System organised since 15th century.

Wikipedia ↗

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Vietnam's 1st economic city (~10M metro inhabitants), named after the communist leader who led the war. Before 1975: SAIGON, pro-American South Vietnam capital. Surviving French colonial architecture: Notre-Dame Cathedral (1880, Marseille bricks), City Hall (1908), Central Post Office (Gustave Eiffel 1891), Opera. War Remnants Museum. Cu Chi Tunnels (250km underground Viet Cong network 70km NW). Ben Thanh Market. Saigon = still used nickname.

Saigon's Central Post Office (Bưu điện Trung tâm Sài Gòn) was designed by Gustave EIFFEL (yes, the same as Eiffel Tower) between 1886-1891 — one of Vietnam's most beautiful colonial buildings. Still functioning as post office, became Saigon's #2 tourist attraction (after war museum). Neo-classical interior architecture: 20m-high metal vault, frescoes, period fans. Notre-Dame Cathedral opposite is same era (1880) with Marseille-imported bricks.

Wikipedia ↗

Sapa + Ha Giang Loop — Northern mountains

Northwestern mountainous region, Chinese border. SAPA (1,600m, former 1903 colonial sanatorium): iconic rice terraces, H'Mong-Dao-Tay village hikes, Mount Fansipan « Indochina roof » 3,143m (cable car). HA GIANG LOOP: 4-day / 350km moto circuit in Dong Van Geopark karstic mountains (UNESCO Global Geopark 2010), ethnic minority villages, Ma Pi Leng Pass (1,200m), water buffalo, spectacular landscapes unmatched in Asia.

Ha Giang Loop has become one of SE Asia's most iconic BACKPACKER destinations since 2015 — 350km moto loop circuit through karstic mountains of Vietnam's poorest province. Ma Pi Leng pass (« horse nose » in local) at 1,200m offers views considered by National Geographic « among world's 10 most beautiful roads ». You can rent Honda Win 100cc in Ha Giang town for ~$10 USD/day, or take easy rider (local driver on his moto) for ~$30 USD/day if you can't ride.

Wikipedia ↗

› OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH

Unique experiences to live

Take a 2-night Halong Bay cruise on traditional junk — BBQ dinner on deck, kayak between karstic pitons, sea sunrise (Bai Tu Long Bay less crowded).
Eat phở at 5am in a small Hanoi phở stall (Phở Gia Truyền, Phở Thìn) — best Vietnam breakfast, 50,000 VND (~€2).
Experience Hoi An night: floating lanterns on Thu Bon river (release your wish), sampan boat, night market with wonton ravioli and cao lầu.
Do Ha Giang Loop by moto (3-4 days, 350km, local easy rider ~$30 USD/day if you don't ride) — SE Asia's most spectacular landscapes.
Visit Cu Chi Tunnels (70km north of Saigon): 250km underground Viet Cong network, crawl in enlarged tourist tunnel, fire AK-47 at range, understand the war.

› GASTRONOMY

Traditional dishes to try

Phở (Pho)

Vietnamese NATIONAL dish: rice noodle soup in beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà) broth, with bean sprouts, coriander, Thai basil, lime, chilies. Early 20th century North Vietnam origin (Chinese influence + French pot-au-feu imported by colonisers). Phở Hà Nội (clear, pure) ≠ Phở Sài Gòn (sweeter, abundant garnishes).

Wikipedia ↗

Bánh mì

Iconic Vietnamese sandwich: French baguette (1858-1954 colonial heritage) filled with pâté, terrine, grilled meat (pork xa xiu, chicken), pickled vegetables (carrot daikon), coriander, chili sauce, mayonnaise. Late 19th century Saigon invention. Voted « world's best sandwich » by The Guardian. ~25,000-40,000 VND (~€1.50).

Wikipedia ↗

Bún chả + Nem rán

BÚN CHẢ: Hanoi specialty, grilled pork + meatballs in nuoc cham broth, bún (rice vermicelli), herbs — President Obama's favourite dish (2016, eaten with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi, Bun Cha Huong Lien restaurant renamed « Obama Lien »). NEM RÁN (North) or Cha Gio (South): fried spring rolls with vegetables/prawns/pork.

Wikipedia ↗

Bun bo Hue and cao lầu

BUN BO HUE: Hue specialty (centre), thick noodles in lemongrass + spicy chili broth, beef + sangsang (coagulated blood), nuoc cham. Spicier than phở. CAO LẦU: Hoi An-unique specialty, thick yellow noodles (cooked with special Ba Le well water, smoked), grilled pork, fried croutons.

Wikipedia ↗

Cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee)

Iconic Vietnamese coffee: Robusta coffee (Vietnam = world's 2nd producer after Brazil), DROP-BY-DROP filtered in phin (traditional metal filter), poured over sweetened condensed milk + crushed ice — refreshing national drink. Variant: Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng, Hanoi 1946, whipped egg yolk + sugar on black coffee).

Wikipedia ↗

Goi cuon and fresh rolls

GOI CUON: fresh spring rolls (not fried), transparent rice paper wrapping pork, prawns, vermicelli, mint, coriander, chives, lettuce — served with hoisin-peanut sauce. Healthier and lighter than fried rolls. Represent Vietnamese culinary balance (raw-cooked, hot-cold, fresh-spicy).

Wikipedia ↗

Bia Hà Nội and bia hơi (street beer)

BIA HÀ NỘI and Saigon Beer: national beers (4.7°). BIA HƠI (« pressure beer »): ultra-local street beer, freshly brewed morning and drunk evening (3-5,000 VND/glass i.e. €0.15-0.25), served in plastic cups on plastic stools on pavement. Unique social atmosphere — Vietnamese bia hơi communion.

Wikipedia ↗

› INSTALLATION