Airalo eSIM for Vietnam — Xin Chao Plans and Viettel Coverage
Landing in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and ordering a Grab right at the terminal exit — without hunting for a Viettel kiosk — is the standard sequence for travelers who set up Airalo in advance. The Xin Chao plan activates the moment the plane lands, runs on the country's largest network, and saves you from filling out a Vietnamese-language form at the counter.
Available Airalo packages
The Vietnam plan is called Xin Chao. Lineup:
- 1 GB / 7 days — $4.50
- 3 GB / 30 days — $9
- 5 GB / 30 days — $13
- 10 GB / 30 days — $19
- 20 GB / 30 days — $32
- Unlimited / 7 days — around $24 (FUP, ~1 GB/day)
A two-week Ho Chi Minh → Hoi An → Hanoi → Halong route typically fits in 5–10 GB: maps, translator, messengers, occasional Instagram. For remote work from Da Nang cafés, go with 20 GB.
Coverage and speeds
Xin Chao roams on Viettel (Vietnam's #1 carrier) and Vinaphone (VNPT group). Coverage is essentially identical to a local SIM.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) — solid 4G+ in Districts 1, 3, 7, along Bui Vien and in Thao Dien. 5G in select central spots.
- Hanoi — 4G across the city, including the Old Quarter and West Lake.
- Da Nang and Hoi An — 4G on My Khe beach, in Hoi An's old town, along the Hai Van Pass. Possible drops on Ba Na cloud peaks.
- Halong and Cat Ba — 4G on the main mainland, on cruise boats the signal depends on proximity to shore (3G/nothing in the open bay).
- Sapa, Phu Quoc, Con Dao — 4G in tourist centres, weaker on remote beaches and mountain trails.
Tethering works. The eSIM doesn't issue a Vietnamese phone number.
Installation and activation
Install at home before departure, activate on the plane after landing or right at the terminal exit.
iOS: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → scan Airalo QR → name "Vietnam". Data on Airalo, roaming on primary SIM off.
Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM → QR. APN usually auto-populates.
Airalo vs. Viettel airport SIM
Viettel tourist SIM at Tan Son Nhat (HCMC) or Noi Bai (Hanoi) exits costs 150,000–250,000 VND for 20–30 GB / 30 days (≈$6–10). Cheaper per GB, but requires passport and 15–30 minutes. Airalo's advantage is working internet the moment you land: call a Grab from the terminal and head to your hotel without delays.
Where to buy
Buy Airalo eSIM via Marix — pay without foreign subscriptions. The Xin Chao QR code arrives by email after payment; install at home, activate in Vietnam.