How to Pick a Vietnamese Carrier: 3 Reliable Networks to Sort Before You Fly

Which Vietnamese carrier has the better network? Vietnam was once seen as slower to develop, but in recent years it has become a rising hub for both business and tourism, and its 4G network has come a long way too. There are currently five carriers operating in the country. Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone are the largest, offering the most comprehensive coverage, and DJB's no-throttle Vietnam data SIM partners with Viettel. In general, SIM cards from the top three carriers can all be bought in Taiwan, so you can have your Vietnam data SIM ready before you leave and skip the airport queue entirely on arrival!

An overview of Vietnam's carriers

Viettel

Viettel, Vietnam's state-run military carrier, is essentially Vietnam's answer to Chunghwa Telecom — it offers the widest 4G coverage, and local users consistently praise both its speed and stability, though its plans run slightly pricier than other carriers. Its SIM cards (data-only) are widely available through Taiwanese platforms, and it also runs counters at Vietnamese airports where you can buy directly.

MobiFone

MobiFone is Vietnam's second-largest carrier, matching Viettel in both signal stability and speed, and is a favourite among locals as well as a common recommendation for business travellers and tourists visiting Vietnam. Some MVNO plans partnered with MobiFone even include free voice minutes to mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan — great value! MobiFone also has counters at Vietnamese airports for direct purchase.

VinaPhone

VinaPhone offers more affordable plans compared to other carriers, making it a hit with backpackers — its airport counters in Vietnam are almost always busy. Some Taiwanese travel platforms let you purchase in Taiwan and collect at a local airport. In terms of 4G coverage, VinaPhone may only offer 3G signal in some outlying areas, so be sure to check your needs before buying.

Vietnamobile

Vietnamobile is a relatively newer carrier, focused mainly on 2G and 3G services, though it continues expanding its 4G infrastructure and rolling out 4G service. Among Vietnam's carriers, it tends to offer the lowest prices with a generous data allowance, but its coverage does not match the bigger carriers — in many areas you may only get a 3G signal — so it is worth checking local coverage before buying.

Gmobile

Gmobile is a small domestic carrier in Vietnam. No Taiwanese platform currently offers its products, and most travellers and business visitors still opt for the larger carriers mentioned above. We will update this section if that changes.

Bands supported by Vietnam's carriers

Vietnam's 2G and 3G bands match Taiwan's exactly, so those are fully compatible, but 4G bands differ somewhat. If you are using a Taiwanese 4G phone that only supports Band 1 and Band 2, you may only pick up a 3G signal in some areas. Here is a table of each carrier's supported bands:

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, we still recommend arranging your data SIM in Taiwan beforehand. Although local airports and shops sell SIM cards from every carrier, language barriers can easily lead to misunderstandings or, occasionally, being overcharged. If you do need to buy or top up locally, be sure to test that it can get online and make calls on the spot, and confirm your account balance before leaving the counter.

Further reading:
>> 2024 Vietnam travel guide: data plans, accommodation prices and things to know, all in one place
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