Arriving in Vietnam: Why I Chose an eSIM

When I landed in Hanoi on a late evening flight, the first thing I wanted was internet. I needed to book a Grab to my Airbnb, message my host, and check a few work emails. In previous trips, I queued at airport kiosks to buy a local SIM card, but this time I decided to try something different: a Vietnam eSIM. Specifically, I went for the MobiFone eSIM, one of the largest networks in the country.

Buying and Setting Up the eSIM

I purchased my eSIM online before departure through GoVnSIM. The checkout was simple, and within minutes, I received a QR code in my email. Scanning it on my iPhone took less than 3 minutes. No physical SIM, no paperwork, no waiting in line — just a quick setup.

Using the MobiFone eSIM Across Vietnam

The first test was at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. As soon as I turned on data, I had 4G connection and could immediately book a Grab. The ride was smooth, and I streamed music during the drive without any lag. Over the next two weeks, I traveled from Hanoi to Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

In Da Nang, I worked remotely from a riverside café, tethering my laptop through hotspot. The connection was fast enough for video calls and uploading large files. Even when I went to Son Tra Peninsula, I still had strong coverage. In Ho Chi Minh City, I used the eSIM daily for maps, food delivery, and social media. It also came in handy for receiving OTP messages from Grab and Zalo.

Pros and Cons of MobiFone eSIM

Here’s what stood out after two weeks of usage:

✅ Pros:

– Easy to buy and set up online (no airport hassle).

– Strong 4G/5G coverage in major cities and even some rural areas.

– Daily data allowance was enough for heavy use (maps, video calls, streaming).

– Hotspot worked perfectly for my laptop.

– Received OTP for local apps like Grab and Zalo.

⚠️ Cons:

– Requires a phone that supports eSIM (not all devices do).

– Fixed daily data cap (I had 6GB/day, which was fine for me, but could be limiting for heavy streamers).

– Slightly more expensive than random SIM cards sold at convenience stores, but the convenience was worth it.

Final Thoughts: Is MobiFone eSIM Worth It?

For me, the answer is absolutely yes. The convenience of setting it up before landing, the reliable connection across Vietnam, and the ability to use hotspot and receive OTPs made my trip smoother. If you’re a traveller who values time and wants to avoid SIM card hassles, the MobiFone eSIM is a great choice.

I purchased mine through GoVnSIM, and their support team was quick to answer my questions over WhatsApp. If you’re planning your trip, you can check out their plans here: https://govnsim.com/vietnam-esim-with-phone-number/