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Vietnam travel and eSIM guide

Vietnam has excellent mobile coverage in cities and along the tourist corridor, with fast 4G everywhere from Hanoi's Old Quarter to Hoi An's lantern streets.

Get a Vietnam eSIMPlans from $4.30

By the Roamix team. Updated

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Vietnam at a glance

Best network
Viettel
Typical speeds
20 to 80 Mbps on 4G, 200 to 450 Mbps on 5G in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
5G
Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone all launched commercial 5G in 2024 to 2025, with Viettel achieving 90% outdoor population coverage by end 2025
Data
6 to 10 GB for a two-week trip
Plugs
Type A, C and F, 220V
Emergency
113 police, 115 ambulance

Key takeaways

Vietnam has excellent mobile coverage in cities and along the tourist corridor, with fast 4G everywhere from Hanoi's Old Quarter to Hoi An's lantern streets. Viettel has the widest rural and highland coverage. A Roamix Vietnam eSIM activates on arrival in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with no local registration. Budget 6 to 10 GB for a two-week north-to-south trip.

  • Viettel has the widest coverage including rural highlands, Sapa and the Mekong Delta. Essential for off-the-beaten-track travel.
  • A Roamix eSIM activates automatically on arrival and avoids the airport SIM queue, which can be lengthy at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat.
  • Cash is essential throughout Vietnam, especially outside major cities and tourist areas.
  • Vietnam e-visas are now available to nationals of all countries and are applied for online before arrival.
  • Budget 6 to 10 GB for two weeks of navigation, social sharing and WhatsApp with local contacts.

Best way to get data in Vietnam

For most Vietnam visitors, a Roamix eSIM on the Viettel network is the most practical option, combining the widest geographic coverage with zero registration requirements.

OptionBest forGood to know
Roamix eSIMRecommendedBest for: Most travellers, especially those covering the full countryActivates on arrival, covers north to south on Viettel, no registration hassle and no physical SIM swap.
Local physical SIMBest for: Long stays or those needing a local Vietnamese numberVery cheap data but requires a passport check and SIM swap at an airport counter or carrier store.
Pocket wifiBest for: Groups sharing one deviceAvailable for rent in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but adds another device to charge and return.
Carrier roamingBest for: Very short layoversExpensive and often limited compared to what local 5G networks deliver on a Roamix plan.

Vietnam has wifi in almost every cafe, hotel and guesthouse, but quality varies enormously. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City cafes often have fast connections. Remote guesthouses and homestays in Sa Pa or Ha Giang may have very slow or no wifi.

How much data you need

Vietnam trips require steady data for Grab, Google Maps, hotel and tour WhatsApp communication and navigating a language where even menus can be challenging without a translation app.

  • 4 to 6 GB

    One week in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay

    Grab, Google Maps, WhatsApp with tour operators and daily photo sharing.

  • 6 to 10 GB

    Two-week north-to-south journey

    Navigation across multiple regions, flight and train bookings, WhatsApp and social sharing throughout.

  • 15 GB or more

    Remote work or extended stay

    Video calls, laptop tethering and cloud uploads alongside daily exploration.

Data per hour, by activity

Maps and navigation
5 MB
Social media and browsing
100 to 150 MB
WhatsApp and Messenger calls
50 to 300 MB per hour for calls
Music streaming
70 MB
Standard video streaming
700 MB to 1 GB

Download offline Google Maps for Ha Long Bay, Ha Giang and any area where you plan to take a cruise or drive into the highlands, as signal is unreliable on open water and mountain roads.

How to set up a Vietnam eSIM

A Roamix Vietnam eSIM installs over wifi before departure and connects automatically to Viettel or another local carrier on arrival at Noi Bai or Tan Son Nhat, with no counter visit or paperwork required.

  1. 1

    Buy your plan on the Roamix Vietnam eSIM page before your trip.

  2. 2

    Install the eSIM over wifi by scanning the QR code.

  3. 3

    Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM for calls and SMS.

  4. 4

    Enable data roaming on the Roamix line only.

  5. 5

    Land in Vietnam and the eSIM connects automatically. Open Grab to book your first ride before you reach the exit.

Works on eSIM capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.

Roamix configures the APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.

If no data on arrival, confirm data roaming is enabled for the Roamix line, try selecting the network manually and restart the phone.

Full install guide

Visa and entry for Vietnam

Vietnam offers an e-visa to nationals of all countries, valid for up to 90 days and applied for online through the official Vietnam e-Visa portal. Citizens of 29 countries also receive visa-free entry for 14 to 45 days, including Germany, France, UK, Japan and South Korea at 45 days, and ASEAN countries at 30 days.

eVisa or ETA
Apply for a Vietnam e-visa at the official evisa.gov.vn portal before arrival. The e-visa costs around USD 25 and is processed within 3 working days. All nationalities are now eligible for the e-visa.
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.
Onward ticket
Proof of onward travel is required at immigration and may be checked by airlines at check-in.

Keep your e-visa confirmation accessible on your Roamix-connected phone. Some immigration desks request a printed copy, so save it offline before arriving.

Visa rules change. Always confirm current requirements at the official Vietnamese immigration portal before booking.

When you land in Vietnam

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How people message here

Facebook Messenger is the dominant messaging platform in Vietnam, used widely for both personal and business communication. WhatsApp and Zalo (a Vietnamese messaging app) are also commonly used.

Do you need a local number?

You do not need a local number for most travel purposes. A Roamix data eSIM covers WhatsApp, Messenger and Zalo messaging and calls. Most Vietnamese hotels and tour operators communicate on these platforms.

Install Zalo before arriving if you plan to communicate extensively with local guides, drivers and smaller guesthouses that may not use WhatsApp.

Airports in Vietnam

SGN

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Ho Chi Minh City

Free wifi available throughout the terminal but requires phone number verification via SMS, which is unreliable without a working SIM.

SGN is Vietnam's busiest airport and SIM kiosk queues in arrivals can run 20 to 30 minutes during peak times. A Roamix eSIM connects immediately on Viettel 5G as you step off the jet bridge, before you reach immigration.

HAN

Noi Bai International Airport

Hanoi

Free wifi available in the international terminal. Coverage is reasonable in the arrivals hall.

Noi Bai is 45 km north of Hanoi's Old Quarter. Having Roamix data active means you can book a Grab and set your hotel as a pin before you exit arrivals, avoiding the unmetered taxi queue entirely.

DAD

Da Nang International Airport

Da Nang

Free wifi offered in the terminal. Da Nang is a smaller airport and wifi is generally accessible without congestion.

Da Nang sits 30 minutes from Hoi An and 1 hour from Hue. Roamix data is immediately useful for loading Hoi An restaurant reservations and the Hue palace entry schedule the moment you land.

PQC

Phu Quoc International Airport

Phu Quoc

Wifi available in the terminal. Phu Quoc is a resort island so arrivals are often international leisure travellers.

Phu Quoc is Vietnam's resort island, and hotel shuttles, motorbike rentals and tour operators all communicate via messaging apps. Roamix on Viettel connects immediately and keeps you coordinated from the arrivals gate.

Apps and internet access in Vietnam

Vietnam has an open internet for all mainstream apps. Every common travel and social media app works normally on a Roamix Vietnam eSIM.

There is no general blocking of messaging, social media or calling apps for tourists. Some politically sensitive websites and international news sources may be filtered, but this does not affect travel apps. No VPN is needed for everyday use.

  • WhatsApp, works

    Fully available and useful for communicating with hotels, drivers and tour operators.

  • Facebook and Messenger, works

    Facebook is widely used in Vietnam and Messenger calls work normally on a Roamix eSIM.

  • Google Maps, works

    Unrestricted and essential for navigating Vietnam's cities and rural roads.

  • Grab, works

    The dominant ride-hailing app in Vietnam, works normally and is essential for safe and priced rides in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Getting around Vietnam

Vietnam's transport reflects its long, thin geography. The country is best explored by a combination of domestic flights, overnight trains, Grab in cities and motorbike hire or local bus for shorter regional stretches.

  • Grab

    Essential in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for safe, price-fixed rides. Open Grab before leaving arrivals to have a car ready before reaching the taxi queue.

  • Domestic flights

    The most practical way to cover the full length of Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways and VietJet operate frequent routes. A Roamix eSIM manages mobile boarding passes and live departure info.

  • Overnight trains (Reunification Express)

    The iconic way to travel between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, passing Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. Signal is present in cities and coastal sections but drops in tunnels and rural areas.

  • Motorbike hire

    The most common way to explore Hoi An, Hue and rural areas independently. Use Google Maps offline and a phone mount for navigation on unfamiliar roads.

Use Grab in cities for safe and priced rides. For motorbike hire, check the bike thoroughly and photograph any existing damage before signing anything. On the Reunification Express train, soft sleeper berths offer the most comfortable overnight experience.

Money and payments in Vietnam

The Vietnamese dong is a cash-forward currency. One US dollar is around 25,000 VND, and amounts in the millions are common for everyday purchases. Keep enough cash for street food, local transport and markets.

Cards and cash
International cards are accepted at upscale hotels, major restaurants and larger shops in tourist areas. For everything else, cash is king. ATMs are common in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but rarer in smaller towns and islands.
ATMs
Withdraw cash in larger amounts (3 to 5 million VND) to minimise ATM fees. Always choose to be charged in VND to avoid dynamic conversion fees.
Payment apps
MoMo is the dominant Vietnamese digital wallet but requires local bank verification. Some tourist-facing restaurants and cafes accept international payment apps via QR. A connected Roamix eSIM keeps your banking app active for tracking spending and finding ATMs.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditional in Vietnam but is increasingly appreciated in tourist areas. Round up restaurant bills or leave 20,000 to 50,000 VND for good service. Tipping boat crew on Ha Long Bay cruises and multi-day tour guides is expected.

Daily budget

Budget travellers can manage on 300,000 to 600,000 VND a day for local food, guesthouses and transport. Mid-range travellers spend 800,000 to 2,000,000 VND. Vietnam is still one of Southeast Asia's best-value destinations.

Local tips for Vietnam

Language
Vietnamese is tonal and highly localised by region. A connected camera translation app is genuinely useful for menus and signs outside tourist areas. Most Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City hospitality staff speak functional English.
Food
Vietnamese cuisine is extraordinary in its regional variety. Pho in Hanoi, banh mi everywhere, cao lau in Hoi An, bun bo hue in the central region and broken rice in Ho Chi Minh City are each genuinely distinct dishes. Eating at local pho shops and street stalls is both the cheapest and the most authentic option.
Plugs
220V, Type A, C and F plugs

Apps worth having

  • Grab

    rideshare

    The dominant rideshare app in Vietnam, essential for safe and price-fixed rides in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and available in most tourist towns.

  • Zalo

    messaging

    Vietnam's home-grown messaging app, used by many local hotels, restaurants and guides who may not be on WhatsApp.

  • Google Translate

    translation

    Camera translation of menus, signs and prices is genuinely useful across Vietnam where English signage outside tourist areas is limited.

Safety and health in Vietnam

Vietnam is generally safe for tourists, with petty theft and motorbike bag snatching in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi being the main concerns. Traffic is the biggest physical hazard, with very dense motorbike traffic in cities and aggressive driving on rural roads.

Stay reachable
Keep your Roamix eSIM active to use Grab for safe rides rather than unregistered taxis, share your live location with contacts when taking overnight trains and check for typhoon warnings during September to November in central Vietnam.
Health
Dengue fever and food safety are the main health concerns. Use repellent consistently, drink only bottled or filtered water and be selective with street food until your system adjusts.
Tap water
Do not drink tap water anywhere in Vietnam. Bottled water is very cheap and available everywhere. Be cautious with ice in very local restaurants outside tourist areas.

Networks and coverage in Vietnam

Vietnam's mobile networks have expanded rapidly, with Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone all launching commercial 5G services by 2025. Coverage in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and the main tourist corridor is strong. Viettel dominates for rural and highland coverage, reaching remote areas of the north and the Mekong Delta that the other operators miss. A Roamix Vietnam eSIM connects to the best available network on arrival, with no registration process.

Viettel

Best Coverage

By far the widest geographic reach in Vietnam, covering over 95% of the land area including remote northern highlands, Ha Giang, Sapa mountain roads, Mekong Delta villages and coastal islands. Leads on both 5G availability and rural coverage.

Vinaphone (VNPT)

Strong in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and major provincial capitals. Offers some of the fastest urban speeds and was the second operator to launch commercial 5G in December 2024.

Mobifone

Good urban coverage in major cities with a focus on Ho Chi Minh City and central Vietnam. 5G expanding from city centres. Less reliable outside the top ten cities.

Typical speeds
Expect 20 to 80 Mbps on 4G in tourist areas and 200 to 450 Mbps on 5G in major cities. Viettel reached an average 5G download of around 617 Mbps in January 2026.
5G
Viettel leads with 30,000 5G stations and 90% outdoor population coverage by end 2025. Vinaphone and Mobifone are rapidly expanding their 5G footprints in cities and provincial centres.

For trips that include Sapa, Ha Giang or any northern highland region, Viettel coverage is the only reliable option. A Roamix plan on the Viettel network gives you the best chance of staying connected in Vietnam's most spectacular remote landscapes.

Remote northern highland areas like Ha Giang loop roads and deep Phong Nha cave systems can have patchy or no signal on any network. Ha Long Bay boat trips often go offline in open water. Download offline maps and entertainment before departing. Vietnamese networks use widely supported 4G LTE and 5G mid-band frequencies that work with most modern unlocked smartphones.

Where to go in Vietnam

Vietnam stretches over 1,600 kilometres from north to south, offering an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, cuisines and cultural experiences across three very distinct regions. From the mountain terraces of the north to the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and the Mekong Delta river life, staying connected makes the journey between these worlds seamless.

Best time to visit

February to April is generally good for central and southern Vietnam. October to March suits the north. The central coast is best from February to August. Given the length of the country, check the regional forecast for wherever you are going.

Hanoi and the North

Vietnam's capital is a city of tree-lined French colonial boulevards and street food that fills every pavement, and the gateway to the terraced rice fields of Sapa and the dramatic karst valleys of Ha Giang. The Ha Giang loop, Dong Van Karst Plateau and Ba Be National Park are all within reach of Hanoi.

  • Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
  • Sapa rice terraces
  • Ha Giang Loop
  • Old Quarter street food tour

Excellent 5G across Hanoi's Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh and Cau Giay districts. Sapa town has reliable Viettel 4G. Ha Giang loop towns have basic 4G; mountain passes between them are intermittent. Download offline maps for the full Ha Giang loop before departing Ha Giang city.

Ha Long Bay and Northeast Coast

Ha Long Bay's 1,600 limestone islands rising from emerald water is one of the great natural spectacles of Southeast Asia. Nearby Cat Ba Island adds beach, hiking and a fishing village atmosphere distinct from the main bay.

  • Ha Long Bay cruise
  • Thien Canh Son Cave
  • Cat Ba National Park
  • Lan Ha Bay kayaking
  • Bai Chay Beach

Viettel 4G throughout Ha Long city and Cat Ba town. Cruise boats within 15 km of shore have usable signal. Outer anchorages on overnight cruises can drop to weak 3G or no signal. Pre-download offline maps and travel documents before boarding.

Central Vietnam: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An

The most culturally dense corridor in Vietnam. Hue's imperial citadel, the ancient trading town of Hoi An with its full-moon lantern festivals, Da Nang's beachfront, Ba Na Hills and My Son Sanctuary together form a compelling three-city itinerary.

  • Hoi An Ancient Town lanterns
  • Hue Imperial Citadel
  • My Khe Beach
  • Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge
  • My Son Sanctuary

Strong Viettel 5G in Da Nang city and along My Khe Beach. Hue city centre and Hoi An Old Town have reliable 4G. Ba Na Hills has Viettel coverage throughout. My Son Sanctuary outer clusters may have weak signal.

Ho Chi Minh City and the South

Vietnam's largest city is a relentless engine of commerce, coffee culture and street food. The nearby Mekong Delta offers slow boat rides through water hyacinth channels and floating markets at Can Tho. Con Dao Islands provide a pristine escape for those who travel further.

  • Ben Thanh Market
  • Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Mekong Delta floating markets
  • War Remnants Museum
  • Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Dense Viettel 5G across Districts 1, 3 and 7. Can Tho in the Mekong Delta has 5G. Rural delta villages and outer Mekong channels have viettel 4G; MobiFone and Vinaphone thin out. Con Son island on Con Dao has Viettel 4G.

Central Highlands and Mekong Delta

Da Lat's cool French-colonial hill station sits at 1,500 metres surrounded by coffee plantations and pine forests. Buon Ma Thuot is the heart of Vietnam's coffee belt, and Buon Don is home to the traditional Elephant Race Festival of the Ede and M'nong communities.

  • Da Lat flower gardens
  • Elephant Falls
  • Buon Ma Thuot coffee farms
  • Can Tho floating market
  • Vinh Long homestay

Da Lat city has good Viettel 4G. Coffee plantation routes around Buon Ma Thuot are covered in town and patchy between. Mekong Delta main towns are 4G; outer canals are variable. Buon Don is covered in the festival grounds area.

Off the beaten path

One of Southeast Asia's most spectacular motorbike roads, winding through towering limestone karst mountains, deep river valleys and ethnic minority villages in Vietnam's far north.

Signal: Viettel has the most consistent coverage on the Ha Giang loop, with signal at most towns and passes. Some of the deepest valleys and cliff-side road sections go offline. Download the full route offline before departing Ha Giang town.

Home to Son Doong, the world's largest cave, and dozens of other cave systems including the accessible Hang Toi (Dark Cave) and Tu Lan caves. One of Vietnam's most spectacular natural sites.

Signal: Viettel 4G in Phong Nha town and at the Paradise Cave and Dark Cave entrance areas. Hang En and Son Doong cave interiors have no coverage. Download park maps before tours.

Vietnam's northernmost point and a UNESCO Global Geopark. Ancient limestone formations, Hmong and Lo Lo minority villages, and a morning market in Dong Van that has barely changed in a century.

Signal: Viettel 4G in Dong Van town and Meo Vac market. The road between them, passing Ma Pi Leng, is intermittent. Download offline maps in Ha Giang city.

Vietnam's only desert-adjacent landscape, with red and white sand dunes, kite surfing and a fishing village atmosphere completely different from the rest of the coast. Three hours from Ho Chi Minh City.

Signal: Viettel 4G throughout Mui Ne town and the White Dunes at Bau Trang. Red Dunes (Doi Cat Do) at the edge of town are fully covered.

Often called the inland Ha Long Bay. Trang An's boat corridors through limestone karsts won UNESCO status in 2014. Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital, adds history to natural drama.

Signal: Viettel 4G in Ninh Binh city and Tam Coc boat dock. Trang An boat corridors and Bich Dong Pagoda are well covered.

Vietnam's most pristine island chain, with near-virgin sea turtle nesting beaches, a difficult history as a French colonial prison, and a small resort scene without the overcrowding of Phu Quoc.

Signal: Viettel 4G on Con Son island, the main island. Remote smaller islands are off-grid. Ferry and flight from Ho Chi Minh City both take roughly 30 to 60 minutes by air.

One of the most authentic highland markets in Vietnam. The Flower Hmong arrive in full traditional dress for weekly trading that is not staged for tourists. More genuine than many Sapa experiences.

Signal: Viettel 4G in Bac Ha town. The market is held every Sunday and attracts Flower Hmong communities from surrounding villages.

The spiritual centre of the ancient Cham Kingdom, with brick towers dating from the 4th to 13th centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage site 40 km from Hoi An that rewards an early morning visit before tour buses arrive.

Signal: Viettel 4G at the entrance and main temple clusters (Groups B, C, D and G). Remote outer clusters may have weak signal.

Vietnam's largest freshwater lake surrounded by karst forest, with boat trips through limestone caves, Tay minority stilt-house homestays, and near-zero tourist crowds compared to Ha Long Bay.

Signal: Viettel 4G in the park village near Ba Be Lake. Remote trekking trails and the boat routes on the lake itself have intermittent signal.

A functioning organic vegetable farm on a river bend outside Hoi An, where cooking class tours include harvesting, water wheel irrigation and preparing the signature morning glory salad. Far more hands-on than the Old Town restaurant tours.

Signal: Viettel 4G throughout. The village is 3 km from Hoi An Ancient Town and has full urban-level coverage.

Events and seasons in Vietnam

  1. Late January to mid-February

    Tet Nguyen Dan

    Nationwide, especially Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City

    The most important festival in the Vietnamese calendar. Families reunite, temples overflow with incense, flower markets fill every pavement, and fireworks light up Hoan Kiem Lake at midnight on New Year's Eve. The entire country transforms for roughly two weeks.

  2. 19th day of the second lunar month, February or March

    Quan The Am Pagoda Festival

    Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains), Da Nang

    A vibrant pilgrimage festival at one of Vietnam's most sacred Buddhist sites, drawing thousands of worshippers to the Marble Mountains complex for chanting, processions and lantern ceremonies. The caves and towers of Ngu Hanh Son are spectacularly lit for the occasion.

  3. March (typically the third month of the lunar calendar)

    Elephant Race Festival

    Buon Don, Dak Lak Province

    An ancient elephant festival of the Ede and M'nong ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. Mahout-ridden elephants race, swim rivers and play football in a festival that celebrates the traditional relationship between the Central Highlands communities and Asian elephants.

  4. April to May, held in even years

    Hue Festival

    Hue Imperial Citadel and city, Thua Thien-Hue

    Vietnam's largest cultural festival, held biennially in even years. Traditional court music (nha nhac, UNESCO Intangible Heritage), royal processions, ao dai fashion shows and international performances fill Hue's Imperial Citadel and surrounding areas.

  5. April

    Vietnam International Travel Mart

    National Exhibition Construction Centre, Hanoi

    Vietnam's largest B2B and consumer travel trade show, showcasing local operators, destinations and hospitality businesses from across the country. Relevant for digital nomads and travel bloggers looking to connect with local partners.

  6. Biannual, late spring and late summer

    Whale Festival

    Ca Na and Mui Ne, Binh Thuan Province

    A traditional fishing community ceremony honouring the whale (ca ong in Vietnamese), believed to protect fishermen at sea. Colourful processions carry whale bones to the sea, accompanied by traditional music and offerings.

  7. Late May to mid-July, Saturday evenings

    Da Nang International Fireworks Festival

    Han River, Da Nang

    The longest running international fireworks competition in Asia, with teams from eight to ten countries competing on alternating Saturdays over the Han River. The 2025 edition ran from May 31 to July 12 with six competition nights.

  8. 15th day of the eighth lunar month, September or October

    Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu)

    Nationwide, especially Hoi An and Hanoi

    Vietnam's second most celebrated festival. Children carry lanterns through streets after dark, lion dances weave between mooncake stalls, and the Hoi An Lantern Festival coincides for its most elaborate annual night. Families gather to share mooncakes under the full moon.

  9. November

    Vietnam Discovery Challenge

    Multiple provincial locations

    A multi-stage adventure race covering trail running, mountain biking and kayaking across different Vietnamese provinces each year. The 2025 edition covered Ha Giang's karst plateau. It draws international participants alongside Vietnamese adventure sports enthusiasts.

  10. 14th day of each lunar month, year-round

    Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival

    Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam

    On each full moon, Hoi An Ancient Town shuts off its electric lights and fills with paper and silk lanterns lining the Thu Bon River. Paper lanterns are floated on the river, traditional music plays in the streets, and the reflection of thousands of lanterns on the water is one of Vietnam's defining images.

Through the year

Spring
March to May is ideal for the full length of Vietnam, with moderate temperatures and reducing rain. Tet falls in January or February just before this window and is worth planning around.
Summer
June to August is hot and humid across most of the country. The northern and central regions see the most rainfall. Phu Quoc and the Mekong Delta are at their driest.
Fall
September to November brings typhoon risk to central Vietnam including Da Nang and Hoi An. The north begins to cool and the northeast monsoon arrives. October to November is beautiful in Sapa.
Winter
December to February is the best time for central and southern Vietnam. Hanoi and the north can be cool and misty from December to February, which is atmospheric but requires warmer clothing.

Working remotely from Vietnam

Hoi An, Hanoi's Hoan Kiem area and Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 and 3 have a growing coworking scene with reliable wifi and long opening cafes. Vietnam is an excellent value remote work base.

Connection
A Roamix eSIM on the Viettel network handles urban video calls and laptop tethering. A plan of 15 GB or more suits a working week with daily calls alongside sightseeing.

Hoi An has a particularly good collection of coworking-friendly cafes near the Ancient Town that offer fast wifi, good coffee and air conditioning throughout the day.

Vietnam eSIM questions

Quick answers before you go.

Roamix is a top choice for Vietnam because it connects to Viettel, the network with the widest coverage across the country including the northern highlands, rural areas and islands. It activates automatically on arrival without a SIM counter visit.

You do not need a physical SIM. A Roamix Vietnam eSIM gives you local data on arrival without a passport check at an airport counter or the need to swap out your home SIM.

Roamix offers Vietnam data plans that significantly undercut carrier roaming rates, with tiers sized for a quick Ho Chi Minh City break through to a month-long north-to-south journey.

The most reliable option is a Roamix Vietnam eSIM on the Viettel network, which covers the full length of the country including the northern highlands, rural areas and islands where other networks are weaker.

Buy your plan on the Roamix Vietnam eSIM page before departure, install it over wifi by scanning the QR code, then enable data roaming for the Roamix line. It connects automatically on landing at Noi Bai or Tan Son Nhat airport.

Most recent phones support eSIM, including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy S and A series models. Your phone must be carrier unlocked to use a Roamix eSIM.

Signal on Ha Long Bay and offshore islands varies. Viettel has the most consistent coverage, reaching the bay's main islands and cruise routes. Deep cave systems and remote island interiors have no signal on any network, so download offline maps before boarding.

Yes. Vietnam has an open internet, so WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, Instagram and TikTok all work normally on a Roamix eSIM without a VPN.

Most travellers covering both north and south use 6 to 10 GB for two weeks, covering maps, Grab rideshare, WhatsApp and photo sharing. Add more if you stream, take frequent video calls or tether a laptop.

Citizens of Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan and South Korea receive a 45-day visa exemption. Most other nationalities can apply for a 90-day e-visa online before arrival. Confirm current requirements with official sources before booking.

Cash is essential throughout Vietnam. International cards work in upscale hotels and tourist restaurants, but street food, local markets, buses and many guesthouses are cash only. Keep enough dong on hand and use ATMs in cities rather than relying on remote areas having them.

Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat both have free airport wifi, but it is slow and stops at the terminal exit. A Roamix eSIM activates on landing so Grab, maps and Google Translate are live before you step outside, which matters when navigating Vietnamese taxi queues.

Yes, on Viettel. Towns on the loop including Ha Giang city, Dong Van, Meo Vac and Yen Minh have usable Viettel 4G. The mountain roads between them, including Ma Pi Leng Pass, are intermittent on all networks. Download your full route on Google Maps offline before leaving Ha Giang city each morning. A Roamix eSIM on Viettel is the only reliable choice for this region.

Yes, and you should do so well before you travel. Son Doong permits are tightly controlled by Oxalis Adventure and sell out up to a year in advance. Use your Roamix data to visit the Oxalis website, confirm your slot and download all pre-tour briefing materials before arriving in Phong Nha. Inside the cave itself there is no signal on any network.

Yes. Da Nang International Airport (DAD) has Viettel coverage in and around the terminal. Your Roamix eSIM connects on landing, which is useful for loading Hoi An restaurant reservations, booking a Grab to your hotel and pulling up the Hue imperial palace entry schedule before you leave the arrivals area.

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