Can you receive OTP on a Vietnam travel eSIM?
Yes, you can receive OTP and SMS on a Vietnam travel eSIM, but only if your eSIM includes a real Vietnamese phone number. Data-only eSIMs like Airalo do not have a local number, so they cannot receive SMS. Our simvietnam eSIMs (Viettel and Vinaphone) assign a real Vietnamese phone number upon activation, making SMS and OTP reception possible.
Quick answer: Yes, if your eSIM includes a real Vietnamese number
If your travel eSIM is tied to a real Vietnamese phone number, you can receive SMS and OTP codes normally. Carriers like Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone assign such numbers to their prepaid plans. In contrast, data-only eSIMs (for example, those from Airalo) do not provide a local number at all — they only deliver mobile data. Without a phone number, SMS delivery is impossible.
Our eSIMs (Viettel and Vinaphone) assign a 10-digit Vietnamese phone number upon activation. Once you are in Vietnam, any SMS sent to that local number will arrive on your device, including one-time passcodes from services like Grab, Shopee, or local bank apps. This works exactly as it would with a physical Vietnamese SIM.
Data-only eSIMs vs. eSIMs with a phone number
A data-only eSIM profile provides mobile internet but nothing else: no voice calls, no SMS, and no associated phone number. Global reseller eSIMs such as Airalo and Holafly typically work this way. Some may use virtual numbers or app-based SMS forwarding, but those seldom work reliably for standard SMS or OTP delivery from Vietnamese services.
Our eSIMs are native carrier prepaid plans from Viettel and Vinaphone. Both issuers assign a real, full Vietnamese mobile number that works on the actual cellular network. This means SMS delivery is handled by the carrier just as it would be on any physical SIM. If SMS works for a local subscriber, it works the same way on our eSIM.
Dual-SIM setup: keep your home number for international OTP
To continue receiving OTP codes from your home bank, Google, Apple, or WhatsApp while in Vietnam, you need your home SIM (physical or eSIM) active for SMS. The trick is to use dual-SIM mode: set the Vietnam travel eSIM as your primary data line, and keep the home line enabled only for voice and SMS. Turn off data roaming on the home SIM to avoid extra charges.
On an iPhone: go to Cellular > Cellular Plans, select your home line, and turn off ‘Data Roaming’. Confirm that international SMS is enabled on your home plan. On Android: open Settings > SIM manager, assign mobile data to the Vietnam eSIM, and set the home SIM for SMS and calls with data roaming off. Always test by sending a test SMS to your home number before you leave — that way you know it works.
Which OTP codes go where (local vs international services)
Local Vietnamese services — ride-hailing apps like Grab and Be, e-commerce platforms like Shopee, and banks like Vietcombank — send SMS verification codes to your Vietnamese phone number. Since that number resides on your travel eSIM, those OTPs will arrive there. You do not need your home SIM for local codes.
International services, however, send OTP to your home number. That includes your home bank, Google, Apple ID, WhatsApp (if linked to your home number), and most non-Vietnamese platforms. To receive those, your home SIM must be active and capable of receiving international SMS. Two-factor authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Authy do not use SMS at all — they generate codes offline and work over any data connection.
Tips to avoid missing important SMS while travelling
Install your travel eSIM before departure — activation typically works by scanning a QR code. You can usually set the plan to activate on your arrival date so the clock doesn't start early. Once you land, send yourself a test SMS to your new Vietnamese number to confirm reception. Also, check with your home carrier that international SMS roaming is enabled on your plan; some carriers require a short code or a call to activate it.
If your phone has only one physical SIM slot and you already use a physical SIM for your home number, consider switching your home line to an eSIM (if your carrier and phone support it). Alternatively, bring a cheap second phone just for SMS. Note that China and Hong Kong iPhone variants lack eSIM hardware; in that case, keep the physical SIM for your home number and use our eSIM for local data on a compatible device — or use a portable hotspot.
FAQ
Can I receive SMS from my home bank while using a Vietnam travel eSIM?
Yes, but you need your home SIM active for SMS. Use dual-SIM mode: keep your home SIM enabled for SMS (with data roaming off) and set the Vietnam eSIM as your primary data line. That way, OTP from your home bank arrives on your home number while you use local data.
Does your eSIM include a real Vietnamese phone number?
Yes, our Viettel and Vinaphone eSIMs assign a real 10-digit Vietnamese phone number upon activation. This number works on the carrier's network just like a physical SIM, so you can receive SMS and OTP from local services.
Will I receive OTP from Grab or local apps on the travel eSIM?
Absolutely. Local apps like Grab, Be, Shopee, and Vietnamese bank apps send their verification codes to your local Vietnamese number. Since that number is on your travel eSIM, the OTP will arrive directly on that line.
How do I set up dual SIM to keep receiving SMS from my home number?
On iPhone: go to Cellular > Cellular Plans, choose your home line, and turn off ‘Data Roaming’. On Android: open Settings > SIM manager, assign data to the Vietnam eSIM, and set the home SIM for SMS/calls with data roaming off. Ensure your home carrier allows international SMS roaming.
What if I only have a data-only eSIM (like Airalo)? Can I receive SMS?
No. Data-only eSIMs do not include a phone number and cannot receive SMS or OTP codes. You would need a separate service or a physical SIM with a number for SMS verification. Our eSIMs with a Vietnamese number avoid this limitation entirely.