Vietnam eSIM Phone Number: Calls & SMS Guide

Vietnam’s three main mobile networks — Vinaphone, Viettel, and Mobifone — all offer tourist eSIM plans, but their phone number support differs significantly. Vinaphone eSIMs (e.g., 10-day or 15-day plans) are assigned a real local Vietnamese number by the carrier. This number can receive incoming calls and SMS messages at no extra charge. Outgoing calls and SMS are not included on any of our eSIM plans.

Viettel eSIM plans are strictly data-only. They do not assign a phone number, so you cannot make or receive calls or SMS. Skyfi (Mobifone) eSIMs are also data-only — no local number, no calls, no SMS. All three carriers provide data for internet access; the key difference is phone number functionality. If you need any kind of voice or SMS interaction, choose Vinaphone. Otherwise, data-only plans work perfectly.

When you purchase a Vinaphone eSIM — for example, the 10-day or 15-day plan — you receive a Vietnamese mobile number. Incoming calls to this number are free; there is no per-minute charge deducted from your plan. Incoming SMS, such as OTP codes for Grab registration, hotel check-in verification, or banking alerts from local services, arrive at no additional cost.

However, outgoing calls and SMS are not supported on any simvietnam eSIM. You cannot dial out or send text messages from this number using the carrier’s network. For outgoing communication, use VoIP apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, FaceTime Audio, or Skype over your data connection. The Vinaphone number remains active for the duration of your data plan. Once the plan expires, the number is deactivated and cannot be reused.

Viettel eSIM plans (such as 5GB/day for 7, 15, or 30 days) are strictly data-only. They do not assign a local number, and you cannot make or receive calls or SMS. Skyfi, which runs on Mobifone’s network, is also data-only — no phone number, no calls, no SMS. These plans are ideal for travelers who only need internet access for maps, social media, messaging, and streaming.

Because they skip the phone number overhead, data-only plans are often slightly cheaper than Vinaphone plans of similar duration. For example, Viettel 15 days costs $12.9 compared to Vinaphone 15 days at $13.9. If you definitely need to receive calls or SMS, choose Vinaphone. If not, Viettel or Skyfi are perfectly sufficient and slightly more budget-friendly.

A local Vietnamese number is useful in a few specific situations. Grab, the popular ride-hailing app, often asks for a local number during account registration and drivers typically call or text passengers to coordinate pickup. Hotels frequently request a local contact number on check-in forms. Some Vietnamese websites and apps (delivery services, booking platforms) may send SMS verification codes to a local number.

However, banking OTPs from your home bank will still arrive on your home number — not your Vietnamese eSIM. Keep your primary SIM active via roaming or dual-SIM to receive those. Travelers without a local number can use Grab’s in-app chat feature to message their driver, and many hotels accept a foreign number. So a local number is helpful but not essential for most trips.

Since no tourist eSIM includes outgoing calls, you’ll need an alternative to call Vietnamese numbers (hotels, restaurants, etc.). The easiest method is to use data-based apps: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, Skype, or Google Voice (where available). These services use your eSIM’s internet connection and allow you to call other app users for free, or call regular phone numbers at low rates via Skype credits.

Another option is Wi-Fi calling from your home carrier, if your phone and carrier support it. This routes calls through your home number over a data connection. For long calls to local numbers, you could buy a cheap physical SIM from a convenience store (e.g., Viettel prepaid with a top-up) to get outgoing voice minutes. For most travelers, WhatsApp or Telegram over data is enough.

If you need a local number to receive calls or SMS — for Grab, hotel check-in, or app verification — choose a Vinaphone eSIM. Options include vinaphone-10days ($11.9) and vinaphone-15days ($13.9). If you only need data and want the best price, choose Viettel or Skyfi eSIM. For a 7-day trip, Viettel 7 days ($9.9) or Mobifone 7 days ($8) work well. For 15 days, Viettel 15 days ($12.9) or Vinaphone 15 days ($13.9); for 30 days, Viettel 30 days ($18.9) or Vinaphone 30 days ($18.9).

Before buying, check device compatibility: most modern smartphones (iPhone XS or later, Galaxy S20 or later, Pixel 3 or later) support eSIM. Mainland Chinese iPhones and some older models do not — confirm your device supports eSIM. All our eSIMs are activated by scanning a QR code sent via email. If you're unsure which plan fits, we recommend Vinaphone for travelers who want the safety net of a local number, and Viettel or Skyfi for pure data users. For more details, visit simvietnam.telebox.vn.