China/HK iPhone and Vietnam eSIM: Compatibility Guide

Apple officially states that iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and all later models sold in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao do not support eSIM. Instead, these devices use dual nano-SIM trays. This is a hardware limitation — no software update can enable eSIM, so no carrier or third-party plan can activate an eSIM on these models.

Models affected include the iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 series if purchased in those regions. To confirm your device's origin, go to Settings → General → About and look for the Model Number starting with 'A'. For example, a China iPhone 15 shows A3092, and a Hong Kong iPhone 15 shows A3094 – both are eSIM-free. If your model number matches one from China, Hong Kong, or Macao, you cannot install any eSIM, including Vietnamese ones.

No Vietnamese eSIM — whether from Viettel, Vinaphone, or Mobifone — can be installed on a China or Hong Kong iPhone. This is not a carrier restriction; it's a permanent hardware limitation. Our eSIM plans are designed for international models with eSIM support, so if you're using a device from those markets, you cannot activate them.

The good news: these iPhones have dual physical SIM slots (nano-SIM). You can keep your home SIM in one slot and insert a Vietnamese physical SIM in the second. Both stay active simultaneously, meaning you can still receive SMS/calls on your home number while using local data. In fact, the dual physical SIM feature is often more convenient than eSIM for travelers because there's no need to remove your home SIM. One caveat: Chinese iPhone models (Axxxx) often ship with one SIM slot physically combined with an eSIM placeholder, but the eSIM circuitry is absent — only the nano-SIM tray works.

The simplest workaround is to buy a physical SIM upon arrival in Vietnam. At Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) or Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi), you'll find Viettel and Vinaphone kiosks right after customs. Tourist SIMs typically cost 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–8) for a 7-day unlimited data plan and include a local phone number.

Alternatively, order a physical SIM online from a provider like Vietnamobile or a local reseller before your trip, and pick it up at the airport or have it delivered to your hotel. Once inserted, go to Settings → Cellular → select the physical SIM — APN settings usually configure automatically. If you already bought an eSIM from us before realizing your phone isn't compatible, contact our customer support for a refund or exchange. We don't sell physical SIMs, but we can advise where to buy one that matches your needs.

If you prefer not to swap SIMs, consider renting a pocket WiFi device. Rentals are available at the airport or through services like Roaming Man, costing roughly $3–5 per day. This gives you a personal WiFi hotspot without any phone changes. Another option is to enable international roaming from your home carrier — typically $10–15 per day — which avoids SIM swaps but is expensive for longer stays.

For travelers who already have our eSIM or prefer eSIM convenience, buying a cheap Android phone with eSIM support (e.g., Samsung Galaxy A series, Google Pixel 3 or newer) can be a cost-effective solution. Use that as a secondary device for data. Alternatively, a portable hotspot device with a local data SIM works for pure data needs. Each alternative has its own trade-offs in cost and convenience, but they all bypass the China/HK iPhone eSIM limitation.

Before purchasing any SIM for Vietnam, verify your iPhone's compatibility. Go to Settings → General → About and note the Model Number (starts with 'A'). Cross-reference this number against Apple's official list of eSIM-supporting devices by region. If your model is from China (e.g., A2097, A2098 for iPhone XS) or Hong Kong (e.g., A1921 for iPhone XS), eSIM will not work.

For newer models, China iPhone 14 series uses A2884, A2885, A2886, A2887 (all eSIM-free), while Hong Kong iPhone 14 series uses A2888, A2889, A2890, A2891 (also eSIM-free). If you are unsure, search your model number + 'eSIM support' online. Double-checking this before buying any SIM saves time and hassle. For travelers with eSIM-compatible iPhones, our eSIM plans offer a convenient digital alternative.