Dual eSIM Vietnam: Keep Home Number + Get Local Number

Global travel eSIMs such as those from Airalo and Holafly are designed purely for data. They do not provide a local phone number, which means you cannot receive calls or SMS on a Vietnamese network. This is a problem because Grab — the most popular ride-hailing app in Vietnam — relies on phone calls. When you book a ride, the driver will call the +84 number you registered. Without a local number, you are limited to in-app chat, which is less reliable and can cause delays.

Beyond Grab, many local apps and services (Shopee, Momo, bank apps, food delivery, hotel check-in) send one-time passwords (OTP) via SMS to a Vietnamese number. Without a local number, you cannot authenticate these services. At the same time, keeping your home SIM active ensures that OTPs from your home bank or credit card still arrive. This dual setup gives you the best of both worlds: your home number remains online for essential messages, and your Vietnam number handles local communications.

Almost every modern smartphone supports dual SIM operation. The iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 series and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can handle either one physical SIM plus one eSIM, or two eSIMs simultaneously. In a dual eSIM setup, you keep your home SIM (physical or eSIM) active as the primary line for voice and SMS from your home country, while the Vietnam eSIM acts as the secondary line for local data and local voice/SMS.

Configuration is straightforward: set the default data line to the Vietnam eSIM. Your home line will still receive calls and texts over your home network (if roaming is on) or via Wi‑Fi calling if available. However, not all Vietnam eSIMs include a phone number. Viettel and Skyfi (MobiFone) eSIMs from any seller are data-only — they cannot receive calls or SMS. Only Vinaphone eSIMs include a real +84 number that can receive incoming calls and SMS, including OTPs. This makes Vinaphone the right choice for anyone who needs a local number.

After evaluating the major Vietnamese carriers, only Vinaphone offers a tourist eSIM that includes a genuine +84 local phone number. This number can receive incoming calls (ideal for Grab drivers or hotel shuttles) and SMS (for app OTPs). Vinaphone’s 4G coverage is strong in all major cities — Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue — and in popular tourist spots like Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc. In remote mountainous or rural areas, coverage may be thinner, but for 95% of travellers it is more than sufficient.

Pricing is transparent: the 10‑day Vinaphone plan costs $11.90, the 15‑day plan costs $13.90, and the 30‑day plan costs $18.90. All include 5 GB of high‑speed data per day, then reduced speed after the daily cap. Compare this to Viettel’s data‑only eSIM (wider coverage in remote areas but no phone number) or Skyfi’s data‑only plans (more daily data but no number). If you need calls and SMS, Vinaphone is the only option that provides a working local number.

Setting up dual eSIM is simple when you follow these steps. Step 1: Before your trip, purchase a Vinaphone eSIM from us. Choose the 10‑, 15‑, or 30‑day plan based on your stay. Step 2: After purchase, you will receive a QR code by email. Do not scan it until you have read the instructions — some providers request scanning only after arrival. We recommend scanning before departure so the plan installs on your phone, then activating it once you land.

Step 3: Keep your home physical SIM inserted (or keep your home eSIM active). Go to Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data on Android) → Add Cellular Plan. Step 4: Scan the QR code. Label the new plan something like “Vietnam Data” or “Vinaphone”. Step 5: Set the default data line to the Vinaphone plan. For voice, you can keep the default line as your home SIM (so outgoing calls use your home number) or set it to “Ask every call”. Step 6: When you arrive in Vietnam, turn on the eSIM. It may take 1–2 minutes to connect to the network; you will see a notification when it activates. Step 7: Test the number by sending an SMS to a local friend or calling customer service. Your Vietnam number is the one assigned to the Vinaphone eSIM — you can find it in the cellular settings or on your purchase confirmation.

If an OTP from a local app does not arrive, first ensure the app has your Vinaphone number stored. Try sending the OTP again; sometimes the app sends to a cached number. If the Grab driver cannot call you, they might be using the app’s masked number system. Double‑check that your Vinaphone number is correctly set in your Grab profile (Settings → Profile → Phone Number).

If the eSIM fails to activate after landing, restart your phone, turn on data roaming for that line, and manually select the network operator as “Vinaphone”. If calls intended for your Vietnam number ring silently, verify your dual SIM settings: set the default voice line to your home SIM or choose “Ask every call” to avoid missing calls. On Android, you can also assign specific SIMs for calls to individual contacts. In most cases, a quick restart and network selection resolves activation delays.