How to Install & Activate a Viettel eSIM (iPhone & Android)
You just bought a Viettel eSIM from simvietnam.telebox.vn. Now what? This guide walks you through the exact steps for iPhone and Android, from scanning the QR code to first connection in Vietnam. No fluff.
1. Check Prerequisites
Before you install, confirm your phone supports eSIM. iPhones from the XS/XR series and newer (including iPhone 15) sold in the US, Europe, and Korea work. Most modern Android phones — Pixel 3 and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer — also support eSIM. Important: Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau iPhones do not have eSIM hardware, so they cannot use this product. Check your phone's model if you are unsure.
You will receive a QR code (or a manual activation code with an SM-DP+ address and activation code) via email after purchase. No physical SIM needs to be inserted. Installation requires a stable Wi-Fi connection — do it at home or at a hotel/airport lounge before heading out. Your Viettel eSIM plan only activates when your phone first connects to a Viettel tower inside Vietnam; scanning the QR code does not start the timer. Finally, ensure your phone is carrier-unlocked. Factory-unlocked phones from major brands work fine, but US carrier-locked devices (e.g., locked to AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) will likely fail.
2. Install on iPhone
Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Add Cellular Plan. Use the camera to scan the QR code from your purchase email. If scanning fails (e.g., due to dim light or a damaged code), tap 'Enter Details Manually' and input the SM-DP+ address and activation code exactly as shown in the email.
Label the plan something like 'Viettel' and set it as your primary data line. If you use dual SIM, keep your home line for voice and SMS, and let Viettel handle data. After adding the plan, go to Settings > Cellular > Viettel and toggle Data Roaming ON. This is necessary even though the eSIM is a local Vietnam plan — without roaming enabled, the phone will treat it as roaming. When you land in Vietnam, the eSIM should automatically register on Viettel's network. If it doesn't, restart the phone or manually select the network: Settings > Cellular > Network Selection > Viettel.
3. Install on Android
Go to Settings > Connections (or Network & Internet) > SIM Manager > Add eSIM. Select 'Scan QR code' and point to the QR code from your email. On some Samsung devices, you may need to choose 'Download eSIM' if a built-in QR scanner isn't available. If the QR code fails, use the manual activation option to enter the SM-DP+ address and activation code.
After adding, set the new eSIM as your primary data line. Android lets you choose separate SIMs for data, calls, and SMS — keep your home SIM for calls if needed, but set Viettel for mobile data. Enable Data Roaming for the Viettel eSIM in the mobile networks settings. On Samsung, toggle 'Roaming' under the eSIM's network settings. Once you arrive in Vietnam, the eSIM should connect automatically. If it doesn't, open network operators and select 'Viettel' manually.
4. Troubleshooting Tips
QR code not scanning. First, check that the code isn't scratched or dirty. Try manual entry using the SM-DP+ address and activation code from your order email. If both fail, contact support — we can resend a fresh code or help with manual setup.
eSIM not connecting after landing in Vietnam. Confirm that data roaming is enabled for the Viettel line. Restart your phone. If there's still no signal, go to network selection and manually pick 'Viettel'. Sometimes the phone auto-selects a weaker roaming partner instead of the primary Viettel network. On dual-SIM setups, verify that the Viettel line is set as the data SIM: on iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and choose Viettel; on Android, go to SIM manager and set data SIM to Viettel. Keep your home SIM for SMS/voice but disable its data to avoid international roaming charges.
Can't install the eSIM before arriving? Yes, you must install it before departure (or at the airport) because you need Wi-Fi. Install, turn on data roaming, and it will only activate once you're on a Viettel tower in Vietnam. For users with a mainland China iPhone: these devices physically lack eSIM hardware. You will need a physical SIM or a portable Wi‑Fi device instead — this is a hardware limitation, not a carrier issue.
5. Activation Timing & First Use
Your Viettel eSIM plan starts when your phone first connects to Viettel's network inside Vietnam. The 24‑hour countdown for daily data caps (if any) begins at that moment. For example, a 7‑day plan expires exactly 168 hours after first connection, regardless of how much data you've used.
Check your remaining data and validity by dialing USSD codes: *101# or *098# (free codes provided by Viettel). These codes work only after activation. If you need to keep your home number active, use dual SIM with your home SIM set for calls and Viettel for data. Remember to disable data on the home SIM to avoid roaming charges. Note: the eSIM is tied to the phone that scanned the QR code — it cannot be transferred to another device. If you switch phones, you will need a new eSIM.
FAQ
Can I install the Viettel eSIM before arriving in Vietnam?
Yes, you should install the eSIM before you leave home or at the airport using a Wi‑Fi connection. The plan does not activate until your phone connects to a Viettel tower inside Vietnam, so installing early is safe and recommended.
Does the Viettel eSIM work on a mainland China iPhone?
No. iPhones sold in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau lack the eSIM hardware. You will need to use a physical SIM or a portable Wi‑Fi device for connectivity in Vietnam. This is a hardware limitation, not related to our service.
How do I top up my Viettel eSIM if I run out of data?
Top‑up options depend on the specific plan you purchased. For prepaid eSIMs like ours, you typically cannot top up directly — you would need to buy a new eSIM plan for additional data. Check your plan details: if it is a fixed‑duration plan with a daily cap, exhausted data resets the next day. For multi‑day plans without daily caps, you can purchase a separate eSIM to run concurrently (dual SIM) once the first plan expires.
Can I use my home number for calls while using Viettel eSIM for data?
Yes. Both iPhone and Android support dual SIM with separate designations for voice and data. Keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS, and set the Viettel eSIM as the data line. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and select Viettel. On Android, go to SIM Manager and set data SIM to Viettel. Make sure to disable data on your home SIM to avoid roaming charges.
What do I do if my phone says 'No Service' with the Viettel eSIM?
First, confirm that data roaming is turned ON for the Viettel line. Then restart the phone. If the issue persists, manually select the Viettel network under network operators. Sometimes the phone tries to connect to a weaker roaming partner — picking Viettel directly resolves that. If you are still stuck, ensure your phone is unlocked and that you have scanned the QR code correctly. Contact support if none of these steps work.