Vinaphone eSIM with a Vietnamese phone number: calls & SMS

The Vinaphone eSIM includes a genuine Vietnamese phone number starting with +84. This means you can receive calls and SMS on a local number without needing a physical SIM card. For prepaid plans like those sold for tourists, incoming SMS is almost always free — you pay nothing to receive text messages from services like Grab, Zalo, or your hotel.

Incoming calls may also be free on some Vinaphone prepaid plans, but others deduct from your prepaid balance. Always check the specific plan details before purchasing. In addition to voice and SMS, the eSIM provides high-speed data — for example, 5 GB per day on the plans we offer — so you stay connected for maps, social media, and messaging apps.

Many essential services in Vietnam require a local phone number. Ride-hailing apps like Grab send one-time passwords (OTPs) to your registered number, and you need that number to confirm rides or deliveries. Hotels often call or SMS guests for check-in details, and some guesthouses may not accept international numbers for contact.

Local apps such as Zalo (the most popular messaging platform in Vietnam), food delivery services, and even some banking apps demand a Vietnamese number for registration. If you plan to open a local bank account or register a SIM, receiving OTPs from Vietnamese banks or telecommunications companies is only possible with a local number. Having a Vinaphone eSIM solves all these needs right away.

When someone calls your Vinaphone number, the call routes through Vinaphone’s network inside Vietnam. There are no roaming charges while you’re in the country because the number is local. Incoming calls may be free or deducted from your balance depending on the plan — check the terms of your specific eSIM package.

Outgoing calls and SMS are not typically included in prepaid tourist eSIM plans. If you need to make outbound calls or send texts, you can top up your account via the Vinaphone app or purchase a voice add-on. For most travelers, VoIP apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Skype work through the data connection, bypassing voice charges entirely. This is the most cost-effective way to call home.

You can purchase the Vinaphone eSIM from simvietnam.telebox.vn. After payment, you will receive a QR code by email. To install it, go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) on an iPhone, or to the equivalent menu on an Android phone, and select “Add eSIM.” Scan the QR code, and the profile will be added to your device.

Activation happens automatically when your phone connects to Vinaphone’s network in Vietnam. Do not install the eSIM before you depart — you should install it at the airport using Wi‑Fi or at your hotel after arriving. Installing it before you land may cause the profile to activate outside of Vietnam, which could lead to connection issues or unexpected charges.

Most modern smartphones support dual SIM operation. You can keep your home SIM active for iMessage/FaceTime registration with your usual number, while setting the Vinaphone eSIM as the data line. For voice calls and SMS, you can choose which line to use as default. On iPhones with dual eSIM (both lines digital), both remain active — just decide which one handles calls and which handles data.

A note for travelers from mainland China: iPhones sold in China do not support eSIM. If you have such a device, you cannot use this eSIM. You will need a physical SIM alternative, such as a prepaid Vinaphone physical SIM card available at airports or mobile stores.

For Grab, the OTP sent to your Vinaphone number works reliably — you will receive the code as a free SMS within seconds. Banking is more nuanced: some Vietnamese banks send OTPs to prepaid numbers without issue, while others may require a postpaid number or paper-based registration. Your mileage may vary; if a banking OTP fails, consider using a physical SIM or contacting the bank.

This eSIM is not designed for heavy voice calling. If you expect to make many local calls, consider using VoIP over your data connection or topping up for occasional outgoing calls. For long-term stays, the prepaid Vinaphone eSIM is convenient because you can easily top up online and keep your local number active as long as you renew the data plan.