Best eSIM for Vietnam 2026: Holafly Unlimited Data (STEPHANDPETE)
Holafly Vietnam eSIM with unlimited data. Perfect for Hanoi, Hoi An, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh. Seamless transition after China travel. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off. Tested across all major destinations.
Quick Answers
Holafly Vietnam eSIM with unlimited data - works everywhere from Hanoi to Hoi An.
Yes. Excellent coverage in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, and rural areas.
Plans start at $19 for 5 days. Use STEPHANDPETE for 5% off.
Yes. We streamed YouTube and Netflix throughout Vietnam with no issues.
Yes. Use Asia regional plan for seamless transition between countries.
Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off all Holafly Vietnam plans.
Best eSIM for Vietnam 2026: Holafly Unlimited (Code STEPHANDPETE)
Photo by Rowan Heuvel on Unsplash
Vietnam is booming as one of Southeast Asia's top destinations. From Hanoi's Old Quarter to Hoi An's lantern-lit streets, Halong Bay's limestone karsts to Ninh Binh's rice paddies - staying connected matters for navigation, bookings, and sharing your journey. We tested Holafly across Vietnam including as part of a China → Vietnam multi-country trip. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off.
Why Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's hottest destinations
Vietnam has exploded in popularity over the past few years. It offers incredible food, stunning landscapes, rich history, and unbeatable value - all without the crowds you'll find in Thailand or Bali.
What makes Vietnam special right now:
- Food scene: Pho, banh mi, bun cha, fresh spring rolls - Vietnamese cuisine rivals Thailand at a fraction of the cost
- Diverse landscapes: Mountains in Sapa, beaches in Da Nang, rice paddies in Ninh Binh, limestone karsts in Halong Bay
- Budget-friendly: Excellent value for accommodation, food, and activities compared to other Southeast Asian countries
- Authentic experiences: Less touristy than Thailand, more accessible than Myanmar
- Perfect for couples and solo travelers: Safe, easy to navigate, incredible photo opportunities
Reliable mobile data is essential in Vietnam for:
- Google Maps (addresses in Vietnam can be confusing even for taxi drivers)
- Grab app for transport (taxi scams are common without it)
- Booking last-minute tours to Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, or Mekong Delta
- Translating menus and communicating with locals
- Finding the best pho and banh mi spots that aren't in guidebooks
- Uploading photos of Hoi An's lanterns, Halong Bay sunsets, and Hanoi chaos
Our Vietnam coverage test: Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Halong Bay → Hoi An
We spent 10 days exploring Vietnam's highlights, using Holafly as part of an Asia regional plan after visiting China. Here's what actually happened in each destination:
Hanoi (3 nights)
Coverage: Excellent throughout Old Quarter, French Quarter, and West Lake area
What we used data for:
- Navigating the organized chaos of Old Quarter streets (Google Maps essential)
- Finding authentic pho spots recommended by locals, not guidebooks
- Booking last-minute train tickets to Ninh Binh
- Using Grab instead of street taxis (avoided overcharging)
- Uploading photos of Hoan Kiem Lake, Train Street, and night markets
Data usage: Heavy. Hanoi is sensory overload and we constantly looked up restaurants, checked reviews, and shared photos. Used about 2-3 GB per day with video uploads.
Ninh Binh (2 nights)
Coverage: Very good in Tam Coc town, solid at Trang An boat tours and Hang Mua viewpoint
What we tested:
- Google Maps navigation to Hang Mua viewpoint (saved us from getting lost)
- Streaming YouTube videos while waiting for boat tours
- Uploading Instagram Stories from rice paddy viewpoints
- Video calls with family from our homestay
Result: Coverage impressed us in what's essentially rural Vietnam. Even on the Trang An boat tour winding through caves and rice paddies, we had signal most of the time. Lost coverage briefly in some cave sections (expected), but it came right back.
Halong Bay overnight cruise (1 night)
Coverage: Good near the harbor and main cruise routes, weaker in remote cave areas
What worked:
- Uploaded sunset photos from the cruise deck while sailing
- WhatsApp messages to confirm our Hoi An accommodation
- Streamed music during the cruise (worked most of the time)
What didn't: Coverage dropped when we went deep into Sung Sot Cave and some remote limestone karst areas. This is normal - you're in the middle of the bay surrounded by rock formations. Hotel WiFi on the cruise ship filled the gaps.
Pro tip: Download offline maps and any important reservations before the cruise. You'll have coverage most of the time, but not 100%.
Hoi An (4 nights)
Coverage: Excellent in Ancient Town, An Bang Beach, and surrounding areas
Best connectivity test:
- Streamed Netflix in our hotel near An Bang Beach (worked perfectly)
- Uploaded 4K videos of Hoi An's lantern festival to YouTube
- Video calls while walking through Ancient Town at night
- Constant Instagram Story updates (lanterns photograph beautifully)
- Booked tailors, cooking classes, and day trips via WhatsApp
Data usage: Heaviest of the trip. Hoi An is incredibly photogenic and we uploaded constantly. Streaming worked great. Used 3-4 GB per day easily.
Quick save for Vietnam
- Go to stephandpete.co/holafly
- Select Vietnam (or Asia if visiting multiple countries)
- Enter code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off
- Install before your flight (2 minutes)
- Land in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City fully connected
Unlimited data. No SIM card hassle at the airport.
Photos by Silver Ringvee, Doan Tuan, Tran Phu, and Rowan Heuvel on Unsplash
Coverage across Vietnam's top destinations
Holafly Vietnam eSIM connects to major Vietnamese networks (typically Viettel or VinaPhone). Here's coverage quality in popular destinations:
Northern Vietnam
- Hanoi: Excellent everywhere (capital city infrastructure)
- Halong Bay: Good on main cruise routes, weaker in remote caves
- Ninh Binh: Very good in towns, solid at major sites (Trang An, Tam Coc, Hang Mua)
- Sapa: Good in town, variable in remote trekking areas
- Cat Ba Island: Good in main town and beaches
Central Vietnam
- Hoi An: Excellent (Ancient Town, An Bang Beach, countryside)
- Da Nang: Excellent (modern city with 5G)
- Hue: Very good throughout city and Imperial City
- Phong Nha: Good in town, variable in caves and national park
Southern Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City: Excellent everywhere (largest city)
- Mekong Delta: Good in main towns, variable on river tours
- Phu Quoc: Excellent on main island areas
- Mui Ne: Very good throughout resort areas
- Dalat: Good in city, weaker in remote countryside
Where you might lose signal
- Deep inside Halong Bay caves
- Remote Ha Giang Loop roads
- Some sections of mountain passes
- Very rural areas between cities
These gaps are normal for any carrier. Download offline maps for remote areas.
Streaming & heavy data usage in Vietnam
One question we get constantly: "Can I actually stream with unlimited eSIMs?" Yes. Here's proof from Vietnam:
What we streamed successfully
- Netflix: Watched shows in our Hoi An hotel every night (720p-1080p quality depending on signal)
- YouTube: Streamed travel vlogs and music videos while waiting for tours and on trains
- Spotify: Constant music streaming while exploring (no buffering issues)
- Instagram Reels/TikTok: Endless scrolling with no lag
Heavy uploads we tested
- 4K video uploads to YouTube: Took time but worked - uploaded 5-10 minute videos from Hoi An
- Google Photos backup: Set to run in background, uploaded hundreds of photos throughout the trip
- Instagram Stories (video): Posted multiple times daily with no issues
- iCloud backup: Ran overnight, synced everything
Our daily data usage in Vietnam
- Light day (just navigation and messaging): 1-2 GB
- Normal day (plus social media and photo uploads): 2-3 GB
- Heavy day (streaming, video uploads, video calls): 3-5 GB
Total for 10-day trip: Approximately 25-30 GB. With Holafly's unlimited plan, we never thought about it or rationed usage.
Why unlimited matters in Vietnam
Vietnam is incredibly photogenic. Every corner of Hoi An Ancient Town, every rice paddy in Ninh Binh, every sunset in Halong Bay deserves to be captured and shared. With fixed data plans (like Airalo's 3GB or 10GB packages), you're constantly checking usage and worrying about running out.
With Holafly unlimited, we just used our phones normally - streamed when we wanted, uploaded videos in full quality, video called family whenever. No stress.
China → Vietnam multi-country travel (seamless transition)
We used Holafly's Asia regional plan which covers both China and Vietnam (plus Taiwan, Thailand, and other countries). Here's how the transition worked:
In China (Guangzhou & Xiamen)
- Holafly's built-in VPN gave us access to Google, WhatsApp, Instagram
- Worked perfectly for 6 days across southern China
- Hotspot to laptop for work
Flying from China to Vietnam
- Xiamen → Hanoi flight (about 2 hours)
- No configuration needed: Landed in Hanoi, phone automatically connected to Vietnamese network within 2 minutes
- VPN switched off automatically (not needed in Vietnam)
- Same eSIM, same unlimited data, zero setup
Why Asia regional plan is perfect for China + Vietnam
- No buying multiple eSIMs: One plan covers both countries (plus others)
- Seamless transitions: Works automatically when you cross borders
- Better value: Asia plan for 15 days (~$47) vs buying separate China + Vietnam plans (~$54 total)
- VPN adjusts automatically: Built-in VPN activates in China, turns off in Vietnam
Other multi-country routes this works for:
- Vietnam → Thailand → Cambodia (classic Southeast Asia route)
- China → Vietnam → Taiwan (we tested this exact route)
- Vietnam → Singapore → Malaysia
- Any combination of Asian countries Holafly covers
Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off Asia regional plans at stephandpete.co/holafly.
Holafly vs Airalo for Vietnam
Both eSIM providers work in Vietnam. The choice depends on how much data you'll use and whether you want to track usage.
| Feature | Holafly Vietnam | Airalo Vietnam | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data style | Unlimited with fair use policy | Fixed packages (1GB-20GB) | Holafly for stress-free usage |
| Price (7 days) | ~$27 unlimited | ~$8 for 3GB, ~$14 for 10GB | Airalo if you use <3GB/week |
| Streaming quality | Stream freely without worry | Possible but eats into data cap | Holafly |
| Setup | Very simple, QR code | Very simple, QR code | Tie |
| Hotspot | Usually allowed | Usually allowed | Tie |
| Coverage | Excellent (Viettel/VinaPhone) | Excellent (multiple networks) | Tie |
| Best for | Heavy users, streamers, photographers | Budget travelers, light data use | Depends on your style |
Our recommendation
Choose Holafly if:
- You'll upload lots of photos/videos (Hoi An and Halong Bay are photo paradises)
- You want to stream Netflix or YouTube without worrying
- You're traveling with family/partner and want zero data stress
- You're combining Vietnam with China or other countries (regional plan)
Choose Airalo if:
- You use minimal data (mostly offline maps and occasional lookups)
- Budget is the absolute priority
- You're comfortable tracking data usage
- Solo traveler with light internet needs
Our take: We used Holafly for Vietnam and were glad we did. Vietnam is too beautiful not to share constantly, and streaming worked perfectly. The $10-15 extra over Airalo was worth it for zero stress and the ability to use our phones normally.
Holafly Vietnam eSIM pricing
Holafly offers unlimited data plans for different trip lengths. Prices are approximate - always check Holafly for current rates.
| Trip type | Days in Vietnam | Suggested plan | Example price* | Savings with STEPHANDPETE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend in Hanoi or HCMC | 3-5 days | Vietnam eSIM 5 days | $19 | $0.95 |
| Hanoi to Hoi An highlights | 7-10 days | Vietnam eSIM 7-10 days | $27-37 | $1.35-1.85 |
| Full north to south route | 14-21 days | Vietnam eSIM 15-20 days | $47-59 | $2.35-2.95 |
| Extended stay or work | 30 days | Vietnam eSIM 30 days | $69 | $3.45 |
| Vietnam + other Asian countries | 14-30 days multi-country | Asia regional plan | $47-69 | $2.35-3.45 |
*Prices are approximate. Check Holafly for current rates. Code STEPHANDPETE saves 5%.
How to install Holafly Vietnam eSIM
- Go to stephandpete.co/holafly and select Vietnam
- Choose your plan length and enter code STEPHANDPETE at checkout for 5% off
- Holafly emails you a QR code within minutes
- Before you fly, open your phone settings and scan the QR code to install the eSIM
- Label it "Vietnam" or "Holafly" so you can identify it
- When you land in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, switch your mobile data to the Holafly eSIM and enable data roaming
- Connection happens automatically - you're online within minutes of landing
Troubleshooting
- No data after landing? Toggle Airplane Mode off/on, confirm Holafly eSIM is selected for cellular data, and enable data roaming.
- Slow speeds? Holafly has fair use policies. After very heavy use (10+ GB/day), speeds may slow. Normal travel use rarely hits this.
- Need help? Holafly has 24/7 chat support accessible via their app.
Vietnam eSIM FAQs
What is the best eSIM for Vietnam?
Holafly Vietnam eSIM is the best option for unlimited data and simple setup. It works across all of Vietnam including Hanoi, Hoi An, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, and rural areas like Ninh Binh. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off.
Does Holafly work in Vietnam?
Yes, Holafly Vietnam eSIM works everywhere we tested including Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and Da Nang. Coverage is excellent in cities and good in rural tourist areas.
Can I stream Netflix in Vietnam with Holafly?
Yes. We streamed Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify throughout Vietnam with no buffering issues. Unlimited data means you can stream without worrying about caps.
How much does Holafly Vietnam eSIM cost?
Holafly Vietnam eSIM starts at $19 for 5 days with unlimited data. The popular 7-day plan costs $27. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off.
Does Holafly work in Halong Bay?
Yes, Holafly works on Halong Bay cruises and near the harbor. Coverage may weaken deep inside caves and in very remote limestone karst areas (normal for any carrier), but you'll have signal most of the time.
Can I use Holafly for Vietnam and China trips?
Yes. Use Holafly's Asia regional plan which covers both Vietnam and China (plus other countries). The eSIM automatically switches networks when you cross borders. We tested this exact route with zero issues.
Does Holafly Vietnam allow hotspot?
Yes, most Holafly Vietnam plans support hotspot tethering. Check your specific plan details, but hotspot is generally allowed.
Is Holafly better than buying a Vietnam SIM card?
Yes, for most travelers. Local SIM cards require passport registration and airport kiosk visits. Holafly is instant - install before your flight, land connected. No airport hassle, no language barriers.
What's the Holafly discount code for Vietnam?
Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off any Holafly Vietnam eSIM plan. Enter it at checkout.
Does Holafly work in Hoi An?
Yes, Holafly works excellently in Hoi An including Ancient Town, An Bang Beach, and surrounding countryside. We had full coverage everywhere and streamed videos without issues.
Will my phone work in Vietnam?
Most modern smartphones support eSIM. iPhones XR and newer, Google Pixel 3+, and Samsung Galaxy phones from 2020 onward work with eSIM. Check Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data to verify.
Can I use the Grab app in Vietnam with Holafly?
Yes. The Grab app works perfectly with Holafly Vietnam eSIM. We used Grab constantly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for transport - essential for avoiding taxi scams.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you purchase Holafly using our link or code STEPHANDPETE, at no extra cost to you. We used Holafly Vietnam eSIM on our actual trip through Vietnam and only recommend products we use and trust.