What are the prices for Viettel and Mobifone SIM cards at Ho Chi Minh Airport?

A Viettel SIM card can be purchased for 300,000 VND. Mobifone SIM cards offer various price plans, such as 350,000 VND, 300,000 VND, and 250,000 VND.

If I need a SIM card with call functionality when purchasing at Ho Chi Minh Airport, which provider should I choose?

The author of this article chose a Mobifone (MOBIFONE) SIM card because call functionality was needed. It was confirmed that Viettel (VIETTEL) does not offer call options.

What is the maximum validity period for a SIM card purchased at Ho Chi Minh Airport?

The maximum validity period for a SIM card purchased at Ho Chi Minh Airport is one month. A chip purchased previously that was 6 weeks old did not work, and upon checking with staff, the answer received was one month.

Where is the Grab pickup location at Ho Chi Minh Airport International Terminal?

The Grab pickup point at Ho Chi Minh Airport International Terminal is Pillar 10. The area directly in front of Pillar 10 is for taxis, so if you cross a small road, you will find the main Grab pickup area.

Ho Chi Minh Airport SIM Card Prices 2026: Where to Buy

Ho Chi Minh Airport SIM Card Prices 2026: Where to Buy | TRVLOGUE

When you're planning a trip to Southeast Asia, it's usually easiest to grab a local SIM card once you arrive.

That's exactly what I did on my latest adventure, picking up a Ho Chi Minh Airport SIM card right after landing.

Of course, eSIMs are super popular these days, and getting one set up before you even leave can make things incredibly smooth.

>> 5G eSIM Vietnam, Viettel

>> Local Data Vietnam eSIM, VINAPHONE

Once you clear immigration and step into the arrivals hall, your first instinct might be to speed walk past all the hawkers. But then you realize there are actually quite a few SIM card stalls, and for a moment, you're not sure which one to pick! Haha.

You'll see a whole row of places where you can buy a Ho Chi Minh SIM card. I headed to the one at the very end, which seemed the least crowded. Funny enough, I took this picture *after* my purchase, and suddenly, it looks like the busiest spot! It was definitely the quietest when I first arrived, so much for finding a peaceful spot!

The Ho Chi Minh SIM card prices seemed pretty consistent with what I saw at Hanoi Airport previously. Viettel offered a plan for 300,000 VND, while Mobifone had options at 350,000 VND, 300,000 VND, and 250,000 VND. With around 4GB of data per day, it's pretty much unlimited for most travelers.

Mobifone seemed to be the preferred option they were pushing. (They even had the Viettel price list flipped over, out of sight!)

I'm not sure if it's because more people choose Mobifone, or if there's a commission difference for the vendors.

I remember at Hanoi Airport, my SIM card stopped working once, and when I went back to complain, the staff member actually told me to use Viettel instead of Mobifone! Go figure.

Since I needed local call functionality, Mobifone was my only real choice.

When I wrote about my Hanoi trip, I mentioned needing calls for things like booking massages and using Grab. But this time, I realized my assumption about Grab calls was totally wrong – Grab has its own in-app calling feature, so you don't need a local number for that!

So, the primary use for a local call option? Booking a massage, apparently! Haha.

(Sure, you might need a local number for things like rapid antigen tests or other forms, but usually, if you say you don't have one, they just let it slide.)

Of course, if you prefer Korean-run massage shops, you can typically book via KakaoTalk. But I always lean towards local spots, and my favorite, Miu Miu Spa, requires reservations! (Though they do have an online booking system, I'm just too lazy for it sometimes.)

Looking at the photo again, it's clear they list Viettel but still push Mobifone! Sneaky.

One important tip: no matter which shop you buy your Ho Chi Minh Airport SIM card from, it's generally a good idea to stick with major carriers like VIETTEL or MOBIFONE.

A friend who arrived earlier bought a cheaper, lesser-known SIM card. While mine (Mobifone) worked perfectly in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, his often struggled with connectivity.

Hold on, though! I asked for Mobifone, but this is a Viettel SIM card!

When I questioned it, they told me it didn't matter.

Perhaps the physical SIM card itself isn't carrier-specific, and the plan you choose dictates the network? I'm not entirely sure how it works.

The main issue was that Viettel plans often don't include a call option, and I definitely needed that.

I should have confirmed the call functionality right there on the spot, but I only checked if the internet worked and then left!

Thankfully, when I tried making a call later, it worked perfectly!

So, it seems the SIM card itself isn't the defining factor for calls, though I'm still puzzled by the exact mechanism.

Oh, and the validity period for a Ho Chi Minh Airport SIM card appears to be a maximum of one month. I tried reactivating a chip I bought previously (about six weeks old), and it didn't work. I confirmed this with the staff, who stated it's valid for one month.

If you prefer to get an eSIM in advance, here are some options:

>> 5G eSIM Vietnam, Viettel

>> Local Data Vietnam eSIM, VINAPHONE

After getting my SIM, it was time to call a Grab.

The pickup point for Grab depends on whether you're at the International or Domestic terminal. For international arrivals, it's usually near Pillar 10. The area directly in front of Pillar 10 (as shown in the picture) is for taxis, but if you cross a small road, you'll find the main Grab pickup zone.

This was the case this time, but I vaguely recall having to go to a parking lot for a Grab pickup on a previous visit. It seems to change!

The best thing to do is to call your driver after you've booked your Grab. Honestly, language can be a barrier, but they almost always call! Just answer, acknowledge the language difference, then send a photo of your exact location. The driver will either come to you or send a photo of their location, and you can head there.

In the past, I used to be wary of other taxis and only trusted Vinasun or Mailinh. But now, I don't even glance at taxis; Grab is my go-to.

If Grab is difficult to book (like late at night) or you're in a pinch, you might have to take a taxi. But you can use the Grab app to get an estimated fare, which gives you leverage to negotiate with taxi drivers.

Since this was a recent return trip, buying the Ho Chi Minh Airport SIM card and getting to my accommodation was a breeze. (I had leftover Vietnamese Dong from my last visit, so I didn't need to exchange currency at the airport.)