A Different Kind of Vietnam Travel Diary
I’ve always been the type of traveller who struggles with SIM cards. Every time I arrive in a new country, there’s the hassle of finding a kiosk, dealing with paperwork, and hoping the connection actually works. On my 2025 trip to Vietnam, I decided to change things up — I used an eSIM instead. Here’s a look at how it shaped my three weeks across the country.
Day 1 – Landing in Hanoi
After my flight, I was exhausted and just wanted to get to my Airbnb. Instead of joining the line for SIM cards, I opened my phone and was already connected via eSIM. Within minutes, I booked a Grab car and navigated straight to the Old Quarter.
Day 3 – Halong Bay Adventure
Even on a cruise around Halong Bay, I had steady data. It was useful for checking the weather, sending updates to friends, and quickly booking add-on tours. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have expected good coverage here, but it worked perfectly.
Day 7 – Remote Work in Da Nang
Da Nang was where I really tested the connection. I spent half a day working from a riverside café, using my phone’s hotspot for my laptop. The eSIM kept up with video calls, emails, and large file uploads — no interruptions.
Day 12 – Lantern Festival in Hoi An
Hoi An is magical at night, with thousands of lanterns lighting up the streets. I snapped photos and instantly uploaded them to Instagram. The eSIM connection was reliable enough to share content in real time, which was a huge plus.
Day 18 – Everyday Life in Ho Chi Minh City
In Ho Chi Minh City, I relied on my eSIM daily. I used Grab for transport, food delivery apps, and most importantly, received OTP codes from my bank without any problems. This made city life so much easier compared to past trips when I had to worry about connectivity.
Day 21 – Relaxing in Phu Quoc
My final stop was Phu Quoc. Even on the beaches, I had usable internet. It wasn’t as fast as in the cities, but it was more than enough to check maps and book a taxi back to the airport. I liked not having to switch SIMs or worry about topping up — it just worked.
Tips for Travellers Considering eSIM in Vietnam
– Check if your phone supports eSIM before your trip.
– Buy the eSIM online before flying to avoid airport stress.
– Choose a plan with enough daily data (I went with 4–6GB/day and it was plenty).
– If you need OTPs or calls, pick a plan that comes with a local number.
– Always save the QR code email somewhere safe.
Final Thoughts: A Game Changer for My Trip
Looking back, using an eSIM completely changed my travel routine in Vietnam. It gave me the freedom to move, work, and share without worrying about losing connection. It was one of those small decisions that had a big impact on the quality of my trip.
If you’re planning to visit Vietnam soon, I recommend checking out GoVnSIM — it’s where I found reliable options and support: https://govnsim.com/
