Using your iPhone in Vietnam – Android Smart phones

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Last Update: April 2018

Be sure to secure your iPhone or Android Smartphone before you travel. Precautions will help prevent disaster.

The iPhone or any Android Smartphone is an essential tool when traveling to Vietnam for tourists of any country.

  • Language translation
  • Google maps
  • Restaurant Reviews
  • Travel guides
  • Social Media
  • Other apps

Verizon Phone Warning

Many apps are extremely useful. We used them all the time. Using our American AT&T iPhone in Vietnam was fine, after we unlocked it. Older Verizon iPhones from the USA do not work internationally, since they use CDMA technology. Verizon does sell several “World Phones” which work with SIM Cards.  Check your phone before leaving.

We have done the research on our last trip and are sharing the findings with you.

We also have articles on using prepaid SIM cards in other countries:

Foodnut.com’s Hanoi, Vietnam Restaurant Reviews:

Here are some tips on using your iPhone in Vietnam

You can only use foreign SIM cards in an unlocked iPhone or Android Smartphone. A locked smartphone only works on the original cell phone carrier. Most cell phone carriers in the US, including AT&T, allow you to unlock Smartphones after your 2 year contract has been fulfilled. T-Mobile requires 18 months of payments before they will unlock a cell phone under contract. You can alternately purchase an unlocked Smartphone from Amazon, eBay, etc.

If you prefer to unlock your iPhone, you can try jailbreaking it. Jailbreaking and unlocking iPhones are not easy tasks. One slip and you may have bricked your expensive smartphone. You can buy a pre-jailbroken/unlocked used iPhone from eBay or Craigslist. Unlocked iPhone 6’s typically cost around $150.

This article also applies to using prepaid SIM Cards in the iPhone X, 8, 8+, 7, 7+, 6. 6+, 5s, 5c, 5, and iPad with 4G or LTE. Android Smartphones utilizing GSM technology are also supported.

Different Smartphones use different sized SIM cards. Most foreign cell phone carriers sell smaller micro-SIM (iPhone 4, 4S, older iPad) and nano-SIM (iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, 7 Plus, 7, 6 Plus, 6, 5, 5s, 5c, iPad Pro, mini and Air) for use in a variety of Smartphones. Newer places have 3 in 1 combo packs to accomoate all sizes. You should remove the SIM card from your phone before you attempt to purchase a prepaid SIM card in another country.

Main mobile carriers in Vietnam

The main cellphone carriers in Vietnam are

  • Gmobile
  • Mobifone
  • S-Fone
  • Viettel Mobile
  • Vinaphone
  • Vietnamobile

These carriers support GSM900/1800/2100 frequencies.

 

Hanoi Vietnam SIM Card Airport (2)

Vietnam Hanoi SIM Card

We bought our card at the Hanoi Airport. Turn right after exiting customs, look for the first stall next to Tourism Information.

We need at least 5GB to be shared by 4 users over 3 days. We choose Vinaphone Internet 4G SIM US$12 This includes:

  • 7GB over 10 days
  • VND10k in main account
  • After 10 days you can top-up the card
  • Top up cards: VND50K, 100K, or 200K
  • (Send SMS: VOL I2 to 900 to check current balance)

Other Vietnam sim cards for sale:

  • SMILE TOUR 4GB SIM 4GB US$10 over 30 days
  • TOMATO 4G SIM 5GB US$13 over 30 days
  • DCOM DATA 4G SIM 10GB US$13 over 30 days

Hanoi Vietnam SIM Card Airport (3)

Share the Connection with Mobile Wi-Fi

Huawei Mobile Wifi Router

This Vietnam Tourist SIM Card also worked in our Mobile Wi-Fi (Mi-Fi), a HUAWEI E5577. We connected 4 phones to this via Wi-Fi!  No need to get 4 separate SIM Cards.

You can rent mobile Wi-Fi devices at the airport, but beware that they sell out during holidays like Tet New Year.

These instructions should work for other smartphones including Android smartphones that support American GSM networks from AT&T and T-Mobile.

Restaurant Map:


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