ENLanguage
Vietnam travel guide for staying connected
SIM cards and eSIM, the three networks, Wi-Fi, the apps you need and city-by-city tips, checked against carrier and official sources.
Before you go
Philippines Tourist SIM Registration: Documents, Expiry and Travel eSIMs
If you buy a physical SIM from a Philippine operator such as Smart or Globe, you must register it with photo ID before it works — and that registration is tied to that SIM, not to you. A travel eSIM sold before departure is not a local Philippine SIM, so the local registration step does not apply to it. If your trip is short and you mainly need maps, messaging and bookings, a Philippines eSIM is the simpler purchase; if you need a local number for calls, plan for the registration queue and the paperwork.
Read the guide
Singapore to Malaysia with One eSIM: The Johor Bahru Border Checklist
If your trip includes both Singapore and Malaysia, buy one regional eSIM rather than two separate plans — the VietSIM regional plan covering Singapore and Malaysia shares a single data allowance and validity period across both countries, so nothing resets when you cross at Johor Bahru. Check the plan's included-destination list before you pay: a Singapore-only eSIM will not work in Malaysia, and a Malaysia-only eSIM will not work in Singapore. For a Singapore-centred trip with a JB day trip, the regional plan is the simplest option; for a longer stay in each country, compare it against two local plans on price per day.
Read the guide
Java to Bali by Train and Ferry: A 10-Day Route with a Realistic Data Plan
The workable Java-to-Bali route is a west-to-east train line: Jakarta or Yogyakarta to Surabaya by rail, then a train or bus to Banyuwangi, the Ketapang–Gilimanuk ferry across the strait, and a bus or car to Denpasar and Ubud. Book the long train legs and the ferry through the operators' own channels before you travel, and buy an Indonesia eSIM before you fly so tickets, maps and accommodation contacts stay reachable during the transfer days when Wi-Fi is least reliable.
Read the guide