Quick facts
| Viettel | VinaPhone | MobiFone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Viettel Group, state-owned | VNPT, state-owned | MobiFone Corporation, state-owned |
| Number prefixes | 086, 096, 097, 098, 032 to 039 | 088, 091, 094, 081 to 085 | 089, 090, 093, 070, 076 to 079 |
| 5G launch | 15 October 2024 | 20 December 2024 | 26 March 2025 |
| 5G band at launch | 2,600 MHz | 3,700 to 3,800 MHz | 3,800 to 3,900 MHz |
| 5G at launch | Capitals of all provinces, airports, tourist areas | 5G in all provinces | Major city centres first |
Disclosure: VietSim sells prepaid eSIMs on all three networks. We earn from each of them, and this page does not rank them.
What the three networks have in common
- State ownership. All three are owned by the Vietnamese state.
- 5G without a new SIM. At each launch, the carrier said customers with a 4G SIM and a 5G phone could use 5G without swapping SIM.
- Nationwide 5G growth. The Ministry of Science and Technology put 4G at 99.8% and 5G at 26% of the population in July 2025. The Vietnam Telecommunications Authority reported more than 40,000 5G base stations and 90% population coverage in early 2026.
- Older networks closing. 2G was scheduled to end in September 2026, and 3G is planned to close by 2028. All three are moving to 4G and 5G only, so a phone with VoLTE avoids call problems.
Viettel
Viettel launched Vietnam’s first commercial 5G network on 15 October 2024. At launch it had more than 6,500 5G base stations. It covered the capitals of all 63 provinces of that time, plus industrial zones, tourist areas, seaports and airports.
Viettel also serves many mountain and rural areas. Its plans are a common pick for the northern mountains (Hà Giang, Sa Pa, Cao Bằng), for remote coasts and for motorbike trips where villages are far apart.
VinaPhone
VinaPhone is the mobile network of VNPT, the state telecom group. It launched 5G on 20 December 2024 and announced 5G coverage in all 63 provinces of that time, on 3,700 to 3,800 MHz.
VinaPhone covers the cities, coasts and tourist regions with 4G. In thinly populated mountain areas coverage is patchier than in town. Several VinaPhone plans sold on VietSim include a Vietnamese number, which helps with ride apps, deliveries and hotel calls.
MobiFone
MobiFone started 5G service on 26 March 2025, first in major city centres, on 3,800 to 3,900 MHz. On 28 April 2025 it reported more than 2.5 million 5G users.
The MobiFone range on VietSim comes in more plan lengths than the other two ranges and includes plans with call minutes. SkyFi plans also run on MobiFone.
Which network fits your trip
| Your trip | Network to look at first |
|---|---|
| Northern mountains, remote coasts, long motorbike routes | Viettel |
| Cities: Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Nha Trang, Hồ Chí Minh City | VinaPhone or MobiFone |
| You want a Vietnamese number for Grab, Be or hotels | VinaPhone plans marked with a phone number |
| A stay of 10, 20 or 30 days | MobiFone, for the plan lengths |
| You want some local call minutes | MobiFone plans marked Calls included |
Two eSIMs on two networks is also an option for mixed routes. City guides for Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City add local detail.
Choosing a plan
Each network has its own store page with the current plans: Viettel eSIM, VinaPhone eSIM and MobiFone eSIM. Plan cards state the data, validity and whether a number or calls are included. If you prefer a physical card, read Vietnam SIM card first.