Mobile Internet
I've rented pocket WiFi devices in a handful of countries, and Vietnam was one of the trips where it genuinely made sense, I was traveling with three other people and the cost per person came down to almost nothing. Solo? That math looks a lot less attractive.
I've used pocket WiFi on trips before, and Vietnam is one of the places where I actually understand the appeal. The country has solid 4G coverage across its main cities and tourist routes, which means a rental device works well when you pick the right provider.
However, after testing current eSIM options for Vietnam alongside the rental route, my honest take is this: pocket WiFi can be a genuinely good call for group trips, but for most people traveling alone or with one other person, an eSIM is better, cheaper, and one less thing to charge every night.
Here are the providers offering pocket WiFi that covers Vietnam, including what each one actually delivers on pricing, logistics, and data.
Wifio is a Swiss-based provider running out of Aarau, and their Global device covers Vietnam as part of a 150+ country network. It's a particularly convenient pick if you're departing from Switzerland, where the pickup infrastructure is genuinely impressive, but the Global device also ships worldwide.
Smile Wifi is a Bangkok-based rental service that covers Vietnam with true unlimited 4G LTE - no speed throttling, no fair usage cap. It's a solid option if you're already traveling through Thailand and want to sort your Vietnam internet connection before you cross the border, or if you're flying out of a Thai airport.
Samurai WiFi is a Bangkok-based rental service that's been a go-to for travelers departing from Thailand, particularly among Japanese and Thai tourists heading into Southeast Asia. Their Vietnam-specific plans come in both 4G and 5G options, all unlimited, and the pickup network across Bangkok is genuinely convenient.
WiFicandy is an Irish-based provider that's a natural fit if you're traveling to Vietnam from Ireland, the UK, or the US. The device gets delivered to your home before you leave, and the return process is straightforward, you can simply drop it at a SPAR store or any post office.
MIOWIFI is a Spanish-based provider operating across 150+ countries, Vietnam included. They use virtual SIM technology, which means the same flat daily rate applies whether Vietnam is your only destination or one stop on a longer trip. The 5,000 mAh battery and 12-hour continuous use rating make it a practical option for full travel days.
XOXO WiFi is a Polish-based provider with a straightforward rental model: you pick your destination, choose a daily data package, and the router gets delivered to you. Vietnam is one of their covered destinations, and the tiered pricing gives you more control over what you actually pay for rather than defaulting to unlimited.
Here's a quick breakdown of all six providers side by side:
| Provider | Price | Best for | Devices | Battery | Data |
| Wifio | From €2.25/day | Swiss/European travelers | 5 | 12+ hrs | Unlimited |
| Smile Wifi | 130 THB/day (~$3.50) | Travelers departing Thailand | Multiple | N/A | Unlimited 4G |
| Samurai WiFi | From 150 THB/day (~$4) | Travelers departing Thailand | 5 | N/A | Unlimited 4G/5G |
| WiFicandy | From €11/day | Ireland, UK, US travelers | 5 | 10 hrs | Unlimited 4G |
| MIOWIFI | $8/day | Multi-country trips | 5 | 12 hrs | Unlimited 4G |
| XOXO WiFi | From €8/day | Light data users | N/A | N/A | 500MB–10GB/day |
Carrying a pocket WiFi device gets old fast. You're constantly checking the battery, you have to remember to return it before you leave, and there's always that moment of panic when you can't find it in your bag. An eSIM skips all of that.
Vietnam moves quickly, you're on a grab bike one minute and on a sleeper bus the next. Having your connection tied to a separate device you need to keep charged and close by just adds friction you don't need.
The three providers below are ones I'd actually recommend based on what worked on the ground, not just what has the nicest website.
Holafly is one of the most widely used eSIM providers among international travelers, and Vietnam is one of their better-performing destinations. Their plans are built around unlimited data, so you're not rationing usage or watching a counter in the background.
Setup runs through their app: scan a QR code, follow the activation steps, and you're typically connected within a few minutes.
Airalo is the biggest eSIM marketplace out there, with coverage in 200+ countries and some of the most competitive pricing you'll find for Vietnam. The plans are flexible (you pick your data amount and duration rather than committing to unlimited) which makes it a good fit if you're a lighter data user.
Nomad is a good option that sits somewhere between Airalo and Holafly in terms of what it offers. You get both fixed data and unlimited plans for Vietnam, the pricing is transparent with taxes included upfront, and the app is well-rated across iOS and Android.
Yes, pocket WiFi works well in Vietnam. Coverage is solid across the main cities and tourist routes, and most providers run on local carrier networks like Viettel or Vietnamobile. Just factor in battery life if you're doing long travel days between destinations.
Viettel is generally the most reliable network for tourists, with the widest coverage across both cities and rural areas. You can pick up a prepaid SIM at the airport or at convenience stores for a few dollars.
If you'd rather skip the physical SIM entirely, an eSIM from a provider like Holafly or Airalo gets you the same coverage without the hassle of finding a store on arrival.
You've got a few options:
Most cafes and hotels also offer free WiFi, but relying on that alone isn't realistic if you're moving around.
Yes, all three major airports (Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang) have carrier counters selling prepaid tourist SIMs. Viettel and Vietnamobile are the most common options you'll find there.
Most pocket WiFi providers in Vietnam price by the day rather than the month, typically ranging from $3 to $10 per day depending on the provider and data allowance.
VPN use isn't officially blocked in Vietnam, but the government does restrict access to certain websites and social platforms. Most people use a VPN without issues, it just occasionally runs slower than you'd like.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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