Last updated: 24 October 2026. Prices checked: 23 October 2026.
Travelsim Asia and Airalo are two of the most searched Vietnam eSIM providers in 2026. Both work, both are legitimate, and both will get you online at Tan Son Nhat or Noi Bai without standing in a SIM queue. But they're not the same — on price, networks, and setup experience, one will suit your trip better than the other.
We run Travelsim Asia, so we're not neutral. Where Airalo is the better choice, we'll say so directly.
Travelsim Asia vs Airalo Vietnam eSIM: Price Comparison
All prices in USD. We've matched plans by data size and chosen the longest available validity at each tier for Airalo so the comparison is like-for-like.
Short trips: 1–3 GB Vietnam eSIM plans
For trips under a week, or light users who mostly use Grab, messaging, and maps.
| Data | Travelsim Asia | Airalo | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $4.99 / 7 days | $4.00 / 3 days | Airalo $1 cheaper — but 3 days vs 7 days validity |
| 3 GB | $8.50 / 15 days | $8.00 / 7 days | Airalo $0.50 less — but Travelsim Asia offers double the validity |
On small plans, Travelsim Asia offers significantly better validity at a similar price. The 3 GB plan is $0.50 more but covers 15 days vs Airalo's 7.
Standard trips: 5–10 GB Vietnam eSIM plans
For 1–4 week trips with regular use: Grab, Google Maps, social media, video calls.
| Data | Travelsim Asia | Airalo | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GB / 30 days | $9.50 | $11.00 | Travelsim Asia saves $1.50 |
| 10 GB / 30 days | $17.99 | $18.00 | Effectively identical — $0.01 apart |
On standard 30-day plans, Travelsim Asia is cheaper on 5 GB ($1.50) and level with Airalo on 10 GB (one cent). The bigger differentiator is the listed network coverage (more on that below).
Long stays: 20 GB Vietnam eSIM plans
For extended trips, remote workers, or heavy users who stream and video call daily.
| Data | Travelsim Asia | Airalo | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 GB / 30 days | $27.99 | $29.00 | Travelsim Asia saves $1.01 |
| 50 GB / 30 days | — | $49.00 | Airalo only — no equivalent from Travelsim Asia |
Travelsim Asia is a little cheaper at every shared 30-day size. If you need 50 GB, Airalo is the only option here — Travelsim Asia doesn't currently offer a Vietnam plan at that size.
Vietnam Network Coverage: Viettel vs Vinaphone
This is the most important difference between the two providers. Travelsim Asia lists Viettel, MobiFone and Vinaphone; Airalo lists VNPT (Vinaphone) as its primary Vietnam network.
Travelsim Asia
- Viettel ✓ (~54% market share)
- MobiFone and Vinaphone ✓
- Automatic steering between all three networks
- Viettel, MobiFone and Vinaphone network options
Airalo
- Vinaphone ✓ (~23% market share)
- Viettel ✗ (not listed)
- Single network in Vietnam
- Strong in cities, weaker off the tourist trail
Both providers include Vinaphone — Vietnam's second-largest network and the reliable choice for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc. Where they differ is the additional network access, and this is where the comparison has changed.
Travelsim Asia also includes MobiFone, plus Viettel — Vietnam's dominant carrier with 54% market share and broad rural coverage. Airalo lists VNPT (Vinaphone) as its primary Vietnam network. Viettel access matters for locations beyond Vinaphone coverage.
What this means in practice: For Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc — both providers work well and you won't notice a difference. For Ha Giang, Sapa, the Mekong Delta, Ba Be Lake, or the Central Highlands — Travelsim Asia's Viettel access is the coverage advantage, and it costs a little less than Airalo too.
Buying and Setup: App vs No App
The setup experience is where these two providers differ most clearly.
Travelsim Asia
- No app required
- No account or sign-up
- Buy on website — eSIM arrives by email
- Install via tap-to-install link or QR code
- Check data and top up via web portal — no login needed
Airalo
- App or QR installation
- Account creation required
- Buy through the website or app
- Install with QR instructions or through the app
- Top up and manage data through your account (website or app)
If you travel frequently and already use Airalo, their app makes sense — you can manage all your eSIMs in one place and earn loyalty credits toward future purchases. If you'd rather just enter your email, get a QR code, and be done with it, Travelsim Asia skips all the account friction.
Worth noting: Airalo's loyalty program (Airmoney) does add up if you use them regularly across multiple trips. We don't offer a loyalty program.
What's the Same on Both Vietnam eSIMs
- Data-only — no Vietnamese phone number. Use WhatsApp, Zalo, Messenger, or FaceTime for calls over data.
- Prepaid — no bill shock. Data roaming must be switched on, but there's nothing extra to charge.
- Install before you fly — both let you install at home and activate when you land in Vietnam.
- Our roaming eSIM arrives by email without a local SIM-counter registration step. Local Vietnamese SIM and eSIM registration follows the operator’s requirements.
- Top-ups available — add more data without buying a new eSIM.
- Hotspot / tethering — works on most devices. Budget extra data if you're planning to tether a laptop.
Travelsim Asia vs Airalo Vietnam: Which One Should You Buy?
Depending on your itinerary, one fits clearly better than the other.
Travelsim Asia is the better pick if you:
- Are traveling beyond Vietnam’s main cities. We recommend Viettel access for rural trips; Travelsim Asia also includes MobiFone and Vinaphone.
- Want lower prices than Airalo on 5, 10 or 20 GB with 30-day validity
- Don't want to create an account or download an app
- Want longer validity on smaller plans
- Prefer managing data from a browser rather than an app
Airalo is the better pick if you:
- Want an unlimited data plan — Travelsim Asia is fixed-size only
- Need a 50 GB plan for an extended stay
- Already use Airalo and want to keep loyalty credits
- Want a very short 3-day plan for a quick stopover
- Prefer managing everything through one app across multiple trips
Quick Tips for Using an eSIM in Vietnam
Install your eSIM before you board, not after you land
eSIM installation requires a WiFi connection. Do it at home, at the airport before departure, or in the lounge — not on the plane. When you land in Vietnam, just enable the eSIM and you're online.
Download Grab before you fly
Grab is Vietnam's dominant ride and food delivery app. Having it pre-installed means you can order a car from baggage claim the moment your eSIM connects. Don't rely on airport taxis — Grab is cheaper and the price is fixed upfront.
Download offline maps for the areas you're visiting
Google Maps offline works well in Vietnam and saves data when navigating between stops. Download maps for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and anywhere else you're staying before you go.
Budget roughly 500 MB–1 GB per day for typical tourist use
Grab, Google Maps, messaging, and light social media. Add more if you're uploading videos or doing video calls regularly. If you're tethering a laptop, budget 1–2 GB extra per working day.
Final verdict
For most Vietnam travelers, Travelsim Asia is the clearer pick. It's cheaper on every 30-day plan, it needs no app or account, and it runs on Viettel, MobiFone and Vinaphone. Airalo lists VNPT (Vinaphone) as its primary Vietnam network. Viettel access gives Travelsim Asia the rural coverage advantage. The remaining reasons to choose Airalo are an unlimited plan, a 50 GB size, a 3-day micro-plan for a quick stopover, or loyalty credits if you already use them.
Prefer Airalo? No hard feelings — here's their Vietnam page. Either way, skip the airport SIM queue.
Dig deeper
More on choosing and setting up a Vietnam eSIM:
- Vietnam eSIM Prices 2026 — full price breakdown for Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily, Ubigi, and Travelsim Asia with per-plan tables and value comparisons.
- Best eSIM for Vietnam (2026) — full comparison of all major providers on networks, throttling, price, and setup. Not just Airalo.
- Best eSIM for Ha Giang — the remote loop where Viettel coverage matters, and what to bring.
- How to Install a Vietnam eSIM — step-by-step for iPhone and Android, with activation and troubleshooting.