Pocket Wi-Fi in Vietnam: Pros, cons, and the best alternatives

How does portable Wi-Fi work in Vietnam?

Pocket Wi-Fi, also known as portable Wi-Fi, is a portable Wi-Fi hotspot that provides your device with an internet connection via a cellular network. Once you have your portable Wi-Fi in Vietnam, you can connect multiple devices to your hotspot, making it a great option if you’re traveling with family or in a group.

How to get pocket Wi-Fi at Ho Chi Minh Airport in Vietnam

Ideally, you’ll want to get your internet sorted out at Ho Chi Minh Airport so that you can go online from the moment you step out to explore the city. You could buy or rent your pocket Wi-Fi device before you leave home and bring it with you and your luggage. Alternatively, you can get pocket Wi-Fi at the airport itself.

To get pocket Wi-Fi at Ho Chi Minh Airport in Vietnam, you have a few options:

Online booking

You can pre-book pocket Wi-Fi through platforms like Klook, TravelWifi, or Tep Wireless. They often provide pickup options directly at the airport. By booking your pocket Wi-Fi online, you reserve the device in advance and pick it up upon arrival. Some services will even deliver it to your hotel. Online booking is handy because you can see and select the price and data limits before arriving.

Airport counters

When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will find counters for major telecom providers such as Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone. The counters are typically located in the arrivals hall of both the international and domestic terminals. Since these services are based in Vietnam, they are often cheaper than the ones you book online in advance. They are also a good option if you’ve left your travel planning for the last minute.

Pros of using pocket Wi-Fi in Vietnam

• Multiple devices. If you’re traveling in a group or with your family, pocket Wi-Fi can be a great way for you all to stay connected. Everyone’s device can share one portable Wi-Fi.

• Coverage. Lots of pocket Wi-Fi devices work in multiple countries. If you’re traveling to different countries on a single trip, for instance, through Europe or Southeast Asia, you won’t have to get a separate SIM card for each location.

• Convenience. With pocket Wi-Fi, you don’t need to switch out your SIM card, tinker with the settings on your phone, or change your cell phone plan. Plus, you can connect any Wi-Fi-capable device, including laptops, tablets, and phones.

Cons of using pocket Wi-Fi in Vietnam

• Rental cost. Renting a pocket Wi-Fi device can be more expensive than purchasing a local SIM card.

• Data limits. Many pocket Wi-Fi plans come with data caps. If you use too much data, you may get hit with additional fees. Even worse, if you use too much data, you may be completely cut off from the internet!

• Battery life. Every pocket Wi-Fi device is different, but some have a battery that only lasts 6-10 hours. That means you may have to charge it multiple times a day, especially if you use it a lot. And when you’re traveling, finding plug sockets isn’t always easy.

• Limited coverage in rural or remote areas. Pocket Wi-Fi may not work as well in remote or less populated regions.

• Inconvenient pickup and return. You have to arrange for both pickup and return of the device.

• Extra charges. If you lose or damage the device, you may have to pay to replace it. Some companies also charge extra fees for returning the device late.

• Slow. Pocket Wi-Fi may offer slower internet speeds than local SIM or eSIM options. Local networks often have faster speeds.

How much does pocket Wi-Fi cost in Vietnam?

You can find several different companies that will provide you with pocket Wi-Fi in Vietnam, but each one of them offers something a little different.

Option 1: Klook Pocket Wi-Fi

Cost: Approx. $5–$7 per day

Features:

• Unlimited 4G LTE data.

• Can connect up to five devices.

• Available for pickup at Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi airport.

• Covers multiple countries (Asia and Europe).

• Battery life: 8-10 hours.

Option 2: TravelWifi

Cost: Approx. $6–$8 per day

Features:

• Unlimited 4G data.

• Connects up to five devices.

• Works in over 130 countries, including Vietnam.

• Delivery to the hotel or airport available.

• Battery life: 10 hours.

Option 3: Viettel Pocket Wi-Fi (from an airport kiosk)

Cost: Approx. $4–$6 per day

Features:

• Unlimited data with fair usage policy.

• Local network coverage (Viettel).

• Available at Ho Chi Minh Airport kiosks.

• Battery life: 8-10 hours.

• No need for prior booking.

Option 4: Rent ‘n Connect

Cost: Approx. $5–$8 per day

Features:

• 4G LTE speed with unlimited data.

• Connects up to ten devices.

• Optional insurance for loss or damage.

• Airport pickup and drop-off.

• Battery life: 6-8 hours.

Alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi in Vietnam

Pocket Wi-Fi is convenient if you are travelling in a group. However, it’s not the only way to stay connected in Vietnam. Alternatives to pocket Wi-Fi, such as prepaid SIMs and eSIMs, can help you save money and get a better, more reliable service.

Prepaid SIM cards for Vietnam

In Vietnam, popular mobile operators like Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone offer prepaid SIM cards with data, call, and text packages. You can get these SIM cards at airports, convenience stores, and mobile kiosks. You will need to have an unlocked mobile phone, and you’ll also need to know how to replace a physical SIM card on your phone.

You can expect to pay from $5 to $15, depending on the data package. For example, a SIM card with 5GB to 10GB of data for 30 days might cost around $7–$10. Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone all offer reliable coverage in urban areas, with slightly weaker service in remote regions.

Free Wi-Fi in Vietnam

Free Wi-Fi is abundant in Vietnam — you can find it at your hotel and in many restaurants, cafés, bus stations, and airports. Using free Wi-Fi networks can save you money, but it isn’t an ideal solution for lots of reasons. One is that these networks can often be slow, especially if lots of people are using them at the same time.

Another downside is that you can only use free Wi-Fi in specific locations. You won’t have free public Wi-Fi in the middle of a rural area, when you’re trying to look up a bus schedule to go back to the city, and you probably won’t have it on trains and buses.

But, worst of all, these networks aren’t always safe. Hackers may use public Wi-Fi hotspots or create their own fake networks to access your connection and sensitive data.

The best alternative — an eSIM for Vietnam

Luckily, there is an alternative to pocket Wi-Fi, local SIM cards, and public Wi-Fi. Setting your phone up with an eSIM is the easiest and cheapest way to stay connected while you travel in Vietnam.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that gives you access to more than one mobile network on the same phone. Because eSIMs are entirely electronic, you can download one on your eSIM supported phone. With an eSIM in Vietnam, you will have access to local networks that offer the same speeds and data limits that locals enjoy. When your trip is over, there’s nothing to return — you can simply go back to your regular provider.

Find out the best time to visit Vietnam, download an eSIM before boarding the plane, and enjoy effortless connection as soon as you land!

Do you really need pocket Wi-Fi in Vietnam?

Pocket Wi-Fi in Vietnam is a practical choice if you’re traveling in a group and have many devices you want to connect. However, it’s much easier to download an eSIM and get far better service for less money.

An eSIM lets you access fast, safe mobile data at the lowest prices available, without having to fiddle with your phone’s SIM card. An eSIM is the best solution for staying connected wherever you travel.