Last Updated on 2026 年 6 月 11 日 by Ching
This year, I officially left the workforce and began the world travel challenge with Xiao Ding.
Besides the tedious visa documents and minimalist packing before a long trip, the internet is absolutely the core source of security for modern travelers.
From finding local attractions, navigating with Google Maps, handling last-minute bookings for the next stop, to posting short videos on social media and connecting with family and friends in Taiwan to assure them of our safety, being without internet can really cause collective anxiety.
For our first stop in Vietnam, we used the KKday Vietnam eSIM. This guide is based on our real-life experience of living in Vietnam for 20 days, testing internet speed across North and Central Vietnam.
How to choose between a physical SIM card and an eSIM?
In the past, when traveling abroad, people were accustomed to either using expensive telecom roaming or ordering a physical SIM card online in advance and waiting for delivery at home.
Otherwise, they would queue at the airport to buy a physical SIM card and wait for the staff to activate it.
Now with eSIMs, it really saves a lot of time.
More importantly, because we are on long-term travel, we need to receive SMS from Taiwan at any time. If we remove the physical card from Taiwan and replace it with a Vietnam SIM card, we become digital orphans, unable to receive verification codes even for buying train tickets with a credit card, which is a fatal flaw for long-term travel.
If you haven’t tried the convenience of eSIMs yet, you can refer to the table below:
| Comparison Items | Traditional Physical SIM Card | Virtual eSIM |
| Installation Difficulty | Need to prepare a SIM ejector tool, carefully swap the card on the plane, very easy to lose the small Taiwan card. (I lost mine once, cost $300 to replace) | Zero. After purchase, receive a QR Code, scan it to activate directly in the phone settings. |
| Receiving Taiwan SMS | Cannot receive Taiwan SMS after removing the card, unable to perform online banking transfers or card verifications. | Perfectly retains Taiwan physical card slot! Enable dual SIM standby, no delay in internet access and receiving verification codes. |
| Post-landing Process | Queue at the airport counter, struggle to communicate with staff, and wait for them to activate the card. | As soon as the plane lands, switch mobile data from your seat, instantly connect by enabling roaming. |
| Price Comparison | Buying at a local stall might be slightly cheaper (but there’s a risk of scams). | When converted, it costs only a few dozen NT dollars a day, and the time saved far outweighs the slight price difference. |
In short, as long as your phone model supports it, there’s really no reason to use a physical card anymore. Keeping the original card slot for receiving SMS is the smartest overseas logistics strategy.
Is 1.5GB of high-speed data per day enough?
Considering our usual usage habits, we chose the “1.5GB high-speed data per day” plan.
So, is 1.5GB per day enough?
Based on my travel experience, I believe it is more than sufficient.
Mainly because hotels, homestays, trendy cafes, and even some snack shops in Vietnam now offer free Wi-Fi with decent speeds.
During the day, we mainly use maps for navigation, check ChatGPT, and occasionally browse short videos or post stories, using at most 700MB to 900MB in a whole day.
For the average traveler, 1.5GB is indeed very generous.
Oh right! I also used the hotspot to play Pikmin on a backup device, occasionally opening it to plant flowers! The data was completely sufficient.
Public Test: KKday Vietnam eSIM Review
1. Perfect for using ChatGPT and Gemini
For spontaneous travelers like me and Xiao Ding, AI is now a travel tool we heavily rely on.
Some extremely cheap international SIM cards on the market use special nodes (such as routing through specific servers), which can cause ChatGPT or Google Gemini to detect IP restrictions and block access.
However, using KKday’s Vietnam eSIM plan this time, both ChatGPT and Gemini responded instantly.
2. Terrain Signal Challenge
Our travel itinerary was extensive, covering a deep exploration of both Northern and Central Vietnam, encountering various terrain challenges along the way:
- Major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue: The internet signal was excellent, with speed test results comparable to those in downtown Taipei. Streaming high-definition videos was smooth, and Xiao Ding had no issues playing mobile games.
- Sapa Mountain Area: Google Maps navigation was smooth, and video calls had no noticeable lag.
- Phong Nha National Park: Inside the stalactite caves, the internet is definitely unavailable, which is the same for all of them. However, as soon as you step outside the cave, the signal quickly reconnects.
3. Receive the voucher immediately upon ordering, installation is incredibly simple
After checking out on KKday, I received the voucher email in about 10 seconds.
It includes a QR Code. The day before departure, scan it with your phone at home in Taiwan, and it will automatically download to your phone.
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, switch your mobile data over as soon as the plane lands, and you’ll immediately have internet access.
Important things to know before departure
Although the experience was great this time, from an honest media perspective, there are still 3 pitfalls to remind everyone of:
- Do not wait until you arrive in Vietnam to install: Installing the eSIM requires a very stable and strong internet signal. It is recommended to scan and install it at home in Taiwan before departure, or find a place with strong Wi-Fi. If you wait to download it at the airport using weak public Wi-Fi, it can easily get stuck or even fail.
- Remember to enable “Data Roaming” on your phone: You must enable the “Data Roaming” function in your phone settings to connect to the local telecom signal in Vietnam. Just ensure that the roaming function of your physical Taiwan SIM card is turned off, and there will be no issues!
Conclusion: 2026 Vietnam internet recommendation, KKday eSIM review
After testing across half of Vietnam, KKday’s Vietnam eSIM truly lives up to its high reputation.
Whether it’s the speed of receiving the voucher after placing an order, the clear installation instructions, or the actual internet usage in Vietnam, everything perfectly met our internet needs during this trip.
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, KKday is a great recommendation for internet access!
iPhone: Models 11 and above (except for dual physical SIM versions from China and Hong Kong/Macau) are perfectly supported.
Android: Open your phone’s dialer and enter *#06#. If the information that appears includes the three letters “EID”, it means your phone can use it.
Yes, this card supports hotspot sharing.
Ready to book?
Don't overpay for your trip
including sitewide discounts, buy-one-get-one deals, and tickets up to 30% off.
Grab your coupons before checkout — the smart traveler's last step.
