Vietnam Talking Points

Complete guide to using your iPhone and Droid in Vietnam [Techie in Vietnam]

It’s a warm Saturday afternoon in Saigon. I’m roaming the street, unusually confident in this maze of a city. How? I’m rocking Google Maps using Viettel’s 3G network on my iPhone 4. You can, too. Here’s the complete guide to using your smartphone on the next trip back to the motherland.

By on September 23, 2010 • Topics: Technology,Travel

It’s a warm Saturday afternoon in Saigon. I’m roaming the street, unusually confident in this maze of a city. How? I’m rocking Google Maps using Viettel’s 3G network on my iPhone 4. You can, too. Here’s the complete guide to using your smartphone on the next trip back to the motherland.

Preparation

1. Jailbreak your phone:
If you own an Android device, no jail-breaking is necessary. If you own an iPhone, head to http://blog.iphone-dev.org/ or http://jailbreakme.com. Jailbreakme.com is the absolute easiest way, but requires you to have iOS 4.01 or less.

2. Remove the carrier lock:
To remove the carrier lock on most Android device, simply call your mobile carrier and let them know that you need to unlock your phone because you are traveling internationally to a place where they do not provide service. If you’ve had your phone for more than 3-6 months, they’ll do it for you.
For iPhone owners, to release yourself of AT&T’s death grip, head to ultrasn0w.com and download the unlock software. It should be quick and painless.

3. Download a few travel apps (Optional):
I like TripIt, EverNote, Google Mobile App, FlightTrack Pro, Meebo, and a few games and movies.

Getting the Hardware

1. Grab a SIM on Pasteur Street in Q1 (around street number 80). This should cost around 100,000 VND (around $5)

2. Cut your SIM (micro SIM for iPhone 4)
HaloShop on 82 Pasteur will do it for you if the store that sold your SIM could not. Alternatively, you could also cut your own SIM, but I opted for more professional hands.

Setting up Data

1. Text DK 3G to “191” for details on the 3G plans available.

2. Choose a plan and text in the name of the plan to “191.” Plans range from 10,000VND a month for 30MB to 200,000VND a month for 3GB. That’s cheap!

3. Text in your phone’s model D MODEL to “191”

4. Restart your phone

That’s it, you’re online! This should work for most phones. If you own a BlackBerry, reconsider taking it to Vietnam because the setup is rather complicated. Shoot me your questions in the comments!

The Author: James Bao

James Bao is the co-founder and Executive Director of OneVietnam Network, a Ford Foundation funded project to inspire diaspora giving. Previously, James was a financial analyst covering the technology, telecommunications, and media space. James is an alumni of UC Berkeley with a degree in Business Administration. He was born in Da Lat, Viet Nam and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Find James on OneVietnam.

  • Richard

    Great article! I’m getting ready to go to Europe with my iPhone too and the information on how to unlock is very helpful – thanks!

  • Thien nguyen

    Hi. Is step 1- jailbreak necessary? I wish not too jailbreak my iPhone 4.

    • James

      Hi Thien, unfortunately you do need to Jailbreak in order to use your US iPhone in Vietnam.

  • Thien Nguyen

    also for step 3 “Text in your phone’s model D MODEL to “191”

    can you give an example of this txt. i.e i have a iphone 4 32gb

    • James

      I brought my iPhone 4 too, I just texted “D iphone” and it seemed to work.

  • Warren

    As of this writing, Verizon Droid is CDMA only so that will not work. Apparently they’re coming out with a GSM version.

  • Joel Morris

    Sounds great.  Will I be able to make local calls within Vietnam?  What about call  back to the U.S? 

    • http://www.jamesbao.info/ James H. Bao

      Yes, I was able to make local and international calls.  Check for the international rates, it might drain your money.

  • Tino

    Thanks James. That is awesome. Just curious—do you feel confident on the security of the computing environment on your phone over there? I.e.—being monitored, hacked, or having search results screened? Not only by govt, but from hackers? Do you feel safe conducting electronic transactions there?

    • http://www.jamesbao.info/ James H. Bao

      Hey Tino, I’m pretty confident that I’m not being monitored only in the fact that it’s extremely hard to do (technology wise).  In terms of electronic transactions, you’d be fine making them through an established international firm (Bank of America, PayPal).  As for Vietnamese companies you might not know, I’d stay away as the regulatory environment is not there yet to ensure consumer protection on the internet in Vietnam. Again, that’s just based on my personal opinion, don’t blamed me if you lose all your money over there!

  • Pingback: Sprint & Verizon iPhone 4S to Work in Vietnam without Unlock [Techie in Vietnam]

  • Nprestano

    HI James,

    Will this work on the iPhone 4S?