# eSIM for South East Asia (8 areas) Viasimo's South East Asia (8 areas) eSIM starts at $2.29 for 1 GB over 7 days, running on local 5G networks where available. Plans last 3 to 180 days, arrive by email in minutes and install from your phone's settings, with no app. Canonical page: https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-east-asia-8-areas/ ## South East Asia (8 areas) eSIM prices | Plan | Data | Days | Price | Price per GB | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Unlimited, 3 days | Unlimited | 3 | $11.99 | - | | Unlimited, 5 days | Unlimited | 5 | $17.00 | - | | 1 GB, 7 days | 1 GB | 7 | $2.29 | $2.29 | | Unlimited, 7 days | Unlimited | 7 | $23.99 | - | | Unlimited, 10 days | Unlimited | 10 | $31.99 | - | | 3 GB, 15 days | 3 GB | 15 | $5.00 | $1.67 | | Unlimited, 15 days | Unlimited | 15 | $47.99 | - | | 3 GB, 30 days | 3 GB | 30 | $5.99 | $2.00 | | 5 GB, 30 days | 5 GB | 30 | $8.00 | $1.60 | | 10 GB, 30 days | 10 GB | 30 | $14.99 | $1.50 | | 20 GB, 30 days | 20 GB | 30 | $28.99 | $1.45 | | Unlimited, 30 days | Unlimited | 30 | $86.99 | - | | Unlimited, 60 days | Unlimited | 60 | $179.99 | - | | Unlimited, 90 days | Unlimited | 90 | $264.99 | - | | Unlimited, 180 days | Unlimited | 180 | $519.99 | - | ## Which networks does the South East Asia (8 areas) eSIM use? The host network is chosen automatically when you arrive. ## eSIM Details - **Data**: 1 GB – 20 GB or unlimited - **Validity**: 3–180 days - **Speed**: 4G LTE / 5G - **Hotspot / tethering**: Supported on most devices - **Activation**: Starts when you first connect in your destination - **Speed management**: Roughly 2-3 GB per day at full speed, sometimes less depending on the local carrier, then reduced - **Top-ups**: Add more data from your account, before the plan expires - **Text messages (SMS)**: Data only: use an app for verification codes - **Connects via**: Singapore - **Unused validity**: 180 days before it must be installed ## South East Asia (8 areas): what to know before you land Source: https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-east-asia-8-areas/#destination-guide · Researched October 2026 by Viasimo This plan covers eight South East Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, on one eSIM. It suits backpacking loops, island hopping and multi-country holidays. Cities and resort areas have good 4G and growing 5G; boat transfers, remote islands and mountain areas do not. Singapore, a common gateway, is not on this plan. ### South East Asia (8 areas): quick facts | Fact | South East Asia (8 areas) | | --- | --- | | Emergency number | Varies: 191 (police) in Thailand; 112 in Indonesia; 911 in the Philippines; 113 (police) in Vietnam; 999 in Malaysia | | Main airports | Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok (BKK); Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL); Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali (DPS); Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City (SGN); Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi (HAN); Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (MNL) | | Plug types | Type A, C, G, O, F (220–240V) | | Currency | Local currency in each country; US dollars are widely used in Cambodia | | Apps worth having | Grab, Gojek, LINE, Zalo, WhatsApp, Google Maps | ### Bali, Lombok, the Gilis and Komodo (South East Asia (8 areas) · https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-east-asia-8-areas/#guide-bali-lombok-the-gilis-and-komodo) Indonesia is one of the most popular parts of this plan. In Bali, coverage is good in Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, Ubud and Uluwatu, and along the main roads. Nusa Penida and the more remote north and east of Bali have weaker spots. Before you land at Denpasar, complete the All Indonesia declaration through the official website or app, no more than three days before arrival, according to the UK Foreign Office. Bali's tourist levy of 150,000 rupiah can be paid online or on arrival. The fast boats from Bali to the Gili Islands and Lombok lose signal during the crossing. Once on the Gilis, coverage is generally fine. In Lombok, the south coast around Kuta and the area near Mount Rinjani have patchier signal. Komodo National Park, reached from Labuan Bajo on Flores, is a boat-based trip. Labuan Bajo town has coverage, but on liveaboards or day trips around Komodo and Rinca islands you may be offline for long periods. Save bookings and maps before you go. ### Philippine island hopping: Palawan, Cebu and Siargao (South East Asia (8 areas) · https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-east-asia-8-areas/#guide-philippine-island-hopping-palawan-cebu-and-siargao) The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands, and most visitors combine a few, such as Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Siargao and Boracay. Before arriving, register through the free eTravel system. In Manila and Cebu City, coverage is good on both Globe and Smart. Boracay's White Beach and the Bohol tourist areas around Panglao and Chocolate Hills are well covered. In Palawan, El Nido and Puerto Princesa towns have coverage, but island-hopping tours and remote beaches often do not. The ferry between El Nido and Coron loses signal for much of the crossing. Siargao has become popular with surfers, and coverage around General Luna is reasonable, though it drops further from town. Typhoon season, generally from around June to November, can disrupt ferries and flights and sometimes knock out power and mobile networks. Keep your accommodation and ferry details saved on your phone, and check with operators before travelling between islands. ### Bangkok, Siem Reap and Hanoi without the Thai–Cambodian land border (South East Asia (8 areas) · https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-east-asia-8-areas/#guide-bangkok-siem-reap-and-hanoi-without-the-thai-cambodian-land-border) The classic overland loop through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam needs some adjustment in 2026. The UK Foreign Office reports that land crossings between Thailand and Cambodia are suspended after fighting in July and December 2025, and advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the border. Some border-area temples are also closed. Most travellers now fly between Bangkok and Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Once in Cambodia, you can still travel overland to Vietnam, for example from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, or into Laos. Coverage is good in Siem Reap, around the main Angkor temples, and in Phnom Penh. Between Laos and Vietnam, crossings such as Lao Bao or Nam Can link to central and northern Vietnam. Vietnam's coastal cities, including Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang, are well covered. At any land border, your phone may take a few minutes to switch network. Keep e-visa approvals and onward tickets saved offline, because immigration halls often have weak signal. ### Sources for the South East Asia (8 areas) guide - [Thailand travel advice: regional risks (GOV.UK)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/regional-risks) - [Indonesia travel advice: entry requirements (GOV.UK)](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/entry-requirements) - [eTravel (Government of the Philippines)](https://etravel.gov.ph/) - [Thailand Digital Arrival Card (Thai Immigration Bureau)](https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/) - [Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (Immigration Department of Malaysia)](https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main) ## Fourteen days from Bangkok to Hanoi via Chiang Mai, the Mekong slow boat and Luang Prabang Multi-country route · 14 days · Source: https://viasimo.com/destinations/south-east-asia-8-areas/#itinerary A classic overland and river route for travellers with two weeks: Bangkok and the north of Thailand, across the Mekong into Laos, two days on the slow boat to Luang Prabang, then a short flight to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. **When to go:** November to February is dry and comfortable in northern Thailand, Laos and Hanoi, though Hanoi can be cool and grey in January; March and April bring smoke haze in the north, and the May to October rains raise the Mekong and soak the trails. ### Day 1 in South East Asia (8 areas): Bangkok: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun - **Base:** Bangkok - **Plan:** Be at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew at opening, with shoulders and knees covered. Walk to Wat Pho for the reclining Buddha, then take the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun and climb its central tower. In the evening, head to Chinatown on Yaowarat Road for street food. - **Mobile signal:** Strong 4G and 5G on AIS, TrueMove H or DTAC across the old city and on the Chao Phraya ferries. ### Day 2 in South East Asia (8 areas): Bangkok: canals and markets - **Base:** Bangkok - **Plan:** Take a longtail boat through the Thonburi canals in the morning, or go to Chatuchak if it is a weekend. Visit Jim Thompson House in the afternoon and walk through Lumphini Park. Board the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai from Krung Thep Aphiwat station, or plan a morning flight. - **Mobile signal:** Excellent in the city. The sleeper train has good coverage near towns and gaps in the hills before Chiang Mai. ### Day 3 in South East Asia (8 areas): Chiang Mai: the old city temples - **Base:** Chiang Mai - **Getting there:** Overnight train from Bangkok, about 11 to 13 hours, or a flight of about 1 hour 15 minutes. - **Plan:** Arrive in the morning and walk the moated old city: Wat Phra Singh, the ruined chedi of Wat Chedi Luang and the smaller Wat Chiang Man. In the evening, go to the Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road or the Night Bazaar on other days. - **Mobile signal:** Good 4G across Chiang Mai, including inside the old city walls. ### Day 4 in South East Asia (8 areas): Doi Suthep and an ethical elephant sanctuary - **Base:** Chiang Mai - **Plan:** Take a songthaew up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, climbing the naga staircase for the view over the city. In the afternoon, visit a no-riding elephant sanctuary, booking with one that does not offer rides or shows. Back in town, try khao soi for dinner. - **Mobile signal:** Good at Doi Suthep temple; sanctuaries in the valleys outside the city often have weak signal. ### Day 5 in South East Asia (8 areas): Chiang Rai: the White Temple and the Blue Temple - **Base:** Chiang Rai - **Getting there:** Green Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, about 3 to 3.5 hours. - **Plan:** Take the bus north to Chiang Rai. Visit Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, on the way into town, then Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, and the Baan Dam museum of black buildings. In the evening, walk the night bazaar near the clock tower. - **Mobile signal:** Good on Highway 118 with patches in the hills; full coverage in Chiang Rai. ### Day 6 in South East Asia (8 areas): Across the Mekong to Huay Xai - **Base:** Huay Xai - **Getting there:** Bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong and the bridge, about 2 hours, then a shuttle across. - **Plan:** Take an early bus to Chiang Khong and cross the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge IV into Laos, getting your visa on arrival or using a Lao e-visa. Spend the afternoon in Huay Xai, walking up to Wat Chomkhao Manilat for the view over the river, and buy slow-boat tickets for the morning. - **Mobile signal:** Your phone switches from a Thai network to Lao Telecom or a partner near the bridge; it can take a few minutes. Expect slower 4G in Huay Xai. ### Day 7 in South East Asia (8 areas): Mekong slow boat to Pakbeng - **Base:** Pakbeng - **Getting there:** Slow boat from Huay Xai to Pakbeng, about 6 to 8 hours. - **Plan:** Board the slow boat in the morning for the first day downriver. Bring water, food and a cushion. The river passes forested hills, sandbanks and small villages with fishing boats. Arrive in Pakbeng in the late afternoon and walk the single main street up from the landing. - **Mobile signal:** Very little on the river. Expect to be offline for most of the day, with signal returning near villages and in Pakbeng. ### Day 8 in South East Asia (8 areas): Slow boat to Luang Prabang - **Base:** Luang Prabang - **Getting there:** Slow boat from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang, about 7 to 9 hours. - **Plan:** Continue downriver on the second day, passing the Pak Ou caves, filled with Buddha statues, near the end of the journey. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and walk up to the riverside lanes of the old town for dinner at the night market. - **Mobile signal:** Offline for most of the day again; good 4G returns as you reach Luang Prabang. ### Day 9 in South East Asia (8 areas): Luang Prabang: temples and Mount Phousi - **Base:** Luang Prabang - **Plan:** Get up before dawn to watch the monks' alms round along Sakkaline Road, keeping your distance and staying quiet. Visit Wat Xieng Thong, the Royal Palace Museum and Wat Mai, then climb Mount Phousi's steps for sunset over the Mekong and the Nam Khan. - **Mobile signal:** Good 4G across the UNESCO old town and at the top of Mount Phousi. ### Day 10 in South East Asia (8 areas): Kuang Si Falls - **Base:** Luang Prabang - **Getting there:** About 45 minutes by road each way. - **Plan:** Take a tuk-tuk or minivan out to Kuang Si Falls, with its tiered turquoise pools and the bear rescue centre near the entrance. Swim in the lower pools and walk the trail up to the top of the falls. Back in town, cross the Nam Khan's bamboo bridge in the dry season. - **Mobile signal:** Weak to none at the upper falls; the car park and lower pools have limited signal. ### Day 11 in South East Asia (8 areas): Fly to Hanoi: the Old Quarter - **Base:** Hanoi - **Getting there:** Flight Luang Prabang to Hanoi, about 1 hour. - **Plan:** Fly from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, having arranged your Vietnam e-visa in advance. In the afternoon, walk round Hoan Kiem Lake to the Ngoc Son Temple and its red bridge, then lose yourself in the Old Quarter's streets. Watch a water puppet show in the evening. - **Mobile signal:** On landing, your phone switches to Viettel, Vinaphone or MobiFone. Strong 4G and 5G in central Hanoi. ### Day 12 in South East Asia (8 areas): Hanoi: the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum - **Base:** Hanoi - **Plan:** Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda in the morning, checking opening days, then the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university. In the afternoon, see the Hoa Lo prison museum and the Train Street area, keeping to whatever access rules are in force. - **Mobile signal:** Excellent across central Hanoi, including inside the museums and around the Temple of Literature. ### Day 13 in South East Asia (8 areas): Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay - **Base:** Ha Long Bay - **Getting there:** Expressway transfer from Hanoi, about 2.5 to 3 hours. - **Plan:** Take a transfer to the coast for an overnight cruise among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay or the quieter Lan Ha Bay. Visit a cave such as Sung Sot, kayak around the floating villages and swim from the boat if the water is calm. - **Mobile signal:** Good near Ha Long City and on the main cruise routes; patchy among the outer islands of Lan Ha Bay. ### Day 14 in South East Asia (8 areas): Back to Hanoi - **Base:** Hanoi - **Plan:** Watch the sunrise from the deck, join the morning tai chi or a short kayak, and cruise back to the harbour. Return to Hanoi by early afternoon and spend your last hours at a Hanoi coffee house, trying egg coffee, before heading to Noi Bai Airport. - **Mobile signal:** Coverage returns as the boat nears the harbour; good on the expressway and in Hanoi. ### Staying connected on this South East Asia (8 areas) route - Download maps, books and your Luang Prabang accommodation details before boarding the Mekong slow boat; you will be offline most of both days. - Do not plan to cross from Thailand to Cambodia by land without checking first: the UK Foreign Office has reported land crossings suspended, so fly if you add Siem Reap unless current advice says otherwise. - Arrange your Lao and Vietnam e-visas in advance and save the approval letters offline for the border. ### Sources for the South East Asia (8 areas) itinerary - [GOV.UK: Thailand warnings and insurance](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/warnings-and-insurance) - [Wikivoyage: Luang Prabang](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang) - [UNESCO: Town of Luang Prabang](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479/) - [UNESCO: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/672/) - [GOV.UK: Foreign travel advice, Laos](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos) ## About this eSIM ### Arriving in the region Most trips start at Bangkok (BKK), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Bali (DPS), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Hanoi (HAN) or Manila (MNL). Turn off airplane mode as you taxi in, and the eSIM should connect to a local partner within a minute or two. Arriving with data is especially useful at busy airports where taxi touts gather outside arrivals and you would rather book a Grab with a fixed fare shown before you get in. Singapore is not on this plan. If you are connecting through Changi or starting your trip there, you will be offline in Singapore unless you use airport wifi or a separate plan. Several countries in the region now ask you to complete a free online form before you arrive. Thailand has the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), Malaysia the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), the Philippines its free eTravel system, and Indonesia the All Indonesia declaration, which the UK Foreign Office says should be done no more than three days before landing. Use the official sites, as copycat sites charge fees. ### How coverage varies The networks here range from very good to basic. Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Manila and Jakarta all have strong 4G and some 5G. Tourist areas like Phuket, Bali's south coast, Boracay and Hoi An are well covered too. Outside the cities, the picture changes quickly. Northern Laos, the mountains of northern Vietnam around Ha Giang and Sapa, and rural Cambodia have weaker coverage. In the Philippines and Indonesia, thousands of islands are spread over huge distances, and smaller islands often have only one network or none. Boat transfers lose signal once you are away from land. The plan's partners include the largest operators in several countries, such as Telkomsel in Indonesia, Viettel in Vietnam, and both Globe and Smart in the Philippines. That matters most on outer islands and in the hills, where smaller networks may not have masts at all and the biggest operator is often the only one with signal. In Thailand it can use AIS, TrueMove H or DTAC, and in Malaysia Maxis or CelcomDigi. Timor-Leste is covered too, which helps for trips from Bali or Darwin to Dili, though coverage outside the capital is limited. ### Rules that differ Each country has its own rules and practical quirks. In Bali, the UK Foreign Office says foreign tourists pay a levy of 150,000 rupiah, online or on arrival. Indonesia's visa on arrival can also be applied for online through the official immigration site. On the Thailand–Cambodia border, the Foreign Office reports that land crossings are suspended after fighting in 2025, with advice against all but essential travel within 20 km of the border. ### What you'll use data for Grab is the main ride-hailing and food delivery app in most of the region, and Gojek is big in Indonesia. In Thailand, LINE is the main messaging app; elsewhere, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger dominate, and Zalo is widely used in Vietnam. Boat operators, guesthouses and dive schools often send pickup times and weather updates by message the night before. ### Before you fly Complete each country's arrival form through the official site, download offline maps for any rural or island legs, and keep your home SIM in the phone for bank texts. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does an eSIM work in South East Asia (8 areas)? Yes. Your South East Asia (8 areas) eSIM connects automatically the moment you arrive, with no roaming fees and nothing to set up at the airport. Coverage runs on 4G LTE and 5G where the network has rolled it out, and falls back to 4G elsewhere. ### Do I get 5G in South East Asia (8 areas)? Yes, where it has been deployed. 5G runs on The local networks we use in South East Asia (8 areas), and your eSIM uses it automatically on a 5G-capable phone, dropping back to 4G LTE outside covered areas. No country is covered everywhere, so 5G availability varies by location. ### Does the South East Asia eSIM work in Singapore? No. Singapore is not on this plan's covered list, even though many trips to the region start or connect there. If you are spending time in Singapore, use airport or hotel wifi, or buy a separate plan for those days. Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the other covered countries start working as soon as you land. ### Can I still cross from Thailand to Cambodia by land? Not at the moment. The UK Foreign Office reports that land crossings between Thailand and Cambodia are suspended after fighting in 2025, and advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the border. Most travellers now fly between Bangkok and Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Both countries are covered by this plan. ### Do I need to fill in a form before arriving in Bali? Yes. The UK Foreign Office says you should complete the free All Indonesia declaration on its official website or app no more than three days before landing. Bali also charges foreign tourists a levy of 150,000 rupiah, paid online or on arrival. Avoid unofficial sites that ask for payment. ### Is there signal on island-hopping tours in El Nido or Komodo? Often not. El Nido town and Labuan Bajo have coverage, but island-hopping boats, remote beaches and liveaboards around Komodo and Rinca often leave you offline for hours. Save tickets and maps before you head out, and send any important messages while you are still in town. ### How much data do I need for 7 days in South East Asia (8 areas)? For 7 days in South East Asia (8 areas), Viasimo sells 1 GB for $2.29 and unlimited data for $23.99. Our sizing recommendation, not a measurement: maps, messaging and the occasional lookup, about 1 GB a week; maps, social, photos and some browsing, about 3 to 7 GB a week. The data calculator on this site works it out from how you actually use your phone. ## Information and verification - **Prices and plans**: Every price and allowance on this page is read from the live catalog, not typed in. Verified October 30, 2026.