THE BASICS
What is an eSIM?
It is a SIM chip already built into your phone at the factory. Buying a plan buys the right to use it — nothing to swap.
A regular SIM is a plastic card holding a chip that you physically swap. An eSIM is that same chip, soldered onto the phone's board. Instead of changing plastic, you download a carrier profile onto the chip already inside — one QR scan and it is done.
For travellers the real difference is not the technology but the timing: you buy and install at home, on Wi-Fi, with no rush. The plane lands, you switch the phone on, and you are already online — no SIM counter, no queue, no fumbling with a tiny tray in an unfamiliar airport.
eSIM versus a physical travel SIM
| eSIM | PHYSICAL SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Email, minutes | Shipping or airport counter |
| Setup | Scan a QR, 2 minutes | Open the tray, swap cards |
| Home SIM | Stays in the phone | Must come out |
| Risk of losing it | None | Drop it and your number is gone |
| Multi-country trip | Install several, switch as you go | Buy a new SIM in each country |
| Phones before 2018 | Usually unsupported | Works on anything |
Why not just use roaming from your home carrier?
You can, but it is expensive. Vietnamese carriers bill roaming data per day or per megabyte, and a one-week trip typically costs several times an eSIM plan with the same allowance. The worse case is forgetting to turn data off: background app updates run abroad and you only see the bill when you get home.
What you need
- A phone with eSIM hardware. Check the device list or dial *#06# and look for an EID.
- An unlocked phone — grey imports from Japan or the US are often carrier-locked.
- Wi-Fi while installing. Downloading the profile needs internet, and you do not have mobile data yet.
How buying from meosim works
1. Pick a country and duration
Choose the plan that matches your stay. Unused days are not refunded, so match your itinerary.
2. Pay by bank transfer
Scan the VietQR code in your banking app — everything is prefilled. No account required.
3. Get your QR by email
As soon as the payment lands, the QR arrives by email with install steps for your device type. It is always available again from the order lookup page.
Frequently asked questions
Does an eSIM cost more than a physical SIM?
No. You pay the listed plan price — no activation fee, no shipping, no deposit. The QR code arrives by email, so there is nothing to ship.
Do I keep my home phone number?
Yes. A travel eSIM is a separate line. Your home SIM stays in the phone and still receives calls and bank OTP messages. Just turn off its mobile data to avoid roaming charges.
If I install it at home, does the clock start?
No. Validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network at your destination — not when you buy or install it. Installing at home over Wi-Fi is the right way to do it.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
Most travel eSIMs are data-only and have no number for calls or SMS. You can still call over Zalo, WhatsApp, Messenger or FaceTime. If you need a number, pick a plan explicitly marked as including one.
What if I switch phones mid-trip?
A QR code installs once on one device. Deleting the eSIM removes the profile permanently — it cannot be moved to another phone.
What happens when I run out of data?
It depends on the plan. Some stop, some throttle to a speed that still handles messaging. Each plan shows an 'after that…' line when it throttles instead of cutting off.