Why Local SIM Cards Are Still Better in Some Countries

## Why Local SIM Cards Are Still Better in Some Countries

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I’m a committed eSIM user. It’s my default. But I’d be doing you a disservice if I pretended eSIM was always the superior choice. There are specific countries and situations where a local physical SIM genuinely beats any eSIM option available.

Here’s my honest breakdown.

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### Country #1: Vietnam for Long Stays

Vietnam has some of the cheapest local SIM pricing in Southeast Asia. A Viettel SIM from a local shop (not the airport) costs 50,000-100,000 VND ($2-4) for 5-10GB. That’s extraordinary value that no eSIM provider matches on a pure price-per-GB basis.

For a two-week stay in Vietnam, a local SIM bought at a mobile shop (around every street corner in Hanoi and HCMC) is arguably better value than Airalo.

**The tradeoff:** Airport queuing, SIM ejector pin drama, can’t keep your home SIM active simultaneously.

### Country #2: Thailand for Extended Stays

Thailand’s AIS and True Move H offer unlimited data SIMs for 299 THB ($8) for 7 days or 599 THB ($17) for 30 days unlimited. At 30-day unlimited for $17, a Thai SIM matches Airalo’s 10GB plan price but with unlimited data and a Thai phone number.

For a month in Thailand, the local SIM is a better deal — particularly if you want to make local calls for booking restaurants, taxis, or accommodation.

### Country #3: Myanmar

Myanmar’s eSIM options are limited and often unreliable due to the political situation’s impact on telecom infrastructure. Local SIMs from Ooredoo Myanmar, while requiring registration, often outperform eSIM options in-country.

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### Country #4: Japan for Groups

Japan is a special case. While eSIM works brilliantly in Japan, pocket WiFi rental remains popular here for good reason — Japan-specific pocket WiFi devices (rented at airports or shipped to accommodation) often provide excellent group coverage at lower per-person cost for parties of 3+.

For solo travel, eSIM wins in Japan. For groups, evaluate pocket WiFi.

### When eSIM Still Wins

Even in the above countries, eSIM has use cases:
– **Multi-country trips** including those countries — regional plans beat buying local SIMs everywhere
– **Very short stays** (1-4 days) — not worth the hassle of finding a local SIM shop
– **Devices without SIM slots** — tablets, some newer phones
– **No SIM ejector pin** — more common than you’d think

### The Honest Scorecard

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