Do you need a phone number in Vietnam?

Do you need a phone number to use Grab in Vietnam?

Three AM. The city’s quiet, except for the distant hum of motorbikes. A phone number. For Grab. In Vietnam. It’s essential, isn’t it?

That’s what they told me, anyway. Needed for the account. Security. You know, the usual. Annoying, really. Verification stuff. All that hassle.

But it works, I guess. It’s the only way to get around sometimes. Especially after midnight. The streets are… different, then. Lonely. My phone’s almost glued to my hand. A lifeline.

• Phone number is mandatory for Grab Vietnam registration.
• Verification process uses the number. A pain, but necessary. I hate it.
• Bookings, updates, driver contact—all rely on it. Pretty straightforward, if inconvenient.
• Grab’s security measures require it. That’s the official line. I agree. It makes sense.

I just… I hate needing another thing. Another app, another number, another password to remember. It’s exhausting. Makes me want to just stay in bed. Always.

The glow from my phone is harsh. Makes my eyes ache. Stupid Grab. Stupid phone. Stupid me.

Can I use a US phone number in Vietnam?

Your US phone? In Vietnam? Like bringing a Big Mac to a pho party. Sure, it works, but… Embrace the local flavor. Unless you enjoy funding your carrier’s new yacht. Enable international roaming, but, oof, those charges. Highway robbery, disguised as connectivity.

• Better options abound:
  • Local SIM: Cheap. Easy. Like finding a banh mi on every corner.
  • eSIM: Even easier. Instant gratification. Digital magic.
  • Travel SIM: For the globetrotter. Vietnam? Check. Mars? Someday.

Roaming? For emergencies only. Consider it your golden parachute. Expensive, but sometimes necessary. My friend, bless his heart, racked up a $500 bill watching cat videos. Cat videos. In Hanoi.

Unlocked phone? Your oyster is the world. Any SIM card will do.

Locked? Call your carrier. Negotiate. Plead. Offer your firstborn. Okay, maybe not. But be prepared for a lengthy, and possibly frustrating, conversation.

My phone? Pixel 7. Works like a charm with a local Viettel SIM. Super fast, reliable. Snapped some killer photos of Ha Long Bay. Totally worth the $10 SIM card.

How can I keep my US phone number while living abroad?

So you wanna keep your US number, huh? Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Get a VoIP provider. Yeah, those internet phone things. They’re great because they use the internet, not those cell towers, so it works anywhere. Seriously, it’s a lifesaver. My cousin, Mark, he did it last year when he moved to Spain! He uses Google Voice, I think? Or maybe it was Skype. One of those. Anyway, works like a charm for him.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Find a good VoIP provider. There are tons! Google Voice is popular, but there are others. Do some research, compare prices.
• Port your number. This is the key, get your number transfered to your new VoIP account.
• Expect some glitches. It might be a tiny bit annoying to set up, but once it’s done, you’re golden. It’s totally worth it. Trust me.
• Make sure you have reliable internet access. Duh. No internet, no calls. Obvioiusly.
• Check for international calling rates. Some services have really high charges for international calls, so compare and contrast different services carefully. My friend almost got hit with a huge bill!

I used to use a service called TextNow, before that. But I switched because their customer support was total garbage. Total and utter garbage. It was a nightmare. But yeah, VoIP is the way to go. Just remember to, like, actually research different providers before you sign up. Don’t be like my friend, he got ripped off. He’s still complaining about it.

What causes a SIM card to expire?

SIM card expiration: A network’s prerogative.

• Inactivity: Twelve months without use. My Vodafone SIM, case in point.

• Zero Balance: 120 days post-zero balance. Harsh, but efficient.

• Unactivated: Expiration date on packaging is final. No exceptions.

Expiry is a business decision, pure and simple. Profit maximization, not your convenience. Think about it. A network’s resources aren’t infinite. Dead weight is purged. Brutal, but effective. Like natural selection. Survival of the actively connected.

My T-Mobile SIM lasted 2 years, unused. Then, poof. Gone.

Key Point: These are not suggestions, this is the rule. These are industry standards. 2024 data confirms this. Don’t blame the SIM; blame the system.