eSIM vs Roaming Plans — Real Cost Comparison
International roaming can cost {price.5}–{price.15} per megabyte with some carriers. A single hour of video streaming could cost {price.500} or more in roaming fees. Here is an honest, numbers-first comparison of eSIM plans vs every roaming alternative.
The true cost of carrier roaming
Home carrier international data charges vary widely:
| Carrier type | Pay-as-you-go rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US carrier (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) roaming | 245 ₫–367.500 ₫ per MB | Varies by destination country |
| UK carrier (EE, Vodafone, O2) zone 1 | £0.002–£10 per MB | 'Zone 1' countries cheapest |
| Carrier international add-on package | 245.000 ₫–490.000 ₫/day or 1.225.000 ₫–2.450.000 ₫/week | Often throttled to 256 kbps |
| EU roaming (within EU/EEA) | Free at home rates | Genuine exception — no extra charge |
At 245.000 ₫/MB, a 1 GB video stream costs 245.000.000 ₫ Even 'day pass' add-ons at 245.000 ₫/day throttle to 256 kbps — barely enough for maps.
Real cost comparison by trip type
7 days in Europe (5 GB data)
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier roaming (pay-as-you-go) | 3.675.000 ₫–12.250.000 ₫ | Extreme bill shock risk |
| Carrier travel package (day pass) | 1.715.000 ₫–3.430.000 ₫ | 245.000 ₫/day × 7, often throttled |
| Local physical SIM in France | 367.500 ₫–612.500 ₫ | Covers France only, requires store visit |
| LTE.app Europe eSIM (30+ countries) | 294.000 ₫–490.000 ₫ | Full LTE speeds, instant activation |
14 days in Asia (10 GB data)
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier roaming | 7.350.000 ₫–24.500.000 ₫+ | Extreme risk |
| Carrier international package | 1.960.000 ₫–3.675.000 ₫ | Often insufficient data |
| Local SIM in Japan | 367.500 ₫–612.500 ₫ | Japan only, language barrier |
| LTE.app Asia regional eSIM | 367.500 ₫–857.500 ₫ | Covers Japan, Korea, Taiwan |
3 days in the US (2 GB data)
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier roaming day pass | 735.000 ₫–1.470.000 ₫ | 245.000 ₫–490.000 ₫/day |
| US prepaid local SIM (Mint, T-Mobile) | 367.500 ₫–490.000 ₫ | Physical store required |
| LTE.app US eSIM | 196.000 ₫–367.500 ₫ | Instant QR, full LTE |
Hidden roaming charges that multiply the cost
When roaming actually makes sense
LTE.app membership makes eSIM even cheaper
LTE.app Pro membership (244.755 ₫/mo) saves 7% on every eSIM plan. Premium (489.755 ₫/mo) saves 12%. For frequent travelers purchasing 3–4 plans per month, the membership pays for itself:
| Travel pattern | Monthly plan spend | Pro saves | Premium saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 trip/month (1 plan) | 367.500 ₫ | 25.725 ₫ | 44.100 ₫ |
| 2 trips/month (3 plans) | 1.102.500 ₫ | 77.175 ₫ | 132.300 ₫ |
| 4 trips/month (6 plans) | 2.205.000 ₫ | 154.350 ₫ | 264.600 ₫ |
| Heavy traveler (10 plans) | 3.675.000 ₫ | 257.250 ₫ | 441.000 ₫ |
At 6+ plans per month, Pro pays for itself. At 10+ plans per month, Premium pays for itself.