Job Discussion Forums

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

I arrived in HCMC on Sunday and promptly bought a Viettel Tomato SIM for my android phone.

It works fine except for one thing. I am completely unable to call or receive calls or texts from some numbers, for example from other Tomato numbers. Several of the other teachers I arrived with are also experiencing this problem.

I read on this forum: http://tnhvietnam.xemzi.com/en/aska/answers/qid/6993 that I have to go to a Viettel store and 'register' the number by filling out a form and showing them my passport.

Is this for real? It seems like an awful lot of trouble to go through for a pre-paid SIM which is supposed to work 'out of the box'. Confused

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

This is the first I have heard about this problem. A friend of mine who arrived a year ago got his Viettel Tomato plan SIM and I have not heard any problems from her, and she never registered her SIM. I suspect that this is something that they are starting now, as I read a week ago in The Viet Nam News that they were going to crack down on unregistered SIMs bought at mom 'n pop shops on the street corner.

I myself am on Viettel's Tomato plan (and have been for the past four years), but I registered my number because if I lose my phone, my PHONE NUMBER (which I need for my business) is also gone! IF I register it, then I go to a Viettel store, and they program a new SIM for me with my original phone number!

You can't get your original phone number back if you lose your SIM or your entire phone if you did not register your SIM. (I tried, hence, why I registered my SIM and phone number). Then ya gotta go back to all your friends, give EACH ONE OF THEM your new phone number and it really sucks.....

....best to just go to a Viettel Corporate store with your passport and just register it.....

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Does anyone know where there is a Viettel story which can register SIM's in HCMC, preferably in district 1?

I can't find this information on their website.

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

There is a small Viettel Corporate store on 51 Pham Ngu Lao, South of the big-ass roundabout and opposite the bus area. They should be able to set you up. I was there at that particular shop about six months ago or so, and they barely spoke English that could be understood - find somebody who speaks tieng Viet to join you or attempt to use Google Translate or just grunt-and-point! Don't forget to bring your passport. On the plus side - the SIM registration form is bilingual, so that should make it a bit easier for you! Smile

Kawika · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Saigon

In Saigon- I was at ANZ bank and the teller told me the customer service number for credit cards will not work on Viettel Sad

-something about being on a different system

Also, I tried calling Tiger Airways customer service number in Vietnam: 120 60114 and it didn't work with Viettel, but worked with Mobi...

I've always liked Viettel because it didn't have as many SMS ads as Mobi did... but now I'm wondering why Viettel doesn't support some numbers Sad

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

It seems I've found the root of the problem, and it had nothing to do with registering my number (I never did it).

The number that was printed on the SIM card packaging was NOT my actual number - or it was my number, but was ONLY reachable with some mobile companies.

If that sounds confusing, it sure is to me. A different number shows up when I call some people and everyone (so far) seems to be able to get through to me using this second number.