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📱 Everyday Services

Getting a SIM, paying for home internet and electricity, and arranging laundry, drinking water, gas, parcels and cleaning

Getting a SIM card

1. Choosing a carrier —
   • The big three carriers are Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone. Viettel tends to have the widest nationwide coverage.
   • Each carrier has official stores all over District 2.
2. Register with your passport at an official store —
   • Under Nghị định 163/2024, in effect since December 24, 2024, foreigners register subscriber information with their passport. Stores often photograph your passport and your face.
   • Your passport must be valid for your permitted stay — your visa (or visa-free stay) period.
   • Pre-registered SIMs sold on the street or outside the airport may be registered in someone else's name and can be cut off later. Buy at an official store.
   • Your bank, Grab and Zalo accounts will all be tied to this number. Treat it as a long-term number and register it properly from the start.
3. Choosing a plan (gói cước) —

   Most are data-focused monthly plans. Ask whether it renews automatically every month and whether speed drops after you use up your data.

4. Update your details when your visa changes —

   If your registered details don't match or your passport's permitted stay expires, your number may be suspended. When you extend your visa, update your details at the store. This matters especially because bank OTPs come to this number.

Home internet · Paying for electricity

• The main home internet providers are Viettel, VNPT and FPT. Apartments often have a set provider already installed, so ask building management or your landlord first.
• Electricity is billed by EVNHCMC (the HCMC power company). You can pay via banking apps, MoMo · ZaloPay or QR code, and auto-debit is available.
• In rentals, landlords often calculate the bill from the meter reading and collect it themselves. Check the price per kWh when you sign — details in the 🏠 Finding a Home · Renting guide.
• There are scam calls from people posing as power company staff, demanding a transfer or saying 'we'll cut your power if you don't pay today'. Verify directly through the official app or bill.

Laundry · Drinking water · Gas · Parcels · Cleaning

• Laundry shops (giặt ủi) are in every neighborhood and usually charge by the kg. When dropping off, confirm the weight, price and pickup day.
• For drinking water, many homes get large water jugs (bình nước) delivered for a dispenser. Order from a local water shop by phone or Zalo.
• If your kitchen uses gas, gas cylinders (bình ga) are delivered too. Call the shop number stuck on the cylinder.
• Parcel delivery is mostly GHN, GHTK, Viettel Post and the like. Online orders can be tracked in the app, and the courier calls before arriving.
• Book cleaning and housekeeping with the bTaskee app. It serves HCMC, and you can book home cleaning, air-conditioner cleaning and more right in the app.

Visas · Temporary residence: where to go?

• Temporary residence registration (khai báo tạm trú) is done by your landlord at the local ward police (công an phường). Details are in the 🏠 Finding a Home · Renting guide.
• Visa extensions and temporary residence cards (TRC) are handled by the immigration authorities, often through your employer. The detailed steps are covered in the Level 3 lessons (to be confirmed).

Phrases for everyday services

Sources

• Hệ thống pháp luật — Từ 24/12/2024: Đăng ký SIM chính chủ cần giấy tờ gì (Nghị định 163/2024)
• Thư viện pháp luật — Nghị định 163/2024/NĐ-CP
• SGGP — Đa dạng hình thức thanh toán tiền điện (EVNHCMC)
• bTaskee — FAQs (service areas)

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