When my friend travelled to Vietnam recently, there was one thing I was quietly cheering for: that his mobile phone would work seamlessly abroad, no frantic SIM swaps, no crazy roaming bills. And thanks to Rakuten Mobile, it didn’t disappoint.
Arrival in Vietnam — Stay Connected Immediately
He arrived in Hanoi, switched on his phone, had a data connection within minutes, all without purchasing a local SIM or renting a Wi-Fi device. That’s because Rakuten Mobile’s plan includes up to 2 GB of free overseas data every month in many countries, Vietnam among them. According to Rakuten’s global roaming page, the allowance applies in “90+ countries & regions”.
PR
In practice, my friend could use Google Maps, check LINE messages, upload photos, and look up local restaurants, all under the free data allowance.
What the Plan Really Offers & Why It’s So Useful for Travel
Here are the key details that matter when you’re abroad:
• Free Overseas Data (Up to 2 GB/month)
If you’re on Rakuten’s “SAIKYO Plan” (or equivalent), you get 2 GB of high-speed data abroad each month at no extra charge.
After you exceed 2 GB, your speed is capped (to 128 kbps) unless you buy more high-speed data.
The 2 GB comes out of your regular plan’s data usage, so you don’t need a separate “travel roaming” plan or add-on.
• Coverage & Ease
This service works across 70+ or even over 90 countries/regions. For example, one site says “69 countries and regions” for the 2 GB free roaming.
Set-up is minimal: before departure, you just enable “International Roaming (Data Communication)” via the My Rakuten Mobile app, and once abroad, you turn on “Data Roaming” in your phone settings.
Easy for travellers: No need to swap SIM cards, no separate rental wifi required, you just use your Japanese number as usual.
• Extra Perks for Travel
With the Rakuten Link app, international calls and SMS may also be handled very cost-effectively (or free in some cases) when abroad.
In-flight roaming support: For selected airlines/aircraft, Rakuten Mobile even supports in-flight roaming, meaning you can stay connected on the plane in the air.
My Friend’s Experience in Vietnam
He landed in Ho Chi Minh City and immediately had internet access.
He used data to check directions, call his hostel, book a Grab ride, and post photos, all using the same Japanese number.
He kept an eye on data usage via the My Rakuten Mobile app, and didn’t hit the 2 GB limit during his week-long stay.
When he returned to Japan, he simply turned off data roaming, no extra steps, no surprises on the bill.
Why This Makes Rakuten Mobile a Smart Choice for Travellers
Cost-effective: Other carriers often charge hefty roaming fees or require special roaming plans. In one blog, the user compared: “With Rakuten, you get 2 GB free regardless of destination country. Other carriers: 3 GB for ¥980 but only 24 h, or 1 GB for a few days.”
Convenience: No need to hunt for local SIMs, no rental devices, your Japanese number continues working.
Flexible: If you need more data while abroad, you can top up easily (e.g., an additional 1 GB for around ¥500 in many cases) rather than being locked into expensive block plans.
Good for foreign residents/travellers: A survey found Rakuten Mobile ranked 1st among communication services for foreign residents in Japan (21.0%), citing low price and overseas functionality.
🔗 Join Rakuten Mobile & Get Up to 14,000 Rakuten Points!
If you’re planning a trip abroad, or even if you just want a mobile carrier that supports overseas use effortlessly, now is a great time to apply for Rakuten mobile.
Referral campaign details:
Sign up as a new application → Earn 11,000 Rakuten Points
Switch via MNP (number porting) → Earn 14,000 Rakuten Points
Those points can be used for shopping, online services, travel bookings and more within the Rakuten ecosystem, a meaningful extra benefit.
Final Thoughts ✍️
Travelling with your smartphone shouldn’t be stressful or expensive. With Rakuten Mobile, my friend enjoyed his Vietnam trip without worrying about roaming bills or connectivity issues, using his regular plan and getting up to 2 GB of free overseas data per month.
If you’re heading abroad soon, especially to destinations like Vietnam, consider Rakuten Mobile. Stay connected, stay smart, and turn what can be a logistical headache into smooth sailing. And if you sign up via the referral link above, you’ll get rewarded for doing so.
2 thoughts on “How Rakuten Mobile Made My Friend’s Vietnam Trip Smooth (With Free 2 GB Overseas Data!)”