Initially, I was unsure about using eSIM, but they've become essential for my constant travel. Recently, I tested the Saily eSIM, developed by the NordVPN team, during a five-week adventure across Southeast Asia in January and February, visiting Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that functions just like a physical SIM, eliminating the hassle of insertion. Most modern smartphones support eSIMs and allow seamless switching between multiple plans.

Available eSIM Options from Saily

Saily offers country-specific and regional eSIMs for over 200 destinations, with data plans ranging from 1GB to 50GB for one week to 30 days. Activation lasts 30 days, automatically activating if not used within that timeframe.

Regional eSIMs are ideal for multi-country trips, while country-specific eSIMs can be more affordable. Always verify that your travel destinations are included in your eSIM coverage. Thanks to its NordVPN ownership, Saily integrates numerous security features, which I'll discuss later. (Use promo code ANNA10 for 10% off your purchase.)

My Review of Saily eSIM in Southeast Asia

I utilized a regional Asia eSIM (10GB for 30 days at $35.99), a Cambodia-only eSIM (3GB for 30 days at $8.99), and a Vietnam eSIM (5GB for 30 days at $10.99) during my six-week trip through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. (I use my own affiliate discount codes, of course.)

Installing the eSIM was straightforward. Saily stands out by allowing a one-time installation that auto-reloads new plans, unlike other providers requiring repeated installations. You can install multiple eSIMs if desired.

Thailand Experience

I activated the eSIM in Khao Yai National Park, about 2.5 hours northeast of Bangkok. Saily operates on the True network, one of Thailand's top providers. Initially, I had LTE service in a remote area, which was satisfactory. In Bangkok, the service switched to 4G and performed flawlessly.

Laos Connectivity

Upon arriving in Luang Prabang, I realized Saily doesn’t cover Laos. Only one eSIM provider does, and their pricing was steep at $9.50 for 1GB. I found a local eSIM cheaper upon landing.

Vietnam Adventures

In my first visit to Vietnam in mid-January, I landed in Hanoi and struggled to connect. Eventually, I connected via Vietnamobile's 3G network, which was frustratingly slow, making it hard to order a Grab ride. I had to return to the airport for Wi-Fi to book my car. I've seen similar complaints from others about this airport's connectivity.

Once at my hotel, I reached out to Saily support. They were excellent. After troubleshooting, including checking roaming settings, I was advised to manually select Mobifone instead of relying on automatic selection, which restored my LTE service. Note that eSIMs often switch networks, so be prepared.

I anticipated at least 4G or 5G coverage, but with LTE, I could still stream YouTube videos while traveling from Hanoi to Ninh Binh without issues. I enjoyed LTE with strong signals in Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta.

On my second visit to Vietnam at the end of February, arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, Saily's support informed me they fixed the previous issues. They even provided a complimentary 5GB plan due to my earlier troubles. The Vietnam-specific eSIM connected to Mobifone LTE right at the airport, allowing me to book my Grab easily. The connection was fast, and I had no problems using social media apps.

Exploring Cambodia

Upon entering Cambodia via the Mekong River, my phone struggled to connect. Their support clarified that my regional Asia eSIM didn’t cover Cambodia, a mistake I should have checked on. I purchased a Cambodia-specific eSIM (3GB for 30 days at $8.99) using the SMART network, best for urban areas like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. In rural regions like Kampong Cham, I faced EDGE service while a second eSIM on Metfone had 4G connectivity. In other remote locations, Saily's eSIM sometimes worked while Metfone did not. Coverage varies significantly across Cambodia.

Locals recommend Metfone and CellCard for rural connectivity. If you plan to venture beyond tourist hotspots, check with your accommodation for network recommendations. For example, Koh Rong Sanloem has limited Metfone service, so I purchased a Metfone SIM for my stay.

Use promo code ANNA10 for 10% off your purchase!

Summary of Saily eSIM Review

Ninh Binh was a highlight during my Vietnam travels.

Overall, the effectiveness of eSIMs relies heavily on their network partnerships. I appreciated Saily's easy installation and their responsive customer support, which surpassed other providers I've experienced. I would confidently recommend it for Thailand and Cambodia (major cities). Initially, I hesitated to recommend it for Vietnam after my Hanoi airport experience, but my second encounter in Ho Chi Minh was much smoother. If you're traveling to Hanoi, be prepared for possible connection challenges at the airport. I advise purchasing and installing the plan before departure for seamless connectivity upon arrival.

While Saily offers a virtual location feature, I used my NordVPN alongside my Saily eSIM to download shows on Paramount + and Disney + while toggling between Wi-Fi and cellular data. (Both services require a U.S. location to download content, hence my VPN usage.) They worked flawlessly together.

I recommend testing your downloads using the VPN before your flight for peace of mind. The eSIM functioned perfectly for this. Remember to use code ANNA10 for 10% off your Saily eSIM purchase.

Is Saily eSIM Secure?

Saily, owned by Nord Security, prioritizes security. Their app includes various security features:

Virtual Location: Choose from 82 virtual locations for enhanced privacy, vital for streaming and downloading.

Ad Blocker: Saily can block disruptive ads to save data and reduce screen clutter. However, consider supporting smaller creators by leaving ads enabled when browsing their content.

Web Protection: Saily utilizes DNS filtering to mitigate trackers and harmful sites from reaching your device.

Does Saily eSIM Provide a Phone Number?

No, a Saily eSIM does not include a phone number. It currently only supports mobile data, although they plan to add this feature. For info on acquiring a number while traveling, see my post on two-step verification while traveling.

Can Saily eSIM be Used in the U.S.?

Yes, Saily offers six plans for the U.S. ranging from 1GB to 50GB for one week to 30 days, priced from $3.99 to $49.99. Use code ANNA10 for 10% off your purchase.

Installing Saily eSIM on Your iPhone

Setting up Saily is simple. Download the Saily eSIM app, select your plan, and it activates automatically.

For manual setup, navigate to “Settings,” tap “Cellular,” select “Add eSIM,” choose “Use QR code,” and follow the instructions. For detailed guidance, visit Saily’s Help page.

Troubleshooting Saily eSIM Connection Issues

If you're experiencing connectivity problems with your eSIM, try these solutions, which worked for me:

1. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off.
2. Ensure the correct eSIM is active and set as your default line.
3. Confirm that data roaming is enabled.
4. If you know the partner network, disable “Automatic Selection” and manually select it.
5. Switch between network speed settings (5G, LTE, etc.).
6. Toggle Airplane Mode again to check functionality.

For more information, visit Saily’s Help page.