Create an AWS Account (Free Tier)Tạo tài khoản AWS (Free Tier)

What you need first

• An email address never used for AWS before
• An international VISA/MasterCard with at least ~$1 available
• A phone number that can receive SMS or a voice call

All three must be new to AWS. Reusing a phone or card from a previous account is the #1 reason people lose the Free Plan (see troubleshooting below).

The basic steps (quick)

1. Go to aws.amazon.com/free → Create a Free Account.
2. Enter email + account name → verify with the emailed code.
3. Set a root password (upper + lower + number + special char).
4. Choose the Free Plan.
5. Fill in personal information.
6. Add a payment method (card).
7. Verify your phone via SMS or voice call.
8. Pick a support plan (Basic / free is fine).
9. Sign in to the AWS Management Console.

Notes & troubleshooting

Phone verification (Vietnam)

• Select country Vietnam (+84) and enter your number without the leading 0 (e.g. 912 345 678, not 0912...).
• If the SMS code never arrives, switch to the voice call option and AWS will read the code to you.

Card / payment errors

• AWS may place a small temporary hold (~$1) to verify the card — this is refunded.
• If verification fails, sign back into your account and update the payment info or add a different card.

"You are not eligible for the Free Plan"

• This means the phone number or card was already used on a previous AWS account.
• Consequence: you lose the credit benefits and are pushed to the Paid Plan.
• Fix: start over with a different phone number and a different card.

Credits & lifecycle

• New accounts get $100 in credits (and up to $100 more by completing activities).
• The Free Plan lasts 6 months or until the credits run out — whichever comes first.
• After it ends the account auto-closes; AWS keeps your data for 90 days before deleting it. You can upgrade to Paid anytime within that window and leftover credits carry over.

Root password & email

• The root password is extremely sensitive — only share it with people who also control the credit card. Store it safely.
• For a personal account, avoid using a company email (you may change jobs); for a business, use a managed email alias.