Vietnam attracts thousands of tourists due to pristine nature, kilometers of beaches, delicious exotic food, unique sights, and culture. This Asian country is a perfect destination for travelers on a budget and freelancers who are willing to settle here. However, when the first impressions subside, you will discover some troubles in paradise. Access to many popular online resources is restricted and the Internet is severely regulated. If you do not want to sacrifice your online freedoms, you should consider getting a VPN for Vietnam. Stay with us and you’ll learn why a good VPN is a must and how to choose a trustworthy provider.
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A VPN in Vietnam: Why do you Need It?
The communist regime in Vietnam does not support the freedom of speech. Television, press, Internet, online media, and social networks are constantly monitored and heavily censored. Not so long ago, 35 online activists and bloggers were sentenced to imprisonment for up to 13 years for activities that ‘harm national security’.
You have probably heard about the Great Firewall of China. Vietnam has its own massive Internet filter called the Bamboo Firewall. It blocks access to many foreign sites that criticize the Vietnamese government or provide materials diverging from the official ideology.
In the near future, the situation with the oppression of online freedoms will worsen even more due to the new cyber security law. According to this legislation, all technology companies that work in Vietnam will be obligated to have physical offices and store data about their customers. What does this mean for regular users? The government may demand user data and companies will have no right to disobey.
Also, at the request of the authorities, social networks must remove posts that harm national interests. Needless to say that websites with adult content and torrent platforms are banned in Vietnam, too.
You should consider your online security no matter what country you live or visit. Hackers are always waiting to get their hands on your personal data to empty your bank account. There is only one way to hide from snoopers, spies, and cybercriminals. All you need to do is install a VPN on your device.
The Best VPNs for Vietnam
VPNs are not forbidden to use in Vietnam but you must be very careful when choosing a provider. Since the government monitors the Internet environment, a weak or free VPN won’t be able to maintain your privacy. You need a service that exercises airtight zero-logging policy and supports cutting-edge encryption protocols. An access to a large variety of servers is also important since it helps to circumvent geo-blocking. Fast connection speed is another factor you should consider if you are planning to watch HD videos or play video games.
There are many VPNs around but not all of them are able to ensure a great combination of speed, security, usability, and server count. We conducted our own research to find the best VPNs for Vietnam and here are the results:
- Provider
- User Rating
- Our Review
- Price
PureVPN- 4807 Votes
- $3.24 / month
ExpressVPN- 3795 Votes
- $6.67 / month
Here are brief overviews of our recommended VPNs:
NordVPN
This Panama-based company is one of the most powerful VPN providers. It is regarded as the industry’s security leader thanks to the bulletproof zero-logging policy and offshore jurisdiction. You can be sure that NordVPN doesn’t retain a bit of user data.
NordVPN supplies the most complete and flexible security features. In addition to the strongest encryption (the top choice is OpenVPN protocol but other connection options are available as well), you are able to opt for Double Encryption, Onion over VPN or obfuscated servers that make your connection even more secure. Needless to say that NordVPN has a Kill Switch, anti-leak protection, and DDoS prevention tools.
The provider maintains the largest server network comprising of 5,400 units scattered across 60 countries. NordVPN offers very affordable tariff plans for 1, and 3 years with a variety of payment methods (they even accept Bitcoin). If something is not to your liking, you can take advantage of a 30-day refund policy. All these factors make NordVPN one of the best choices for Vietnam VPN.
PureVPN
PureVPN has a Hong Kong jurisdiction. This country is free of mandatory data retention laws and it doesn’t participate in any intelligence treaties. Therefore, the provider is not obligated to store user data. Even if the Vietnamese government tries to force PureVPN to yield information about its clients, the service will have nothing to submit. When user anonymity is extremely important, PureVPN is an excellent VPN for Vietnam.
Users can also benefit from various security options. L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, IKEv2, and, of course, the strongest encryption protocol OpenVPN will safeguard your online activities. PureVPN’s software is equipped with Kill Switch so you don’t have to worry that unprotected data will compromise your privacy if you suddenly lose connection with a VPN server. A reliable IP and DNS leakage protection is also in place.
PureVPN is one of the fastest providers with more than 6,500 servers across the globe. The service offers a very affordable subscription, especially when you opt for a 2-year plan. With a 31-day money back guarantee you can test PureVPN out without losing anything.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN supplies a combination of fast connection, ease of use, and amazing security functions. As well as other VPNs on our list, the provider does not collect or retain user data. You can be sure that your communication and other virtual activities are protected thanks to unbreakable encryption brought by OpenVPN protocol and 256-bit AES algorithm. Other protocols are available as well if you are looking for a faster connection.
The service is totally anonymous and safe. No hackers or law enforcement agencies can intervene in your virtual life. You can even benefit from torrenting despite the torrent ban in Vietnam. The extra layer of protection is added by Nat Firewall and LAN traffic blocking. Kill Switch is also available.
ExpressVPN self-managed server network covers 94 countries. You have access to more than 3,000 servers, each of which supplies outstanding connection speeds. The service offers 3 subscription options with discounts for longer duration tariff plans. If you tried ExpressVPN and something didn’t meet your expectations, you can get your money back within 30 days.
Vietnam VPN: Conclusion
A VPN in Vietnam is a necessary tool to guard your privacy on the web. In the country where freedom of speech is oppressed only private virtual networks are able to open access to independent media. If any opposition opinions expressed on the web can earn you time in jail, a reliable and safe VPN is the only solution to ensure your anonymity.