Best VPN for Vietnam 2023: Security & Privacy for Travelers

Vietnam scored a dismal 22 percent in the most recent internet freedom research piece. Online freedom has dropped sharply as the Vietnamese government continues to impose stringent controls over the internet. Whether you are a Vietnamese resident or a visitor, using the best VPN for Vietnam is indispensable to get around the obstacles to internet access.

A virtual private network (VPN) gives you a edge against online surveillance and censorship. Besides that, VPNs unlock unfettered access to streaming platforms, social media and other online services that might be hidden behind the Bamboo Firewall. However, not all VPNs fit the bill for use in Vietnam.

Key Takeaways:

• ExpressVPN is the number one VPN for Vietnam, offering a comprehensive feature set that packs enough power to defeat censorship and access geo-restricted content in Vietnam and beyond.
• NordVPN is also an excellent VPN service for Vietnam, delivering stellar performance, but its connection speeds are a little inconsistent over long distances.
• Surfshark stakes a claim for a spot on our VPNs list, thanks to its unique security features like “clean web” and camouflage mode. Like CyberGhost, it’s an excellent option if you’re on a tight budget. 
• Windscribe is hands down the best free VPN for Vietnam, but you have to pay extra to unlock the server in Vietnam if you need a Vietnamese IP address. 

In this article, we’ll reveal the five best VPNs for Vietnam, including ExpressVPN — our top pick. We’ll delve into the strengths and weaknesses (if any) of these top-notch VPN service providers to help you find a suitable service. Read on to discover how these VPNs can help you dive into the Vietnamese cyber ocean with freedom, security and privacy.

• How Do I Get a Vietnamese VPN?

  Getting a Vietnamese VPN is as easy. Define your needs, then sign up for a VPN service that best meets these needs. Then download and install the VPN app on your device.

• Does NordVPN Work in Vietnam?

  Yes, NordVPN works flawlessly in Vietnam.

• Does ExpressVPN Work in Vietnam?

  Yes, ExpressVPN works without a hitch in Vietnam.

• What Is the Best Country to Set Your VPN To?

  If you’re using ExpressVPN in Vietnam, you can connect to any of its servers, regardless of the country, and still enjoy all-round performance. However, if the virtual private network you’re using is sluggish over long-distance servers, consider connecting to a neighboring country for excellent service.

• Are VPNs Legal in Vietnam?

  Yes, using a VPN is legal in Vietnam, and in fact we’d say you need a VPN to protect your online privacy in the country.

The Top VPNs for Vietnam

ReviewVisit ExpressVPN 30-days money-back guarantee

What Makes the Best VPN for Vietnam?

When it comes to picking the best Vietnam VPN, you must understand the key features to look out for. This is because the best VPN providers don’t necessarily cut it when traversing the online landscape in Vietnam. Before we get into the features of the best VPNs for Vietnam, here is a sneak peek into our suggestions for using a VPN in Vietnam.

1. ExpressVPN — Blazing-fast servers, robust security and watertight online privacy
2. NordVPN — Top-notch security and privacy, and P2P-friendly servers
3. CyberGhost — Affordable and streaming-optimized servers
4. Surfshark  — Unlimited simultaneous connections and unique features
5. Windscribe — Generous free plan

The Vietnamese government is constantly reviewing its list of censored websites and blogs, and you can never predict what sites will be blocked. To be on the safe side, get a VPN with impervious privacy and security features. The VPN should offer DNS leak protection, a strict no-logs policy, strong encryption and support for secure VPN protocols, at the least.

Besides that, you want to have a VPN with an extensive global server network, including servers in Vietnam. This way, you can get a Vietnam IP address to access geo-blocked content when you travel abroad. If you’re a Vietnamese person in Vietnam, you can get a U.S. or UK IP address to stream live Premier League football or watch movies on BBC iPlayer. 

VPN speed is of the essence if you want to enjoy buffering-free streaming, torrenting or online gaming. While not all of our picks made it onto the fastest VPN list, they’re fast enough for any online activity. 

The 5 Best VPNs for Vietnam

We tested numerous VPNs to find those that fit the profile of the best Vietnam VPN. The VPN on our list came out top because they offer all the fundamental features mentioned above. We’ll discuss their capabilities and performance, starting with ExpressVPN — the best VPN service for Vietnam.

1. ExpressVPN

More details about ExpressVPN:

• Pricing: $6.67 per month plus three months free on the yearly plan
• Provider website: www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is the undisputed number one VPN for Vietnam. First off, you can get a Vietnam IP address when you travel abroad to access local channels like FTP Play and VTVcab On. Plus, if you’re in Vietnam, you can choose from over 160 VPN server locations to unblock censored sites and streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. However, the Vietnam server is virtual — it’s physically located in Singapore.

Besides helping you defeat online censorship, ExpressVPN allows you to have anonymous internet access. It has a strict no-logs policy and utilizes TrustedServer technology to delete your digital footprint and data with every reboot. You also get the commonplace security features like a kill switch to keep you secure online when your VPN connection drops.

Blazing-Fast Servers

ExpressVPN ticks the right boxes for the best Vietnam VPN; what sets it apart is its blazing-fast speeds. Whether you want to watch NBA games or Premier League football in Vietnam, it guarantees a lag-free streaming experience.

ExpressVPN is the most expensive VPN provider on this list, but the annual pricing plan brings the monthly rate down by a few dollars, plus you get three months for free. You also connect five devices simultaneously. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you need more time to make the buying decision. Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more.

ExpressVPN isn’t only an apt tool for defeating censorship in Vietnam — it’s the best VPN for streaming, thanks to its unrivaled ability to unblock streaming services. Even though it’s pricey, it offers a comprehensive feature set that somehow justifies the cost.

ExpressVPN Plans

• Unlimited GB
• 5
• Yes

30-days money-back guarantee

1-month plan

$12.95/month

6-months plan

$9.99/month

$59.94 billed every 6 month

Save 22%

15-months plan

$6.66/month

$99.95 billed first 15 months and 12 months thereafter

Save 48%

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2. NordVPN

More details about NordVPN:

• Pricing: $3.71 per month on the two-year plan
• Provider website: www.nordvpn.com 

Our second entry is NordVPN — a VPN service that offers top-notch security and privacy. It’s fast enough for any online activity, but its connection speeds are a little inconsistent over longer distances. However, it’s no slouch when it comes to streaming, torrenting or any other speed-intensive activity. It also allows you to enjoy an unrestrained online experience, thanks to unlimited bandwidth.

When you travel abroad, you can choose from 10 servers in Vietnam to access local content. 

If you’re a Vietnamese in Vietnam or a foreigner, you can connect to one of the 5,400 servers to access censored social media networks and unblock streaming services. Even better, it comes with hundreds of P2P-optimized servers, in case torrenting is your cup of tea.

Advanced Security Features

NordVPN offers basic features like a kill switch, strong encryption, no-logs policy and DNS leak protection. Beyond that, you can utilize the double VPN, which encrypts your traffic twice, making it difficult for hackers or government agencies to decipher it. However, its best feature is the obfuscated server that hides that you’re using a VPN, allowing you to skirt the Bamboo Firewall.

NordVPN only sets you back $3.71 per month on the two-year plan, which is a reasonable rate. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for extra peace of mind. Read our NordVPN review to learn more.

NordVPN only misses the mark when it comes to the consistency of its connection speed. Aside from that, it matches ExpressVPN’s capability in nearly all the other aspects. Its commendable number of servers in Vietnam, coupled with its stellar security and privacy, make it the top VPN service for journalists or human rights activists in Vietnam.

30-days money-back guarantee

Standard

• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan

$11.99/month

1-year plan

$4.99/month

$59.88 billed every year

Save 58%

2-year plan

$3.49/month

$83.76 billed every 2 years

Save 70%

Plus

• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan

$12.99/month

1-year plan

$5.99/month

$71.88 billed every year

Save 53%

2-year plan

$5.19/month

$124.56 billed every 2 years

Save 60%

Complete

• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan

$14.49/month

1-year plan

$7.49/month

$89.88 billed every year

Save 48%

2-year plan

$6.69/month

$160.56 billed every 2 years

Save 53%

ReviewVisit NordVPN 30-days money-back guarantee

3. CyberGhost

More details about CyberGhost:

• Pricing: $2.25 per month on the three-year plan 
• Provider website: www.cyberghostvpn.com 

CyberGhost offers 12 virtual servers in Hanoi, Vietnam, and around 7,800 worldwide. The vast server network gives you infinite options to mask your actual IP address. It enables you to bypass online censorship and makes it practically impossible for Vietnamese agencies to track any only activity back to you.

While bypassing censorship is a critical capability in Vietnam, CyberGhost doesn’t lose sight of your online security. It utilizes AES 256-bit encryption and secure VPN protocols to keep sensitive information, including financial data and private communication, safe. Plus, you can rest assured that no one, not even government agencies, can snoop on your online activities, thanks to the no-logs policy.

Streaming Optimized Servers

CyberGhost doesn’t match the excellent speeds of ExpressVPN. However, thanks to its streaming-optimized servers, it’s one of the best VPNs for streaming content blocked in Vietnam. The servers get you into any streaming platform, including Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Netflix. You also get unlimited bandwidth to unlock infinite streaming possibilities.

CyberGhost is an affordable VPN service that only sets you back $3.49 per month on the two-year plan. Each subscription supports seven simultaneous connections, and it works on all devices, including Amazon Fire, Android TV, Mac, Windows, iOS and Android. Read our CyberGhost review to learn more. 

CyberGhost has one of the highest server counts in Vietnam and around the world, which gives you limitless possibilities to bypass censorship. Though it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, the streaming-optimized servers give it an edge over other VPNs. Moreover, it’s affordable and comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee (on longer plans) for extra peace of mind.

Cyberghost Plans

• Unlimited GB
• 7
• Yes

45-days money-back guarantee

1-month plan

$12.99/month

6-months plan

$6.99/month

$41.94 billed every 6 month

Save 46%

2-year plan

$2.37/month

$56.94 billed every 2 years

Save 81%

ReviewVisit Cyberghost 45-days money-back guarantee

4. Surfshark

More details about Surfshark:

• Pricing: $2.49 per month on the two-year plan
• Provider website: www.surfshark.com 

Surfshark is an inexpensive VPN provider that offers over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, including Vietnam. You can get a Vietnam IP address to get around the Bamboo Firewall and unblock local content on FTP Play when you travel abroad. Alternatively, you can unlock streaming services in the U.S. and watch Premier League football in the comfort of your home.

Besides that, Surfshark has your security and privacy in mind. It offers various security features, including a kill switch, DNS leak protection and AES 256-bit encryption to keep you secure and private online. Moreover, it thwarts DNS leaks with private DNS when using the IPV4 stack, thus keeping your data safe from hackers, snoopers and internet service providers.

Unique Privacy and Security Features

Surfshark takes your digital security and privacy a notch higher with unique features like “stealth mode” and “camouflage mode.” When enabled, the feature conceals the fact that you’re using a VPN for anonymity. Even better, the “clean web” blocks pesky malware, trackers and ads. Doing so frees up data — though it’s inexpensive in Vietnam — and helps minimize distractions as you work or get entertained online.

Surfshark goes for $2.23 per month on the two-year plan. Each plan offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, unlimited simultaneous connections and unlimited bandwidth. Read our Surfshark review to learn more.

Surfshark packs the features you need to bypass online censorship in Vietnam. Its server network isn’t the most extensive, but it gets the job done. The servers are P2P-optimized and come to their element when streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. It does all that while maintaining the highest level of security and privacy online.

Surfshark Plans

• Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

30-days money-back guarantee

1-month plan

$12.95/month

1-year plan

$3.99/month

$47.88 billed every year

Save 69%

2-year plan

$2.49/month

$59.76 billed every 2 years

Save 80%

ReviewVisit Surfshark 30-days money-back guarantee

5. Windscribe

More details about Windscribe:

• Pricing: Free plan, $2 build-a-plan option 
• Provider website: www.windscribe.com 

Lastly, there’s Windscribe — the best free VPN for Vietnam. You rarely find a free VPN that is both reliable and trustworthy, but Windscribe delivers just that. You do need a Pro plan to use the servers in Hanoi, Vietnam. However, this doesn’t take any mark away from Windscribe because you can connect to 10 countries to bypass censorship with the free plan.

Windscribe is the epitome of a free yet trustworthy VPN provider. The build-a-plan option allows you to use a Vietnam server or any other server that is not available on the free plan starting at $1 per location (though you need two locations to get rolling). Alternatively, you could go for the Pro plan to unlock all the VPN perks. Read our Windscribe review to learn more.

R.O.B.E.R.T

The Vietnamese government has turned to spyware as a means of cracking down on bloggers and human rights activists. R.O.B.E.R.T blocks malware-malicious software, preventing hackers like OceanLotus — a hacker group associated with the Vietnamese government — from gaining access to your device. Besides that, blocking ads saves data and comes in handy when using the free plan, which has a 10GB data limit.

Windscribe allows you to take control of your online privacy when surfing the web in Vietnam. It maintains a watertight no-logs policy (which is an excellent feature for a free VPN) and never has any idea what you do online. With the Windscribe browser extension, you get additional features like location warping — which comes in handy when unlocking geo-restricted content.

Windscribe is an excellent VPN service for Vietnam if you are on a tight budget. Although its servers are a little slow, you can access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. Beyond that, Windscribe is quite capable in terms of security and privacy.

3-days money-back guarantee

Free

• Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
• 15GB
• Unlimited

FREE

Pro Plan

• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

1-month plan

$9/month

1-year plan

$5.75/month

$69 billed every year

Save 36%

ReviewVisit Windscribe 3-days money-back guarantee

Why You Need to Use a VPN in Vietnam

Whether you’re a Vietnamese resident in Vietnam or in the country for business or vacation, using a VPN is indispensable for various reasons. The Vietnamese government imposes internet censorship and surveillance, which stifles access and infringes on freedom of speech. It’s legal to use a VPN in Vietnam, and here are a few reasons you should get one.

Online Censorship in Vietnam

Vietnam’s internet is highly restricted. The government is continually amending the statutes of decree 72, progressively making the internet a less free space. In addition, the new cybersecurity law, which was implemented in 2019, bans a wide range of online activities, including harmful social activities and the spread of false information.

The truth is, some of these laws bode well for residents of Vietnam. In fact, the Vietnamese government claims to enforce them to safeguard Vietnamese citizens from obscene or sexually explicit content. However, in reality, authorities often use them as leeway to advance strict censorship.

Authorities prioritize blocking websites critical of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). High-profile websites, blogs and social media networks have often found themselves on the wrong side of government censorship. For example, the Vietnamese government limited Facebook local servers in February 2020.

Online Surveillance in Vietnam

The current cyber laws often give authorities more power to conduct intrusive surveillance. For example, a cybersecurity law that came into effect in 2016 requires technology companies to store data on Vietnamese users and share it at the behest of relevant authorities. It requires websites and social networks to store data for 90 days and specified metadata for up to 24 months.

The provisions require the companies to share user data without their consent. Perhaps most troubling, the companies are required to share more than data. The provisions obligate them to share decryption keys should the state agency demand them. This jeopardizes anonymity. 

It also requires social media networks and similar companies to provide user information about terrorism and crimes to the authorities. However, the law lacks oversight, which means it can be violated. That’s why you need one of the best VPNs for Vietnam to protect your online privacy.

Freedom of Speech Online in Vietnam

The Vietnamese constitution has provisions for freedom of speech, but it is restricted in practice. The ruling Communist Party doesn’t like to be criticized, and internet users and journalists can be punished for their critical posts under the Law on Publication, the Law on Protection of State Secrets and the penal code.

Freedom of speech isn’t a guarantee, and a post on social media could land you a jail term. Several Vietnamese residents, journalists, bloggers and human rights activists have been implicated and penalized for their activities online. For example, in 2020, Trương Duy Nhat, a former journalist known for his fierce criticism of the Vietnamese government, was handed a 10-year jail sentence.

In another case in 2019, human rights activist Nguyễn Văn Công Em was handed a five-year jail sentence for his activities on Facebook. The same year, Nguyễn Năng Tĩnh — a music teacher who created the “anti-state” Facebook posts — was handed an 11-year jail sentence. These cases are just the tip of the iceberg.

Final Thoughts

As you have seen, there are valid reasons to use a VPN in Vietnam. Since VPNs are legal in Vietnam, nothing should stop you from using one as you sail the digital waters. The VPNs on our list pack a punch when it comes to defeating online censorship and surveillance. All of these VPNs are great options, but at the end of the day, you have to pick one that suits your needs best. 

We recommend getting started with ExpressVPN, which tops our list of the best VPNs for Vietnam. With it, you get top-class security and privacy features to defeat government surveillance, stream movies and football games, access a Vietnamese IP address and unblock censored sites. Why not give the VPN a try? With its 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s nothing to lose.

Which VPN did you use on your last vacation in Vietnam? If you’re in Vietnam, which is your go-to VPN service? Are there any VPNs you don’t trust? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comment section below. Thank you for reading.