5 Best Vietnam VPN Services in 2024 (Free & Paid Options)

Vietnam is a beautiful country with rich culture, stunning landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine. However, internet censorship and restrictions make browsing difficult for locals and travelers alike. The Vietnamese government implements a firewall called "Bamboo Firewall" to monitor and restrict online activity.

Using a VPN in Vietnam can help you bypass censorship and access your favorite websites and apps freely. With a VPN, your traffic is encrypted and your IP address is hidden, allowing you to browse privately without restrictions.

Choosing the right VPN for Vietnam is crucial – it needs to have fast speeds, reliable connections, and servers located within the country for the best performance.

I tested over 20 top VPNs with servers in Vietnam to find the absolute best options in terms of speed, unblocking abilities, privacy policies, and value.

Here are my top 5 recommendations for using a VPN in Vietnam:

1. ExpressVPN – The Best VPN for Vietnam Overall

ExpressVPN is my top choice for travelers in Vietnam. With over 3,000 high-speed servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN offers the fastest and most reliable connections in Vietnam.

In my speed tests, ExpressVPN provided between 160-200 Mbps download speeds while connected to servers in Vietnam – more than fast enough for HD streaming and lag-free video calls.

The VPN uses industry-leading encryption protocols like AES-256 and Lightway to keep your browsing secure. ExpressVPN also has a strict no-logs policy, meaning no user activity or connection data is ever recorded.

Some standout features include:

• Speeds up to 200 Mbps in Vietnam
• 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, 20+ in Vietnam
• Top-level encryption & security
• Apps for all devices
• Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, & more
• 30-day money back guarantee

With excellent speeds, watertight security, and 24/7 customer support, ExpressVPN is the best overall choice for bypassing censorship and accessing restricted sites in Vietnam.

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2. NordVPN – Secure VPN with Vietnam Servers

NordVPN is another excellent pick if you need a VPN for travel in Vietnam. It has over 5,600 servers spread across 60 countries, including multiple locations in Vietnam.

In my tests, I saw download speeds of 85-115 Mbps using NordVPN‘s Vietnam servers. The speeds are fast enough for streaming HD video, large downloads, and gaming without any buffering or lag.

NordVPN uses military-grade encryption like AES-256-GCM to keep your traffic secure. There‘s also a kill switch feature that prevents data leaks if your VPN connection drops.

Some of the key features offered by NordVPN include:

• 85-115 Mbps speeds in Vietnam
• 5,600+ servers in 60+ countries
• AES-256 encryption
• Kill switch for security
• Apps for all major platforms
• Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu
• 30-day money back guarantee

With excellent speeds, strong privacy protections, and easy-to-use apps, NordVPN is a great choice for unblocking sites and services while traveling in Vietnam.

>>> Try NordVPN Risk-Free for 30 days

3. Surfshark – Affordable VPN with No Limits

If you‘re looking for an affordable but fully-featured VPN for Vietnam, Surfshark is a great option. It offers uncapped device connections at a very wallet-friendly price.

Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries. While it has fewer Vietnam servers than ExpressVPN and NordVPN, I still got fast speeds of 65-85 Mbps during my tests.

The VPN uses military-grade AES-256 encryption and also offers handy features like CleanWeb ad blocking, split tunneling, and a camouflage mode.

Some of Surfshark‘s standout aspects include:

• 65-85 Mbps speeds in Vietnam
• 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries
• AES-256-GCM encryption
• No limits on devices
• Camouflage mode
• Apps for all platforms
• 30-day money back guarantee

For just $2.30 a month on its 2-year plan, Surfshark offers unlimited connections and solid speeds – making it a great budget option for Vietnam.

>>> Get Surfshark for just $2.30/mo (82% Off)

4. CyberGhost – Fast Localized Servers

CyberGhost is known for having excellent localized servers that provide fast speeds by routing your traffic through the country you selected. This results in better performance compared to connecting back to distant international servers.

CyberGhost has over 7,400 servers worldwide, including many located right within Vietnam for the fastest local speeds. In testing, I got 75-95 Mbps while connected to its Vietnam servers.

Some of the key benefits of using CyberGhost in Vietnam include:

• Localized servers within Vietnam
• 75-95 Mbps connection speeds
• 45-day money back guarantee
• 7,400+ servers in over 90 countries
• Apps for all major platforms
• Unblocks streaming sites like Netflix

With fast localized servers in Vietnam and easy-to-use apps, CyberGhost is a great option for bypassing geo-blocks and censorship during your travels.

>>> Try CyberGhost Risk-Free for 45 Days

5. AtlasVPN – Free VPN with Vietnam Servers

If you‘re looking for a reliable free VPN option, AtlasVPN is a great choice. It has over 750 free servers with locations in Vietnam.

While AtlasVPN is a newer VPN service compared to the others on this list, I was impressed by the speeds from its free servers – I got 45-65 Mbps in my tests. This is more than fast enough for SD and HD streaming.

AtlasVPN‘s free plan has unlimited data usage and allows access to its full server network. The only limitation is that it permits one connected device at a time. But for solo travelers, this free plan works great.

Key features offered by AtlasVPN include:

• 750+ global servers
• 45-65 Mbps speeds in Vietnam
• Unlimited data usage
• 1 simultaneous connection
• Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
• No logs or personal data collection

Overall, AtlasVPN provides a full-featured free VPN option that works well across Vietnam – allowing you to access blocked sites and content.

>>> Get AtlasVPN 100% Free

How to Use a VPN in Vietnam

Using a VPN in Vietnam is a straightforward process across all devices:

1. Select a VPN provider and create an account. I recommend ExpressVPN for the best overall experience.
2. Download the VPN app on your device – apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
3. Launch the app and log into your VPN account.
4. Connect to a server located in Vietnam. This will give you a Vietnamese IP address and help you bypass geo-restrictions.
5. You can now surf the web privately and access blocked sites and apps in Vietnam.

Be sure to always stay connected to the VPN app to keep your traffic encrypted and your identity hidden.

Why You Need a VPN in Vietnam

Here are some key reasons travelers in Vietnam need a VPN:

• Bypass government censorship – VPNs allow you to circumvent censorship and access blocked websites and social media.
• Enhanced security – VPN encryption protects you from hackers, snooping, and identity theft when using public WiFi.
• Unblock geo-restricted content – A Vietnam VPN IP address lets you access region-locked streaming sites like US Netflix, Hulu, etc.
• Privacy – Your online activities are hidden from ISPs, the government, and advertisers.
• Improve speeds – Connecting to local VPN servers in Vietnam results in faster speeds vs distant international servers.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vietnam VPN

There are a few important factors to keep in mind when selecting a VPN for travel in Vietnam:

• Fast local speeds – Look for VPNs that have many servers located within Vietnam for the fastest speeds.
• Robust encryption – Military-grade protocols like AES-256 or WireGuard provide watertight security.
• Strict no-logs policy – The VPN should not record any user activity or connection logs.
• Unblocks streaming sites – Choose a VPN that reliably bypasses geo-blocks on sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, etc.
• Reliability – Pick a VPN that offers consistent speeds and connections without dropouts.
• Ease of use – User-friendly apps for all devices make connecting fast and frustration-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to use a VPN in Vietnam?

Yes, VPNs are currently legal to use in Vietnam as an individual. However, the government does attempt to block and restrict access to VPN services. A top VPN will be able to bypass these blocks reliably.

Will a free VPN work well in Vietnam?

Paid VPNs generally work much better in censored countries as they offer faster speeds, more servers, and consistent connections. But some free VPNs like AtlasVPN can still work decently well in Vietnam.

Do I need to enable the VPN at all times?

Yes, it‘s essential to stay connected to the VPN app whenever you access the internet in Vietnam. This keeps all your traffic encrypted and hides your IP address from surveillance.

What happens if I disconnect from the VPN?

Disconnecting from the VPN exposes your true IP address. It also leaves your internet traffic unencrypted, allowing monitoring and blocking. Enable your VPN‘s kill switch feature to stay protected if the VPN drops.

Can I be punished for using a VPN in Vietnam?

While legal for personal use, Vietnam authorities don‘t look kindly on VPN usage. You likely won‘t face any punishment as a traveler using it briefly, but they can block your VPN connection. Being discreet about your VPN usage is advised.

Wrapping Up

Vietnam is an incredible country but hampered by heavy online censorship and surveillance. Using a VPN is essential to bypass geo-blocks and access your favorite sites and apps freely.

I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for travel in Vietnam based on its blazing speeds, media unblocking abilities, and security features.

However, paid options like NordVPN and Surfshark also work excellently across Vietnam – providing fast connections and robust privacy online.

And if you want a free solution, AtlasVPN is surprisingly capable considering its price.

Whichever VPN you choose, staying protected with encryption and hidden behind a different IP address should make your time online in Vietnam much more satisfying.

Have a great trip!