1. Top 3 at a glance
2. Best Vietnam VPN overall
3. Best VPN with antivirus
4. Best cheap VPN
5. Best of the rest
6. How to pick a Vietnam VPN
7. FAQs
It doesn't matter if you're a resident or traveler. Not even if you're an activist, lawyer, journalist or simply an everyday user. When you access the internet in Vietnam, you should always have one of the best VPN services switched on.
The so-called "Bamboo firewall" is indeed very active when it comes to censoring online content, while also employing invasive surveillance tactics. A Vietnam VPN is software that encrypts internet connections to prevent any snoopers from spying on what you do online. It also spoofs your IP address location, allowing you to access otherwise censored content with ease. Travelers can even use this functionality to stream their favorite TV shows like they would do at home.
With so many services out there, picking the right VPN for Vietnam can be difficult. No need to worry, though, as experts at TechRadar have 15 years of experience in trying and testing a ton of security software to recommend only the best. Keep reading as I've compared the security features and performances of the industry's top names to shortlist my top five Vietnam VPN services on the market right now.
Today's top 3 best Vietnam VPNs:
Recent updates
We periodically review the content of our buying guide to ensure all information is up-to-date and reflects the changing VPN industry and global need for digital privacy. During the latest round of updates, we included adjustments to the overall on-page structure and layout, but the provider rankings remained the same.
The best Vietnam VPN right now:
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See how my top picks for Vietnam performed during our last round of testing. Keep reading as I give more details on what I liked (and disliked) about each provider.
The best Vietnam VPN overall
✔️ You are new to VPNs: thanks to a fresh and modern design, ExpressVPN's apps are so easy to navigate—even if you're a VPN newbie.
✔️ You value access to international content: ExpressVPN has servers across 105 countries meaning you'll have no trouble unblocking content at home and on holiday.
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust: ExpressVPN sets the bar for security, with regular audits and a no-logs policy that ensures your information is always in safe hands.
❌ You're on a tight budget: admittedly, ExpressVPN is full of value but it's a pricier option—check out Surfshark or PIA for a more affordable alternative.
❌ You need a full security suite: ExpressVPN is a solid service that focuses on being the best VPN, but it does lack a built-in antivirus solution.
🔒 ExpressVPN is my top pick for Vietnam right now due to its great care of privacy and security, vast server network and user-friendly applications. See why it claimed the #1 spot with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
My favorite Vietnam VPN and overall service is ExpressVPN. It delivers great unblocking results and a super helpful 24/7 live chat support across powerful user-friendly apps for all the major platforms—even on Apple TV now. This will allow you to bypass strict government censorship with ease, as well as stream international content. In fact, it unblocked every streaming platform we tried last time we checked.
Express boast a pretty vast network of over 3,000 speedy international servers dotted across 105 countries worldwide. Some of these are physically located in and around Vietnam. This means you can safely browse the internet locally during your stay. It also integrates obfuscated servers for extra security and reliability.
► Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Besides great network and unblocking performance, Express's privacy and security features are the ones shining the most. Our favorites include a transparent no-logs privacy policy, excellent AES-256 encryption, many protocols including its very own speedy and open-source Lightway, a kill switch on most platforms, plus IPv6 leak protection. Everything is regularly audited by independent firms, of course.
I'm also really pleased to see the provider's continuous commitment to security and transparency. In 2022, for instance, it carried out 11 independent audits over 12 months. Last year's feature-packed update also added more value as it enlarged its device allowance from five to eight simultaneous connections with just one subscription, among other things.
It is worth noting that, despite improving during our last round of testing (from 560 to 750Mbps with Lightway), ExpressVPN's top speeds are still not the best around. However, these are more than enough to stream HD or 4K content as well as carrying out any other online activities without buffering. Plus, you can always try it out for yourself risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee to take advantage of the offer reserved for TechRadar readers only...
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Apps are fresh and fun, no matter which device you're using | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Features are easy to find and use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A speedy provider, but slower than NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more with ease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Packed with security features and robust encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat support never disappoints | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | A pricey pick, but feature-rich | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best Vietnam VPN with antivirus
✔️ You want a solid all-rounder: with a long list of features (including an antivirus tool) and tough encryption, NordVPN is the total package—and won't break the bank.
✔️ You value connection speed: NordVPN currently tops my list of the fastest VPNs, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and hopping into video calls.
✔️ You appreciate dedicated IP option: either you're a business or individual, you can enjoy the perks of a fixed IP with the security of a VPN for an extra tiny fee
❌ Simplicity is everything: nothing really wrong with NordVPN's apps, but I found its map-based server interface to be tricky to use on smaller screens.
❌ You use port forwarding: it allows for optimized connections, faster downloads and improved overall torrenting performance, which Express VPN offers.
🔒 NordVPN perfectly blends functionality, performance, price, and security. Put its 30-day money-back guarantee to good use and see why it's such a close runner-up.
There are many reasons why NordVPN is so popular. For starters, the provider boasts impressive network coverage in and around Vietnam. It has more than 6,000 servers across 61 countries worldwide, including some obfuscated servers which are specifically configured to bypass even the toughest restrictions. This makes it even easier to break through the strict Bamboo firewall.
If that wasn't enough, NordVPN also wins a spot among the most secure VPN providers thanks to a ton of extra features. These include its double kill switches, DNS leak protection, 256-bit encryption, built-in antivirus tool and a Double VPN option which encrypts all your internet traffic twice. Plus, its new addition Meshnet is ideal for those heading to Vietnam to work remotely from the beachfront.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN is also great at unblocking foreign streaming content with ease. This makes it the perfect choice as a reliable Netflix VPN, BBC iPlayer VPN, or any other streaming platform around. We were also really impressed by its speeds last time we checked, placing itself among the fastest services on the market with staggering peaks of 950+Mbps with its WireGuard-based NordLynx.
As a slight negative, NordVPN is the Vietnam VPN which allows the least simultaneous connections with one subscription—you can only connect six devices at once. Having said that, this limit can easily be evaded by using its Meshnet feature (which is now free for all users) as it allows you to create a secure private network that secures up to 60 devices at once.
I'm still not a huge fan of the map-based server list as I found it to be a little troublesome on its mobile apps. I also found its browser extensions to be pretty basic. However, its speedy 24/7 live chat support is super useful in case you run into some issues, and you can try out NordVPN yourself for 30 days risk-free.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Apps look great, but can feel busy on some devices | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Most features are easy to find and use, though the map interface can be off-putting | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The quickest VPN I've tested | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks a wealth of content via Netflix and more | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Tough encryption, double kill switch, and transparent audits | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Live chat support is quick to respond and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Low-cost plans pack a lot of value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap Vietnam VPN
✔️ You are on a tight budget: Surfshark is a low-cost provider able to deliver a premium experience for a fraction of the price.
✔️ You want to secure many devices: with Surfshark's unlimited devices allowance, you can easily secure all your gadgets alongside those of your friends and family with just one subscription.
✔️ You need an inexpensive security suite: just like NordVPN, Surfshark comes with a stacked roster of privacy-enhancing tools.
❌ You need an infallible kill switch: I was able to break the Surfshark kill switch on Windows during my testing. This probably won't happen in real life, but is still a concern.
❌ You need advanced customization options: for specific features that are not available in Surfshark, we advise looking into NordVPN.
🔒 Surfshark's performances and features prove that a premium VPN doesn't need to come with a premium price tag. See why it's my favorite budget option with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Looking for a budget Vietnam VPN? Look no further as Surfshark is the best cheap VPN right now that can be yours for the equivalent of about $2 USD per month.
Super secure and easy-to-use, it comes with an impressive list of features ranging from the good-old classics—like DNS leak protection, kill switch and an AES-256 encryption with double-hop—to additional options powered by its Nexus technology. The provider recently aced its first no-logs audit, too. Its security suite Surfshark One with a newly added Alternative ID tool is also ideal to secure your digital life on all fronts.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
In terms of coverage, Surfshark doesn't disappoint either. It has over 3,200 servers spread across 100+ countries, Vietnam included. We recommend switching on its obfuscation option (here called Camouflage mode) for better results. We also really like its No Borders feature which connects you to the servers performing the best under network disruptions by default.
Surfshark's unblocking capabilities are pretty impressive, too. From Netflix and Hulu to iPlayer and Peacock, it managed to unblock everything we tried in our last round of hands-on testing. Its top speeds are also amazing at around 950+Mbps, allowing the provider to jump to the top of our fastest VPN list when connected to the WireGuard protocol. It's worth nothing that its speeds when connected to the OpenVPN protocol were below average, though.
Unfortunately, we experienced some issues when using its kill switch on the Windows VPN app. Some leaks were observed, but only in extreme situations. Something to keep in mind, anyway, when you browse from a country like Vietnam. Nothing to worry about if you use Surfshark on mobile or as a reliable Mac VPN, though.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A fresh, modern design that's easy on the eyes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Straightforward and intuitive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A super-fast service ideal for streaming in HD | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks in-demand services from around the world | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Come with ad and malware blocking, but kill switch has issues | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Customer support is friendly and fast, though support articles could be improved | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Budget-friendly and excellent value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best of the rest
✔️ You want a secure free VPN: Proton VPN free comes with unlimited-bandwidth, 100 servers and great security, too.
✔️ You need advanced security: its Secure Core servers route internet traffic via multiple privacy-enhancing servers in different countries for extra protection.
✔️ You're a Linux user: Proton VPN is one of a handful of services that supports Linux with a full GUI.
❌ You want the quickest VPN around: Proton VPN can handle HD streaming, but its connection speeds were below average last time we checked.
❌ You rely on customer support: you'll only be able to reach the Proton VPN support team during business hours (9am to 5pm), which is a bit disappointing.
🔒 Proton VPN has made a name for itself amongst privacy purists for its open-source apps, unblocking power, and awesome free plan, meaning you can try it for yourself without parting with a penny.
We simply love Proton VPN for its serious commitment to protect people's privacy. All its apps are independently audited and open-sourced, for example. It even offers one of the best free VPN plans on the market, including unlimited-bandwidth and a recently enlarged network of over 100 free servers. However, it's through its paid subscriptions that the provider really shines.
The provider recently boosted its overall server network, too, counting now around 3,000 servers dotted across 71 countries worldwide, including Vietnam. Premium users can even connect to its Secure Core option to get their traffic routed via an ultra-secure network based in Sweden, Iceland, or Switzerland. This will make it even more difficult for Vietnamese authorities to intercept any data.
▶ Try Proton VPN's unlimited free plan.
In terms of security, Proton VPN offers some pretty solid features like terrific kill switches, powerful encryption, strong protocols to choose from, DNS leak protection and built-in Tor support for accessing Onion sites. Even better, we couldn't find any trackers on its website or Android VPN apps last time we checked. The provider even built its very own "world-first" censorship resistant CAPTCHA system, too, to grant access to its services without compromising users' privacy.
Proton is great at bypassing geo-restrictions online, meaning you can use it both as a circumventing tool and reliable streaming VPN during your stay. It is worth noting, though, that its top speeds dropped further last time we checked (from 510 to 460Mpbs with WireGuard). However, these results should still translate into decent connections overall.
On another slightly negative note, the provider still lacks 24/7 live chat support. This might be a problem especially for those new to the VPNs world. Overall, though, if you're looking for a super secure provider that will keep you safe in every situation, Proton's a great choice.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | A sleek and stylish dark mode is the star | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Great mobile apps, but the desktop version can be complex | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | A decent performer that doesn't top our rankings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Paid plans can unblock a ton of services and sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Lots of security add-ons, an audited policy, and open source apps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Support can be patchy and hard to get hold of | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Premium plans aren't exactly cheap, but the free plan is fantastic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You want a VPN with proven privacy: PIA is a no-logs provider that has proven its claims in court not once, but twice.
✔️ You're into customization: the PIA apps give users all sorts of opportunities to tweak features and settings, down to the nitty gritty.
✔️ You do a lot of torrenting: PIA is a great pick for P2P activity, thanks to an array of torrenting-friendly servers and port-forwarding capability.
❌ You're a total VPN newbie: the customizability of PIA's apps can be a double-edged sword—and potentially too complex for new users.
❌ You want added extras: unlike NordVPN and ExpressVPN, you won't get access to a password manager with PIA.
🔒 Private Internet Access is a great choice, especially for experts thanks to its deep customizability. Check out its security features in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a provider that keeps improving, test after test. It's cheap as Surfshark now, but its performance is anything but budget. For instance, its highly customizable apps make it perfect for both experts and newbies. Great unblocking results are also guaranteed thanks to its recently added SmartDNS feature.
The provider boasts a huge 10,000+ servers across 84 countries worldwide, with some of those being located in Vietnam as well as many neighboring countries. For an additional fee, you can even claim your very own dedicated IP to get extra VPN usability.
▶ Try Private Internet Access on unlimited devices.
On the privacy and security front, PIA certainly isn't short of features. Among our favorites are a good choice of security protocols (including WireGuard), an excellent kill switch, browser extensions with extra privacy perks, open-source apps and a live chat support service.
PIA has also shown some real improvement when it comes to unblocking streaming sites, and although it couldn't unblock Australian site 10Play when we tested it, it was very effective when it came to Netflix and just about every other streaming site.
However, PIA is now the slowest service on my Vietnam VPN list following a disappointing drop in performance from 510 Mbps to 360 Mbps when using WireGuard. You should still be able to enjoy decent performance overall, but it might be a red flag if speed is your priority.
On a positive note, I'm happy to see its commitment to transparency with an independently audited no-logs policy under its belt, and one on its security infrastructure coming soon. I'm also excited to hear that PIA engineers found a solution for making split tunneling available for MacOS. The feature is expected to be released sometime in January as part of its 2024 product roadmap.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Tons of depth and plenty to customize | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginners might be overwhelmed by the complexity | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Average speeds compared to other premium services | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | SmartDNS and a wide server network make unblocking a breeze | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Packed with security features and a proven no-logs policy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert support is on hand at all times | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fair prices, and plans come with handy extras | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to choose a Vietnam VPN
As the latest Freedom House report notes, the Communist Party of Vietnam continues "to enforce stringent controls over the country’s online environment." This makes the ability to get around blocks and other geo-restrictions a necessity for your next Vietnam VPN.
Services offering reliable VPN obfuscation technology can generally deliver better unblocking results by making your VPN traffic look like a normal connection instead. Similarly, obfuscated or stealth VPNs are also considered more secure.
To make sure your privacy is well-protected, you should look out for top-notch security features—like strong encryption, kill switch and DNS leak protection, just to cite a few—as well as a watertight no-logs VPN policy.
In terms of performance, pick a service delivering fast connections and good network coverage (especially in and around Vietnam). This will allow you to enjoy good speeds whenever you are.
Finally, 24/7 live chat support is always welcome—you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that if you run into problems, there's a professional on hand to help you out.
Vietnam VPN FAQs
Are VPNs legal in Vietnam?
Yes, VPNs are completely legal in Vietnam. This means that you can use a Vietnam VPN during your stay without being worried of breaching the law.
It is worth noting that, even though using a VPN isn't illegal, accessing prohibited content or engaging in illegal activities online is against the law. We then strongly recommend to get familiar with Vietnamese regulations to avoid harsh fines or, in the worst cases, prison sentences.
How can I get a Vietnam IP address?
Getting a Vietnam IP address is really easy. Once you open your VPN app, simply connect the software to a server based inside the country's borders. All our top five best Vietnam VPN recommendations have servers that provide a Vietnamese IP as these are physically located in the country. Our top pick overall is ExpressVPN.
It is worth reminding that a Vietnam IP can be used only to safely browse the web locally or grant access to Vietnamese online services from abroad. Anyone looking to bypass censorship and/or unblock foreign catalogs on streaming platforms will have to to pick a server outside the country.
Why should you download a Vietnam VPN?
As explained above, there are quite few reasons that make a VPN for Vietnam almost a necessity for both residents and travelers.
The ability to access censored sites is, perhaps, what most people are using a VPN in Vietnam for. Authorities are actively censoring online content, in fact, including adult content, news criticizing the government, as well as social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Branded as the world's third-largest jailer of journalists by Reporters Without Borders, Vietnamese authorities also employ invasive surveillance tactics to silence dissident voices. We then recommend using such software to protect your online privacy, especially when you're connected to a public Wi-Fi.
Of course, another popular perk of a VPN is that you can stream live sporting events, Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more when outside the country. Great for travelers and expats especially, this allows you to access broadcasts from your home country by virtually relocating yourself.
What's the best free Vietnam VPN?
We don't generally tend to recommend free services as these can cause more harm than good if not chosen carefully. That's because most of the freebies make a revenue by collecting and selling your information to third party advertisers. Even worse, sometimes might be used to infect devices with malware.
Having said that, among our top Vietnam VPN choices, Proton VPN offers a powerful and secure free plan with unlimited-bandwidth. As mentioned above, this isn't suitable for foreign streaming and/or safely torrenting. However, it might be just the right choice if boosting your privacy online is all you're after. Check our Proton VPN Free review for more details.
- Read more to learn how to breach the 'Great Firewall' with the best VPN for China
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
