No matter where you are traveling in the world, a VPN should hold as much priority as your passport. Having a VPN for travel is essential and should not be overlooked.
Cybercrime is on the rise. In a report by the FBI, the cost of cybercrime in the United States doubled from $1.4 billion in 2017 to 2.7 billion in 2018.
The most common crimes include personal data breach, phishing/vishing/smishing/pharming, identity theft, spoofing, and credit card fraud, to name a few.
All of which can be reduced or avoided with better online practices and by using a VPN to encrypt your internet connection.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, essentially making you invisible online. Internet service providers, government agencies, hackers, and criminals can't see who you are or what data you are accessing.
Imagine you're walking through a dark alley, and at the end of the street, you see the silhouette of someone. You don't know who they are, what age or gender the person may be, what they are carrying, nothing.
That's what a VPN does to your online identity and data. You're unrecognizable, and no one knows what you are doing.
Why You Should Use a VPN For Travel
When I first started traveling full time in August 2018, I wasn't using a VPN. Luckily nothing happened while I wasn't using a VPN, but I was cautious about how I used the internet.
I would rarely connect to WiFi networks and used local sim cards for my internet connection. The problem with this, data is expensive, and I was spending significantly more than if I had just signed up for a VPN service.
The problem with connecting to WiFi networks, even in supposedly safe places like airports or luxury hotels, is you have no idea who is monitoring your connection.
Also, is that WiFi network real?
For example, in an airport, you might connect to "Free Airport WiFi," thinking it's a service offered by the airport when in fact, it's a fake network set up by criminals.
But you're just checking your Instagram and sending texts, who cares, right? Wrong!
If a criminal accesses your mobile or laptop through a WiFi network, they can access all the apps on your device. The most vulnerable of which is email.
We use email to access banking services, social media accounts, web apps, and more. With your email, someone can impersonate you and access all of the above.
In South Africa, criminals used phishing techniques to access a business's email account. The criminals sent fake invoices to suppliers diverting tens of thousands of dollars.
When traveling, open WiFi networks are where you are most vulnerable. In 2020, it's no longer an option whether or not to use a VPN for travel. It's crucial.
What is the Best VPN for Travel?
So, there are many VPN services out there. Which one do you choose?
I have found NordVPN to be the best service. NordVPN is one of the largest VPN providers in the world with servers in just about every country.
I have used NordVPN extensively throughout South East Asia and never had any issues. Yes, you do experience a reduction in performance, but it's minimal.
I download and upload video and image content regularly and haven't noticed in issues with speed.
The only issue I have experienced is that the internet connection on a server is lost, and I have to reconnect. This happens maybe once a week with using NordVPN every day.
Reconnecting is easy with the NordVPN app, I click reconnect, and I'm back online within a few seconds.
Is this annoying? Yes. Does it outweigh having my data stolen or bank account cleared out while in a foreign country? No, I'll take a few seconds of downtime here and there instead, thank you!
NordVPN is super affordable. For $125.64, you can purchase a 3-year subscription, which works out to $3.49 per month.
Alternatively, you can purchase a monthly plan for $11.95 per month.
Why I Choose NordVPN
Here are just a few reasons why I decided to settle with NordVPN:
- Fast speeds with 5200+ servers in 59 locations
- Privacy - strict no logs of user activity - NordVPN doesn't store any of your data
- Six simultaneous connections - connect your PC, iPad, router, mobile all on the same NordVPN plan
- Streaming – unblocks Netflix, Hulu, etc.
- Torrenting/P2P allowed
- Built-in ad and malware blocking
- Works in China
- Easy-to-use VPN apps
- Specialty servers like Onion over VPN, Double VPN
- 24/7 live chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Free versus Paid VPN Services
Why pay for a VPN when there are many free VPN providers available? The truth is, no VPN might be safer than a free VPN.
Free VPN services need to make money somehow. Many of these services will either display ads or, worse, sell your data onto third parties.
You have to ask the question, "what does someone have to gain by offering a free VPN service?" Your data! User data is extremely valuable to advertising networks looking to sell goods and services.
Paid VPN providers like NordVPN make money from user subscription fees. NordVPN also doesn't store any of your data. It disappears immediately.
A free service is also going to attract a lot more users, putting a strain on the VPN provider's servers. Slower performance and possible downtime are inevitable with free VPN providers.
Free VPNs have a global network of servers, but these are often located in major cities servicing an entire region. For example, a VPN for South East Asia might have its servers located in Bangkok, Thailand.
NordVPN has one of the biggest networks with servers in just about every country. Sometimes several server locations within each country, ensuring you get the best performance.
So, you see why I say no VPN is better than a free VPN!
Using The Internet In Vietnam
Almost everywhere you travel in Vietnam you'll find WiFi. Even many Vietnamese streetfood vendors offer free WiFi.
But you have to be cautious when using these WiFi networks and want to ensure you are protected. In a 2017 report form the United Nations, "Vietnam ranks 101st out of 165 nations in terms of being vulnerable to cyber attacks."
Vietnam also censors or restricts access to some websites, content, and apps. This censorship means some of the sites or apps you use at home, might be blocked in Vietnam.
To ensure you are protected online, and to use the internet unrestricted, you must use a VPN while in Vietnam.
Best Sim Card for Vietnam
I've used a few Vietnamese mobile providers and found Viettel to be the best. Do not purchase a sim card and data package at the airport. In some cases, you pay almost double!
Find a mobile phone store or convenience store in any town, village, or city, and they will sell you a sim and data plan much cheaper than airport prices.
If you are looking for a place in Phu Quoc to buy a sim card, there is a shop in South Duong Dong, next to a SacomBank ATM, that sells Viettel sims. I purchased a 9GIG, 30-day data plan for 160k (USD$7) plus sim. When you run out of data, it's another 100k (USD$4.30) to top up 9GIGs
The worst I had was MobiFone. I purchased an "unlimited" 30-day data package at Da Nang Airport for 280k (USD$12), which ran out a week later. When I went to a MobiFone shop to complain, they were unhelpful and dismissive.
Stick with Viettel; they are the best in Vietnam.
Infographic - 5 Reasons a VPN is a Must
NordVPN Current 2020 Specials
