With the variety of public VPN services available, choosing a suitable one that meets multiple criteria is always a concern. After being introduced to NordVPN for a while, I found it to be a good fit for my current needs, as most geographical restrictions on online services have been resolved.
First, NordVPN offers a wide range of VPN server locations. The company claims to have over 5,500 servers across 59 countries. For users in Vietnam, the most stable and fastest server options are likely in Singapore and Hong Kong. NordVPN is compatible with multiple platforms, including both mobile and desktop devices, and supports many operating systems.
Accessing Entertainment Services Unavailable in many countriesOne of the best examples is YouTube Premium, a service that offers ad-free video streaming along with several premium features. NordVPN makes it easy for users to access and enjoy this service.
I tested NordVPN by using it to claim a free 3-month YouTube Premium subscription through a promotional offer available for Samsung Galaxy S10e users. After that, I could comfortably watch YouTube without interruptions from ads, listen to audio with the screen turned off, and even use the floating pop-up player on both Android and iOS.
More About YouTube Premium
Once you’ve successfully subscribed to YouTube Premium, you can use YouTube Music in Vietnam without needing a VPN. However, when it comes to YouTube Premium, if you’re not using a VPN:
- You won’t be able to listen to audio from the official YouTube app when the screen is turned off.
- You won’t be able to use the pop-up floating screen mode from the official app.
- Some ads paid for by content creators may still appear.
So, while YouTube Music works without a VPN, certain YouTube Premium features may require keeping the VPN active, depending on how the service detects your location.
Changing the Play Store Location
Next is switching the Google Play Store region. I tested this by using a Google account to change the Play Store location from Vietnam to the USA.
With NordVPN, I activated a USA server, then accessed the Play Store and switched the payment method to a U.S.-based one. The reason for doing this was to join a friend’s YouTube Premium family plan in the U.S. and split the subscription cost.
Normally, if you access the Play Store without a VPN, you won’t be able to change its country/region. Using a VPN allows you to bypass this restriction and access region-specific content or payment options.
Shopping on Websites That Restrict Foreign Access
A friend of mine from the U.S. told me he couldn’t place orders for his relatives in the U.S. because many American websites restrict access to IP addresses outside the country. These sites prioritize local customers and block foreign access.
For example, websites like sierra.com and marshalls.com are inaccessible from Vietnam. However, NordVPN, with servers in major U.S. states, allowed my friend to shop on these local websites without issues.
He also tested purchasing multiple items using a U.S.-registered PayPal account, and everything went smoothly. Orders were processed and delivered correctly. If he had used a Vietnamese IP, the orders would have been canceled.Additionally, sending gifts to family in the U.S. can be difficult if the payment card is linked to an IP from Vietnam. Using a VPN helps bypass these restrictions and ensures successful transactions.
Orders Before and After Using a VPN
Of course, no service is perfect. While NordVPN works well in many cases, there are a few limitations:
- I wish NordVPN had a server in China for activating certain devices purchased from the country or accessing specific services.
- High ping can be an issue when connecting to faraway servers like those in the U.S., making online gaming less ideal.
- Setting up NordVPN on a router is not easy for average users. If it were more straightforward, it would be much more convenient for smart TVs and other frequently used devices.
Pricing & Device Support
Unlike some VPN services that limit the number of devices per plan, NordVPN offers subscription plans based on duration—for example, 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year plans. Each account allows up to 6 simultaneous device connections, which is sufficient for personal use.
The NordVPN app is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android, along with browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.If you want to try NordVPN, you can sign up and start using it through the link below.