Watching U.S. TV/Cable programs in Vietnam

Both Hulu and Fubo geoblock their streams so even with a VPN (ExpressVPN. etc.) their programming (local U.S. TV and national sports events) is unavailable in Vietnam.


Are their any other options or alternatives?


    Both Hulu and Fubo geoblock their streams so even with a VPN (ExpressVPN. etc.) their programming (local U.S. TV and national sports events) is unavailable in Vietnam.
Are their any other options or alternatives?
   

    -@Ungarb


not many I suppose but I have FPT & they have CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, HBO, Cinemax, Warner TV, AXN, TLC, Discovery, Outdoor, Animal Plannet, Nat Geo. Then you have a multitude of other English language channels including BBC, France 24, DW, ABC, Arirang,  FPT Play has subscription live sports channels but mostly football, golf & tennis.

Personally I have never seen sport like Baseball, Basket Ball, Ice Hockey OR American Football on TV here.

[Access is restricted in Vietnam]

Moderated by Bhavna 7 months ago
Reason : Access is limited in Vietnam
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct

it's illegal to use a VPN in Vietnam (even though many, many people use one).


so discussing the issue further (beyond the good advice given by GOB) is a violation of the forum code of conduct. 

Hello everyone,


Indeed, please let us share only legal infos on the information.


All the best

Bhavna

@OceanBeach92107


It is perfectly legal to use a vpn in VN as long as you don't use it to attack the gov or running scam.  Pls stop spreading false info on the forum.

    @OceanBeach92107
It is perfectly legal to use a vpn in VN as long as you don't use it to attack the gov or running scam.  Pls stop spreading false info on the forum.
        -@yng68bld


You mean it's legal as long as you don't get caught using it for something illegal (such as streaming pornography, viewing sites blocked by the government, making illegal transactions, promoting dissent, etc).


But the truth is, any infraction is prosecuted under the law forbidding the use of a VPN to 1. Access forbidden material and 2. Mask your true identity/location. 3. commit fraud


Nobody uses a VPN to access sites they can access without a  VPN.


Please don't spread misinformation on the forum.

A VPN encrypts your data and one should never use a public wifi to access your bank accounts, or  transmit payment information without a VPN, even though you can access those sites without a VPN.


        @OceanBeach92107It is perfectly legal to use a vpn in VN as long as you don't use it to attack the gov or running scam.  Pls stop spreading false info on the forum.        -@yng68bld

You mean it's legal as long as you don't get caught using it for something illegal (such as streaming pornography, viewing sites blocked by the government, making illegal transactions, promoting dissent, etc).

But the truth is, any infraction is prosecuted under the law forbidding the use of a VPN to 1. Access forbidden material and 2. Mask your true identity/location. 3. commit fraud

Nobody uses a VPN to access sites they can access without a  VPN.

Please don't spread misinformation on the forum.
   

    -@OceanBeach92107


Just as a point of interest & a strange phenonium.................I cant view anything from BBC news on my laptop (so internet) yet I have BBC news on FPT, always thought that strange.





https://i.postimg.cc/L62Npd9p/bbc.jpg

    A VPN encrypts your data and one should never use a public wifi to access your bank accounts, or  transmit payment information without a VPN, even though you can access those sites without a VPN.
    -@Ungarb


Another violation of the law: obscuring financial transactions in or out of Việt Nam.


it may be the wise thing to do but it's also the illegal thing to do in Vietnam

Another example encountered by many foreigners:

Netflix and Amazon (and probably Hulu, etc) have Vietnam versions (when the website can read your location as Vietnam).

This is for multiple reasons including international copyright laws, but also to adhere to the censorship demands of the government of Vietnam.

So simply using a VPN to view a foreign (USA) version of Netflix, etc is a violation of the law.

I'm not saying I like the situation and I'm not swearing I've never used a VPN here.

I'm just saying there is a reason that discussions about VPN use here are routinely shut down in the Vietnam forum, because discussions promoting illegal activity in any way are not allowed.

Before anyone mentions it, that still includes trading in crypto currencies.

It's legal for a Vietnamese person to own crypto, but it's still illegal for anyone in Vietnam to TRADE in crypto.

"Use" of a VPN in VN is definitely not illegal. It can and has, however, been used by people to attempt to mask their location when conducting illegal activities. BTW, if anyone thinks a VPN will hide you from the eyes of a gov't body, you're fooling yourself.

VN's telecommunications act (Decree #72, 2013, amended 2023) outlines forbidden online activities. These activities (porn, gambling, scamming/catphishing etc)  are illegal with or without the use of a VPN. (I'm sorry I don't have a link to that decree which I have saved on a different hard drive)


In fact, not only is the use of a VPN totally legal, FPT, one of the largest ISP and IT companies in VN, sells a VPN package.


From FPT's site...


4 reasons why you should start using a VPN private connection right now


  • Take precautions when using public wifi

One of the most important reasons to use a VPN is to protect your personal information when accessing the network using public wifi, even when you pay for coffee, hotel money to use wifi, it does not mean that all your information is protected.  Most public wifi networks are not encrypted, and this does not guarantee network security for users.

And when you're using a public link, a VPN encrypts and protects your surfing. If you often travel to different locations to research or work, a VPN is unquestionably a wise investment.


  • Unblock geo-restricted content

You enjoy watching attractive dramas on online TV channels, but you are told that the content is not available in Vietnam, despite the fact that it is available in other countries. This is due to the fact that access to these services is dependent on your IP address. So, with a VPN priority link, you can unblock geo-restricted content and watch all of your favorite TV shows or listen to all of your favorite songs.


  • Unblock geo-restricted games

You can unblock online games that haven't been published in Vietnam, just as you can unblock geo-restricted media streaming services. A VPN also allows you to connect from a carrier-free geographical location and play your favorite games.


  • Ensure the stability of the transmission

Many people would feel powerless during peak hours of the day, such as 9-10 p.m., when the network link is continuously lowered, the loading speed is slow. Users can retain high-quality network connectivity when utilizing services from providers such as e-learning, distance interaction, and video transmission over other networks with a priority link. Facebook, Youtube, livestream sites, and other common social networking apps...


FPT Telecom is currently one of the most common VPN priority link service providers on the market. The service is ready to use as soon as you complete the registration process. With only one click, the entire installation process is completed in record time. FPT VPN ensures priority, making watching movies and browsing the web more enjoyable than ever before. It also protects your data through safe encryption.

You will satisfy all of your learning and working needs in the digital world for just 3,000 VND a day, the equivalent of a glass of iced tea, without having to worry about being beaten stealing data until the network becomes dysfunctional.


(Link to FPT VPN info page here)

not many I suppose but I have FPT & they have CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, HBO, Cinemax, Warner TV, AXN, TLC, Discovery, Outdoor, Animal Plannet, Nat Geo. Then you have a multitude of other English language channels including BBC, France 24, DW, ABC, Arirang,  FPT Play has subscription live sports channels but mostly football, golf & tennis.
Personally I have never seen sport like Baseball, Basket Ball, Ice Hockey OR American Football on TV here.   
    -@goodolboy

You can thank FPT's VPN for that access.

Do you remember the cost? Monthly, or annually?


    not many I suppose but I have FPT & they have CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, HBO, Cinemax, Warner TV, AXN, TLC, Discovery, Outdoor, Animal Plannet, Nat Geo. Then you have a multitude of other English language channels including BBC, France 24, DW, ABC, Arirang,  FPT Play has subscription live sports channels but mostly football, golf & tennis. Personally I have never seen sport like Baseball, Basket Ball, Ice Hockey OR American Football on TV here.       -@goodolboy

You can thank FPT's VPN for that access.
Do you remember the cost? Monthly, or annually?
   

    -@Aidan in HCMC


its about 1,600,000 for 6 months with the 7th month free. Thats for the internet/TV bundle & thye price depends on the internet speed you get. Think that price is for like middle of the 3 speed options I.E. not the slowest but not the fastest. Again & just as a matter of interest we are moving to a new apartment next week & FPT is not available there yet but we are having VNPT TV/internet bundle & the costs are same & the TV bundle is pretty much the same as FPT price wise. See below for TV stations for VNPT.




https://i.postimg.cc/Qd5jB7Qr/VNPT.jpg

Install Adblock Plus.

https://moviesjoy.is/home

https://v2.sportsurge.net/home2/

https://tv247.us/


        A VPN encrypts your data and one should never use a public wifi to access your bank accounts, or  transmit payment information without a VPN, even though you can access those sites without a VPN.    -@UngarbAnother violation of the law: obscuring financial transactions in or out of Việt Nam. it may be the wise thing to do but it's also the illegal thing to do in Vietnam        -@OceanBeach92107

It's probably not a good idea to access any financial information on any connection, VPN or not, other than in your home.   Even there, an ethernet cable is probably better with wi-fi off. 

I was once asked by an Apple store employee why I don't put my Apple Goldman Sachs card on Apple Pay.   I told her that I might lose the phone.   When she challenged me that I might lose my wallet too. I told her that in 70 plus years I had never lost a wallet but that I had lost a phone.

it's illegal to use a VPN in Vietnam (even though many, many people use one).
so discussing the issue further (beyond the good advice given by GOB) is a violation of the forum code of conduct. 
   

    -@OceanBeach92107


An interesting posting, but I prefer to have some official backing to such a statement about VPN use being illegal in Vietnam.  Can you provide such for me and others?

An interesting posting, but I prefer to have some official backing to such a statement about VPN use being illegal in Vietnam.  Can you provide such for me and others?     -@Travelfar

I believe it to be simply a popular misconception.

It's probably not a good idea to access any financial information on any connection, VPN or not, other than in your home.   Even there, an ethernet cable is probably better with wi-fi off.       -@THIGV

Agreed.

Similarly in one's home using Android, when connecting a computer/laptop/tablet to the internet using a phone's data plan, it is more secure to use a charging cable to connect the phone to the device and select "USB tethering" rather than either "Bluetooth tethering" or "Mobile Hotspot".

When it comes to data security, copper wire trumps over-the-air radio wave connection between devices.

I'd suggest that you use one of the US based streaming plans.   I get 960 channels and use the same plan in the states and when I'm in VN.  I use with a VPN (for online safety) but they don't care about location.   Cost is $23/month.   You need to use with an Android TV box (which I use) or a Fire Stick, Its a one-time expense but  you can carry it with you if you go back and forth to US and have the same TV.