How To Watch BBC iPlayer in Vietnam: Live Online and Stream for Free

BBC iPlayer is a popular video on demand service in UK, which offers various of channels, sports, movies, entertainment. If you live outside UK, such as in Vietnam, you will not be able to watch BBC iPlayer because of geo block.

Charlotte Pho

July 27, 2021 | 11:01

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Here is our guide on how to watch BBC iPlayer in Vietnam, online and live stream.

Are you are looking for a way to unblock iPlayer in Vietnam? Great, you have landed in the right place. In this article, we are highlighting three best ways how to watch iPlayer in Vietnam. Moreover, you will find out what is BBC iPlayer and why it is not working in Vietnam. Also, you will learn how to connect to United Kingdom proxy server for iPlayer and get British IP, so you can access BBC iPlayer outside United Kingdom.

What is BBC iPlayer?

Photo: BBC

BBC iPlayer is a video on demand service from the BBC. The service is available on a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and tablets, personal computers and smart televisions. iPlayer services delivered to UK-based viewers feature no commercial advertising. The terms BBC iPlayer, iPlayer, and BBC Media Player refer to various methods of viewing or listening to the same content. Viewing or recording live television broadcasts from any UK broadcaster or viewing BBC TV catch-up or BBC TV on-demand programmes in the UK without a TV licence is a criminal offence.

In 2015 the BBC reported that it was moving towards playing audio and video content via open HTML5 standards in web browsers rather than via Flash or its Media Player mobile app.

On 17 October 2018 the BBC iPlayer Radio brand was replaced with BBC Sounds.

Why is BBC iPlayer not working in Vietnam?

Geo restrictions ero in BBC iPlayer. Photo: Screenshot

iPlayer just like many other British online streaming and TV broadcasting services is restricting its access in Vietnam and across the globe due to copyright licensing issues. Programs that iPlayer is offering is not licensed outside of United Kingdom. Therefore, British tourists and residents in Vietnam can’t open BBC iPlayer in Vietnam.

BBC iPlayer checks your IP address and sees that you aren’t in United Kingdom therefore it blocks your access to iPlayer. However, if you are using either VPN, Smart DNS or Browser Extension, you can hide your Vietnamese IP by connecting to Vietnam proxy server. It provides you with a new British IP and therefore gives an impression to BBC iPlayer that you are in United Kingdom. Thus, you can unblock iPlayer in Vietnam and any other location.

How Does VPN Work When Watching BBC in Vietnam

A VPN reroutes your internet traffic from your ISP in Vietnam (Internet Service Provider) through a network server. In that way, the data you send out from your computer or smartphone does not reach the website, cloud service, or app from your device IP but the VPN server IP address. The process hides your Vietnam IP address and protects your anonymity on the Internet. Here is the kicker - you can choose the location of the server you are using. It can be in the UK, US, Canada, or any other location the VPN service offers. That is how you can bypass the localisation issue of the BBC iPlayer and enjoy the quality BBC programming from every corner of the world.

How to Unblock BBC in Vietnam

To unblock BBC services you'll first need to get your hands on a Virtual Private Network service. There are a bunch of really good free VPNs out there and even the subscription-based ones are becoming more affordable. Usually a site will offer a 30 day free trial, so don't forget to try before you buy. Once you have your VPN installed, you will need to connect to a UK IP address, this can easily be achieved by selecting the UK as the default country for your VPN. Once you have this set for BBC, simply navigate to their website, and start streaming. Accessing the BBC's iPlayer from Vietnam couldn't be easier.

Best VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Vietnam

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN - Fastest VPN service. Photo: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the undisputed number one VPN for Vietnam. First off, you can get a Vietnam IP address when you travel abroad to access local channels like FTP Play and VTVcab On. Plus, if you’re in Vietnam, you can choose from over 160 VPN server locations to unblock censored sites and streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. However, the Vietnam server is virtual — it’s physically located in Singapore.

Besides helping you defeat online censorship, ExpressVPN allows you to have anonymous internet access. It has a strict no-logs policy and utilizes TrustedServer technology to delete your digital footprint and data with every reboot. You also get the commonplace security features like a kill switch to keep you secure online when your VPN connection drops.

ExpressVPN ticks the right boxes for the best Vietnam VPN; what sets it apart is its blazing-fast speeds. Whether you want to watch NBA games or Premier League football in Vietnam, it guarantees a lag-free streaming experience.

ExpressVPN is the most expensive VPN provider on this list, but the annual pricing plan brings the monthly rate down by a few dollars, plus you get three months for free. You also connect five devices simultaneously. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you need more time to make the buying decision. Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more.

ExpressVPN isn’t only an apt tool for defeating censorship in Vietnam — it’s the best VPN for streaming, thanks to its unrivaled ability to unblock streaming services. Even though it’s pricey, it offers a comprehensive feature set that somehow justifies the cost.

2. NordVPN

Photo: NordVPN

NordVPN offers basic features like a kill switch, strong encryption, no-logs policy and DNS leak protection. Beyond that, you can utilize the double VPN, which encrypts your traffic twice, making it difficult for hackers or government agencies to decipher it. However, its best feature is the obfuscated server that hides that you’re using a VPN, allowing you to skirt the Bamboo Firewall.

NordVPN only sets you back $3.71 per month on the two-year plan, which is a reasonable rate for the best VPN for torrenting. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for extra peace of mind. Read our NordVPN review to learn more.

NordVPN only misses the mark when it comes to the consistency of its connection speed. Aside from that, it matches ExpressVPN’s capability in nearly all the other aspects. Its commendable number of servers in Vietnam, coupled with its stellar security and privacy, make it the top VPN service for journalists or human rights activists in Vietnam.

3. CyberGhost

Photo: CNET

CyberGhost offers 12 virtual servers in Hanoi, Vietnam, and over 7,000 worldwide. The vast server network gives you infinite options to mask your actual IP address. It enables you to bypass online censorship and makes it practically impossible for Vietnamese agencies to track any only activity back to you.

While bypassing censorship is a critical capability in Vietnam, CyberGhost doesn’t lose sight of your online security. It utilizes AES 256-bit encryption and secure VPN protocols to keep sensitive information, including financial data and private communication, safe. Plus, you can rest assured that no one, not even government agencies, can snoop on your online activities, thanks to the no-logs policy.

CyberGhost doesn’t match the excellent speeds of ExpressVPN. However, thanks to its streaming-optimized servers, it’s one of the best VPNs for streaming content blocked in Vietnam. The servers get you into any streaming platform, including Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Netflix. You also get unlimited bandwidth to unlock infinite streaming possibilities.

CyberGhost has one of the highest server counts in Vietnam and around the world, which gives you limitless possibilities to bypass censorship. Though it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, the streaming-optimized servers give it an edge over other VPNs. Moreover, it’s affordable and comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee (on longer plans) for extra peace of mind.

4. Surfshark

Photo: PCMag

Surfshark is an inexpensive VPN provider that offers over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, including Vietnam. You can get a Vietnam IP address to get around the Bamboo Firewall and unblock local content on FTP Play when you travel abroad. Alternatively, you can unlock streaming services in the U.S. and watch Premier League football in the comfort of your home.

Besides that, Surfshark has your security and privacy in mind. It offers various security features, including a kill switch, DNS leak protection and AES 256-bit encryption to keep you secure and private online. Moreover, it thwarts DNS leaks with private DNS when using the IPV4 stack, thus keeping your data safe from hackers, snoopers and internet service providers.

Surfshark takes your digital security and privacy a notch higher with unique features like “stealth mode” and “camouflage mode.” When enabled, the feature conceals the fact that you’re using a VPN for anonymity. Even better, the “clean web” blocks pesky malware, trackers and ads. Doing so frees up data — though it’s inexpensive in Vietnam — and helps minimize distractions as you work or get entertained online.

Smart DNS – Fast iPlayer content streaming

Smart DNS is our top recommendation for opening BBC iPlayer in Vietnam. It provides excellent speeds. Therefore smartdns allows you to stream iPlayer content with no problems anywhere in the world. If you are looking to unblock iPlayer and other streaming services from other countries, then smart DNS for Vietnam is the right tool to have. However, it doesn’t encrypt your traffic therefore if you prefer that Vietnamese ISP and government don’t get hold of your online activities then we recommend using VPN.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch BBC iPlayer in Vietnam?

We talked about how to Use a tool to watch BBC in Vietnam, but the question still remains, do I need a TV Licence to watch BBC iPlayer? Technically, yes. The BBC requires those watching iPlayer to be in possession of a legal television licence, and although using a British IP address provided by a vritual private network to unblock BBC services can bypass these stipulations, TV Licensing is important, and we recommend that you are doing so in a legal way through one of the BBC's reputable distributors and collaborators.