How Can I Access My Facebook account When Facebook in Vietnam is blocked?
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As of 2011, Facebook in Vietnam is blocked by the government. It actually started way back in late 2009 but continues even up to now. Since then, it seems that every person there can no longer use the most popular social networking site in the world. However, there are still ways that people can access the site. There are a few ways that are circulating around local bloggers, but just a few seem to have survived. Back in 2009, some of the more technical ways were still working, but these "loopholes", as in the case of China and Saudi Arabia as well, were quickly taken care of. Two of the main ways left are using web based proxies and the Virtual Private Network (VPN) services.
On the one hand, the proxies are basically computer servers that allow the user to indirectly connect to the internet. Proxies act like a middle man between the destination site the client, which means that (in this case) Facebook and your Vietnamese ISP only see the proxy-assigned IP address, instead of your real IP in Vietnam.
Another popular method is using virtual private networks, or VPNs. VPN's act much like proxies in that they sit between the user and the requested site. The VPN server mixes your real IP address with other IP addresses, making it untraceable. You're then assigned a virtual IP address that Facebook and other sites, as well as your local ISP will see. This is all the same. The main difference lies in extra levels of data encryption and tunneling that happen both before and after reaching the VPN server. A proxy will take your raw request, and send out your request without any protection.
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Now, depending on what your online activities are, you've got to decide whether you want a proxy for VPN to deal with the problem of Facebook in Vietnam being blocked. Because you're just looking to play around on Facebook and maybe some other blocked sites in Vietnam, a proxy will do fine, even though there are fewer layers of disguise and protection.
If you're going to be running software from your virtual IP address, doing large file transfers, or any sort of online activity that might not jive with the Vietnamese government, then you're going to want a VPN. They're harder to detect, harder to trace, and a much more reliable anonymous surfing tool in general. The choice is yours.
Here are the two services I've tried and can recommend. The web based proxy service is called Dynamic Proxy. It's part of the Securitales company, who's main website is actually blocked now. This link is still open however. Their service will work on pretty much any device, including laptops, phones, and anything that can browse the internet. There's even a 30 day money back guarantee.
Hide My Ass has got kind of ridiculous name, but it works great. There's a free proxy available as well a fantastic VPN service. For the number of servers and IP addresses available, for a variety of operating systems and smart phones, they've got an awesome price plan. Certainly one of the cheapest around. They've also got a 30 day money back guarantee.
See? I've totally got you hooked up!
