The American Expat's Essential Tech Setup
VPN, US phone number, virtual mailbox — the 5 tools every American abroad needs on Day 1
Day 1 Essentials
VPN
Access US banking, streaming, news
US Address
Required for IRS, banking, voting
US Number
Keep your US identity abroad
Top Tech Tools for Expats
Country-Specific Tips
Thailand
VPN is legal in Thailand — NordVPN works reliably in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. True Move and AIS offer excellent unlimited data plans for around 600 THB/month.
Vietnam
Vietnam occasionally blocks VPN providers — use NordVPN'sobfuscated servers for reliable access. Viettel is the most reliable mobile carrier with good 4G coverage nationwide.
VPN Comparison
| VPN | Price/mo | Servers | Works in Vietnam | US Netflix | Speed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $3.99 | 5,500+ | Yes (obfuscated) | Yes | Very Fast | 4.8/5 |
| ExpressVPN | $6.67 | 3,000+ | Yes | Yes | Very Fast | 4.7/5 |
| Surfshark | $2.49 | 3,200+ | Yes | Yes | Fast | 4.5/5 |
| ProtonVPN | $4.99 | 1,700+ | Sometimes | Yes | Fast | 4.4/5 |
| Private Internet Access | $2.19 | 35,000+ | Unreliable | Yes | Fast | 4.2/5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
VPN use is legal in Thailand with no restrictions. In Vietnam, while VPNs are technically restricted, they are widely used by expats and locals alike without enforcement against individuals. NordVPN's obfuscated servers work reliably in both countries.
The Expat Tech Checklist: 8 things to set up before your flight
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