The internet may feel like a global, open, and equal space, but the reality is very different across the world. In some regions, online activity is heavily monitored, restricted, or vulnerable to cybercrime. Travelers, digital nomads, remote workers, and even casual tourists often underestimate how drastically online rules, surveillance, and safety vary from country to country. That’s why using a secure VPN especially a reliable one like NordVPN becomes essential before connecting to any network abroad.

NordVPN is known for its military-grade encryption, zero-log policy, and high-speed secure servers, making it one of the safest ways to browse the internet globally. Whether you’re booking hotels, accessing social media, or checking your banking apps, a VPN ensures that your information remains private and protected from cyber threats, ISP surveillance, and government monitoring.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the Top 10 countries where using NordVPN is not just recommended it’s necessary. Each section explains the reason, the risks, the cyber laws, and what makes NordVPN critical in that location.

Let’s dive in.

1. China

China is known for having one of the strictest and most advanced internet censorship systems in the world—the Great Firewall of China. From blocking popular platforms to monitoring online behavior, the digital landscape can be overwhelming for anyone unfamiliar with its restrictions.

China blocks many widely used services including:

• Instagram
  
• WhatsApp
  
• Facebook
  
• YouTube
  
• X (Twitter)
  
• Google Search & Gmail
  
• Western news websites
  

This means travelers and remote workers will find many essential apps inaccessible without a secure VPN.

Why NordVPN Is Essential in China

Connecting to the internet through NordVPN encrypts your activity, bypasses censorship, and helps you access the global web safely.

Key advantages include:

• Avoiding the Great Firewall
  
• Accessing essential apps
  
• Protecting browsing from surveillance
  
• Safeguarding personal data
  
• Avoiding content monitoring
  

Given China’s surveillance structure, using NordVPN is almost mandatory for digital freedom.

2. Russia

Russia’s internet policies have become increasingly restrictive, with growing censorship, blocks on Western platforms, and tightened monitoring. The government has implemented laws requiring ISPs to store user data and make it available to authorities.

Numerous sites are monitored or blocked due to political, media, or social content concerns. In addition to censorship, cybercrime is rampant, particularly in public Wi-Fi networks in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Why NordVPN Is Necessary in Russia

A VPN helps ensure privacy and online independence.

Key reasons include:

• Strict government monitoring
  
• Data retention laws
  
• Blocks on social and news platforms
  
• High cybercrime rates
  
• Risky public Wi-Fi environments
  

NordVPN’s advanced encryption prevents interception, keeps your identity hidden, and ensures your online activity remains inaccessible to local ISPs and authorities.

3. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE is known for luxurious skyscrapers and stunning tourism, but its internet environment is highly restricted. The country places heavy blocks on content related to VoIP calling, messaging apps, and many international websites. Platforms like WhatsApp calling, Skype, Telegram calling, and FaceTime are often limited or unavailable.

While general browsing is safe, online communication is monitored closely, especially VoIP and social media. For travelers and expatriates, this can be a huge inconvenience.

Why You Need NordVPN in the UAE

NordVPN allows secure, unrestricted online access while keeping your privacy protected.

Key benefits include:

• Accessing VoIP apps (WhatsApp call, FaceTime, Skype)
  
• Avoiding excessive monitoring
  
• Privacy from ISP and telecom tracking
  
• Safe browsing on hotel Wi-Fi
  
• Protection from data interception
  

Without NordVPN, everyday communication becomes difficult and unsafe.

4. Turkey

Turkey has been tightening internet controls for years, especially during political events. Websites, news outlets, and social platforms have faced temporary or permanent blocks. Social media apps are occasionally slowed down or restricted, and local authorities can monitor browsing activities under broad cybersecurity laws.

For tourists and business travelers, this can cause major connectivity challenges.

Why NordVPN Is Crucial in Turkey

Using NordVPN ensures unrestricted and secure browsing.

Key advantages:

• Access to blocked social media
  
• Viewing international news
  
• Preventing ISP tracking
  
• Avoiding slowdowns and throttling
  
• Extra security on hotel, café, and airport Wi-Fi
  

NordVPN ensures a stable, safe digital experience without government interference.

5. Iran

Iran has one of the most restricted internet environments globally. Social media platforms, international news sites, messaging apps, and even search services face blocks or throttling. The country enforces strict cyber policies, and online activities are heavily monitored.

Travelers and foreign workers often find themselves disconnected or restricted online without prior preparation.

Why Using NordVPN Is Non-Negotiable in Iran

NordVPN bypasses censorship and protects digital identity.

Key reasons to use a VPN in Iran include:

• Accessing blocked websites
  
• Avoiding surveillance
  
• Safe communication with family abroad
  
• Using secure messaging
  
• Protection from local cyber threats
  

Without a VPN, your connectivity becomes extremely limited and unsafe.

6. North Korea

Though very few tourists enter North Korea, those who do face extremely limited and controlled internet access. Most internet is restricted to “Kwangmyong,” a closed intranet system available to locals only. Foreigners receive supervised access through special networks that are heavily monitored.

Why NordVPN Matters in North Korea

Even though access is limited, any online activity goes through layers of state monitoring.

Key benefits include:

• Extra protection on controlled networks
  
• Hidden data trails
  
• Preventing any tracking of browsing behavior
  
• Safe communication to the outside world (where possible)
  

While limitations exist, NordVPN provides an additional shield where online privacy barely exists.

7. India

India has experienced increasing internet shutdowns, surveillance activities, and blocks on content for security and political reasons. Public Wi-Fi networks in airports, metros, hotels, and cafés are known to be vulnerable to hacking attempts. Cyber fraud rates are also rising rapidly.

While most platforms operate normally, threats come from public networks and data collection.

Why NordVPN Is Important in India

Using NordVPN gives users safe, unrestricted, and private access to the web.

Reasons include:

• Avoiding cybercrime on public Wi-Fi
  
• Protecting banking and UPI transactions
  
• Preventing ISP-level tracking
  
• Ensuring unrestricted browsing
  
• Maintaining privacy during social/media usage
  

For digital nomads and tourists, NordVPN ensures safety and free access.

8. Egypt

Egypt’s internet atmosphere involves significant restrictions on media, social platforms, and independent journalism. VoIP services are often unreliable or blocked, and public cybercafés require ID verification to access the web, which increases exposure.

Cyber monitoring is high, and the country’s digital regulations allow broad control over online content.

Why NordVPN Is Needed in Egypt

NordVPN ensures safe and unrestricted browsing with strong encryption.

Key reasons include:

• Access to VoIP services
  
• Viewing international platforms
  
• Bypassing social media restrictions
  
• Remaining invisible to local surveillance
  
• Avoiding connection logging
  

NordVPN helps maintain digital freedom while traveling in Egypt.

9. Vietnam

Vietnam imposes strict cyber laws requiring platforms to store user data locally and remove content critical of the government. Social media is monitored, and various websites may be blocked or filtered. Travelers using public Wi-Fi also face high cyberattack risks.

Why NordVPN is Extremely Helpful in Vietnam

Users need a secure connection to protect personal data and maintain online access.

Main benefits include:

• Safe access to global social apps
  
• Avoiding network monitoring
  
• Protection on public Wi-Fi
  
• Access to blocked news portals
  
• Private communication tools
  

NordVPN ensures safe internet access without exposure to surveillance.

10. Thailand

Thailand’s Cybersecurity Act allows authorities wide access to user data, devices, and online activities. Online speech, media, and certain websites may be restricted depending on the political atmosphere. Tourists and remote workers using hotel Wi-Fi without a VPN are exposed to cyber risks.

Why NordVPN Should Be Used in Thailand

NordVPN guarantees private, unrestricted browsing with strong encryption.

Key advantages:

• Preventing monitoring
  
• Securing hotel/café Wi-Fi
  
• Access to global media
  
• Avoiding censored platforms
  
• Safe communication channels
  

For long-term visitors, NordVPN ensures privacy and global connectivity.

Additional Countries Where NordVPN Is Strongly Recommended

While the above 10 countries present the highest digital risks, NordVPN is useful in many others due to data laws, tracking, or cybercrime.

You should also use NordVPN in countries like:

• Qatar
  
• Malaysia
  
• South Korea
  
• Indonesia
  
• Bangladesh
  
• Brazil
  
• Mexico
  
• South Africa
  

Each of these regions has either high surveillance, high cybercrime, weak privacy laws, or unstable networks.

Why NordVPN Is the Best Choice for International Travelers

NordVPN stands out as the top travel VPN due to its fast global servers, no-log policy, and advanced security tools that work even in highly restricted regions.

Key NordVPN features that matter abroad:

• Military-grade AES-256 encryption
  
• Obfuscated servers for bypassing firewalls
  
• Fast NordLynx protocol
  
• 6300+ servers in 110+ countries
  
• Public Wi-Fi protection
  
• Threat Protection against malware
  
• No activity logs
  
• Kill switch
  
• Protection against ISP tracking
  

These features ensure safety whether you’re checking emails or accessing the global internet from a country with censorship.

Final Verdict: Always Use NordVPN When Traveling to High-Risk Regions

The world may be connected digitally, but the safety, accessibility, and freedom of the internet differ drastically across countries. Whether the issue is government surveillance, blocked apps, censorship, risky public Wi-Fi, or strict cyber laws, using a reliable VPN is no longer optional it’s essential.

NordVPN provides a secure and unrestricted path to the global internet, making it the best companion for travelers, remote workers, digital nomads, students, and even casual holiday visitors.

If you’re traveling to any of the 10 countries listed above, connecting without NordVPN puts your data, privacy, and online freedom at risk. With cyber threats on the rise and global restrictions tightening, NordVPN is the smartest and safest way to stay connected from anywhere in the world.