Our digital security setup for van life in Vietnam
🔒 Why We Never Connect to Public Wi-Fi Without SurfsharkWe use Surfshark VPN on all our devices because public Wi-Fi is risky, we have banking and work to protect, and it costs less than a coffee per month. Get 40% off here →
The moment we got serious about online security
It wasn’t a dramatic hack. No stolen identity, no drained bank account.
It was a quiet evening in a Da Nang coffee shop. Douwe was checking our business accounts on their free Wi-Fi. Huyen was researching campsites on her phone. Scout was asleep in the carrier.
And then Douwe said: “If someone wanted to, they could see everything I’m doing right now.”That was it. No incident. Just a slow realization that we’d been lucky.
Because here’s the truth about van life and digital nomad life in Vietnam (or anywhere in Southeast Asia):
the ultimate vpn and protection
You will use public Wi-Fi. A lot.
That homestay in the mountains with the stunning view? Their Wi‑Fi password is written on a sticky note at reception.
The beachside café where you’ll spend three hours working? Open network, no encryption.
The rest stop on the Hai Van Pass where you need to check directions? Shared hotspot from your phone.
We’re not fearmongering. We’re being practical. Our entire mission, the platform, the partnerships, the future van depends on our online security. So we made one simple change that costs less than a bowl of phở per week.
We started using Surfshark VPN on every single device.
The ScoutTed Roadmap
Our Co-Pilot's with Paws
What a VPN actually does (no tech nonsense)
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. Think of it like a private, armored car for your data instead of walking down a crowded street with your wallet open.
For us, that means:
Our banking, emails, and business documents stay private—even on sketchy café Wi‑Fi.
We can access Dutch and Vietnamese streaming services without geo-blocks (Scout & Ted love Dutch nature documentaries).
No ISP throttling when we’re working with large files or video calls.
For you, it means the same.
Never miss the moment
Why Surfshark? Not just another VPN
We tested three different VPNs over six months. Surfshark won for one very specific reason that matters for families and van lifers:
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
Most VPNs let you connect 5 or 6 devices. We have:
Douwe’s laptop
Huyen’s laptop
Douwe’s phone
Huyen’s phone
Old iPhone (for maps and entertainment)
A small tablet (yes, Scout watches bird videos on it)
That’s six devices already, and we haven’t even added a potential future van hotspot. With Surfshark, we don’t have to choose. One account covers everything.
Other things we genuinely like:
| Feature | Why it matters for us |
|---|---|
| No logs policy | They don’t track what we do. Period. |
| CleanWeb | Blocks ads, trackers, and malware—faster browsing on slow connections. |
| 24/7 live chat | We had a setup question at 10pm. Answered in two minutes. |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | Zero risk to try it. |
| Works in Vietnam | Some VPNs are blocked here. Surfshark isn’t. |
How we use Surfshark every single day
Morning: Connect to Surfshark before opening any work or banking apps. Takes five seconds.
Midday: Working from a homestay with shared Wi‑Fi. No stress.
Evening: Switch to a Dutch Netflix region to watch something familiar. Or Vietnamese region for local news.
Travel day: Using phone hotspot at a rest stop. Surfshark auto-connects.
It’s become as routine as buckling our seatbelts.
The best stories can’t fit into a single frame
The honest cost (it’s laughably cheap)
Surfshark regularly offers 40% off for new users. That works out to around €2–3 per monthdepending on the plan.
For context:
That’s less than one iced coffee in Da Nang.
That’s half of Scout’s weekly wet food.
That’s literally nothing compared to the cost of identity theft or a hacked bank account.
We’re not affiliates for every brand. We only promote things we actually use and trust. Surfshark is one of them.
Ready to secure your journey?
If you’re traveling, working remotely, or planning van life in Southeast Asia, this is the easiest win you’ll get.
Click here to get 40% off Surfshark → [Your affiliate link]
No pressure. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. If you hate it (you won’t), get a full refund.
A final note from our family to yours
We don’t write this because we get a commission (though we do, and it helps fund our mission). We write this because we genuinely believe every traveler and digital nomad in Vietnam should use a VPN. It’s not paranoia. It’s basic hygiene, like locking your van door.
Scout & Ted approve this message. (Ted mostly approves because it means more bird videos on the tablet.)
Safe travels. Secure connections.
— Douwe, Huyen, Scout & Ted 🚐🐾
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* Please Note: ScoutTed.com is a discovery platform. We connect you with campsites but do not handle bookings. All transactions are direct with the property. We verify details, but always confirm pet policies, pricing, and availability directly with the campsite before your stay.
