There is the ability to open a Vimeo video with VLC, but Youtube URL`s can be opened with VLC as well.
![Opening a network stream with VLC.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vlcyoutube.png)
Paste the Youtube video URL into VLC allows the playback of this video in VLC.
![Pasting a Youtube video URL into VLC.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vlcyoutube2.png)
Then the video will open up in VLC. This is a great way to playback a Youtube video, I am not sure if a playlist will work, but it might.
![Playing back a Youtube video in VLC.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vlcyoutube3.png)
There is also the possibility of playing Youtube playlists in VLC with a simple extension. Go here to find out about this.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/watch-entire-youtube-playlists-in-vlc-heres-how/.