Brian Jeffrey
Vietnam’s Ambition for a Robust Social Media Landscape
During a question-and-answer session on November 12 at the National Assembly, Deputy Nguyen Minh Tam from the Quang Binh delegation highlighted remarks made by Minister Nguyen Manh Hung regarding the necessity of a Vietnamese social media ecosystem. Minister Hung argued that lacking this ecosystem diminishes Vietnam’s negotiating strength against major tech companies like Google and Facebook, resulting in these companies ignoring local laws and preventing Vietnam from enforcing service cuts.
Deputy Tam described the initiative as a bold and essential step towards gaining independence and competing with major platforms to safeguard national security and cyber sovereignty. He inquired about when this strategy would be realized.
In response, Minister Hung emphasized that substantial negotiating power is contingent upon actual capability; without significant strengths, effective negotiations are difficult. “Establishing powerful social media platforms will enhance our bargaining position with foreign entities,” he articulated.
Minister Hung disclosed that nearly 1,000 social media platforms have been licensed in Vietnam, noting that many of these platforms serve specialized markets. Out of these, 20 are significant platforms, boasting a user base comparable to that of Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok in Vietnam. Coupled with 38 national digital platforms, the total user count on Vietnamese social media exceeds that of international platforms.
“To ensure sustainable growth and successful digital transformation, it is essential to control technology and digital platforms. This is the only viable path. Thankfully, the Vietnamese population possesses the necessary skills in information technology to master both applications and underlying technologies,” stated Minister Hung.
At the session, Deputy Chau Quynh Dao from Kien Giang stressed an issue surrounding the proliferation of digital spiritual services, including astrology and fortune-telling, despite the Cybersecurity Law prohibiting such activities. She expressed concern that the rise of these online fortune-tellers could lead to social risks.
“This situation is ripe for scams, impacting the financial and mental well-being of individuals. Minister, what comprehensive measures can be undertaken to tackle this issue?” asked Deputy Dao.
Minister Hung responded, saying, “Each household should regulate its own space.” He indicated that the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is primed to lead the identification of superstition-related behaviors that require attention.
“Once these behaviors are clearly defined, the Ministry of Information and Communications can quickly intervene if monitoring or blocking is necessary. We have set up guidelines, cooperative frameworks, and tools to effectively address these challenges,” reaffirmed Minister Hung.
Additionally, he noted that the MIC has monitoring tools to track superstitious content based on established criteria, whether presented through text, images, or speech.
“Vietnamese digital companies have created tools to analyze images and behaviors, aiding in the detection of superstition-related material. Upon detecting such content, we alert the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for follow-up action,” he added.
The minister noted ongoing collaboration with social media platforms to compel them to create automatic scanning and removal systems once specific criteria for superstition are determined.
“This represents a significant evolution in our approach. Previously, we identified and requested platforms to remove such content, but now they are expected to take proactive steps. As entities that generate profits, social media platforms are responsible for fostering a safe and healthy digital environment,” asserted Minister Hung.
He also highlighted the need for stricter enforcement against superstitious practices, with penalties ranging from administrative sanctions to criminal charges for severe infractions.
Quang Phong – Thu Hang – Tran Thuong
