With homegrown social networks, foreign players still have a chance in Vietnam: Minister

Answering deputies during National Assembly meeting on Friday, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung confirmed that foreign social networks will have chance to operate in Vietnam though Vietnamese netizens have more options to stay online.

Vietnam’s homegrown social networks has 65 million accounts. By 2020, the number will increase to 90 million, equivalent to foreign networks’ subscribers.

In Vietnam, Facebook boasts more than 60 million users out of a population of over 96 million when several.

“By 2020, foreign social networks such as Facebook, Instargram will also have about 90 million users. We do not place target to replace foreign networks. Foreign partners are welcomed, but they should follow Vietnamese law,” said the minister.

Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Manh Hung is seen at the NA meeting. Photo: baodautu.vn

Introduction of local networks like Gapo, Lotus could accelerate owing to a cybersecurity law that came into effect in January. The law requires companies engaged in telecommunications, online services and online content to locate offices and servers in Vietnam and store data within the country. 

Hung said that each social network has its advantages and purposes.     

Deputies at the meeting expressed concern over Facebook's refusal to follow local rules. Minister Hung affirmed that foreign social networks has not followed Vietnamese law, but there has been improvement.

Previously, Facebook followed only 20-30% of requests on removing toxic information. Now, the rate increased to 70%. Google has also improved with 85-90% from previous 40-50%, said the minister, adding that two days ago, Facebook announced to block 21 pages with information against the State.

Since Facebook entered Vietnam in 2007, Vietnam issued more than 300 licenses for local social networks as of 2017, but few of them are active.

Users complained that most of the platforms built by local companies are not user friendly and that functions tend to be copies of those on Facebook. Some say Vietnam wants to tighten its grip on social networks as does China, where Facebook and Google services are blocked.

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