QUICK ANSWER:

No, Google is not banned in Vietnam. Citizens can use Google freely in that country.

(But many news-related YouTube channels have been banned from publishing news there)

Related article: Can I Buy Google Reviews?

Click here to see Where to Buy Reviews on Google.

Did you know that you can buy 5 star Google reviews?

--

The topic of internet censorship in Vietnam can be found on Wikipedia

The government of Vietnam blocks internet content that it deems obscene or sexually explicit, but many of the filtered sites actually contain politically- or religiously-critical materials that could potentially undermine the stability of the Communist Party and its one-party rule. Amnesty International has reported cases of internet activists being arrested for their online activities.

Background 

"Reactionary" or "depraved" content

Vietnam's internet regulation began in 1997 when the government issued a decree giving the General Director of the Postal Bureau (DGPT) authority over the Internet. The DGPT then regulated all aspects of the Internet, such as the registration of internet service providers and individual users.

Legal framework 

Regulatory responsibility for internet material in Vietnam is divided by subject matter. The Ministry of Culture and Information focuses on sexually explicit, superstitious, or violent content, while the Ministry of Public Security monitors politically sensitive content. Vietnam guarantees freedom of speech, press, and assembly in theory, but state security laws and other regulations limit these protections in practice. All internet content in Vietnam must comply with various laws, such as the Press Law and Publication Law, as well as state secrets and intellectual property protections. Both domestic and foreign individuals and organisations involved in internet activity in Vietnam are legally responsible for the content they create and share. It is illegal to use the Internet to oppose the state, destabilise security or the economy, incite opposition, disclose state secrets, infringe on others' rights, or interfere with the state's DNS servers. The Law on Information Technology was passed in June 2006. Violators of unternet use rules can face penalties, ranging from fines to criminal liability for causing chaos or security disorder.

In 2010, a law was enacted that mandated public internet providers, including internet cafes, hotels, and businesses offering free Wi-Fi, to install software for monitoring users' activities.

In September 2013, Decree 72 was implemented in Vietnam, which prohibits the online distribution of materials that may harm national security or oppose the government. It only allows users to share personal information through blogs and social media, while banning the distribution of general information or any information from media outlets, including state-owned ones. Additionally, foreign web companies targeting users in Vietnam must operate servers within the country.

Censored content 

Subversive content 

Among the listed rules in Saigon are those that prohibit patrons from accessing sites with subversive or pornographic content.

According to OpenNet research, website blocking is primarily focused on content related to overseas political opposition, overseas and independent media, human rights, and religious topics. Additionally, proxies and circumvention tools, which are prohibited to use, are frequently subjected to blocking.

Blocked websites in Vietnam mainly consist of those written in Vietnamese or addressing Vietnam-related topics. Websites not specifically associated with Vietnam or only available in English are rarely blocked.

The website of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which has a significant journalistic presence, is occasionally blocked.

Pornography 

The government claims that "obscene" content is the main reason for internet censorship, but very few pornographic websites are actually censored in Vietnam. A study in 2006 found that no porn sites were blocked, except for one that had a link to another porn site.

Social networking 

During the week of November 16, 2009, Vietnamese Facebook users experienced difficulties accessing the popular social networking website.

An official decree dated August 27, 2009, was leaked on the Internet, but its authenticity has not been confirmed. The Vietnamese government denied intentionally blocking access to Facebook, while the internet service provider FPT stated that they are collaborating with foreign companies to resolve a server issue that is affecting access to Facebook in the United States.

Blogging 

In Vietnam, Yahoo! 360° was a popular blogging service. Following a government crackdown on journalists reporting on corruption in mid-2008, several blogs covered the events and expressed criticism towards government action. As a response, the Ministry of Information suggested new regulations that would limit blogs to personal topics.

Global Voices Advocacy keeps a record of bloggers who have been detained due to their online opinions. Several bloggers were taken into custody by the Vietnamese government in 2011.

Medium was blocked in 2020 and there are still several internet service provider blocks in place in 2021, based on technology deep packet inspection.

Instant messaging 

Yahoo! Messenger is a type of instant messaging software that can be subject to monitoring, resulting in messages being blocked and not seen by the intended recipient.

Criticism of the Vietnamese government on YouTube videos and social media platforms hosted by internet service providers and potential threats to national security 

In 2019, Vietnam implemented a cybersecurity law that includes restrictions on online criticism of the government and requires ISPs to provide user data upon request.

As part of Vietnam's strategy to regulate the internet, bloggers, netizens, and journalists are arrested in order to suppress dissident activities and encourage self-censorship. Vietnam is ranked as the world's second largest country for imprisoning netizens, following China.

Vietnamese users, social media users and internet users on social media networks or blogging platforms created by social media companies must not criticise the Vietnamese government on online platforms in Ho Chi Minh City or anywhere else, and Facebook's vice president agreed to this government censorship as well as other tech giants and technology companies respecting this local law.

 

 

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltd’s Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)