Vietnam is moving toward blocking access to Telegram, citing serious concerns over the platform’s role in enabling the spread of illegal and anti-government content. According to a report by Bloomberg, the country’s Ministry of Public Security claims that Telegram is being misused in Vietnam for:
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Anti-state propaganda
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Online fraud and scams
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Drug trafficking operations
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Illegal data trading
Officials allege that Telegram has ignored repeated government demands to curb such content and has failed to register its business in the country, which is mandatory under Vietnamese law.
Vietnamese telecom and internet service providers have reportedly been directed to begin blocking Telegram. Neither Telegram nor Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has publicly commented yet.
This development is part of Vietnam's broader digital crackdown. The ruling Communist Party has steadily expanded its control over online content and platforms:
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In 2023, the government required foreign tech firms to verify user identities and share user data upon official request.
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Authorities have previously pressured Facebook, Google, and TikTok to take down content or comply with local rules or risk being throttled or banned.
Critics argue these steps amount to censorship and an erosion of freedom of speech and privacy, particularly as Vietnam remains one of Asia’s most tightly controlled one-party states. But the government defends its actions as essential for ensuring public order and cybersecurity.
With Telegram facing likely full or partial shutdown in Vietnam, the case could have wider implications for other global platforms operating there. The country’s stance underscores its message: comply with local laws or risk being shut out.
