Refuting the arguments distorting Internet freedom in Vietnam

As of 2023, Vietnam has officially connected to the global Internet for 26 years. After more than a quarter of a century, the number of Internet users in Vietnam has increased from a few thousand to more than 70 million, accounting for about 70% of Vietnam's population.

Vietnam is currently the country with the 12th highest number of Internet users in the world and the 6th in Asia, but in recent times, some foreign media organizations with ill will towards Vietnam have continued to spread false accusations accusing Vietnam of restricting Internet freedom. These are plots to sabotage and undermine Vietnam's reputation, and need to be clearly identified.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="700"] After 26 years, the number of Internet users in Vietnam has increased from a few thousand to more than 70 million people, about 70% of the population. Illustration photo: WTO Center[/caption]

Vague reviews

Freedom House has repeatedly published reports on Internet freedom, ranking Vietnam as one of the countries with the least Internet freedom in the world.

The report also said that the Vietnamese government continues to require companies to remove posts and impose harsh criminal sentences on some people it says are critical voices on social media.

For many consecutive years, Freedom House has ranked Vietnam in the group of countries without Internet freedom, based on a series of very vague evaluation criteria that they themselves have set.

The report does not reflect the true situation in Vietnam. Usually, international organizations with ill will towards Vietnam only acknowledge a few specific cases of some subjects with anti-state attitudes, the information is sent abroad to ill-willed organizations, to accuse Vietnam of political attacks on Internet users or repression in the online environment.

According to the weire website, by 2022, the number of Internet users in Vietnam will be about 70 million, accounting for more than 70% of the population. The number of social network users will be more than 76 million.

Information security

[caption id="attachment_599659" align="aligncenter" width="768"] (Illustration: VTV)[/caption]

Internet freedom in Vietnam is guaranteed within the framework of the constitution and law.

For example, when a series of negative information related to the financial stock market appeared on the Internet, adversely affecting business operations and causing panic in the whole society, the police immediately intervened to handle many subjects for posting comments with false information. These subjects all admitted their crimes.

Timely removal of fake news and toxic news is a necessary measure to ensure order, safety and security in cyberspace, because cyberspace is the same as real space.

The State guarantees all rights and obligations of individuals and organizations in cyberspace. In return, individuals and organizations must also be responsible for protecting social order in cyberspace.

Vietnamese law emphasizeseducation and prevention, not punishment as some hostile elements have claimed. In fact, many countries in the world today also issue very strict legal documents on handling behavior in cyberspace.

On August 15, 2022, the Government issued regulations requiring domestic and foreign enterprises, when providing services on telecommunications networks and the Internet in Vietnam, to store data and establish offices in Vietnam. Immediately, malicious news streams circulated the argument that the regulation on storing network user information in Vietnam stifles communication and can threaten investment.

Different countries have different legal systems, but the goal is to keep citizens' data in their country where they have a government and their rights are guaranteed to maintain safety and security, slow down or stop the spread of bad information and fake news. This proves that governments of countries care about the interests of their citizens. Besides, Vietnam's policies and laws towards foreign investors are very clear and open, with the motto of harmonizing interests and sharing risks.

Global technology platforms such as Google and Facebook have rented more than 2,000 servers in Vietnam. This helps businesses save costs, increase access speed and improve service quality.

In addition, along with Vietnam, there are currently 18 countries in the world that require data storage domestically, such as the US, Canada, the Russian Federation, France, Germany, China, Australia, Indonesia, etc. Not to mention that when providing services to other countries, companies must learn, research and find ways to adapt to the local legal system.

After more than 25 years of existence in Vietnam, the Internet can now be accessed almost anywhere and anytime, even for free. Vietnamese people have gradually become accustomed to online public services, online learning, shopping through e-commerce channels and enjoying the values ​​that the Internet brings. All of these facts are undeniable and are the most solid evidence to completely refute the baseless and unobjective arguments that slander Internet freedom in Vietnam.

Phuong Anh