Question: Please kindly comment on Google’s “Distributing Concerns in Vietnam” alleging that Vietnam issued new regulation on management of Internet access points in Hanoi in order to “control Internet users”

Answer:

“Vietnam is among those countries that have the world’s fastest Internet growth. Internet users have gone up by 100 times in number since 2000 to almost 24 million in Vietnam, 27.89% of total population and higher than the average 18% in Asia. Hanoi enjoys the highest Internet penetration rate of over 60% of its population.

However, such development has also brought about challenges, particularly those related to public Internet businesses. Such negative Internet contents as violence incitement and pornography are unhealthy and go against fine values and customs. These contents have adverse impacts on Internet users, mostly young people.

On April 26th 2010, People’s Committee of Hanoi City issued Decision 15/2010/QD-UBND on Regulations on management, provision and usage of Internet at Internet access points in the municipal area.

This Decision is aimed at guaranteeing safety and healthy usage for Internet users at public Internet access points in Hanoi and shall impose no restrictions to exercising civic rights to freedom of information as provided in Vietnam laws.

In Vietnam, freedom of information and freedom of speech are guaranteed and practiced in accordance with the law. Such concern as “government threatens free expression online and an open Internet” is groundless.”