ONI Country Profi le
389
information on users, users are also formally deputized to report content that opposes
the state or threatens state security to the relevant authorities.
23 It is unlawful to host
material that opposes the state; destabilizes Vietnam ’ s security, economy, or social
order; incites opposition to the state; discloses state secrets; infringes upon organizations ’ or individuals ’ rights; or interferes with the state ’ s DNS servers.
24 Those who
violate these Internet use rules are subject to a range of penalties. The National Assembly enacted the Law on Information Technology on June 22, 2006.
25
On August 28, 2008, the state enacted Decree Number 97 on the Management,
Supply, and Use of Internet Services and Electronic Information on the Internet,
26
which was strengthened in December by the Ministry of Information ’ s Circular Number
7.
27 Under Article 6 of the decree, it is prohibited to use the Internet to oppose the
government; to undermine the state and state unity, national security, public order, or
social security; to incite violence or crime; or to damage the reputations of individuals
and organizations.
28 Information about users violating Article 6 must be reported to the
state.
29 To strengthen and clarify the contents in Decree 97, the Ministry of Information
issued Circular Number 7 on December 18. Under Circular Number 7, blogs are
restricted to only personal content, and providers of online social networking services
(such as blogging platforms) are obligated to keep reports about users and provide such
information to authorities every six months or upon request. Further reinforcing the
law was the creation of the Administration Agency of Radio, Television, and Electronic
Information under the Ministry of Information to monitor the Internet.
The initiatives of 2008 came on the heels of increased dissatisfaction among the
population and growing instability in the country. In June 2008, infl ation in Vietnam
had reached 27 percent, and infl ation for rice (a dietary staple) had reached 70 percent;
within the fi rst six months of 2008, 500 demonstrations had already taken place,
despite restrictions on the right to strike.
30 In response to the growing instability, a
crisis meeting of the party ’ s Central Committee was called in July. The Vietnam Committee on Human Rights argues that it was within this context that the party started
to intensify controls and repression.
31
The state has become increasingly concerned about young people neglecting their
studies for the Internet and, in particular, online gaming.
32 In 2006, Joint Document
Number 60/2006, which regulates the production, supply, and use of online games in
the country, was enacted.
33 In July 2010, after a public outcry over the negative effects
of the Internet on youth — in particular, instances of youth engaging in murder and
robbery for money to play online games — the Ministry of Information and Communication cracked down on online games by temporarily terminating their licensing
and ordering ISPs to force shops that offered games to close by 11:00 PM.
34 In Hanoi,
Internet retailers and businesses providing Internet service must be located at least
200 meters way from the entrance of any schools (up to high school) and can operate
between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM only.
35
389
information on users, users are also formally deputized to report content that opposes
the state or threatens state security to the relevant authorities.
23 It is unlawful to host
material that opposes the state; destabilizes Vietnam ’ s security, economy, or social
order; incites opposition to the state; discloses state secrets; infringes upon organizations ’ or individuals ’ rights; or interferes with the state ’ s DNS servers.
24 Those who
violate these Internet use rules are subject to a range of penalties. The National Assembly enacted the Law on Information Technology on June 22, 2006.
25
On August 28, 2008, the state enacted Decree Number 97 on the Management,
Supply, and Use of Internet Services and Electronic Information on the Internet,
26
which was strengthened in December by the Ministry of Information ’ s Circular Number
7.
27 Under Article 6 of the decree, it is prohibited to use the Internet to oppose the
government; to undermine the state and state unity, national security, public order, or
social security; to incite violence or crime; or to damage the reputations of individuals
and organizations.
28 Information about users violating Article 6 must be reported to the
state.
29 To strengthen and clarify the contents in Decree 97, the Ministry of Information
issued Circular Number 7 on December 18. Under Circular Number 7, blogs are
restricted to only personal content, and providers of online social networking services
(such as blogging platforms) are obligated to keep reports about users and provide such
information to authorities every six months or upon request. Further reinforcing the
law was the creation of the Administration Agency of Radio, Television, and Electronic
Information under the Ministry of Information to monitor the Internet.
The initiatives of 2008 came on the heels of increased dissatisfaction among the
population and growing instability in the country. In June 2008, infl ation in Vietnam
had reached 27 percent, and infl ation for rice (a dietary staple) had reached 70 percent;
within the fi rst six months of 2008, 500 demonstrations had already taken place,
despite restrictions on the right to strike.
30 In response to the growing instability, a
crisis meeting of the party ’ s Central Committee was called in July. The Vietnam Committee on Human Rights argues that it was within this context that the party started
to intensify controls and repression.
31
The state has become increasingly concerned about young people neglecting their
studies for the Internet and, in particular, online gaming.
32 In 2006, Joint Document
Number 60/2006, which regulates the production, supply, and use of online games in
the country, was enacted.
33 In July 2010, after a public outcry over the negative effects
of the Internet on youth — in particular, instances of youth engaging in murder and
robbery for money to play online games — the Ministry of Information and Communication cracked down on online games by temporarily terminating their licensing
and ordering ISPs to force shops that offered games to close by 11:00 PM.
34 In Hanoi,
Internet retailers and businesses providing Internet service must be located at least
200 meters way from the entrance of any schools (up to high school) and can operate
between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM only.
35