Vietnam’s Digital Tightrope: Balancing TikTok’s Popularity with Strict Censorship
In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, Vietnam presents a captivating case study: a nation adept at harnessing the power of platforms like TikTok while together maintaining a firm grip on online discourse. While the wildly popular video-sharing app sees affectionate nicknames like “Gau U” (“Chubby Bear”) bestowed upon Prime Minister Pham minh Chinh by pro-goverment accounts, the reality reveals a far more complex picture of digital control.
This seemingly playful online persona masks a decades-long crackdown on dissent. Vietnam’s internet laws,honed over the past twenty years,aggressively target content deemed to undermine national prestige,tarnish the image of the ruling Communist Party,or defame its leaders. The consequences for violating these regulations can be severe.
recent examples underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to online censorship.In December, a prominent TikTok influencer faced a $1,180 fine for “insulting national leaders” by drawing comparisons between Ho Chi Minh and other celebrities. A Facebook user in Bac Giang province received a $350 fine in August 2022 for criticizing party chief To Lam, while a former Miss World contestant was fined $1,700 in March for controversial remarks about “Uncle Ho” during a Facebook Live stream. “This dynamic highlights Vietnam’s ability to leverage foreign platforms while maintaining control,” explains one analyst.
With nearly 100 million people, Vietnam’s digital landscape is dominated by Facebook (nearly 73 million users), followed by TikTok (68 million) and YouTube (63 million), according to DataReportal. While TikTok’s rapid growth, particularly among younger users, initially seemed unstoppable, a sweeping government investigation in 2023 threatened a potential ban. However, the investigation ultimately served as a tool to further tighten censorship, reinforcing Vietnam’s strategy of controlling online narratives through content removal.
The contrast between the seemingly lighthearted “Chubby Bear” meme and the harsh reality of Vietnam’s digital censorship highlights the contry’s refined approach to managing online facts. While embracing popular platforms for propaganda purposes, the government simultaneously employs stringent measures to suppress dissenting voices and maintain its grip on power. This delicate balancing act underscores the challenges faced by nations attempting to control information flow in the age of social media.
