Speaking at the seminar “Strengthening international cooperation in digital content copyright protection” on August 5, Han Viet Linh, Deputy Chief of Staff at VTVcab, emphasized that his company - along with platforms like K+ and TV360 - is among the most affected by copyright infringement due to their exclusive broadcasting rights for major sports and entertainment programs.

“Even though watching legally costs only about 5,000–20,000 VND per football match (roughly USD 0.20–0.80), many people still choose illegal streams just because they’re free,” he said.

The issue is not just about affordability. “Some violators are highly educated, skilled in tech, and even proud of hacking content protections. The more barriers they break, the more accomplished they feel. They often form online communities to share pirated content and boast about their exploits on Facebook or TikTok,” Linh revealed.

These piracy groups have become increasingly sophisticated and well-organized, with some communities boasting thousands of members. They share direct links, app installation guides, and even charge “VIP” access fees for pirated broadcasts of exclusive shows and matches.

High-tech hackers, unwitting accomplices

“Vietnam has the tools and talent. But what we lack are a strong legal framework and public awareness about digital copyright,” Linh candidly admitted.

Despite major investments in encryption and signal protection by broadcasters, technological measures alone can’t keep up with the rapid evolution of piracy networks.

Over the past five years, VTVcab has worked closely with agencies like A05 (Ministry of Public Security), the Authority of Information Security (Ministry of Information and Communications, now under the Ministry of Science and Technology), and local police forces to dismantle numerous piracy operations. Yet, Linh observed, “Cut off one head, another appears.”

Weak enforcement and public apathy enable these violations to persist. Many viewers access pirated sites and apps without realizing - or caring - that they’re committing an offense.

Moreover, the culture of consuming free content at all costs is deeply ingrained. While content creators invest heavily in production, licenses, technical teams, and broadcasting rights, a large portion of the audience prefers to simply click on illegal links for instant and free access. To them, as long as it works and costs nothing, there’s no problem.

This issue extends beyond football to the broader digital content industry. Music, films, TV programs, and even e-books are all caught between two realities: paid, legitimate content and a sea of rampant piracy.

For Vietnam to foster a sustainable digital content ecosystem, users must be willing to pay - whether it’s 5,000 VND for a single football match or 30,000 VND (about USD 1.20) per month for a subscription. If users continue expecting everything for free, they are, in effect, slowly killing the domestic creative industry.

Thu Uyen