This issue has sparked public outrage after the brand’s first store in District 1 was found to have displayed the controversial map on its mobile app.

On the afternoon of March 20, the Propaganda and Public Relations Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, in coordination with the Department of Culture and Sports, held a press conference to address the matter.

During the meeting, media representatives raised concerns about the increasing number of stores using national maps for promotional purposes, with some displaying illegal or misleading content.

Responding to the issue, Tran Binh Thien, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Department of Culture and Sports, stated that his department is working closely with the city police to investigate Chagee Vietnam Company Limited.

The brand is accused of disseminating unlawful information by incorporating the "nine-dash line" image, which violates Vietnamese sovereignty laws.

Thien affirmed that the department would release official information as soon as the investigation concludes. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Culture and Sports is responsible for handling violations related to cultural, sports, advertising, media, publishing, and electronic information activities.

Meanwhile, the police handle violations that involve public order, social safety, cybersecurity, and any offenses related to national security or criminal law.

The Deputy Chief Inspector emphasized that any violations involving the distribution or use of illegal maps that infringe upon Vietnam’s sovereignty are subject to strict legal action. The authority to handle violations is determined based on the domain, entity, content, and nature of the incident.

To prevent misrepresentation and the distortion of national sovereignty, the Department of Culture and Sports advised citizens and organizations to use official maps issued by government agencies to ensure accuracy and legality.

People should avoid editing or altering map images in a way that could create misunderstandings or misrepresent the country’s territorial claims.

The department also urged individuals and organizations to verify the source and content of map images before collecting, sharing, or transmitting them on the internet to prevent unintended violations.

Tuan Kiet