Nguyen Ngoc Hoi, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, shared the plan at a seminar titled “Building digital trust – From commitment to action” on the afternoon of Sept. 7.

According to Hoi, the city is implementing a plan to use media platforms to support socio-economic development across its 168 communes, wards and special zones. Each locality is expected to have three types of accounts.

Hoi cited the example of a ward leader in Hanoi who once livestreamed to directly answer residents’ questions, saying HCMC is also looking toward a similar approach.

According to the Department of Culture and Sports official, the city also plans to organize a week dedicated to content creators, with activities taking place primarily online. The initiative is intended to broaden perceptions of who content creators are, extending beyond artists and celebrities to include people who share knowledge, introduce books and doctors who provide health advice.

Hoi said that in the course of its regulatory work, the department had received feedback from parents who found themselves having to explain misleading information on social media to their children, ranging from content about leaders and government authorities to basic general knowledge.

“If this situation is not brought under control, the risk of creating a next generation with distorted information is a serious concern,” he said.

The Department of Culture and Sports official said social media users tend to rapidly spread negative or frustrating content, while positive stories receive less attention. Authorities have also recorded a case in which one individual created hundreds of fake accounts to post distorted information, while corrections from the online community remained limited.

Hoi expressed hope that content creators would proactively share real-life experiences, spread positive information and contribute to building trust in the digital space.

KOLs expected to help build digital trust

Speaking at the closing session of the conference “KOLs on the journey to building digital trust,” Lt. Gen. Le Xuan Minh, director of the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention under the Ministry of Public Security, said digital trust is the foundation of a trustworthy digital society and also the responsibility of every individual.

According to Minh, influencers do more than shape trends. They also have a role in spreading inspiration and positive values. Each account or content channel can reach thousands or even millions of people, bringing a corresponding level of responsibility.

The digital world is increasingly becoming a “second space” for every individual and a strategic space for the country’s development. Yet misinformation, online scams, harmful content and the misuse of digital influence are eroding trust, with children, older people and those lacking digital skills particularly vulnerable.

Minh called on KOLs, KOCs and content creators to proactively speak out against wrongdoing, defend what is right, promote humane values and share positive stories about Vietnam and its people.

“Vietnam’s digital future needs modern technology, but more than that, it needs trust and compassion,” he said, stressing that the digital space should be safe, humane and equitable.

The A05 director expressed hope that the content creator community would continue to connect, work together and act responsibly, helping build an online environment that serves people.

Phuoc Sang