On the morning of November 28, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) held a conference to review the performance of the electronic information sector in 2024, set directions for 2025, and disseminate Decree No. 147/2024/NĐ-CP on the management, provision, and use of internet services and online information.

The event was held both in person at the MIC headquarters and virtually with provincial Departments of Information and Communications.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Deputy Director of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI), reported that 2024 saw the issuance of licenses for 80 new aggregate information websites and 40 domestic social networks.

Social Network Usage in Vietnam:
Domestic social networks: 110 million accounts.
Foreign social networks: 203 million accounts.
Zalo: 76.5 million monthly users (as of June 30, 2024).
Facebook: 72 million users.
YouTube: 63 million users.
TikTok: 67 million users.

This data highlights Zalo as the most popular platform, surpassing three major cross-border platforms in user count.

In 2024, the MIC issued 23 licenses for G1 online games and 30 certifications for G2, G3, and G4 games. It also granted 13 licenses to foreign entities offering cross-border advertising services in Vietnam.

The gaming industry generated an estimated revenue of 12.5 trillion VND in 2024, a slight decline from 2023. The sector employed approximately 4,100 workers, reflecting a 31% increase compared to the previous year.

Efforts to monitor and rectify violations in the electronic information sector included inspections of 236 websites, aggregate sites, and social media platforms. Authorities imposed 46 fines totaling over 1 billion VND and flagged 290 websites for legal violations, leading to the revocation of two domains.

The MIC collaborated with platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok to combat illegal content. Results for 2024 included:

Facebook: 8,981 items removed (94% compliance rate).
YouTube: 6,043 items removed (91% compliance rate).
TikTok: 971 items removed (93% compliance rate).

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long praised the electronic information sector for its significant contributions to Vietnam’s communications industry and broader societal development.

While domestic social networks have grown their user base, their influence remains limited compared to cross-border platforms. Nonetheless, foreign platforms have made progress in cooperating with regulators to address misinformation and promote awareness about fake news.

Efforts to combat "media mimicry" - where aggregate websites or social networks mimic news outlets - have reduced such violations significantly. Meanwhile, compliance among major cross-border advertising service providers has improved.

The MIC also collaborated with gaming companies to promote the growth of Vietnam's gaming industry, although unlicensed and cross-border games continue to pose challenges. Stricter measures will be implemented in 2025 to address these issues.

Deputy Minister Long acknowledged the efforts of organizations and businesses in the electronic information sector, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration to foster development.

Trong Dat