“Foreign social networks must comply with the laws of Vietnam like domestic networks”

Today, on November 8, continuing the 8th Session of the XIV National Assembly, the National Assembly conducted a questioning and answering session with the Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung.

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, Vietnam does not aim to create social networks to replace foreign social networks because each network has its own function, separate space, and private customers, but they must comply with Vietnamese law. . Photo: Vietnamnet

By 2020, Vietnam will have 90 million social network users

Answering the question of whether or not Vietnam needs to develop digital ecosystem and social networks, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that Vietnam is one of the few countries that raised the issue. Because, if you do not own this space it will be difficult to talk about economic autonomy. Immediately after becoming Minister of Information and Communications, he set up a working group to support the development of Vietnam's social network, when all social networks had about 50 million users. After one year, Vietnam's social networks grew 30% to 65 million users. "With this growth rate and the support of Vietnamese people to use Vietnamese goods, the number of Vietnamese social network users will account for about 90 million, equivalent to foreign social networks," said Minister Nguyen Manh. Hung insists.

Explaining the above goal, the Minister of Information and Communications said that now, what he thinks, says, loves, buys … all appear on social networks. What if it were all on a social network and not in Vietnam. “What will they use it for later, even if it's just for advertising now? This is very dangerous and this is national security, ”the Minister stressed.

Therefore, if Vietnam has its own space, each person will use some social networks, scatter data and create safety.

The Minister also affirmed that Vietnam does not aim to create social networks to replace foreign social networks because each network has its own function, separate space and customers. “Vietnam has integrated and called for foreign investment. However, we have a condition, that everyone who comes here to do business must obey the law and make Vietnam prosper. Vietnamese social networks will exist in parallel with the condition that foreign social networks must obey the laws like domestic networks, ”said Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.

Avoid reverse protection of businesses across borders

Facing the question of wanting domestic social networks to strengthen and gradually increasing market share, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that he has discussed with businesses doing social networks and asked whether or not investment is needed? But all businesses said that they do not need, they only need foreign enterprises and domestic enterprises to treat equally, avoiding reverse protection such as paying taxes or complying with the law. Meanwhile, domestic businesses will grow strongly. "This is the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications and we will have to handle this well," the Minister affirmed.

Social networking has been around for 15 years and the rule shows that every 15 years there will be new demand in the new space. The new social networks take a completely different approach, such as publicizing the algorithm, 90% of the revenue is shared with users, committed to having malicious information filters. New social networks now have their own way of developing their own community, culturally, creating their own space. "If we approach social networks in a new way and have businesses ready to invest, I believe that we will be able to gain a worthy market share as in 2020 there will be about 90 million users," the Minister said. TT&TT said.

For Lotus social network, there are currently 1 million users and the developer also wants to pause at this milestone to "smoothen" and rectify. After seeing it well, it is convenient to launch a media campaign and advertising in the next phase to increase the number of users. "I think this is a good approach and recommend that we should follow this development direction," the Minister added. After the Lotus social network reaches 5 million users, the Ministry of Information and Communications will have an assessment on information security, technical infrastructure and "if it meets the requirements, it will propose the management agency to use".

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, Vietnam aims to build social networking platforms with a large number of users, similar to foreign countries, whose function is not only to ensure communication but also to economic business. Vietnam's social networks are operated by private enterprises, the state does not have the cost to implement. The Ministry of Information and Communications plays the role of creating a legal corridor to encourage businesses. "Many Vietnamese businesses have been conscious, spending money to invest for a better country and society," concluded Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.