Vietnam implements new decree to combat fake news

Vietnam's Government has issued Decree 328/2026/NĐ-CP, effective October 5, 2026, to regulate the prevention and combat of fake news and false information. The decree defines fake news as information that is untrue or partially untrue and harms national security, reputation, social order, or the legal rights of individuals and organizations.

Under the new regulations, the Ministry of Public Security is tasked with guiding various agencies, organizations, and businesses—including Internet service providers, telecommunications companies, and social media platforms—on how to verify, prevent, and remove false information. The Ministry will also be responsible for labeling information that it has directly verified as fake or false.

The decree applies to Vietnamese citizens and organizations, as well as international organizations and foreign individuals or businesses operating within Vietnam or providing services to Vietnamese users. It establishes a framework for classifying false information based on its level of harm, particularly focusing on information that poses significant risks to national security and defense.