Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has issued an official directive instructing telecom providers to block access to the messaging platform Telegram, citing the app’s alleged role in facilitating illegal activity and its refusal to cooperate with authorities. A document, dated May 21 and reviewed by Reuters, reveals that the order was signed by the deputy director of the ministry’s telecoms department. It mandates that providers implement technical measures to restrict Telegram’s operations in Vietnam and report back by June 2.
The decision follows reports from the national cyber-security authority and police investigations, which claim that 68% of Telegram’s 9,600 local groups and channels have been used for unlawful purposes. These include online scams, drug trafficking, and suspected terrorist-related activities. A ministry representative confirmed the legitimacy of the document and stated that Telegram had failed to provide user data during criminal probes, a key factor behind the enforcement action.
Although Telegram had not been officially blocked as of Friday, it remained under scrutiny, with state media and law enforcement continuously warning users about potential fraud and privacy violations on the platform. The app, which rivals WhatsApp, WeChat, and other global messaging services, currently remains accessible in Vietnam but faces imminent disruption.
The crackdown is in line with the Vietnamese government’s broader efforts to control online content. The Communist-led state, known for strict media regulation and low tolerance for dissent, has regularly pressured global tech firms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to remove what it deems “toxic” material—ranging from falsehoods to content critical of the regime.
Authorities further allege that anti-government groups have leveraged Telegram to organize and disseminate opposition materials. According to the directive, many channels with tens of thousands of members are being used to circulate dissenting views and documents considered subversive.
Telegram, which boasts nearly a billion users worldwide, has faced similar scrutiny elsewhere. In France, its founder Pavel Durov was temporarily detained in 2023 over concerns linked to the app’s data security practices. As France’s President Emmanuel Macron prepares for an upcoming visit to Vietnam, the timing of the enforcement may also carry diplomatic undertones.
Both Telegram and Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications have not yet responded to requests for comment.