Vietnam began enforcing a law on 1 July that fines those who post fake news, distorted information, or content causing public alarm on social media up to 50 million dong, roughly 64,500 baht.
On 1 July 2026, Vietnam started enforcing a new government decree that sets penalties for those who publish or share false information on social media, targeting the control of fake news and socially disruptive content.
The Nhan Dan newspaper reported that individuals who spread or share false, distorted, defamatory information, or content damaging the reputation of agencies, organizations, or the honor and dignity of individuals will be fined 20-30 million Vietnamese dong, approximately 25,800-38,700 baht.
The report stated that the same penalty range applies to sharing violent images such as murders, accidents, or shocking events; unauthorized use of copyrighted news, literature, or art; advertising banned goods or services; publishing maps that distort Vietnam's sovereignty; and sharing links to content prohibited by Vietnamese law.
Those who spread distorted historical content, deny revolutionary achievements, undermine national unity, insult religion, or incite discrimination based on gender or race—though not criminal offenses—will face fines of 30-50 million dong, roughly 38,700-64,500 baht.
Additionally, the law covers revealing state secrets, personal data, or other confidential information not yet criminal offenses, as well as spreading false information that causes public panic, harms economic and social activities, obstructs government operations, or damages the legal rights and interests of organizations and citizens. These measures form part of Vietnam’s new government decree, effective officially from 1 July 2026.