Vietnam‘s Ministry of Science and Technology has ordered telecommunication service providers to block the messaging app Telegram, citing the platform’s failure to cooperate in combating alleged crimes committed by users. According to a government report, nearly 70% of 9,600 Telegram channels in Vietnam contain “poisonous and bad information.”
The government claims that some groups on the app have disseminated “antistate documents,” engaged in “reactionary activities,” sold user data, and had links to drug trafficking and terrorism.
The ministry’s decision follows Telegram’s alleged failure to share user data with the government as part of criminal investigations. A Telegram representative stated that the company was “surprised” by the move and had responded to legal requests from Vietnam in a timely manner. The representative added that the deadline for the response is May 27, and they are processing the request.
Vietnam’s hardline administration has been cracking down on dissent and critics, particularly those with a social media presence. New rules introduced last year require platforms like Facebook and TikTok to verify user identities and hand over data to authorities. As of 2025, Vietnam has 79.8 million internet users and 11.8 million Telegram users. Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, was recently detained in France and charged with failing to curb extremist content on the app.
The block has sparked concerns about freedom of expression in the communist-ruled country. The app remains available in Vietnam at the moment, but the country’s Science and Technology Ministry has given internet service providers until June 2 to report on their measures against Telegram.