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Could misstatements on the internet lead to imprisonment? In Ho Chi Minh City, a singer says she has repeatedly asked VTV and relevant authorities to intervene after being defamed online. Anonymous accounts identifying themselves as “anti-fans” have continued to circulate one-sided stories, including extramarital rumors and claims that the singer received financial backing from a wealthy patron, along with other sensitive allegations. The victim says the accusations often lack evidence but spread quickly, and that some individuals have reportedly faced administrative penalties, though the group remains large and new posts continue to appear. Her family has also endured prolonged disruption.
Celebrity targets are not the only ones. A businessman identified as N.S. in Ho Chi Minh City also reported being harmed by online defamation. He said a relative who borrowed from black-market lenders did not repay, and that this led to defaming posts, false accusations, and reputational damage. He claims that what began as a debt of a few million dong escalated into multi-billion-dong contract losses and long-lasting harm to his dignity and prestige.
By late 2024, another case involved N.O.K., a female flight attendant, whose images, phone number, and personal information were impersonated and posted on dating sites with fabricated content. She reported that the result was a barrage of harassing calls and a disrupted life.
What is unfolding on social media has prompted authorities to consider tighter penalties. Draft amendments to the Penal Code, open for public consultation until May 7, 2026, propose increasing penalties for defamation, insulting others, and deceptive advertising—from administrative fines to criminal sanctions.
The stated rationale is that these acts are becoming more complex and are triggering social outrage, while current penalties are not considered sufficiently deterrent or proportionate.
The article notes that online content that exposes, insults, or falsely advertises can attract hundreds of thousands of views and lead to serious consequences or generate substantial revenue. By contrast, administrative fines commonly range from 7 million to 30 million dong. Supporters argue that this gap can encourage some users to trade safety for fame or economic gain.
The debate centers on where criticism ends and criminal liability begins. Lawyer Dong Van Vuong said the law does not ban freedom of speech but sets clear limits. He pointed to factors used to distinguish boundaries: the authenticity of information, the intent behind posting, and the way the content is presented. If any one factor is incorrect, an act can shift from an expression of opinion to a violation.
He also emphasized that even truthful information may be punishable if it invades privacy or is unnecessary and causes harm.
The proposal to raise penalties also raises questions about deterrence in a digital environment. Some argue for stronger rules to match online realities, while others stress improving legal awareness and promoting responsible online conduct. The role of platforms and influencer accountability is also under scrutiny, particularly when content has significant reach.
“We also recommend increasing penalties: if the violator is an influencer (with a large following or high reach), the act of defaming, insulting, or falsely advertising should be considered an aggravating circumstance because it spreads widely and causes more serious harm; the greater the influence, the greater the responsibility,” Lawyer Vuong said.
The article further notes that liability may extend beyond the original poster. Court practice, it says, has shown that sharing content can be treated as acknowledgment and propagation of violations—meaning the legal boundary can extend through the entire chain of online interaction.
Supporters of the amendments listed the following proposed penalties:
While the law could be tightened, experts stress that awareness is central. The article argues that when users understand online actions can be traced and that liability may follow, legal deterrence may become more effective.
It concludes that a single online action can cross from opinion into criminal liability, while enforcement remains difficult due to anonymity and the rapid spread of information.
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