M-RCBG Associate Working Paper No. 16
Vietnam's Internet Governance Policies:
Opportunities for Developing a Competitive Digital Economy
Thao Nguyen
2013
Abstract
This report identifies aspects of Vietnam’s Internet regulatory framework that hinder or support the innovative capacity of Vietnamese ICT startups. Through surveys of domestic ICT startups, small and medium technology enterprises (SMEs), and large corporations, this report provides a holistic understanding of Vietnam's current Internet ecosystem, focusing on the main regulatory challenges that hinder technology innovation for domestic ICT businesses. The report concludes that Vietnam should consider an Internet governance strategy that prioritizes transparent regulatory practices that enable growth in the area of user-generated content (UGC) platforms, rather than simply building up hard infrastructure. Such a shift in strategy is required for Vietnam to remain competitive with its regional neighbors.