Vietnam media news covers a sector of the local economy that is growing rapidly despite a somewhat challenging regulatory environment. This section monitors those regulations as well as over-the-top services, sports, advertising, social media, and film and television industry developments.

Article on developing Vietnam’s cultural industries missing key point

the-shiv February 26, 2024

Vietnamnet is carrying an article that discusses how Vietnam can develop its cultural industries. It notes that cultural industries generate up to 10 percent of global GDP, however, in 2021, Vietnam’s cultural industries accounted for 3.61 percent of the country’s GDP. The publication carries comments from Nguyen Phuong Hoa, head

Vietnam lottery revenue hits highest point ever

the-shiv January 15, 2024

Vietnamese lottery firms recorded revenue of US$1.87 billion in 2023 up from US$1.4 billion in 2022, Zing News is reporting. There is no analysis provided, however, this is not necessarily a good thing. It is common for spikes in lottery ticket sales to coincide with periods of economic uncertainty as

Hanoi considering building US$420 million horse racetrack

the-shiv January 11, 2024

The People’s Committee of Soc Son district on the outskirts of Hanoi (near the airport) is asking for opinions with respect to building a racetrack and entertainment complex in the area, Nha Dau Tu (the Vietnamese language version of The Investor) is reporting. The project would cover 125 hectares and

Vietnam PM laments foreign content dominating local film, television

the-shiv December 27, 2023

The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, told a conference last week it was ‘gut-wrenching seeing foreign films on TV every time I turn it on’, VN Express is reporting. The PM said 70 percent of films on TV and at the movies are foreign (no primary source cited);

Red-tape may have killed planned K-pop festival in Hanoi

the-shiv December 22, 2023

A number of K-pop bands have pulled out of a scheduled K-pop festival slated for this weekend in Hanoi after organisers failed to obtain the correct permits, Allkpop is reporting. With only a handful of bands left on the lineup there is a good chance the event will be cancelled

Vietnamese most-likely in APAC to travel abroad for concerts: Visa Survey

the-shiv December 20, 2023

A total of 41 percent of Vietnamese respondents to a survey carried out by Visa, said they had travelled abroad specifically to attend a concert in the last twelve months, according to a press release from the company. Travelling for entertainment is becoming increasingly common in Vietnam as incomes rise

Vietnam’s most valuable footballers reveals value in local football league

the-shiv December 20, 2023

Vietnam’s most valuable player is half-Czech, half-Vietnamese Filip Nguyen, VN Express is reporting. He’s currently estimated to be worth €600,000 (US$655,700). Of note, Vietnam signed a deal back in September with the Spanish football league, La Liga, to jointly develop the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). Historically corrupt, and not nearly

Resolution 98 could see sports complex in Ho Chi Minh City finished after 30 years

the-shiv December 8, 2023

Resolution 98, which was passed by Vietnam’s National Assembly in June and gives HCMC greater power over the collection and disbursement of taxes, may be a game changer with respect to the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex in HCMC, which was started in 1994, but is still unfinished, Tuoi Tre

3rd advertising violation in Vietnam earns intl. ad agency US$1,442 fine

the-shiv November 30, 2023

International advertising agency Group M has been fined US$1,442 for ads it ran on Youtube that contained content in breach of Vietnam’s cyber security law, VN Express is reporting. The article does not specify which ads or what the ads contained but does say they were for Procter & Gamble

Vietnam football club fails to pay staff, players for months

the-shiv November 27, 2023

The Ho Chi Minh City Football Club has failed to pay staff and players to the tune of US$1.23 million, VN Express is reporting. The publication is reporting that this sum is made up of salaries and bonuses and dates back as far as last year. Why it matters: This

Wolfoo-Peppa Pig intellectual property infringement saga continues

the-shiv November 27, 2023

The Vietnamese makers of the kids’ cartoon Wolfoo, Sconnect, which is being sued by the makers of Peppa Pig, eOne, for allegedly infringing its intellectual property rights, has complained to the Vietnamese authorities that additions to the lawsuit are outside of the scope of the lawsuit, Vietnam Net is reporting.

Northern Vietnam province looking for approval for casino project

the-shiv November 24, 2023

Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province, home to world famous tourist attraction Ha Long Bay, wants to build a US$2.8 billion casino and resort for domestic tourists. Plans have been submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Investment which has asked the Prime Minister to approve the project ‘in-principal’, The Investor is

Is it ‘time for an upgrade’ of legalised gambling regulations in Vietnam?

the-shiv November 17, 2023

C-level executives at Spectrum Gaming Group, a consultancy specialising in legalised gambling have called for Vietnam to formalise its gaming sector by consolidating legislation and appointing a single regulator, according to an op-ed published in Inside Asian Gaming. They say that the legislation in the sector is currently scattered with

Piracy concerns raised over withdrawal of foreign TV services from Vietnam

the-shiv November 14, 2023

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) has speculated that the withdrawal of several international film and television brands, namely Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, from the local market may see video pirates fill the void, Saigon Giai Phong is reporting. Why it matters: Regulations created by the ministry are

US firm plans to build amusement park in Hanoi

the-shiv November 3, 2023

US firm Rosen Partner is planning to build a themepark in Hanoi, The Investor is reporting. There is a huge dearth of additional information in that the article mentions no other details at all. Rosen Partners is actually a real estate firm and appears not to have any amusement park

Amazon Prime Video set to exit Vietnam market

the-shiv October 17, 2023

Amazon Prime Video has decided to exit the Vietnam market at the end of the month, VN Express is reporting. Amazon doesn’t seem to have explained exactly why but the speculation is that Vietnam’s regulations on cross-border media providers may be the reason. More detail: In recent years Vietnam has

Vietnam golf courses raking in cash on limited supply

the-shiv October 14, 2023

Vietnam could have between 400 to 500 gold courses by 2030, up from 100 at present, VN Express is reporting. This rapid growth is expected as a result of eased investment procedures, according to Ngo Cong Thanh, a former deputy director of the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s planning management

Cross-border firms with local offices face stricter supervision, more red tape

the-shiv October 11, 2023

Concerns have been raised that foreign cross-border service providers may be reluctant to open local offices in Vietnam due to the recent investigation of TikTok by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), Vietnamnet is reporting. The article notes that the MIC has set out to assuage these concerns with

Results of Vietnam’s TikTok inspection announced

the-shiv October 6, 2023

The Ministry of Information and Communications has announced the outcome of an investigation of TikTok’s practices in the country finding a number of breaches of Vietnamese law, VN Economy is reporting. Most of the breaches relate to the censoring of content on the platform and the removal of sensitive content.

Vietnam animation in legal dispute with Peppa Pig to air on China TV

the-shiv October 2, 2023

Vietnamese animated series Wolfoo, has been licensed by the China National Radio and Television Administration to be shown on television in Vietnam’s neighbour to the north, The Leader is reporting. Why it matters: Sconnect, the makers of Wolfoo are currently embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit in the UK with