Vietnam Follows Russia and Iran in Banning Telegram
Vietnam has become the latest nation to prohibit the use of Telegram, following similar moves by Russia and Iran. This decision adds Vietnam to a growing list of countries tightening control over popular messaging platforms for their citizens.
Tl;dr
- Vietnam blocks Telegram amid digital censorship surge.
- Authorities cite security, but users turn to VPNs.
- The country joins a global trend of stricter internet controls.
Vietnam Escalates Digital Clampdown: Telegram Blocked Nationwide
In a decisive move that has sent ripples through the country’s tech landscape, the Vietnamese government has ordered leading telecom operators to restrict access to the popular messaging platform Telegram. This directive, issued on May 21, 2025, and enforced by the national department of cybersecurity, required detailed compliance reports from telecoms by June 2. By late May, frustrated users were already experiencing sporadic outages—a clear sign that the block was being rigorously implemented.
Why Telegram? Security Concerns and Government Pressure
The rationale for targeting Telegram goes beyond mere regulatory muscle-flexing. Authorities in Vietnam argue that the app’s robust encryption makes it an attractive haven for illicit activities. According to police data, nearly 68% of more than 9,600 identified groups and channels in the country are allegedly linked to criminal operations—ranging from fraud and drug trafficking to terrorism. Vietnamese law requires digital service providers to verify users’ identities and supply data upon request, something officials say Telegram has failed to do. The company insists it responded « en temps voulu » to legal demands, but government skepticism remains high.
A Widening Global Trend: The Rise of Internet Censorship
While this crackdown is significant for local users, it fits into a wider international pattern. Already in 2016, the Surfshark Internet Shutdown Tracker flagged Vietnam’s temporary restrictions on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. With this latest action, Vietnam becomes the thirty-fifth country to officially bar access to Telegram, joining nations such as China, Iran, and Oman. Elsewhere this year, bans in Venezuela led many users to seek workarounds; Mozambique even saw VPN usage soar by over 127,000%. For activists and ordinary citizens alike, such measures only seem to heighten the demand for secure communications.
The Critical Role of VPNs in a Shrinking Online World
In light of these developments—at a time when nearly 4.8 billion people worldwide face some form of censorship—many Vietnamese users are now adopting top-tier VPNs. These tools have become essential for anyone hoping to bypass restrictions. Specifically:
- Easily restore access to banned apps like Telegram
- Anonymize browsing through advanced obfuscated or multi-hop servers
- Access emergency protections (notably for journalists or activists)
Providers such as Proton VPN, known for its guest mode and advanced anti-censorship features like Stealth VPN and Secure Core, stand out in this charged climate—even if premium subscriptions are generally advised for optimal safety.
Ultimately, every new restriction seems only to reinforce public demand for alternatives—and brings into sharper focus the unresolved debate over unfettered access to information as a fundamental right.