On behalf of the Secretariat, Politburo Member, Standing Secretary of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu signed and issued Directive No. 57-CT/TW dated December 31, 2025 on strengthening network security, information security, and data security in the political system.
One of the notable points of this Directive is that the Secretariat requests to thoroughly handle the situation of "junk" SIM cards, "virtual" accounts, and anonymous accounts; apply mandatory identity verification measures to social network users.
This is a strong and necessary policy in the context that Vietnam's cyberspace is being seriously polluted by virtual accounts, irresponsible speeches and increasingly sophisticated illegal acts.
There is a reality that is not difficult to recognize that social networks have become the "hideout" of many hidden faces. Hiding behind virtual accounts, unverified accounts, they are ready to curse, slander, cover up, incite hatred, divide the great unity bloc, pull groups to attack individuals and organizations, and even manipulate public opinion.
No civilized society accepts the situation of anonymous and irresponsible speech on a large scale.
The requirement to unify the identity of citizens, social network users, telecommunications subscribers and Internet resources – as Directive 57 states – will force those accustomed to throwing stones and hiding their hands to consider before speaking out. They are forced to learn to debate properly, or withdraw into the dark.
Of course, identification does not mean weakening social criticism. Conversely, if implemented properly, this policy of identification and publicity will make the debate environment decent and clean.
Dialogue on social networks will be public with reason, evidence and a civilized attitude, with the status of a citizen responsible before the law, instead of the chaos of insults, slander and incitement in the style of crowds as before.
However, in parallel with identification, the State also needs to improve the mechanism to protect personal data and establish strong enough legal institutions to protect victims in cyberspace.
In particular, there needs to be an appropriate legal mechanism to quickly handle acts of insult and slander in cyberspace. When "traffic" on the internet is clearly regulated, not allowing impersonation, anonymity, or cover-up to cause harm, social order, cultural behavior and community trust will be strengthened.
