Yes, people in Vietnam can use Facebook. Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in Vietnam, with over 70 million active users as of 2022. While Facebook is technically blocked in Vietnam, the majority of people are still able to access and use it through the use of virtual private networks (VPNs).
Why is Facebook blocked in Vietnam?
Facebook is blocked in Vietnam due to government censorship. The Vietnamese government restricts access to certain websites and social media platforms that are seen as politically sensitive. Facebook in particular has been targeted because it is used as a platform for political dissent and organizing protests.
The government began blocking Facebook temporarily in 2009. Over the years, the blocking has become more frequent and widespread, especially during politically sensitive events. However, the blocks are usually temporary and only affect certain networks or regions. There has not been a complete nationwide permanent block of Facebook yet.
How do people in Vietnam access Facebook?
Despite the blocks, many tech-savvy Vietnamese netizens have found ways to bypass the restrictions and access Facebook. The main methods are:
- Using VPNs – Virtual private networks allow users to encrypt their internet traffic and route it through servers in other countries, bypassing local restrictions.
- Changing DNS settings – By using non-standard DNS servers like Google DNS or OpenDNS, users can avoid DNS-based blocking.
- Proxy servers – Routing connections through proxy servers located outside of Vietnam can avoid IP-based blocks.
- Circumvention tools – Tools like Psiphon, Lantern, and Tor specifically designed to get around censorship.
- Mobile data – Blocks often only affect broadband networks, while mobile data networks are less restricted.
VPN usage has exploded in Vietnam in recent years, with some estimates putting the number of VPN users in the tens of millions. Top VPN providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have rapidly expanded their server infrastructure in Vietnam to meet demand. Leading VPNs are generally able to stay one step ahead of government blocking efforts.
How widely used is Facebook in Vietnam?
Despite the blocks, Facebook has grown to become the most popular social media platform in Vietnam with over 70 million active accounts. Some key statistics on Facebook usage in Vietnam:
- 70 million active users, over 70% of Vietnam’s population (DataReportal, 2022)
- Over 61 million daily active users on mobile, highest usage in Southeast Asia (NapoleonCat, 2022)
- The #1 most visited website in Vietnam (SimilarWeb, 2022)
- 62% of Vietnam’s digital population uses Facebook (We Are Social, 2022)
- Vietnamese users spend an average of 2 hours 46 minutes per day on Facebook (DataReportal, 2022)
Facebook is deeply ingrained in Vietnamese digital life, used for everything from messaging, reading news, entertainment, business pages and ecommerce. Blocks can slow usage at times, but no longer stop people from accessing the platform.
Demographics of Facebook users in Vietnam
Facebook has broad usage across gender and age groups in Vietnam:
| Gender | Share |
| Male | 52% |
| Female | 48% |
| Age Group | Share |
| 18-24 years | 28% |
| 25-34 years | 41% |
| Over 35 years | 31% |
Usage is highest among Vietnamese young adults in their 20s and 30s, but a significant portion of middle aged and older generations have also adopted Facebook. This broad age range reflects Facebook’s status as the dominant social network in Vietnam.
Leading uses of Facebook in Vietnam
The leading uses of Facebook among Vietnamese users include:
- Messaging – Facebook Messenger is the most popular messaging app, used by over 70% of internet users.
- News consumption – 62% get news from Facebook, higher than any other platform.
- Entertainment – Following celebrities, actors, and singers.
- Ecommerce – Facebook shops and groups are hubs for selling products.
- Job search – Facebook groups have become popular places to find job postings.
- Gaming – Games like Candy Crush are widely played.
- forum & social issues – Public groups are used for various causes.
Facebook serves a wide range of everyday digital activities for Vietnamese. Messaging is especially dominant, with Facebook Messenger challenging homegrown app Zalo as the top messaging app.
Business use of Facebook in Vietnam
Facebook is also indispensable for doing business in Vietnam. Key business uses include:
- Brand pages – Over 45 million people follow at least one business brand page.
- Advertising – second only to Google in digital ad spending.
- Market research – Easy access to large audience for surveys, focus groups.
- Event promotion – Wide reach for promoting conferences, product launches.
- Recruiting – Facebook groups and pages commonly used to find job candidates.
- Building communities – Enable users to unite around common interests.
- Selling products – Facebook shops and livestreaming make selling easier.
Both large corporations and small businesses rely heavily on Facebook as part of their marketing strategy in Vietnam. The advertising audience and demographic data provided by Facebook allow precision targeting of consumers.
Ecommerce on Facebook in Vietnam
Facebook has become one of the major ecommerce channels in Vietnam. Some key data points:
- 1.2 million small retailers use Facebook Shops (Meta internal data)
- 45% of online consumers have bought directly on Facebook (iPrice, 2021)
- Facebook livestream shopping generated $1 billion in sales in 2021 (Kantar, 2021)
- Facebook groups connect wholesale suppliers with small retailers
- Lazada and Shopee use livestreaming on Facebook to boost sales
- Cosmetics, fashion and mobile accessories are top goods sold
Both large platforms like Lazada and individuals sellers leverage Facebook for ecommerce. Small businesses can set up Facebook Shops and sell directly to consumers. Livestreaming allows sellers to demo products and take orders in real-time.
Government regulation of Facebook in Vietnam
Use of Facebook in Vietnam takes place under significant government oversight and restrictions. Some key regulations include:
- Required to censor content deemed politically sensitive or anti-government.
- Must open local office and cooperate with government requests.
- New cybersecurity law forces compliance with government demands to remove content.
- Users can be arrested for political criticism under vague national security laws.
- Periodic blocking and throttling of service during politically charged events.
- Must pay tax on revenue from local advertisements.
- Limits on advertising content for certain regulated products.
While the government aims to control online political speech, apolitical business activities on Facebook face less scrutiny. But the uncertain regulatory environment makes Facebook’s future status uncertain.
Conclusion
Facebook has become deeply entrenched in Vietnam, with over 70 million regular users finding ways around government restrictions to access it. It has become Vietnam’s leading social media platform, used for everyday communication, news, entertainment and business. Ecommerce conducted directly on Facebook is booming. However, government censorship and unpredictable blocking remains a constant concern amid tightening regulation of online content.