No. Using fake names on social media in Vietnam violates Decree 72/2013/ND-CP and the 2026 Cybersecurity Law, risking fines up to VND 20 million (≈$850) for individuals and platform liability for non-compliance.
Key Regulations for Using Fake Names on Social Media in Vietnam
- Decree 72/2013/ND-CP (Article 5.1) mandates real-name registration for social media accounts, prohibiting pseudonyms that obscure identity. Violations trigger administrative penalties under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).
- 2026 Cybersecurity Law (Article 26) requires platforms to verify user identities and report violations to the MIC within 24 hours. Fake names enabling illegal activities (e.g., fraud, defamation) escalate penalties to criminal liability under the Penal Code (Article 288).
- MIC Circular 38/2021/TT-BTTTT specifies that “false or misleading” account information constitutes an administrative offense, with fines ranging from VND 10–20 million for individuals and VND 50–100 million for organizations.
Platforms like Facebook and Zalo must comply with MIC’s 2024–2026 enforcement directives, including mandatory identity verification for all accounts. Users employing fake names for commercial or political purposes face heightened scrutiny, particularly under the 2025 amendments to the Press Law targeting online misinformation.