Code of conduct aims to foster healthy digital culture

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has introduced a new code of conduct for cultural behaviour in the digital environment, designed to promote a safe, respectful and healthy online space while encouraging the spread of positive and creative content reflecting national cultural identity.

Issued under Decision No. 423/QD-BVHTTDL dated March 5, 2026, the code outlines behavioural standards for individuals and organisations participating in activities on digital platforms, aligning online conduct with Vietnam’s cultural values, ethical norms and legal framework.

The guidelines apply to five groups: individuals; domestic and foreign providers of social media and digital platforms; internet service providers; press agencies, broadcasters, media companies, advertising service providers and performing arts organisers; and other agencies, organisations and enterprises operating in the digital sphere.

The framework seeks to steer online behaviour in line with cultural and ethical standards, enhance transparency and responsibility among organisations and individuals, and strengthen coordination with authorities in supervising and addressing violations in cyberspace. It also encourages the promotion of Vietnamese cultural values while selectively adopting progressive cultural elements from around the world.

Under the general principles, users are required to comply with Vietnamese laws, respect the legal rights and interests of all organisations and individuals, act in a civilised and respectful manner, and preserve the cultural identity, ethical values, and noble traditions of the Vietnamese people.

The code highlights the imporance of respecting and promoting cultural values in the digital environment, in line with social, ethical, and cultural norms, as well as the traditions of the Vietnamese people, as well as honouring cultural diversity, and regional, ethnic, and religious differences.

Users are also held responsible for their online conduct and are encouraged to cooperate with authorities in addressing illegal or inappropriate content. They are advised to be cautious when accessing unverified information and to share content from reliable sources that carries educational, cultural and humanitarian value, contributing to a safe and constructive digital environment.

When encountering fake news, misinformation or unlawful content, users are encouraged to promptly notify service providers, digital platforms or relevant authorities to facilitate timely handling and warnings.

The code further stresses that discussions and debates in cyberspace should be conducted respectfully and politely, avoiding offensive language, personal attacks, defamation or the use of words, images or sounds that incite hatred, violence or discrimination based on gender, region, ethnicity, religion or culture.

Influencers and administrators of online communities are encouraged to actively create and disseminate meaningful and culturally valuable content, helping preserve and promote Vietnamese culture on digital platforms while contributing to the development of national, cultural and family value systems and modern Vietnamese social standards.

For press and media organisations, advertising businesses and performing arts entities, the code calls for the provision of accurate information, responsible public communication and the active promotion of positive cultural values, alongside stronger efforts to counter fake news and misinformation online./