A draft law in Việt Nam proposes granting police the authority to disconnect internet and telecommunications services for individuals who fail to pay administrative fines.
The Latest: The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has proposed cutting off internet access and telecommunications services, blocking access, or using other technical restrictions against people who fail to comply with previously imposed administrative penalties.
- This proposal appears in the second draft of the revised Law on Handling Administrative Violations, released by the National Assembly on Sept. 16.
The Details: Under Article 74, Clause 2, Point h of the proposed draft, these restrictions would also apply to individuals who “fail to remedy consequences in the electronic environment.”
- However, the ministry does not specify what “remedying consequences in the electronic environment” entails, nor does it clarify the specific circumstances under which internet service would be cut off or access blocked.
At a Sept. 23 afternoon meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee to discuss the bill, some lawmakers urged the MPS to “carefully assess” the need for internet cutoffs, warning that they “could directly restrict the rights” of organizations and individuals.
- In response, Senior Lt. Gen. Phạm Thế Tùng, deputy minister of public security, defended the enforcement measure as “necessary and responsive to practical needs.”
The bill is expected to go before the National Assembly for consideration and passage at its October 2026 session.
The Background: In March 2026, the MPS proposed cutting off electricity and water and temporarily barring people from leaving the country if they failed to pay administrative fines, according to the draft published at the time.
- The draft subsequently drew opposition from National Assembly members, agencies, and organizations.
- Nevertheless, in its responses to public feedback published in July 2026, the ministry insisted on retaining those provisions.
Hoàng Nam wrote this news article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on September 24, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine translated it into English.
