Paying the Costs of Connection : Vietnam Policy Brief

As of January 2025, Vietnam had approximately 79.8 million internet users, representing 78.8% of its population. Meanwhile, 76.2 million people used social media, or 75.2% of the population. This rapid digital adoption highlights the country’s growing reliance on online platforms. However, it also raises concerns about digital rights. In the area of digital health technologies, the expansion of telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and health apps introduces both opportunities and challenges. The handling of sensitive health data requires stringent protections against unauthorized access and misuse, particularly in light of the government’s extensive surveillance practices, including legal mandates and advanced technologies to monitor and control internet activities. Social media offer powerful opportunities for HIV activists to engage young adults with accurate sexual health information— such as in Phong’s Story on Facebook, YouTube and Tiktok—helping break stigma and encourage informed choices. However, the same platforms also pose risks, as misinformation can spread rapidly and undermine public health efforts.

This brief explores digital health and rights issues, reviews the current policy landscape, identifies gaps, and offers recommendations to internet users—especially young adults living with HIV or from marginalised communities (who are even more vulnerable than they already are, due to the fear of data leak, exposure, stigma, digital divides, and absence of in-person support), as well as government authorities, NGOs, and donors. These recommendations, informed by the study Paying the costs of connection: Human rights of young adults in the digital age in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam”, conducted by the Digital Health and Rights Project (DHRP) and funded by Fondation Botnar, aim to ensure young adults can engage safely, responsibly, and meaningfully in the digital space.