Google is the most popular website in Viet Nam with visits by 48 per cent of internet users, a survey by market research company Cimigo has found.

At the end of last year, almost 27 million people, or around 31 per cent of the population, were using the Internet.

Google, including google.com and google.com.vn, is popular across genders, age groups, economic classes and geographical regions, according to the Viet Nam NetCitizens Report 2011 done in November and December last year and released yesterday.

Google is the top site for search with 89 per cent of people using the internet to search opting for it.

For news, vnexpress.net is the most popular with 16 per cent, followed by dantri.com.vn, and tuoitre.com.vn with 15 and 8 per cent.

In the online entertainment category, YouTube leads in watching and downloading movies with 14 and 11 per cent, respectively.

Zing is the leader in listening to and downloading music with 49 and 55 per cent.

Sixty-five per cent of email users and chatters choose Yahoo!.

Enbac.com is the favourite for online shopping with 13 per cent, while Vietcombank.com.vn is preferred by 23 per cent of e-banking users.

Almost 90 per cent of users access the internet more than once a week and more than 60 per cent do it daily.

They spend an average of 140 minutes a day, rising to 160 minutes in Ha Noi and 150 minutes in HCM City.

The most popular activity on the internet is information gathering with those using for news representing 94 per cent and search, 92 per cent.

Listening to music and research for school and office work follow with 78 and 72 per cent.

Source: VNS