It says bloggers cannot provide, disseminate or create direct links to information that is prohibited in a decree issued in August on the management, provision and use of the Internet and e-information on the Internet.

The decree forbids the circulation of information which undermines Vietnam’s national security and social order, revealing classified information, or instigating war and violence.

Pornographic, superstitious and defamatory content are also banned under the decree.

The circular states that bloggers are barred from using blogs to fake others’ identities or posting information harmful to other’s legitimate rights.

Bloggers also cannot post media, art or literature products prohibited by Vietnam’s Civil Codes or copyright laws.

Blog creators and users are responsible for content uploaded onto their sites and have to protect their password and personal information, the circular says.

Service providers must detect, prevent and get rid of banned information when asked by governmental blog management agencies, it notes.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Do Quy Doan, said it was necessary to create a legal framework for blogging as it was complicated and sensitive by nature.

He said the circular aimed to create a legal base for related agencies to tackle violations in the area of blogging.

Luu Vu Hai, head of the ministry’s Administration for Radio Broadcast, Television and e-Information, said the circular was meant to instruct and raise awareness of a healthier online environment.

“The circular is more about ‘instruction’ than ‘management.’” Hai said.

The blogging community, however, feels that the circular will not go far. Blog entries in the wake of the circular had many saying it was nearly impossible to manage a virtual and random world like blogs.

Reported by Truong Son