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HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Information and Communications in Việt Nam has requested that internet service providers review their partnerships with cross-border over-the-top (OTT) television service providers.

The leased services provided by Vietnamese network providers to Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Tencent, IQIYI, and Hunan will undergo scrutiny to ensure legal compliance.

Decree 71, which took effect on January 1, 2023, requires foreign TV streaming service providers such as Netflix, WeTV, and iQiYi to secure licences to operate in Việt Nam.

The Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Information and Communications has emphasised that the review is necessary to ensure that cross-border TV services comply with Việt Nam’s current regulations.

This move is aimed at strengthening the management and supervision of foreign TV streaming service providers that have not been licensed to operate in the country.

According to a report by the Ministry of Information and Communications, Netflix has agreed to provide cross-border TV services in Việt Nam, while IQIYI, Tencent, and Apple will offer virtual movie streaming services in the country.

However, Hunan and Amazon will not participate in offering these services.

The Ministry of Information and Communications will collaborate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to manage the movie streaming services offered by Netflix, Apple, Tencent, and IQIYI.

Until these entertainment service providers fully comply with current regulations on providing services or obtain operating licenses, advertising and promoting their services will be prohibited. VNS