In less than four months since the start of 2025, several high-profile TikTokers with millions of views and large follower counts have been prosecuted or detained for violating Vietnamese law.

Most recently, social media was abuzz with news that popular TikToker “Duong Duong Duong” had been arrested.

On the evening of April 10, police in Quang Nam province initiated a criminal case and detained Mai Van Duong (39), the creator of the TikTok channel “Duong Duong Duong Phong Thuy,” on charges of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, and the lawful rights and interests of organizations and individuals.”

Duong had built a sizable online presence with nearly 700,000 TikTok followers and over 226,000 Facebook followers. He frequently posted videos promoting items such as incense cones and herbal powders.

Authorities had already fined Duong twice: once in August 2024 for selling unverified goods, and again in December 2024 for spreading false information online.

On April 4, the Ministry of Public Security announced the prosecution and temporary detention of Pham Quang Linh (known as Quang Linh Vlogs) and Nguyen Thi Thai Hang (known as Hang Du Muc) on charges of producing counterfeit food and misleading customers.

Earlier, on March 20, the Department of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism imposed a fine of 70 million VND (approx. $2,800) on both individuals for violating advertising regulations, and ordered public corrections.

The two influencers, along with Miss Grand International 2021 Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, promoted the Kera vegetable candy by CER Group, manufactured by ASIA LIFE Corporation (Dak Lak). During livestreams, they claimed that “one candy equals one plate of vegetables” - a statement that sparked intense public backlash for being misleading.

In January 2025, TikToker Nam Birthday (real name Bui Phuong Nam, 28, from Vinh Phuc) was prosecuted by police in Van Giang district (Hung Yen) for obstructing law enforcement.

On the morning of January 22, a local traffic patrol flagged Nam’s car for driving against traffic. Instead of stopping, he continued driving. During the encounter, he live-streamed the incident on social media with inappropriate language directed at the officers.

Authorities later confirmed that Nam could not provide vehicle documents. A breathalyzer test showed his blood alcohol concentration was 0.887 mg/l of breath - well over the legal limit. His vehicle was confiscated and sealed, and Nam admitted to his violations.

On January 23, another TikToker, Dau Thi Tam (born 1980, from Hoang Mai District, Hanoi), was prosecuted and detained by Hanoi police for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State.”

Tam frequently used her TikTok and Facebook accounts under the name “Dau Thanh Tam” to post videos containing false and defamatory content about hospitals in Hanoi, and baseless attacks on public agencies and leaders.

She also spread misinformation regarding Decree 168, which concerns administrative penalties in road traffic, including license point deductions and reinstatements - causing public confusion.

These cases have sparked widespread debate over the "power intoxication" exhibited by many influencers. Experts are calling for stronger legal frameworks and penalties to deter harmful behavior among social media personalities.

Y Nhuy