Vietnam to establish alliance for KOLs, KOCs on social media

The announcement was made during a cybersecurity seminar hosted by the National Cybersecurity Association on Monday.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Tien Cuong from the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Public Security said that the alliance is part of three major initiatives to be introduced at Vietnam’s first-ever national KOL conference next month.

As social media continues to grow rapidly in Vietnam, challenges such as fake news, misleading advertising, and harmful content have come under increasing scrutiny.

According to Cuong, in many countries, KOLs and KOLs are no longer just marketing tools. They have become influential soft power figures shaping public opinion.

The upcoming Vietnam KOL alliance would bring together reputable and socially responsible influencers to help guide public discourse, fight misinformation, promote digital safety skills, and support community initiatives.

The alliance is set to promote responsible influence through codes of conduct, enhance transparency and ethical self-regulation among KOLs, support talent development and content quality in the influencer space, reduce legal risks, and address the current lack of comprehensive legal frameworks.

Cuong acknowledged that Vietnam’s existing regulations have not kept pace with the growing impact of KOLs and KOCs, and current penalties for violations remain weak and ineffective.

The upcoming national KOL conference is also expected to serve as an open forum, connecting influencers, government authorities, digital platforms, and the public to build a more civil, safe, and sustainable digital environment in Vietnam.