Steam Access Restrictions Widen in Vietnam
James Whitfield
2 min read
Restrictions on Steam access in Vietnam have intensified, with users now unable to download games, install updates, and sync cloud saves in addition to previously blocked store and payment functions.
Starting October 2, Vietnamese gaming communities filled with reports of widespread disruptions. Users described failing to log into Steam, access the store, or reach community pages. More significantly, game downloads and updates—which had remained functional during earlier restrictions—stopped working entirely. Some users regained access by switching to a virtual private network, suggesting the blocks target specific internet service providers rather than affecting all Vietnamese connections uniformly.
The expanded scope of restrictions became clearer over subsequent days. On October 3, an FPT internet subscriber reported that switching to alternative DNS services from Google and Cloudflare did not restore download and update functionality, forcing reliance on a VPN. Another user noted the shift from previous restrictions limited to the store toward broader limitations now affecting downloads, community access, and cloud synchronization of saved game files. However, inconsistencies emerged: some users on the same FPT network continued accessing Steam normally, indicating regional or network-specific variations in the blocking.
This marks an escalation from Vietnam's previous crackdown on Steam. In May 2024, Vietnamese authorities officially confirmed blocking certain Steam services, with the Director General of the Authority of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information stating that games distributed in Vietnam require local approval, which Valve had not pursued. Those initial blocks targeted store and payment systems while allowing already-installed games to remain playable.
Vietnam's regulatory framework for online games tightened significantly with Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, effective December 25, 2024. The regulation requires overseas game operators distributing content in Vietnam to obtain licensing and complete administrative procedures. Throughout 2024, Vietnamese authorities and industry groups raised concerns about unlicensed games available through Steam, though the broadcasting authority's statements reflected industry claims rather than official findings.
Recent regulatory scrutiny extended beyond Steam. In September, authorities began reviewing measures to restrict the PC version of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, which lacks official Vietnamese distribution licensing unlike its mobile counterpart. Reports indicated multiple telecom providers were already restricting Steam access before October, though enforcement remained inconsistent across different internet service providers and regions.
Despite mounting user reports, neither Vietnamese government agencies nor telecom providers have issued official announcements confirming new blocking orders in October. No direct connection has been established between the PUBG PC regulatory review and the current Steam disruptions. Nonetheless, the practical impact on Vietnamese players has clearly broadened, shifting from store-only restrictions to comprehensive blocking of core platform functionality including downloads, updates, community features, and cloud services.
