VietNamNet Bridge – With the domain name changed into “.com” from a
Vietnamese domain name “.vn”, which allows avoiding the registration at
Vietnamese agencies, Chinese Baidu’s social network “Baidu Tieba” has made debut on schedule.
Chinese Baidu attempts to penetrate Vietnamese market
The social network uses an international domain name vn.tieba.com instead of
“.vn” or “.com.vn”. However, when users access to the previous domain names
tieba.baidu.com.vn or tradaquan.vn, they would still be able to access the
social network, because these would automatically lead to vn.tieba.com.
Besides, Baidu also provides online information inquiry service at http://zhidao.baidu.com.vn/,
searching tool and online services at http://vn.hao123.com.
An Internet expert said that using an international domain name “.com” is a wise
move made by Baidu. Since Baidu does not use a Vietnamese domain name, the
Vietnamese agencies would not be able to request Baidu to register the social
network services, the thing they can do if Baidu used “.vn” domain name.
The expert said that there has been no regulation forcing foreign companies,
when using the domain name “.vn”, to make registration to the management
agencies. However, if referring to the Circular No. 09 and the Decree No. 97on
the management over Internet services, watchdog agencies would be able to impose
punishment on violators.
Since Baidu has decided to use an international domain name “.com”, there is
only one way of managing the Chinese social network. Drafting a new decree on
Internet service management, when international social networks, using “.com”
domain name obtains a certain number of members or visitors, they would have
report to management agencies and ask for the permission to run the social
networks.
Only by that time, would the management agencies be able to apply necessary
sanctions or release the decisions to impose punishment.
Baidu would bring difficulties to Vietnamese businesses
Do Ngoc Hung, Director of VOG, which is running PhunuNet social network, said
that there are many differences between Baidu Tieba’s services and domestic
Internet firms’ services. Meanwhile, Vietnamese and Chinese people have some
similarities in habits. Therefore, Baidu Tieba can bring what users need with
outstanding features and simplicity in using.
“As far as I know, Baidu Tieba has attracted a certain number of Vietnamese
users. Baidu Tieba would grow continuously in the time to come and it may
dominate the market, if domestic firms disregard the rival,” he said.
Hung went on to say that the launching of Baidu Tieba in Vietnam, one of the two
most powerful social network services of Baidu which have been very successful
in China, would threaten the survival of Vietnamese social networks.
According to Phan Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of VTC Online, though Baidu Tieba
may affect Go.vn social network, to date, the users of Go.vn still keeps rising.
However, it is likely that Baidu Tieba would be able to attract Vietnamese
users, because the box for discussions on Baidu Tieba has the similarities with
forums, a favorite model in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Le Hong Minh, General Director of VNG, keeps calm about the
appearance of Baidu in Vietnam, saying that the presence of Baidu, or any other
foreign social networks in Vietnam, would create certain impacts on the domestic
market.
Minh said Vietnamese firms have no other choice than accepting the new comers.
Source: Buu Dien