When Online Jokes Cross the Line: Vietnam Fines Man for Mocking Ex-Wife

In an age where social media often feels like a stage, one man in Vietnam discovered that not every performance ends with applause.

The Case

Earlier this month, authorities fined a Vietnamese man 7.5 million đồng (around $300) for posting disparaging remarks about his ex-wife on Facebook. He had imagined his insults as playful jabs, almost like stand-up comedy delivered to a digital audience. But what began as satire quickly turned into a legal matter.

Why It Matters

Vietnamese law treats online defamation seriously. The Decree on Administrative Sanctions in the Field of Culture and Information states that insulting or spreading false rumors about another person—whether offline or online—can result in fines ranging from 5 to 10 million đồng. In this case, the man’s posts fell under the definition of “defamation,” even if his intent was humor.

The Bigger Picture

Vietnam is not alone in tightening its approach to online speech:

  • Singapore enforces strict anti-harassment laws online, even for private messages.

  • Germany’s Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) obliges social media platforms to remove defamatory or illegal content within 24 hours or face fines.

  • Thailand has prosecuted individuals under its Computer Crimes Act for similar behavior.

This reflects a global trend: digital platforms may feel informal, but the law increasingly treats them like public spaces.

Social Media as a “Stage”

In the man’s mind, Facebook was simply an outlet for frustration—his own version of a comedy club. He even compared his ex-wife to “an unstable Wi-Fi signal,” suggesting she “connected with everyone.” Such remarks may have earned laughs in private, but online they transformed into permanent, shareable content that damaged another person’s reputation.

Expert View

Legal scholars note that humor is not a defense against defamation. As Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong, a media law lecturer in Hanoi, explains:
“The problem with social media is reach. A comment you might joke about with a friend at a café becomes far more harmful when amplified to hundreds or thousands of readers online.”

The Takeaway

For everyday users, the lesson is simple: the internet does not erase accountability. What may seem like harmless venting can lead to legal consequences—and costly ones at that.

In short, roasting your ex on Facebook might win a few likes, but it could also come with an invoice from the authorities. Sometimes, the safest audience for such thoughts is still the oldest one: a private diary.

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