Amazon Prime Video to leave Vietnam

Several Prime Video subscribers in Vietnam have been receiving emails about the matter since earlier this month, saying "Effective from October 31, 2023, Prime Video will no longer be available for subscribers based in Vietnam."

Users' active Prime Video subscriptions will be cancelled on October 31 and their subscription will not be automatically renewed, the email read. Those affected will receive a full refund for the cancelled subscription, it added.

People using Prime Gaming benefits through Prime Video subscription will also no longer be able to browse or claim offers from Prime Gaming.

"We encourage you to make the most of your Prime Video subscription," the message read.

Amazon has yet to provide an explanation for the decision. Its website has yet to make any announcement. On its support page, Amazon still lists Vietnamese among its video's subtitle languages.

Prime Video entered Vietnam in late 2016 as a transnational platform for broadcasts and films, similar to Netflix.

Experts said one of the reasons that could have led to the decision stems from Vietnamese regulations.

In April, the Ministry of Information and Communications said it had requested telecom firms to evaluate their cooperation with six businesses providing transnational paid broadcasting services: Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Tencent, Iqiyi and Hunan.

The request relates to a decree requiring the aforementioned businesses acquire licenses to provide their services.

Amazon and Hunan said they would no longer provide paid broadcasting services in Vietnam.

Netflix said it would open representative offices in Vietnam, while Iqiyi, Tencent and Apple said they would adjust their operations in the country.