Vietnamese turning away from pirated software, shared accounts

Phuong Thanh, 47, of Hanoi once opened her laptop to finish a presentation when her Office software suddenly malfunctioned.

The low-cost account she had purchased online for just a few dozen thousand dong per month was locked, and her synced data encountered issues.

"I really panicked because I had to present the next morning," she recalls.

After that incident, she stopped buying shared accounts and began subscribing officially to all the services she uses, like Microsoft Office, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube Premium.

She adds: "At first I thought saving a little was better than nothing, but now I prioritize legitimate accounts because they’re more stable. I also feel more comfortable knowing I’m paying for the developers’ work."

Hung Vu, 29, also based in Hanoi, says, when he first graduated, he frequently used cracked versions of software such as Photoshop, Premiere, and Windows, but once he started earning an income from creative work, he realized that paying for the tools he uses is also a way to respect the people who built them.

Their stories reflect a broader shift taking place in Vietnam.

A notification indicating that the software has not been activated on a user's computer screen. Photo by Trong Dat

In the past, downloading cracked software, streaming movies on pirated websites, or buying "free" shared accounts was considered normal, but now more and more people are willing to pay for licensed digital services.

According to a technology expert, the shift is due to multiple factors like greater awareness of intellectual property rights and the more stable and convenient experience offered by licensed software.

Licensing fees have also become more affordable.

Many platforms now offer low-cost tiers, family plans, and student discounts, narrowing the gap between the costs of pirated and legitimate versions.

Ha Manh Cuong, deputy general director of the Laptop 24h Repair System, says five years ago 80% of his company’s customers were using cracked or unlicensed software, but that figure has now dropped to 30-40%.

Many users reconsider pirated software after finding out that the cost of fixing problems can be "10 to 20 times, even hundreds of times the price of a license" after experiencing work disruptions, data loss, or ransomware attacks, he says.

The improvement is also evident from the perspective of state authorities. Pham Thi Kim Oanh, deputy head of the Copyright Office, says:"The copyright landscape for software in Vietnam has undergone breakthrough changes."

They are visible also "very clearly in the mindset of the business community," she says.

The Copyright Office reported a "strong transition" from cracked software to official service packages, particularly among government agencies, banks, and large enterprises.

"This is the result of Vietnam’s persistent efforts to fulfill international commitments and improve the domestic legal framework," Oanh says.

A warning advising against the use of pirated software at the Laptop Repair 24h service center. Photo by Trong Dat

The amended Intellectual Property Law, which took effect in April, clarifies provisions related to copyright protection for computer programs, treating them akin to literary works, regardless of whether they are source code or machine code.

For software provided as a service, creating backup copies must comply with usage terms or licensing agreements between parties.

Speaking to VnExpress, a Copyright Office official says changing public awareness is the most important factor in reducing piracy.

Economically, decreasing software piracy directly impacts Vietnam’s investment climate and competitiveness since tech investors often consider intellectual property protection when selecting a market, the official adds.