Vietnam Boosts Soft Power in Digital Space with KOL Summit

On September 7, the KOL Summit 2026 was held in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together over 1,000 artists, KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders), content creators, and representatives from regulatory bodies, industry associations, and technology companies. The summit aims to strengthen Vietnam's soft power in the digital space. Particular focus was placed on the utilization of KOLs in the tourism sector and their roles and responsibilities in cybersecurity. In recent years, with the spread of social media in Vietnam, the influence of KOLs has grown significantly, making them crucial players in promoting products and services, and even disseminating social messages. The government seeks to leverage this KOL influence for national image enhancement and economic growth. The conference also discussed the roles and responsibilities KOLs should have towards the public and the market. This reflects an understanding of the significant societal impact of KOL activities and an effort to channel this influence constructively. Furthermore, in An Giang province, the "Digital Trust Club" was launched, promoting the establishment of a KOL network to protect cyberspace security. This initiative aims to cultivate KOLs as reliable information sources to counter challenges like disinformation and fake news in the digital realm. Under Vietnam's one-party system, information control and the leveraging of soft power are key pillars of national strategy. The utilization of KOLs in the digital space is expected to contribute to shaping public opinion and improving Vietnam's image internationally.