Telecom and internet service providers in Vietnam have been requested to block the messaging app Telegram using technical measures, the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) have announced.

Many Vietnamese prefer using messaging apps for their daily activities, including shopping for essential goods, so this is an opportunity for businesses to interact with potential customers via social media platforms and messaging apps, an expert has said.

Zalo – the most popular over-the-top messaging app in Vietnam, started to charge users from August 1 and cut a number of features of its free version.