Vietnam’s Crackdown on Content Featuring Disputed Territories
Netflix has removed the Chinese romantic drama series Shine On Me from its streaming platform in Vietnam following a formal order from the Vietnamese government. The decision came after authorities objected to a map displayed in one of the episodes that included China’s contentious “nine-dash line,” which Vietnam regards as an inaccurate depiction of its territory and a violation of national sovereignty.
The drama series, which consists of 27 episodes, featured the map in episode 25 during a college lecture scene discussing China’s solar energy potential. The depiction of the “nine-dash line” — a cartographic demarcation Beijing uses to assert extensive territorial claims over the South China Sea — sparked official condemnation from Hanoi, which sees that claim as illegitimate and harmful to its territorial integrity.
Official Government Order and Rapid Compliance
On January 3, 2026, Vietnam’s Department of Cinema under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a written demand to Netflix, requiring the company to take down Shine On Me within 24 hours. The order classified the series as Category C content under Vietnam’s cinema law, meaning it is not permitted for distribution due to its inclusion of material deemed to misrepresent Vietnamese territory.
By the deadline, Netflix had complied with the directive, and the show was no longer accessible to users in Vietnam. Before its removal, Shine On Me enjoyed relatively strong performance in the region, featuring in Netflix’s Top 10 lists in Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan — underscoring both its regional appeal and the potential impact of its withdrawal.
The Nine-Dash Line: Why It Matters
The “nine-dash line” is a cartographic boundary used by Chinese authorities to assert historical rights to most of the South China Sea, a strategic and resource-rich maritime region also claimed in varying degrees by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Although the line appears on Chinese maps and in some domestic media, it has been rejected by an international tribunal and is widely contested.
Vietnam has repeatedly enforced strict policies against depictions of the nine-dash line in films, television shows, and other media. Past enforcement has included removals of foreign films such as Barbie and dramas like Flight to You when they contained similar map images, as well as fines or restrictions on other distributors and platforms found to feature the disputed line.
Geopolitics and Content Regulation
The incident reflects how geopolitical sensitivities and national sovereignty concerns are increasingly shaping media regulation in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s swift action highlights its determination to safeguard territorial claims and influence how foreign cultural products are presented to domestic audiences.
Chinese state-linked media, including the Global Times, urged Vietnam to “keep cultural exchanges separate from the South China Sea issue,” emphasizing that film and television should not become battlegrounds for geopolitical disputes. Nevertheless, Hanoi’s stance remains firm, and authorities have shown a willingness to block or remove content they judge as detrimental to national interests.
Repercussions for Streaming Platforms
For global streaming services like Netflix, the episode raises broader questions about content vetting and regional compliance. Platforms operating in multiple jurisdictions must now navigate a patchwork of laws and sensitivities that extend beyond traditional age or decency ratings into territorial and political disputes.
While Netflix did not publicly contest the removal in Vietnam, the move comes as governments in the region tighten their oversight of foreign media. Content distributors may face increased pressure to review scripts, imagery, and graphics for geopolitical implications before making titles available — or risk abrupt takedowns and regulatory confrontations.
Audience and Industry Reaction
The takedown of Shine On Me generated conversations online among both viewers and industry watchers. Fans of the show expressed disappointment at losing access, while analysts noted the broader implications for cross-border entertainment flows in Southeast Asia, where audiences often share tastes and stories across national lines.
The episode also underscores how sovereignty disputes, especially over the South China Sea, continue to influence elements of daily life far beyond diplomatic chambers — extending into streaming libraries and cultural consumption. As media globalization accelerates, tensions between artistic expression, international law, and national sensitivities are likely to surface more frequently, challenging platforms to balance local compliance with global reach.
A Continued Flashpoint
Vietnam’s removal of Shine On Me is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of regulatory assertiveness in the face of the nine-dash line issue. For Netflix and other international entertainment companies, it serves as a potent reminder of how geopolitics and culture intersect, and how media content that appears innocuous in one context can be deeply contentious in another.
