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Vietnam Does Not Like Children Playing Online

Communist Vietnam has found a new enemy to fight - a new social evil that plagues the youth of the country, internet gaming. Vietnam`s authorities are concern about the internet gaming craze that has swept Asia. Internet gaming expanded into Asia back in 1990 and reached Vietnam about a year ago. Internet gaming has become very popular among Vietnam`s youth and the communist government does not like it.

Many new online cafes opened in the last year in Vietnam they are packed with schoolchildren who immerse themselves for hours in interactive online gaming. "Now I have friends all over the country," 15-year-old Truong Khanh Hoang, schoolbag slung across his back, said during one of his daily three-hour gaming sessions. "At school, it`s the first thing we talk about." Another kid commented, ""We grew up reading these graphic novels, and in this game we find the same kind of atmosphere."

Authorities are worried about "pathological players" and that young people are spending too much time playing online instead of practice other more beneficial activities. Starting mid-June, all online game shops must locate at least 200 meters away from schools. The stores will be closed between 11pm to 6am and children under the age of 14 will not be able to enter such shops without adult supervision.