According to the emails, starting from April next year, Google Asia-Pacific, headquartered in Singapore, will transfer its contractual rights and obligations for advertising clients in Vietnam to Google Vietnam, based in Ho Chi Minh City.

"We now have an on-ground team to better serve our advertising clients in Vietnam and support the country’s digital transformation," stated a Google spokesperson, confirming the company's presence in Vietnam on December 6.

Additionally, from next March, Google Vietnam will take over as the primary partner responsible for customers of any products listed under the Vietnam category, replacing Google Singapore. This transition also means that Google Vietnam will directly manage billing operations within the country. Customers paying for services will receive invoices in VND, which will include 10 per cent VAT as required by Vietnamese law.

Google has requested its advertising partners to provide their tax identification numbers, names, and addresses matching the information registered with the tax authorities to ensure valid invoices. Once issued, no modifications will be allowed.

The company further informed clients that they will receive an updated copy of the terms of service for review starting from January. It assured that the transition will not cause any service disruptions.

The 2024 e-Conomy SEA report, released by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company last November, indicated that Vietnam's gross merchandise value is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 16 per cent, reaching $36 billion by 2024. The domestic online media sector alone is on track to hit $6 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 14 per cent, and is expected to reach $11 billion by 2030.

Google considers Vietnam a rapidly developing digital economy and one of the leading markets in Southeast Asia. Both users and the government have shown significant interest in AI advancements throughout 2024.

"Vietnam’s digital economy continues to maintain double-digit growth despite global economic uncertainties," said Marc Woo, managing director of Google for Vietnam and Asia. "Vietnam’s online media sector is growing at the fastest rate in Southeast Asia, and more Vietnamese developers are gaining global influence with popular apps catering to users worldwide."