I. Introduction
Decree 121/CP of 15 August 1987, promulgated by the Council of
Ministers ("Decree 121"), created the
first legal framework for telecommunications and postal activities
in Vietnam. Between 1987 and 1997, Decree 121 was the primary piece
of legislation regulating the telecommunications industry.
With the rapid evolution of the industry, especially during the
late 1990s, Decree 121 soon became obsolete. On 12 November 1997,
the Government issued Decree 109/1997/ND-CP on postal and
telecommunications activities ("Decree
109") to replace Decree 121. A number of implementing
sub-regulations followed. Most of these regulations had the purpose
of protecting the State's monopoly through tight control of the
market.
