Vietnam penal code set to spread into cyberspace HANOI - Vietnam looks set to include the cyber-crimes of writing destructive computer viruses, network hacking and theft of electronically stored information in an amended penal code, official media reported on Friday. The English language Saigon Times Daily said the country's legislature decided to add these new crime categories, as well as that of money laundering, in discussions at its ongoing session which is due to end June 12. Vietnam only opened public access to the Internet in December 1997. Few sophisticated computer networks exist in the country, and Internet access is restricted by prohibitive pricing and ``firewalls'' that are used to block sites seen as politically sensitive. The amended penal code, which will likely reduce the number of capital crimes in the country to 31 from 44, is expected to be approved by the National Assembly in the next week. The Daily quoted Justice Minister Nguyen Dinh Loc as saying it had originally been intended to remove the death penalty from all economic crimes, but it was later decided to retain the punishment for those convicted of fraud or misappropriation of property. Loc said the death sentence would also be retained for certain instances of bribery. The state would take an especially dim view of anyone paying bribes in order to seek illegal gain, Loc added. With corruption and cronyism in communist-ruled Vietnam running rampant, courts have frequently handed down death sentences for white collar crimes in recent years. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was quoted in January by official media as saying he wanted fewer death penalties and that he disliked execution by firing squad. For executions, Vietnam uses a five man firing squad, after which the commanding officer fires a single pistol-shot to the head to ensure the person's death. Reuters - June 4, 1999.