Zalo — Usage Tips
Use your OpenMax employee on Zalo, Vietnam's most popular messaging platform with over 75 million users.
Two ways to connect
OpenMax supports two ways to connect to Zalo. Zalo (Official) is the recommended default — it runs on the official API and carries no account risk. Zalo Personal (Unofficial) is an advanced option, for when you specifically need a real Zalo account to do the talking and accept the account risk that comes with it.
| Zalo (Official) | Zalo Personal (Unofficial) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Create a bot in the Zalo Bot Creator mini app in the Zalo mobile app, running on the official Zalo Bot Platform API | Uses a real Zalo account via QR code login (similar to WhatsApp Web) |
| Protocol | Official API — endorsed by Zalo/VNG | Reverse-engineered protocol (zca-js) — not endorsed by Zalo/VNG |
| Account needed | A Zalo account to register a bot on the Bot Platform | A dedicated Zalo account (separate from users who will chat with it) |
| Setup | Create bot → paste Bot Token in Workspace | Scan a QR code — no tokens or developer setup |
| Account risk | None — official API | Possible account restriction or ban |
| Deployment time | ~5 min for DMs, +~3 min to add to a group | ~2 minutes |
| Deployment guide | Zalo (Official) deployment → | Zalo Personal (Unofficial) deployment → |
Which one should I choose?
Start with Zalo (Official). It is backed by the official Zalo/VNG API, your account cannot be restricted or banned, and it stays connected once set up.
Only choose Zalo Personal (Unofficial) if you must have a real Zalo account — not a bot — doing the talking. It uses a reverse-engineered protocol that is not endorsed by Zalo/VNG and may get the account restricted or banned.
Zalo (Official) — Usage
Direct Messages
Send any message to your bot on Zalo. No special commands needed — the bot responds immediately.
Getting Started
Search for your bot name in Zalo
Start a conversation — the bot responds automatically
The first user to send a DM becomes the Owner (administrator)
Group Chats
You cannot add the bot to a group via Add members — Zalo does not support it. The group owner must share the bot's link into the group from the Zalo mobile app and confirm it there. Full steps: Zalo (Official) deployment guide — Step 4 →
Managing Access
By default, only the Owner can chat with the bot. To allow others:
Allowlist mode — only specified users can chat:
Send to bot:
Enable allowlist mode, add phone number +84 xxx to the list
Open mode — anyone can chat:
Send to bot:
Enable open mode, anyone can DM you
Zalo Personal (Unofficial) — Usage
Direct Messages
Anyone who messages your dedicated bot Zalo account will receive AI-powered responses.
Getting Started
Your AI employee sends you a QR code during setup
Scan with the dedicated bot Zalo account
Connection is established — start chatting
Managing Access
Same as Zalo (Official): Owner-only by default, with Allowlist and Open modes available.
Connection Stability
Zalo Personal uses an unofficial protocol, so connections may occasionally drop. If this happens, ask your AI employee to reconnect:
"Reconnect Zalo Personal"
Pro Tips
Voice messages: Send voice messages — the bot transcribes and responds to them.
Images: Send photos for the bot to analyze.
Files & documents (Zalo Personal only): Send documents for the bot to analyze. Zalo (Official) does not support sending or receiving files.
Multilingual: The bot responds in whatever language you write in — Vietnamese, English, Chinese, or others.
Multiple channels: You can connect both Zalo (Official) and Zalo Personal (Unofficial) simultaneously on the same AI employee, alongside other channels like Telegram or WhatsApp.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Bot not responding (Official) | Verify the Bot Token is correct. Check the connection status in OpenMax Workspace |
| Bot not responding (Personal) | Ask your AI employee to reconnect — the session may have expired |
| Others can't message the bot | By default only the Owner can chat. Enable Allowlist or Open mode |
| Account warning (Personal only) | Stop using the unofficial integration and switch to Zalo (Official) |
| Want to disconnect | Click Disconnect on the respective Zalo card in the agent detail page's Chat Entry section, or ask your AI employee |