The decision was released after MIC inspected the observance of laws related to activities of five international domain name registrants in Vietnam.

In order to promptly correct violations that occur online relating to the use of international domain names (such as swindling, providing false information; forging commercial banks and press agencies, providing electronic games without licenses and providing gambling games…), inspectors have asked international domain name registrants in Vietnam to do the following: 

Instruct organizations and individuals registering to use international domain names to notify MIC of the registration in the network environment. 

All the information changes must be updated or notified to the ministry in written documents. 

International domain name registrants in Vietnam must keep full and accurate information about customers, information about the domain name registration, and changes in the information of the customers to whom they provide registration services.

They have been asked to intensify cooperation with state agencies in handling cases related to domain names under their management (suspending, revoking, or maintaining the status quo, and providing information about  domain names in violation).

Inspectors have also asked international domain name registrants to check for signs of illegal acts and report to management agencies. At the same time, they have to strictly comply with provisions of the laws on domain name management.

“This is MIC’s first reminder for international domain name registrants in Vietnam. MIC will continue to cooperate with relevant units to intensify supervision, examination and inspection; strictly punish violations related to the providing of international domain name registration and maintenance service in Vietnam; and publicize the information of the registrants if there are many violations or recidivism,” MIC’s document said. 

According to the VietNam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC), the list of international domain names from 52 registrants in Vietnam showed that more than 633,000 international domain names had been registered and used in Vietnam as of mid-November 2022.

In 2022, VNNIC checked all 1 million domain names registered by Vietnamese subjects and discovered 1,010 domain names, including ‘.vn’ and international domain names coinciding with the names of commercial banks, e-commerce, credit and lending websites of individuals (the subject is not licensed). 

In the same year, VNNIC also provided information of 1,057 domain names to state agencies, serving the handling of violations, including 925 international domain names.

Van Anh