This marks the third consecutive year the MIC has released such a list, aiming to guide advertisers and publishers to avoid illegal websites.

The initiative aligns with Decree 70/2021, which amends and supplements regulations in Decree 181 on implementing the Advertising Law.

The decree explicitly states that advertising service providers, advertisers, and publishers must not collaborate with websites officially listed as law violators on the MIC’s portal.

Crackdown on illegal content

The MIC’s Department of Broadcasting, Television, and Electronic Information identified these 904 websites for promoting illegal gambling, betting services, or unauthorized gaming content.

Examples include sites like m*88casino.org, nhacai88.com, and gameidoithuong.city.

Most of these sites use international domains such as .net, .com, .top, and .win, further complicating enforcement.

The MIC has published the list of violating websites, referred to as the "Black List," on its official portal at abei.gov.vn.

Advertisers and ad service providers are encouraged to refrain from placing ads on these platforms.

In 2022 and 2023, similar lists featuring approximately 200 and over 400 offending websites, respectively, were released. These platforms hosted explicit content or gambling-related services.

Promoting safe advertising

In parallel, the department has also been maintaining a "White List" since March 2023, featuring verified content platforms.

The White List now includes 8,000 verified websites, online newspapers, content channels, social media accounts, and community groups.

The MIC recommends businesses prioritize advertising on platforms from the White List to ensure brand safety and contribute to a healthy digital ecosystem in Vietnam.

This dual-listing system is part of broader efforts by the MIC to strengthen Internet advertising management in Vietnam.

For 2025, one of the ministry’s key goals is to regulate and redirect online ad revenues toward domestic platforms, ensuring fair and sustainable funding for Vietnamese journalism.

The Department of Broadcasting, Television, and Electronic Information will continue collaborating with Vietnamese enterprises and brands to foster "clean advertising," channeling ad revenues into legitimate media outlets.

Additionally, the MIC plans to intensify inspections, early warnings, and strict penalties for violations on social media, content aggregation sites, and digital advertising services.

Van Anh