Publishing online games in Vietnam presents a unique opportunity to tap into a vibrant and rapidly growing market. With a tech-savvy population, particularly among the younger generation, the demand for engaging and innovative online games is on the rise. However, navigating the Vietnamese regulatory landscape and understanding local preferences are crucial steps for success.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the essential steps a game publisher can bring your online game to the Vietnam gaming market, with complete legal compliance.
For PDF document, download here: How to publish online games in Vietnam
What types of online game licenses are there in Vietnam?
Due to the complex nature of technology and the diversity in the development and provision of online gaming services, Vietnamese law classifies online gaming services as follows:
Under Article 31, Clause 1 of Decree No. 72/2013/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2013, by the Government on the management, provision, and use of Internet services and information on the network, online gaming services are classified as follows:
- Online Game Service G1: This refers to online games with interactions between multiple players through the game server system of the enterprise.
- Online Game Service G2: This refers to online games with interactions solely between players and the game server system of the enterprise.
- Online Game Service G3: These are online games with interactions between multiple players but without interactions between players and the game server system of the enterprise.
- Online Game Service G4: These are downloadable online games with no player-to-player interaction and no interaction between players and the game server system of the enterprise, commonly referred to as G4 games.
Conditions for Online Game Distribution in Vietnam
Article 10 of Decree No. 72/2013/NĐ-CP specifies that enterprises providing online gaming services must be legally established under Vietnamese law and provide online gaming services through the establishment of equipment systems and the lawful use of gaming software. Specific conditions vary depending on the type of online game, as follows:
1. Conditions for Providing G1 Game Services
Under this Decree, in Article 32, in addition to being legally established and having a business scope for providing online gaming services, enterprises must meet the following conditions:
- Have a registered domain name for providing services.
- Have sufficient financial, technical, organizational, and human resources suitable for the scale of operations.
- Implement measures to ensure information security and information security.
To obtain permission for the release of online games, enterprises must also meet the following conditions under Article 3 of this Decree:
- Hold a license to provide online gaming services with a minimum validity of one year.
- Ensure that the content and scenario of the online game do not aim to oppose the state, harm national security, engage in propaganda, incite violence, spread false information about the reputation of organizations or individuals, avoid images or sounds that are frightening, gruesome, and do not contain images or sounds describing suicide, drug use, terrorism, etc.
- Meet technical and professional requirements for providing online gaming services.
2. Conditions for Providing G2, G3, G4 Game Services
According to Article 33 of this Decree, the regulations for providing G2, G3, G4 online gaming services are no different from those for G1 online gaming services, except that the content and scenario of G2, G3, G4 online games are not subject to strict approval as in the case of G1 online games.
Procedures for Releasing Online Games in Vietnam
After identifying the required type of license and understanding the necessary conditions, the following procedures are to be followed:
1. Procedures for Applying for a License to Release G1 Online Games in Vietnam
To release G1 online games in Vietnam, the following two steps must be taken:
Step 1: Applying for a license to provide G1 online gaming services.
You need to provide necessary documents such as an application form, a copy of the Enterprise Operating License, and a plan to provide G1 online gaming services.
The Ministry of Information and Communications will process the application and notify the results within 30 days from the date of receiving a valid application.
Step 2: Applying for approval of the content and scenario of G1 online games.
The strict conditions mentioned earlier must be met, and the enterprise must submit documents to the Ministry of Information and Communications for the evaluation of the content and scenario of the online game. Within 25 days from the date of receiving a valid application, the relevant agency will notify the enterprise of the results.
2. Procedures for Applying for a License to Release G2, G3, and G4 Online Games in Vietnam
Enterprises wishing to release G2, G3, and G4 online games must go through the following two procedures:
Step 1: Applying for a certificate of registration to provide G2, G3, and G4 online gaming services.
The application should include necessary documents such as an application form, a copy of the Enterprise Operating License, a document confirming the legal use of the domain name for international domain names, and a plan to provide online gaming services.
Within a period not exceeding 20 days from the date of receiving a valid application, the Ministry of Information and Communications will review and issue the certificate of registration to provide online gaming services to the enterprise.
Step 2: Notifying the provision of G2, G3, G4 online gaming services.
At least 30 days before officially providing G2, G3, and G4 online gaming services, the enterprise must submit a notification according to Form No. 21 in Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 27/2018/NĐ-CP to the Ministry of Information and Communications for each online game that will be provided.
Within 10 working days from the date of receiving a valid notification, the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Radio, Television, and Online Information) will issue a certificate confirming the notification of providing online gaming services on the network according to Form No. 22 in Appendix I issued together with Decree No. 27/2018/NĐ-CP.
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