Eligibility requirements for dissemination to viewers from 13 years old or older in Vietnam

Eligibility requirements for dissemination to viewers from 13 years old or older in Vietnam (Internet image)

On April 5, 2023, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Circular 05/2023/TT-BVHTTDL stipulating Circular 05/2023/TT-BVHTTDL

1. Eligibility requirements for dissemination to viewers from 13 years old or older in Vietnam

Eligibility requirements for dissemination to viewers from 13 years old or older according to Circular 05/2023/TT-BVHTTDL are as follows:

* Theme and content

- The content of the film to be rated does not reflect the problems that cause viewers aged 13 or over cognitive or emotional distortion, psychological disorder; make viewers fall into a state of fear, pessimism, or boredom; negatively affect the formation and development of the personality of teenage viewers;

- For action, horror, or child abuse films, the theme and content of action, horror or child abuse may be depicted at a mild level without going into detail, occurring regularly, and being explored in a deep manner.

* Violence

- Images, sounds, or language showing violent behaviors are depicted at a mild level without going into detail; do not appear frequently; have a slight impact on viewers; and need to be appropriate to the theme and content of the film to be rated;

- None of images, sounds, or language giving the detailed depiction of painful wounds, traumas, or bloodletting scenes is accepted;

- Depiction of sexual violence is not allowed.

* Nudity and sex

- Films may contain images showing back views of half-naked characters that are depicted at a mild level, without going into detail; do not appear for the lengthened duration; do not occur regularly; and are not associated with sexual activities;

- Films with special content and themes, such as historical or documentary films about wars or genocide; science-education films, or films related to health or health care, ways of life of natives, indigenous people or ethnic minorities, customs or habits of the countries or territories introduced in these films, may contain images showing obvious or full-body views of naked characters provided that the depiction is mild; the occurrence is not regular; and the duration is not lengthened;   

- Images, sounds, or language depicting sexual activities are not accepted.

* Drugs, stimulants and addictive substances

Images, sounds, or language showing the use of drugs, stimulants, or addictive substances, may be accepted if they serve the purposes of condemning, or opposing those behaviors, or are associated with clear educational purposes and messages; are depicted at a mild level without going into detail, occurring regularly, and fitted to the theme and content of the film to be rated.

* Horror

Horror images, sounds, or language are depicted at a medium level without going into detail; without occurring frequently; and inflict a slight sense of threat on viewers. The result of such images, sounds or language should make viewers feel reassured and relieved.

* Vulgar language

The same as those of K rated films.

* Dangerous and easily imitable behaviors

- The same as those of K rated films;

- Detailed depiction of any potentially dangerous behavior that viewers aged 13 or over can imitate is not accepted, except if that behavior is demonstrated in a safe or humorous manner;

- Detailed depiction of easily accessible weapons, such as cutlery, sharp objects, or objects easily causing injury, is not accepted. The film to be rated does not contain images showing anti-social behaviors that viewers aged 13 or over may copy or imitate.

2. Film ratings in Vietnam

According to Article 2 of Circular 05/2023/TT-BVHTTDL, film ratings in Vietnam determined according to the rating criteria defined in Article 3 in Circular 05/2023/TT-BVHTTDL are arranged in ascending order as follows:

- P rated: Eligible for dissemination to viewers of all ages;

- K rated: Eligible for dissemination to viewers under 13 years old, provided that they are with their parents or guardians;

- T13 rated (13+): Eligible for dissemination to viewers from 13 years old or older;

- T16 rated (16+): Eligible for dissemination to viewers from 16 years old or older;

- T18 rated (18+): Eligible for dissemination to viewers from 18 years old or older;

- C rated: Prohibited from dissemination.

More details can be found in Circular 05/2023/TT-BVHTTDL effective from 20/5/2023.

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