Guidelines for age-based classification of online video games in Vietnam from December 25, 2024

Guidelines for age-based classification of online video games in Vietnam from December 25, 2024​ (Image from the Internet)

On November 9, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 147/2024/ND-CP concerning the management, provision, and use of Internet services and network information.

Guidelines for age-based classification of online video games in Vietnam from December 25, 2024

According to Clause 1, Article 38 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, online video games are classified by age groups as follows:

(1) Online video games for players aged 18 and above (denoted as 18+) are games without illicit activities, images, sounds, language, dialogues; for games with competitive, combat activities, they use close-up images of weapons, characters simulating real humans;

(2) Online video games for players aged 16 and above (denoted as 16+) are games without illicit activities, images, sounds, language, dialogues, close-up shots focusing on sensitive body parts; for games with competitive activities, there is no depiction of violent nature;

(3) Online video games for players aged 12 and above (denoted as 12+) are games without illicit activities, images, sounds, language, dialogues, scantily dressed characters, close-up shots focusing on sensitive body parts; for games with competitive activities, only animated characters or non-human character simulations are used, or combat equipment without the presence of human-simulating characters during gameplay, with animated weapon images devoid of close-up visibility; sound impacts of weapons during combat are moderated;

(4) Online video games suitable for all ages (denoted as 00+) are games simulating animation; devoid of weaponized competitive activities; free from spooky, horrifying, violent images, sounds; devoid of illicit activities, sounds, language, dialogues, scantily dressed characters, close-up shots focusing on sensitive body parts.

Principles for managing online video games from December 25, 2024 in Vietnam

Management of online video games from December 25, 2024, must adhere to the principles stipulated in Article 37 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP. To be specific:

- Online video games are classified as follows:

+ Games featuring interaction among multiple players concurrently via a company's game server system (referred to as G1 games);

+ Games featuring interaction solely between the player and the company's game server system (referred to as G2 games);

+ Games featuring interaction among multiple players without interaction between players and the company's game server system (referred to as G3 games);

+ Games downloaded via the network, without player interaction with each other and with the company's game server system (referred to as G4 games);

+ For newly emerged types of online games not classified above, the Ministry of Information and Communications will advise and propose management measures to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

- Enterprises are allowed to release G1 online video games upon obtainment of a License for providing G1 online video game services and a Decision to release G1 online video games.

- Enterprises are permitted to release G2, G3, G4 online video games if they possess a Certificate for providing G2, G3, G4 online video game services and a Confirmation Certificate for the release of G2, G3, G4 online video games.

- Foreign organizations and individuals providing online video game services to consumers in Vietnam, including cross-border services, must establish enterprises as per Vietnamese law to provide online video game services as specified in Decree 147/2024/ND-CP and regulations on foreign investment.

More details can be found in Decree 147/2024/ND-CP effective from December 25, 2024.

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