Vietnam: Which “.vn” domain names are put under protection?

According to Article 8 of Circular No. 24/2015/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam, protect all-level “.vn” domain names relating to the national sovereignty, interest and security, including:

- Domain names represent important regions in the proximity of borders, names of islets, islands, oceans or waters of Vietnam; 

- Domain names are Vietnamese geographic names accredited by UNESCO as the world's cultural relics;

- Domain names are names of the Communist Party’s organizations, state organs, socio-political institutions (like Vietnamese Fatherland Front, Vietnam Trade Union, Communist Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Women’s Union, Vietnam Veteran’s Union, etc.);

- Domain names regarding national security, defense and diplomatic activities;

- Other domains that need to be protected in accordance with regulations laid down by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Besides, “.vn” domain names protection must comply with the following regulations:

- Organizations or agencies engaged in domain names stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be responsible for filing applications for domain registration and reservation to the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC). 

- The Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue the list of domain names prioritized to be protected.

- VNNIC shall reserve and protect domain names defined in the approved list.

- Agencies, organizations or individuals unrelated to protected domain names stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall not be registered as protected domain names.

More details can be found in Circular No. 24/2015/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam, which takes effect from October 10, 2015.

Le Hai

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