Circular No. 24/2015/TT-BTTTT on management and use of Internet resources

CIRCULAR

Regulations on Management and Use of Internet Resources

On the basis of Law on Telecommunications dated November 23, 2009;

On the basis of Article 1. Amending and supplementing Level 1 Codes of agencies and organizations prescribed in Decision No. 20/2020/QĐ-TTg dated July 22, 2020 of the Prime Minister on electronic identification codes for agencies and organizations to facilitate data connection and sharing with ministries, sectors, and localities

Decree No. 132/2013/NĐ-CP dated October 16, 2013 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Information and Communications;

Decree No. Decree No. 72/2013/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2013 of the Government on management, provision, and use of Internet services and information on networks;

The Ministry of Information and Communications issues this Circular to regulate the management and use of Internet resources.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

This Circular regulates the management and use of Internet resources, including: registration, allocation, issuance, use, return, suspension, recovery, dispute resolution for agencies, organizations, and individuals participating in activities within the field of Vietnam's Internet.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. ICANN is the acronym for the organization managing domain names and international numbers, having authority over the global top-level domain system.

2. VNNIC is the acronym for the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center, an entity under the Ministry of Information and Communications.

3. Domain Name Registrar is an organization providing domain name registration and maintenance services, including registrars for ".vn" domain names and international domain name registrars in Vietnam.

4. Domain Name is a name used to identify the Internet address of a server consisting of character strings separated by dots “.”. A domain name includes:

a) Domain names using characters based on the ASCII code table, hereinafter referred to as ASCII-coded domain names;

b) Domain names using alphabets based on traditional language scripts of each country, hereinafter referred to as Internationalized Domain Names (IDN).

5. Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the last string of characters in the global domain name structure. TLD includes:

a) Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) such as ".com"; ".net"; ".edu"; ".org"; ".int"; ".biz"; ".info"; ".name"; ".pro"; ".aero"; ".museum"; ".coop", and other generic top-level domains;

b) Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) are top-level domains reserved exclusively for each country and territory according to the international standard for country codes (ISO-3166), among which ".vn" is the top-level domain for Vietnam.

6. New Generic Top-Level Domain (New gTLD) is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) expanded and directly issued by ICANN to organizations and individuals worldwide under the New gTLD program.

7. Vietnam’s Country Code Top-Level Domain is the set of subdomains under Vietnam’s top-level domain ".vn" (hereinafter collectively referred to as ".vn" domain) and subdomains under other top-level domains managed by Vietnam.

8. International Domain Name is the set of subdomains under generic top-level domains (gTLD) and subdomains under country code top-level domains (ccTLD), excluding Vietnam’s country code domain.

9. Subdomains (second level, third level, etc.) are character strings forming domain names sequentially below the top-level domain.

10. Internet Address (IP address) is the network address of a device or server comprising generations of IPv4, IPv6 addresses, and subsequent new generations.

11. Network Identifier is a number used to identify a computer network participating in common routing activities on the Internet.

12. Domain Name System (DNS) Server System is a collection of interconnected server clusters that respond with the corresponding IP address when queried for a domain name. The national DNS system is the DNS system directly managed by VNNIC serving queries for IP addresses for subdomains under the ".vn" domain.

13. Domain Name Registration and Maintenance Service ".vn" is a service provided by ".vn" domain registrars to agencies, organizations, and individuals enabling them to create, update, maintain, and manage subdomains under the ".vn" domain in the domain database and national DNS system, including:

a) Implementing domain name registration and maintenance; ensuring security for domain names and domain data;

b) Storing, reporting, and providing information about domain names and information of organizations and individuals registering domain names;

c) Refusing domain name registration, suspending, recovering domain names;

d) Collecting and remitting domain fees and charges.

14. Domain Name Registration and Usage Subject (hereinafter referred to as subject) are agencies, organizations, and individuals who complete the registration procedures and are granted the right to use ".vn" domain names.

Article 3. Principles for managing and using Internet resources

Internet resources shall be uniformly planned to ensure the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of Vietnam's Internet activities.

Internet resources related to sovereignty, interests, and national security; involving agencies, organizations of the Party, State, and political-social organizations shall be prioritized for protection and shall not be infringed upon.

The management and use of Internet resources must comply with their intended purposes, appropriate subjects, regulations, and shall not infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other organizations and individuals.

Strengthen international cooperation, strictly implement and respect international treaties and laws in the field of Internet resource management and use.

Internet resources may only be put into operation or continue to operate after the agencies, organizations, and individuals using the resources have completed the payment of fees and charges as prescribed.

Article 4. Responsibilities of VNNIC

1. Promote, guide, organize implementation, inspect, supervise the effective management and use of Internet resources in accordance with regulations.

2. Ensure security in the management and use of Internet resources and confidentiality of information of agencies, organizations, and individuals using Internet resources as prescribed.

3. Invest, manage, exploit the national DNS system and technical systems serving the effective and secure management and use of Internet resources in accordance with regulations.

4. Report on the situation and statistics related to the management and use of Internet resources.

5. Develop and submit to the Ministry of Information and Communications for approval model contracts to be signed with domain name registrars ".vn"; model contracts to be signed with enterprises providing registration services for sub-level New gTLD domains in each period consistent with practical requirements and regulations of international organizations to which Vietnam is a member.

6. Organize agreements, sign, and implement contracts with domain name registrars ".vn"; with enterprises providing registration services for sub-level New gTLD domains in accordance with planning and Internet resource management regulations.

7. Guide, inspect, supervise the activities of domain name registrars ".vn"; enterprises providing registration services for sub-level New gTLD domains to ensure compliance with laws and contracts signed between both parties.

8. Implement protection of ".vn" domain names related to sovereignty, interests, and national security.

Chapter II
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF VIETNAM NATIONAL DOMAIN NAMES

Article 5. Structure of ".vn" Domain Names

1. The ".vn" domain name includes non-accented domain names and Vietnamese language domain names:

a) Non-accented domain names are ASCII code domain names, where characters forming the domain name are characters defined in the ASCII table, including non-accented sub-level domain names under the ".vn" domain name;

b) Vietnamese language domain names are multilingual domain names, where characters forming the domain name are characters defined in the Vietnamese character set, extended Vietnamese character set according to standard TCVN 6909:2001 and the hyphen "-", including Vietnamese language sub-level domain names under the ".vn" domain name.

2. Non-accented domain names include:

a) Level 2 non-accented domain names shared according to fields;

b) Level 2 non-accented domain names shared according to administrative boundaries;

c) Level 2 non-accented domain names exclusive;

d) Level 3 non-accented domain names under level 2 shared non-accented domain names.

3. Level 2 non-accented domain names shared according to fields are non-accented domain names established based on the names of fields of activity in social life and used in common without being assigned exclusively to any agency, organization, or individual, including:

a) COM.VN for organizations and individuals related to business and trade activities;

b) BIZ.VN for organizations and individuals related to business and trade activities (equivalent to COM.VN);

c) EDU.VN for organizations and individuals related to education and training activities;

d) GOV.VN for central and local state agencies;

đ) NET.VN for organizations and individuals related to establishing and providing network services;

e) ORG.VN for organizations engaged in political, cultural, and social activities;

g) INT.VN for international organizations;

h) AC.VN for organizations and individuals related to research activities;

i) PRO.VN for organizations and individuals related to high-specialized field activities;

k) INFO.VN for organizations and individuals related to information production, distribution, and provision activities;

l) HEALTH.VN for organizations and individuals related to pharmaceutical and healthcare activities;

m) NAME.VN for individuals registering under their personal names;

n) Other domain names as prescribed by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

4. Level 2 non-accented domain names shared according to administrative boundaries are non-accented domain names established based on the names of provinces and centrally-administered cities without accents and used in common without being assigned exclusively to any agency, organization, or individual (hanoi.vn, haiphong.vn, ...).

5. Level 2 non-accented domain names exclusive are non-accented domain names reserved for agencies, organizations, and individuals registering for use according to specific requirements.

6. Level 3 non-accented domain names are non-accented domain names under level 2 shared non-accented domain names according to fields, level 2 shared non-accented domain names according to administrative boundaries, and reserved for agencies, organizations, and individuals registering for use according to specific requirements.

7. Vietnamese language domain names include level 2 Vietnamese language domain names shared according to administrative boundaries, level 2 Vietnamese language domain names exclusive, and level 3 Vietnamese language domain names under level 2 Vietnamese language domain names according to administrative boundaries.

a) Level 2 Vietnamese language domain names shared according to administrative boundaries are Vietnamese language domain names established based on the names of provinces and centrally-administered cities and used in common without being assigned exclusively to any agency, organization, or individual (hànội.vn, hảiphòng.vn...);

b) Level 2 Vietnamese language domain names exclusive are Vietnamese language domain names reserved for agencies, organizations, and individuals registering for use according to specific requirements;

c) Level 3 Vietnamese language domain names are Vietnamese language domain names under level 2 shared Vietnamese language domain names according to administrative boundaries and reserved for agencies, organizations, and individuals registering for use according to specific requirements.

Article 6. Registration of ".vn" Domain Names

1. The registration of ".vn" domain names shall be conducted on the principle of equality, without discrimination, with priority given to those who register first, except for:

a) Domain names within the scope of priority protection as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 8 of this Circular;

b) Domain names reserved for auction as prescribed by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

2. Organizations and individuals may choose domain names for registration, but must meet the following requirements:

a) Not containing phrases that infringe upon national sovereignty, interests, national security, or violate social morals and customs of the nation;

b) Clear and serious, not causing misunderstanding or distortion due to homophony or polysemy, or when not using diacritical marks in Vietnamese;

c) Contain at least one or a series of characters under the top-level domain ".vn";

d) Consist of characters from a to z; 0 to 9; Vietnamese characters in the Vietnamese alphabet and all characters accepted by the domain name server system on the network. These characters are not case-sensitive;

đ) May contain a hyphen "-" but cannot start or end with this character and cannot have two consecutive hyphens "-" in the domain name;

e) At each level, it must not exceed 63 characters (for Vietnamese domain names, the number of characters is calculated based on the length after converting to an ASCII string without accents);

g) For subdomains under ".name.vn", the domain name must ensure that it is a name or accompanied by a name, surname, middle name, place of birth, year of birth of an individual (overall conveying the meaning of a personal name);

Article 7. Use of ".vn" Domain Names

1. The registrant of a domain name shall be responsible for managing and using the registered domain name in accordance with the provisions of the law on Internet resources.

2. Agencies and organizations may only assign subdomains under their registered domains to affiliated units, individuals working in their agencies or organizations, and must be responsible for managing the subdomains they have assigned. They shall not assign subdomains under their domains to other agencies, organizations, or individuals.

3. Electronic newspapers, information websites, or government portals of Party and State agencies must use at least one ".vn" domain name and store information on servers with IP addresses in Vietnam.

4. Aggregating information websites and social networks subject to licensing must use at least one ".vn" domain name and store information on servers with IP addresses in Vietnam.

Article 8. Protection of ".vn" Domain Names

1. Protect all levels of ".vn" domain names related to sovereignty, interests, national security, including:

a) Domain names representing important areas along the border, names of islands, archipelagos, seas, and maritime zones of Vietnam;

b) Domain names representing Vietnamese place names recognized by UNESCO as world cultural heritage sites;

c) Domain names representing the names of Party organizations, state agencies, political-social organizations (Vietnam Fatherland Front; Vietnam General Confederation of Labor; Vietnam Farmers' Union; Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; Vietnam Women's Union; Vietnam Veterans Association...);

d) Domain names related to activities ensuring national defense, security, diplomacy;

đ) Other domain names requiring protection as prescribed by the Ministry of Information and Communications;

2. Agencies and organizations related to the domain names specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall be responsible for registering and reserving protected domain names with the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC).

3. The Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue a list of domain names entitled to priority protection.

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

5. Agencies, organizations, and individuals unrelated to the protected domain names specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall not be allowed to register such protected domain names.

Article 9. Provision of domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn"

1. The ".vn" domain name registrar is a business established under Vietnamese law: it provides domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" both within Vietnam and abroad. When providing domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" abroad, in addition to complying with Vietnamese laws on the Internet, the ".vn" domain name registrar must also comply with the laws of the country where the service is provided.

2. The ".vn" domain name registrar is an organization outside Vietnam that enters into a contract with the official ICANN registrar: it provides domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" abroad. When providing domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" abroad, in addition to complying with the laws of that country, the ".vn" domain name registrar must also comply with Vietnamese laws on the Internet.

3. A business wishing to provide domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" shall submit a request for provision of domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" according to the form prescribed in Appendix 1 issued together with this Circular to VNNIC. VNNIC will examine, agree upon, and enter into a contract for the provision of domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" with the business based on the following criteria:

a) Demand for provision of domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn";

b) Internet resource planning;

c) Compliance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 14 of Decree No. 72/2013/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2013 of the Government on management, provision, and use of Internet services and information on networks.

4. The contract for provision of domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn" signed between VNNIC and the business wishing to provide such services must ensure all contents prescribed in Appendix 2 issued together with this Circular.

5. The ".vn" domain name registrar, when providing domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn", shall be entitled to commission fees as stipulated by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

6. When providing domain name registration and maintenance services for ".vn", the ".vn" domain name registrar must ensure:

a) Not infringing upon and causing harm to the legitimate rights and interests of subjects as well as other ".vn" domain name registrars;

b) Not taking advantage of its position as a domain name registrar to appropriate, obstruct, or attempt to obstruct legitimate domain name registration and use by subjects.

Article 10. Procedures for domain name registration, change of registration information, and return of domain names ".vn"

1. Registration documents:

When carrying out procedures for domain name registration, change of registration information, or return of domain names ".vn", the subject must submit a domain name registration form, a request for change of registration information, or a request for return of domain name. The format of the domain name registration form, request for change of registration information, and request for return of domain name is specified by the ".vn" domain name registrar at the registrar's website but must include all required information as prescribed in Appendices 3, 4, and 5 issued together with this Circular.

2. Registration address:

a) Domain name registration documents are submitted to ".vn" domain name registrars listed at the following address: www.nhadangky.vn;

b) Documents for changing registration information or returning domain names are submitted to the ".vn" domain name registrar currently managing the domain name.

3. Methods of submitting registration documents, change of registration information, and return of domain names:

a) Submitting directly at the premises of the ".vn" domain name registrar: individuals who are domain name subjects or representatives of organizations, institutions, or businesses handling registration, change of registration information, or return of domain names must present their identification card (or passport for foreign individuals);

b) Sending registration documents to the premises of the ".vn" domain name registrar via postal service: individuals who are domain name subjects or representatives of organizations, institutions, or businesses handling registration, change of registration information, or return of domain names must send a certified copy of their identification card (or passport for foreign individuals);

c) Performing online through the website of the ".vn" domain name registrar in cases where digital signatures are used.

4. Within three working days from the date of receipt of valid registration, change of registration information, or return of domain name documents, the ".vn" domain name registrar shall notify the subject of the result of processing the documents. In case of rejection, the notification must specify the reasons.

5. It is not allowed to register domain names that do not conform to the structure prescribed in Article 5, violate the domain name registration regulations in Article 6, or violate the domain name protection regulations in Article 8 of this Circular.

6. It is not allowed to change the name of the domain name registration subject, except in cases where organizations, institutions, or businesses change their names according to the decision of the competent authority; individuals change their surnames or names according to the decision of the competent state authority.

7. For cases permitted to change the name of the domain name registration subject as stipulated in Clause 6 of this Article, in addition to the request for change of registration information, organizations, institutions, or individuals must present the original or submit a certified copy of the decision to change the name of the organization, institution, or business, or the decision to change the surname or name of the individual, depending on the method of submitting documents prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article.

8. It is not allowed to return domain names that are currently being processed for violations and have not yet received a final conclusion from the competent state authority.

Article 11. Grounds and Procedures for Temporarily Suspending ".vn" Domain Name Operations

1. Grounds for temporarily suspending domain name operations:

a) At the written request of investigative agencies when conducting business activities to promptly prevent acts that cause information security breaches in ensuring national security and social order and safety as prescribed by law;

b) At the written request of state management agencies on information and communications when conducting inspection, supervision, violation handling activities, or when such agencies conduct coordinated activities with supervisory agencies of other ministries and sectors with authority to promptly prevent violations of regulations on information and communications as prescribed by law;

c) After five (5) days from the date the domain name expires according to regulations, the domain name registration subject does not perform the payment of maintenance fees for the domain name.

2. In cases stipulated at point a and b, Clause 1 of this Article:

a) Within three (3) working days from the date of receipt of the written request of authorized agencies, the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) shall implement the temporary suspension of the requested domain name operation on the national domain name server system; simultaneously requesting the ".vn" domain name registrar to send a written notification about the temporary suspension of the domain name to relevant organizations, individuals within two (2) working days from the date VNNIC issues the temporary suspension notice;

b) The period of temporarily suspending domain name operations shall not exceed forty-five (45) days. After the suspension period, VNNIC will resume the operation of the domain name if it does not fall under the circumstances requiring revocation as prescribed in Article 12 of this Circular.

3. In cases stipulated at point c, Clause 1 of this Article:

a) After the specified period, the domain name that has not paid the maintenance fee will be automatically suspended;

b) Within thirty (30) days from the date of the domain name's suspension, if the domain name registration subject pays the maintenance fee for the domain name as prescribed, they will continue to use the registered domain name.

Article 12. Procedures for Revoking ".vn" Domain Names

1. The ".vn" domain name will be revoked in the following cases:

a) According to the mediation agreement reached between the parties in domain name disputes or according to the decision that has taken legal effect of the Arbitration or according to the judgment, decision that has taken legal effect of the Court in resolving domain name disputes;

b) According to the written request of the Ministry of Information and Communications for the revocation of domain names as prescribed at point a, point b, Clause 2, Article 50 of the Telecommunications Law;

c) According to the administrative penalty decision of specialized inspection agencies on information and communications with measures to remedy consequences being the revocation of the domain name or applying supplementary penalties such as confiscating the means of violation when using the domain name violates regulations on managing, providing, and using Internet services and information on networks;

d) According to the written request of investigative agencies or competent state agencies responsible for information security, high-tech crimes as prescribed by law when using the domain name infringes upon national security and social order and safety as prescribed by law;

đ) After thirty (30) days from the date of the temporary suspension of the domain name as prescribed at point c, Clause 1 of Article 11 of this Circular, the domain name registration subject does not pay the maintenance fee for the domain name as prescribed;

e) Other cases as prescribed by the Government.

2. Upon receiving written requests from agencies as prescribed at point a, b, c, d, Clause 1 of this Article, the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) shall implement:

a) Issuing a Decision to Revoke the Domain Name;

b) Ceasing the operations of the revoked domain names on the national domain name server system;

c) Requesting the domain name registrar to send a written notification about the revocation of the domain name to relevant organizations, individuals within two (2) working days from the date VNNIC issues the temporary suspension notice.

3. Within two (2) years from the date of revoking the domain name, organizations and individuals whose domain names have been revoked as prescribed at point c, d, Clause 1 of this Article shall not be allowed to register to use the revoked domain names.

4. In cases stipulated at point đ, Clause 1 of this Article:

a) After receiving the online notification "List of domain names not paying maintenance fees" signed electronically by the ".vn" domain name registrars, VNNIC decides to revoke the domain name by periodically sending an online confirmation "List of revoked domain names" signed electronically by VNNIC to related domain name registrars weekly;

b) VNNIC implements the cessation of operations of the revoked domain names on the national domain name server system and requests the ".vn" domain name registrar to notify the revocation of the domain name to relevant agencies, organizations, individuals through written correspondence or email within five (5) working days from the date VNNIC decides to revoke the domain name.

5. After reviewing, if the revoked domain names do not fall under the circumstances violating the domain name registration regulations ".vn" as prescribed in Article 6 of this Circular, VNNIC will return the revoked domain names to a free status for agencies, organizations, individuals who need to register and use them.

Article 13. Registration and Use of Domain Names under ".gov.vn"

In addition to the provisions set forth in Articles 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12 of this Circular, the registration and use of domain names under ".gov.vn" must comply with the following regulations:

1. The subjects eligible for registering domain names under ".gov.vn" include:

a) State agencies at the central and local levels as prescribed in Laws on the organization of the National Assembly, Government, People's Councils, People's Committees, People's Procuracy, and People's Courts; and Decrees of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies;

b) Units within the organizational structure of state agencies as prescribed in point a, Clause 1 of this Article.

2. Domain names under ".gov.vn" must be established according to the specific, clear, and distinguishable name of the agency or unit, and must be consistent with the functions and tasks of the agency or unit as prescribed in the legal documents issued by the competent authority regulating the functions, tasks, and powers of the agency or unit applying for the use of domain names under ".gov.vn".

3. The person responsible for managing domain names under ".gov.vn" must be an authorized person from the agency or unit registering the domain name in accordance with the law; the application form for registering domain names under ".gov.vn" shall be in the format prescribed in Appendix 6 attached to this Circular.

4. For domain names protected in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Circular, the registration, modification of registration information, and return of domain names under ".gov.vn" must comply with the following regulations:

a) To be carried out through domestic Domain Name Registrars for ".vn";

b) Within 01 (one) working day, the domestic Domain Name Registrar for ".vn" has the responsibility to transfer the file to VNNIC for review and decision. Within 02 (two) working days, VNNIC will notify the result of processing to the Domain Name Registrar for ".vn" via email for coordination and request the Registrar to inform the result of processing to relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

5. The suspension and revocation of domain names under ".gov.vn", as well as domain names protected in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Circular, shall be directly reviewed and resolved by the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC).

Article 14. Domain Name Information Lookup System ".vn"

1. The Domain Name Information Lookup System ".vn" (Whois VN) is a system providing publicly accessible online information about ".vn" domain names and their subjects.

2. The Domain Name Information Lookup System ".vn" (Whois VN) includes the Whois VN system provided by VNNIC at the address whois.vn and other Whois VN systems provided by ".vn" Domain Name Registrars.

3. Information on the Whois VN system includes:

a) Domain name;

b) Registration date, expiration date;

c) Name of agency, organization, or individual's full name;

d) Domain Name Registrar managing the domain name;

d) Information about the domain name server transfer.

4. The information specified in Clause 3 of this Article on the Whois VN system is made publicly available on the Internet and serves the management and use of ".vn" domain names.

Article 15. Transfer of Domain Name Registrar ".vn"

1. The transfer of a ".vn" domain name registrar is carried out when all parties involved in the transfer process reach a unanimous agreement, including:

a) The subject managing and using the domain name;

b) The current domain name registrar;

c) The new registrar to which the subject wishes to transfer the domain name.

2. Domain names may not be transferred to another registrar in the following cases:

a) Within 60 (sixty) days from the date of new registration of the domain name;

b) Within 30 (thirty) days before the expiration of the domain name usage period;

c) When the domain name is being processed for violation;

d) When the domain name is suspended;

e) When there is a dispute over the domain name.

3. In the event that a ".vn" domain name registrar is no longer capable of managing its domain names, those domain names will be transferred to the management of another ".vn" domain name registrar according to an agreement between the two registrars within 60 (sixty) working days, after receiving written approval from the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) or upon a written request from the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC).

Article 16. Management of the ".vn" domain name during dispute resolution

1. During the dispute resolution process, VNNIC or the domain name registrar shall maintain the status quo of the domain name registration and usage based on the written request of competent authorities for dispute resolution as provided by law.

2. In cases where there is a written request to maintain the status quo of the domain name from the disputing parties, VNNIC shall consider and resolve according to the provisions of the law.

3. In cases where the mediation record shows successful mediation; arbitration decisions that have taken effect; court judgments and decisions that have taken legal effect specify that the disputed domain name be revoked and allow the plaintiff to register and use it, the plaintiff shall be given priority to register within fifteen working days from the date the mediation record, decision, or judgment takes legal effect. After this period, the domain name will be available for free registration.

Article 17. Rights and obligations of the subject registering and using the ".vn" domain name

1. Registering and using the ".vn" domain name in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. Complaining, reporting, or initiating litigation when the registration or use of their ".vn" domain name is interfered with or violated contrary to the provisions of the law.

3. Selecting a registrar within the ".vn" domain name registrar system to register a domain name or to change the domain name registrar.

4. Providing complete and accurate information when registering a domain name as required; being responsible for managing their own domain name information; notifying and updating information according to the guidance of the domain name registrar management agency whenever there is a change in information and having the responsibility to verify and provide updated accurate information upon request from the domain name registrar management agency or VNNIC.

5. Participating and cooperating at the request of authorized state agencies to prevent the abuse of domain names to commit illegal acts.

6. Implementing technical measures to ensure the security of the domain name and the information provided along with the registered and used domain name.

Article 18. Registration and use of New gTLDs in Vietnam

1. Registration and use of New gTLDs

a) To use New gTLDs, agencies, organizations, and enterprises must submit a form containing the required information as specified in Appendix 7 attached to this Circular to the Ministry of Information and Communications;

b) The Ministry of Information and Communications shall issue a written opinion on the use of New gTLDs within thirty working days from the date of receipt of the document from the agency, organization, or enterprise;

c) The written opinion of the Ministry of Information and Communications serves as the basis for the agency, organization, or enterprise to proceed with the New gTLD registration procedures with ICANN. If the Ministry of Information and Communications does not respond within thirty working days from the date of receipt of the document from the agency, organization, or enterprise, they may proceed with the New gTLD registration procedures;

d) Within five days from the date of formal transfer of the New gTLD by ICANN, the agency, organization, or enterprise must send a notification letter to the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC);

đ) New gTLDs registered and used by agencies, organizations, and enterprises in Vietnam shall be managed by the Ministry of Information and Communications in accordance with the legal provisions on Internet resource management.

2. Subordinate domain names under New gTLDs:

a) Agencies, organizations, and enterprises may only assign subordinate domain names under the New gTLDs they have registered to affiliated units or individuals directly under the agency, organization;

b) Agencies, organizations, and enterprises wishing to allocate subordinate domain names under the New gTLDs they have registered to other organizations or individuals outside affiliated units or individuals directly under the agency, organization must submit a written application to the Ministry of Information and Communications;

c) Within thirty working days from the date of written approval by the Ministry of Information and Communications, the agency, organization, or enterprise shall enter into a contract with VNNIC to implement the service of registering and maintaining subordinate domain names under New gTLDs in Vietnam;

d) The allocation of subordinate domain names under New gTLDs shall comply with the legal provisions on Internet resource management.

Chapter III
REGISTRATION AND USE OF INTERNATIONAL DOMAIN NAMES IN VIETNAM

Article 19. Procedure for registering international domain names with international domain name registrars in Vietnam

1. Registration documents:

The application form for registering international domain names shall be prescribed on the website of the international domain name registrar in Vietnam, but must ensure complete information and meet the requirements set out in Appendix 8 issued together with this Circular.

2. Registration address:

The list and contact addresses of international domain name registrars in Vietnam are published at the following address: www.thongbaotenmien.vn, under the section "International Domain Name Registrars in Vietnam."

3. Registration methods:

a) Submitting registration documents directly to the offices of international domain name registrars in Vietnam: when submitting the registration documents, the individual registering the domain name or the representative of the organization or entity handling the registration procedure must present their Identity Card (or passport for foreign individuals);

b) Sending registration documents to the offices of international domain name registrars in Vietnam via postal service: when sending registration documents via postal service, the individual registering the domain name or the representative of the organization or entity handling the registration procedure must send along a certified copy of their Identity Card (or passport for foreign individuals);

c) Performing online through the websites of international domain name registrars in Vietnam in cases where digital signatures are used.

Article 20. Notification of international domain name usage

1. Notification time: Before the organization or individual puts the registered international domain name into use.

2. Notification shall be made at the following address: www.thongbaotenmien.vn.

3. Content of notification:

a) For organizations and entities: the name of the organization or entity as recorded in the establishment decision, Business Registration Certificate (or other valid certificates issued before the effective date of the 2014 Enterprise Law), Representative Office Operation Registration Certificate; main office address, phone number, email address; name of the domain name manager accompanied by their address, phone number, email address, ID card number or passport number for foreigners;

b) For individuals: full name; permanent residence address; phone number; email address; ID card number, issuance date, issuing authority, or passport number for foreigners;

c) The domain name being put into use.

4. Information changes:

a) When there is a change in the previously notified information, the organization or individual using the international domain name must use the login name and password provided to update, change, or delete information related to the currently used international domain name at the following address: www.thongbaotenmien.vn;

b) In case of forgetting or losing the password, or if the domain name has been reported as used by another person, the subject must submit a written request to VNNIC to support the reissuance of the password and adjustment of information.

Article 21. Reporting on international domain name registration and maintenance services

1. Within no more than 15 (fifteen) days from the date of providing international domain name registration and maintenance services to the public, the international domain name registrar in Vietnam must submit a report on the provision of such services to the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) according to the model prescribed in Appendix 9 issued together with this Circular, accompanied by a certified copy of the Investment Certificate or Establishment Decision or Business Registration Certificate (or a certified copy of other valid certificates issued before the effective date of the 2014 Enterprise Law); a notarized translation of the contract signed with ICANN or the contract signed with the accredited registrar of the international domain name management organization to provide international domain name registration services in Vietnam.

2. By the 15th day of the first month of each quarter, the international domain name registrar in Vietnam reports an updated list of international domain names they manage to VNNIC on the network environment according to detailed guidelines specified at the following address www.thongbaotenmien.vn.

Chapter IV
MANAGEMENT AND USE OF IP ADDRESSES AND NETWORK IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

Article 22. Principles for Issuing, Allocating, and Using IP Addresses

1. Agencies, organizations, and enterprises that have a need to establish networks connected to the Internet shall be entitled to request issuance and allocation of IP addresses for internal use or to resell to customers connecting to their service networks. Registration for the use of IPv6 addresses is encouraged.

2. IP addresses issued and allocated must meet actual usage needs and have validity throughout the entire territory of Vietnam. Agencies, organizations, and enterprises participating in Internet activities must ensure:

a) Implementation of routing for IP address regions in Vietnam according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC);

b) Not routing IP address regions outside the management list of the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) except in cases of connection to international gateways;

c) Cooperation with VNNIC on technical and routing policy matters to ensure the operation of the national DNS system and the national Internet exchange point (VNIX) is safe and efficient;

d) Having plans to put IPv6 addresses into operation in accordance with the national action plan for IPv6.

3. If within six months from the date of issuance and allocation, the IP address is not put into use on the network and there is no explanation for legitimate network usage purposes, it will be reclaimed.

4. Agencies, organizations, and enterprises no longer needing to use IP addresses must submit a return letter to the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC). Returned address regions will be reissued and reallocated to other agencies, organizations, and enterprises with needs.

5. During the IPv4 exhaustion phase:

a) New IPv4 issuance and allocation policies shall follow the restricted distribution policy defined by the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), published at the website www.apnic.net;

b) Receiving IP addresses directly from international organizations must comply with the regulations of international resource management organizations and the provisions of Article 27 of this Circular. International IP address regions, after completing the procedures for acceptance into Vietnam as stipulated, will be considered Internet resources and subject to regulation by legal instruments governing Internet resources;

c) Reallocation of IPv4 address regions following their recovery or return by agencies, organizations, and enterprises shall comply with the regulations and procedures set forth in Article 24 of this Circular.

Article 23. Procedures for Issuing and Allocating IP Addresses

1. The application dossier for issuing and allocating IP addresses includes:

a) "Application Form for IP Address Registration" in accordance with Model 10 attached to this Circular;

b) Decision on establishment or business registration certificate (or other valid certificates issued before the effective date of the 2014 Enterprise Law) (certified copy or copy accompanied by original);

c) Copy of the Internet Service Provision License (if applicable).

2. Registration address:

Agencies, organizations, and enterprises requesting issuance and allocation of IP addresses shall submit the dossier to the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC).

3. Methods of submitting the dossier:

a) Submitting directly at the VNNIC office: the representative of the agency, organization, or enterprise handling the application for issuance and allocation of IP addresses must present a National Identity Card (or passport for foreign individuals);

b) Sending the dossier to the VNNIC office via postal service: the representative of the agency, organization, or enterprise handling the application for issuance and allocation of IP addresses must send a certified copy of the National Identity Card (or passport for foreign individuals);

c) Submitting online at the address www.diachiip.vn when using digital signatures.

4. The response result or Decision on issuance and allocation of IP addresses to agencies, organizations, and enterprises shall be provided no later than twenty working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier. In case of refusal, the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) shall notify in writing and specify the reasons.

Article 24. Allocation and Re-allocation of IPv4 Address Blocks After Return or Recovery

1. The allocation and re-allocation of IPv4 address blocks in Vietnam after return or recovery shall not be regulated by the provisions set forth in point a, Clause 5, Article 22 of this Circular.

2. Unused IPv4 address blocks recovered or returned from agencies, organizations, and enterprises in Vietnam shall be allocated and reallocated to agencies, organizations, and enterprises with a need for use according to the following principles:

a) Prioritize those who submitted applications earlier;

b) Those without an IPv4 address for use or those who already have an address but can justify having fully utilized at least 80% of previously allocated IPv4 address blocks;

c) Explain the necessity and immediate usability of the requested IPv4 address block;

d) In cases where allocation and reallocation of IPv4 address blocks are approved, the agency, organization, or enterprise requesting the allocation and reallocation must complete the obligation to pay fees and charges for using IP addresses in Vietnam as stipulated by the Ministry of Finance.

3. Allocation and Re-allocation Process:

a) When there are IPv4 address blocks recovered or returned from agencies, organizations, and enterprises, VNNIC will post information about the address blocks and the date for accepting application forms for allocation and reallocation on its website. www.diachiip.vn;

b) The acceptance and processing of application forms for allocation and reallocation of addresses shall comply with the principles set forth in Clause 2 of this Article;

c) Within three working days from the end of the processing of application forms for allocation and reallocation, VNNIC will issue a decision on allocation and reallocation and announce it on its website: www.diachiip.vn regarding the final results of the allocation and reallocation period.

Article 25. Principles for Allocation, Distribution, and Use of Network Identifiers

1. Based on the actual usage needs of agencies, organizations, and enterprises, agencies, organizations, and enterprises that have been allocated IP addresses from VNNIC have the right to request the allocation and distribution of network identifiers.

2. Network identifiers should be used within the IPv4 address space of Vietnam under independent routing policies, connecting to service providers with different routing policies.

3. Agencies, organizations, and enterprises allocated network identifiers may only use them within their own networks.

4. If more than six months have passed since the allocation and distribution and the network identifier has not been put into use on the Internet, it will be reclaimed if a legitimate purpose of use cannot be justified on the network.

5. Agencies, organizations, and enterprises no longer needing to use network identifiers must submit a return letter to the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC). Returned network identifiers will be reallocated to other agencies, organizations, and enterprises with a need for use.

6. Direct receipt of network identifiers from international organizations must comply with the regulations of international resource management organizations and Article 27 of this Circular. Network identifiers, after completing the procedures for acceptance into Vietnam as stipulated, will be considered Internet resources and subject to regulation by legal instruments governing Internet resources.

Article 26. Procedures for Allocation and Distribution of Network Identifiers

1. Registration documents:

"Application Form for Registration of Network Identifier" as prescribed in Appendix 11 issued together with this Circular;

2. Registration address:

Agencies, organizations, and enterprises requesting the allocation and distribution of network identifiers must submit their application forms to the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC).

3. Methods of submitting the dossier:

a) Submit directly at VNNIC's office: representatives of agencies, organizations, and enterprises handling the application for allocation and distribution of network identifiers must present their Identity Card (or passport for foreign individuals);

b) Send application forms to VNNIC's office via postal service: representatives of agencies, organizations, and enterprises handling the application for allocation and distribution of network identifiers must send certified copies of their Identity Card (or passport for foreign individuals) along with the application form;

c) Submitting online at the address www.diachiip.vn when using digital signatures.

4. The time limit for responding with the result or issuing a Decision on Allocation and Distribution of Network Identifiers to agencies, organizations, and enterprises is no later than five working days from the date of receiving all required documents. In case of refusal, VNNIC will notify the agency, organization, or enterprise via email and specify the reasons.

Article 27. Receiving IP Addresses or Network Numbers Directly from International Organizations

When Vietnamese agencies, organizations, and enterprises have the need to receive IP addresses or network numbers directly from international organizations, they must carry out the following:

1. Submit a report on receiving IP address regions or network numbers according to the form prescribed in Appendix 12 attached hereto to include the IP address region or network number in the centralized management list of VNNIC.

2. Pay any resulting fees as stipulated by international address management organizations to be able to transfer the IP address region or network number into the centralized management list of VNNIC.

3. Pay the maintenance fee for using the IP address region or network number as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 28. Revocation of IP Addresses and Network Numbers

IP addresses and network numbers shall be revoked in the following cases:

1. In accordance with the written request of the Ministry of Information and Communications for revoking IP addresses and network numbers as provided for in points a and b, Clause 2, Article 50 of the Law on Telecommunications.

2. In accordance with the administrative penalty decision of the specialized inspection agency for information and communications that includes the measure of revoking IP addresses and network numbers, or imposing additional penalties such as confiscation of violation equipment when the use of IP addresses and network numbers violates regulations on management, provision, and use of Internet services and information on networks.

3. In accordance with the written request of the investigating agency or state agency authorized under the law responsible for information security, high-tech crimes when the use of IP addresses and network numbers infringes upon national security and public order and safety as provided for by law.

4. IP addresses and network numbers violating the provisions set forth in Clause 3, Article 32 and Clause 4, Article 25 of this Circular.

5. Thirty (30) days after the expiration date of the use period of the IP address region or network number, if the agency, organization, or enterprise does not pay the maintenance fee as prescribed.

6. For the cases of revoking IP addresses and network numbers as provided for from Clause 1 to Clause 5 of this Article, the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) shall issue a decision to revoke the IP addresses and network numbers; notify the relevant agencies, organizations, and enterprises. In the case where the IP address to be revoked belongs to the IP address region provided by the Internet service provider to customers, the Internet service provider shall be responsible for revoking the IP address region provided to customers.

Article 29. Rights and Obligations of Agencies, Organizations, and Enterprises Receiving IP Addresses and Network Numbers

1. Agencies, organizations, and enterprises receiving recognized IP address regions are acknowledged as members of the VNNIC address system.

2. Address members shall establish routing policies for the assigned IP address regions in accordance with their network conditions and shall not obstruct the legitimate promotion of routing for other IP address regions.

3. Address members shall be responsible for reporting and updating complete information on the use of assigned IP address regions and network numbers as required by the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC).

4. Address members shall be responsible for verifying and promptly handling IP addresses and network numbers within their management scope related to violations of the law upon receiving notifications from the Ministry of Information and Communications (VNNIC) or other competent authorities.

5. Only address members with an Internet service provision license may reassign IP addresses to customers or other organizations.

Chapter V
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 30. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 10, 2015.

2. Abolish the provisions at:

a) Circular No. 19/2014/TT-BTTTT dated December 5, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications on the management and use of Internet resources;

b) Article 1 of Circular No. 09/2011/TT-BTTTT dated April 8, 2011 of the Ministry of Information and Communications amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circulars No. 09/2008/TT-BTTTT dated December 24, 2008 and No. 12/2008/TT-BTTTT dated December 30, 2008;

c) Circular No. 10/2008/TT-BTTTT dated December 24, 2008 of the Ministry of Information and Communications on the resolution of disputes over Vietnamese national domain names ".vn";

d) Circular No. 09/2008/TT-BTTTT dated December 24, 2008 of the Ministry of Information and Communications guiding the management and use of Internet resources.

3. During implementation, if there are any difficulties, please promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Information and Communications for consideration, supplementation, and amendment./.