“.VN” DOMAIN NAME MANAGEMENT & ONLINE BRAND ASSET PROTECTION

The Vietnamese country-code top-level domain “.vn” is an Internet resource administered by the Viet Nam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC). Registration is carried out through an accredited “.vn” registrar on an equal and non-discriminatory basis and, in principle, follows the “first come, first served” rule, except for domain names subject to statutory priority or auction procedures.

A domain name is not an industrial property object for which a protection title is granted. Registration of a domain name does not automatically establish rights in any trademark, trade name or geographical indication incorporated into that domain name. Businesses should therefore coordinate domain name registration with the establishment and management of intellectual property rights in their brands.

1. Legal Basis and Competent Authority

• Applicable Law on Telecommunications: Governs the administration, allocation, grant, registration, use, revocation and auction of rights to use Internet resources.
• Decree on Internet resources: Decree No. 163/2024/ND-CP and its amendments; the applicable provisions are consolidated in Consolidated Document No. 18/2026/VBHN-ND-BKHCN.
• Law on Information Technology: Article 76 provides the methods for resolving disputes concerning the registration and use of Vietnamese country-code domain names “.vn”.
• Law on Intellectual Property: Point d, Clause 1, Article 130 addresses bad-faith registration, acquisition or holding of the right to use, or use of a domain name identical with or confusingly similar to a protected trademark, trade name or geographical indication.
• Administrative authority: VNNIC administers the Vietnamese country-code domain “.vn”, while ordinary registration applications are received and processed through accredited “.vn” registrars.

2. Domain Name Search and Selection

• Availability search: Check whether the proposed domain name is available through the official “.vn” domain name lookup system or an accredited registrar.
• Priority review: Determine whether the proposed name falls within a protected, reserved, prioritized or auction-based category.
• Intellectual property clearance: Search earlier trademarks, trade names and geographical indications to reduce the risk of infringement, unfair competition or a finding of bad-faith registration.
• Defensive registration strategy: Consider registering the principal domain name, corporate abbreviation, major product names, common variations and relevant Vietnamese internationalized domain names.
• Correct registrant: The domain name should be registered in the name of the organization or individual that is legally entitled to control and use it, rather than an employee, web developer or external service provider.

3. Registration Information and Documentation

• For organizations and enterprises: The registrar’s registration form or online request; registered name, enterprise or tax identification number, address, telephone number, email address and details of the legal representative or authorized domain name administrator.
• Organizational verification documents: Enterprise Registration Certificate, establishment decision or equivalent legal document where required by the registrar for identity verification.
• For individuals: Registration form or online request; full name, date of birth, address, telephone number, email address and information shown on a valid citizen identity card, passport or other accepted identification document.
• Administrative contacts: Registrant, administrative, technical and billing contact details must be accurate, complete and updated whenever they change.
• Technical information: Primary and secondary name servers and their corresponding IP addresses where the registrant operates independent DNS infrastructure; default DNS settings may otherwise be supplied by the registrar.
• Application authentication: The registration request may be authenticated using a paper form, electronic signature, digital identity account or another electronic verification method accepted under applicable regulations.
• Registration and maintenance charges: The registrant must pay the applicable fees, charges and service prices based on the domain category and selected registration period.

4. Registration and Activation Procedure

5. Methods of Resolving Domain Name Disputes

A dispute may arise where a domain name is identical with or confusingly similar to another party’s trademark, trade name or geographical indication, particularly where it is registered or used to hold the name, offer it for sale, disrupt business activities or exploit the reputation of the legitimate right holder.

In addition to these dispute-resolution methods, domain name conduct constituting an act of unfair competition may be subject to administrative enforcement where the statutory conditions and procedures are satisfied. Revocation, transfer or another technical action affecting the domain name must be based on an effective decision, judgment or arbitral award and implemented in accordance with the regulations on Internet resource administration.

6. Key Factors in a Domain Name Claim

• Identity or confusing similarity: The disputed domain name is identical with or confusingly similar to a lawfully protected trademark, trade name or geographical indication.
• Rights or legitimate interests: The registrant has no right, legitimate interest or credible lawful basis concerning the sign incorporated into the domain name.
• Bad faith: The domain name was registered, held or used to demand an unreasonable resale price, prevent the right holder from registering it, disrupt business, divert Internet users through confusion or commercially exploit the reputation of the brand.
• Actual use: Relevant factors include website content, advertised goods or services, traffic redirection, email use and representations creating a false association with the legitimate right holder.
• Confusion and damage: Evidence may include customer confusion, diverted traffic, lost revenue, reputational harm and reasonable costs incurred to prevent or remedy the conduct.

7. Evidence for Domain Name Dispute Proceedings

• Evidence of rights: Trademark Registration Certificates and documents establishing rights in a trade name, geographical indication or other relevant intellectual property asset.
• Domain name records: Domain lookup results, registration history, creation date, registrar details and lawfully obtained information concerning the registrant or operator.
• Evidence of use: Website captures, advertising materials, social media content, emails, invoices, transaction records and other materials showing how the domain name has been used.
• Evidence of bad faith: Domain sale offers, unreasonable payment demands, redirection, impersonation, customer diversion or conduct intended to disrupt the right holder’s business.
• Proper preservation of electronic evidence: Consider a bailiff’s certified record, authentication of electronic data or another lawful evidence-preservation measure before online content is altered or removed.

8. Vietnam IP Services

• Domain name search and assessment: Availability checks, intellectual property conflict reviews and recommendations for a defensive domain name portfolio.
• Registration and portfolio management: Standardization of registrant information, coordination with accredited registrars, status monitoring, record updates and renewal management.
• Online brand monitoring: Detection of domain names, websites, social media accounts and online content showing signs of impersonation or unauthorized exploitation of brand reputation.
• Evidence collection and organization: Review of domain records, documentation of disputed content, preparation of evidence schedules and coordination of lawful electronic evidence preservation.
• Cease-and-desist and negotiation: Preparation of legal notices, domain transfer requests and representation in settlement discussions.
• Domain name dispute representation: Strategic advice and coordination with legal counsel in arbitration, court proceedings or administrative enforcement against unfair competition under intellectual property law.