Online electronic games are an increasingly developing type of service, resulting in stricter requirements for content management, technical infrastructure, information security, and the protection of players’ lawful rights and interests. Under Vietnamese law, enterprises providing G1 electronic games services online must satisfy certain conditions and obtain a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services before providing such services. What conditions must an enterprise satisfy to obtain a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services? What documents are required, and what procedures must be followed to obtain the License?
In this article, Hong Bang Law Firm provides detailed information on the procedures for obtaining a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services in accordance with current regulations.
LEGAL BASIS
- Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP dated November 9, 2024, on the management, provision and use of Internet services and online information;
- Decree No. 116/2026/ND-CP dated April 2, 2026 of the Government amending and supplementing a number of provisions of Decrees prescribing administrative procedures related to production and business activities under the management of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;
- Other relevant legal documents.
CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING A LICENSE TO PROVIDE G1 ELECTRONIC GAMES SERVICES
Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 39 of Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP, an enterprise providing G1 electronic games services online must satisfy the following principal conditions:
1. Enterprise-related conditions
- Be an enterprise duly established and operating in accordance with Vietnamese law;
- Have a business line for providing electronic games services online registered and published on the National Business Registration Portal;
- Have a clearly identifiable head office address and contact telephone number.
2. Domain name requirements
The enterprise must register the domain names used for providing electronic games services online in accordance with applicable regulations.
3. Financial, organizational and personnel capacity
The enterprise must have sufficient financial, organizational and personnel capacity appropriate to the scale of its operations to manage and operate G1 electronic games services.
4. Technical system requirements
The enterprise must have a technical system capable of providing and managing the services, including the following requirements:
- Technical equipment systems serving the provision, management and operation of the games;
- Appropriate backup equipment and connections;
- Data backup arrangements;
- Measures to ensure system continuity in the event of incidents;
- Measures to ensure network information security, information security and service quality.
The service provision plan must present an overall system diagram, equipment installation locations, primary and backup equipment, system configuration and functions, Internet/telecommunications connection arrangements, data backup arrangements, and solutions for ensuring system security.
5. Payment system requirements
The enterprise must have a technical equipment system connected to a payment service provider or payment intermediary in accordance with applicable regulations and must:
- Ensure that payment information is fully and accurately updated and stored;
- Allow players to access and review detailed information on payment accounts through their game accounts;
- Have measures for managing and securing payment activities within the game.
6. Player management and authentication
The enterprise must have a technical system for storing and updating information of players in Vietnam, including:
- Full name;
- Date of birth;
- Mobile phone number in Vietnam.
In addition, the enterprise must:
- Authenticate player accounts using a mobile phone number in Vietnam;
- Allow only authenticated accounts to participate in games;
- For players under 16 years of age, require the account to be registered by their parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for supervising the player;
- Manage, retain and delete player data in accordance with the applicable retention periods and regulations.
7. Playtime management
The technical system must be capable of managing the playtime of players under 18 years of age, ensuring that:
- Playtime does not exceed 60 minutes per game per day;
- Total playtime across all games provided by the enterprise does not exceed 180 minutes per day.
8. Age classification and warnings
The enterprise must ensure that:
- The age classification of the game is continuously displayed when the game is introduced, advertised and released;
- The warning “Playing for more than 180 minutes a day will adversely affect your health” is displayed on the player’s device screen at the frequency prescribed by law;
- Where the game has a forum, the warning must also be displayed on the forum in accordance with applicable regulations.
9. Management of communication content
The enterprise must have a technical system for managing content exchanged and shared within the game and on the game forum, if any, in accordance with Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP.
10. Management of game accounts and virtual items
The enterprise must have a system for managing player accounts and accurately and fully storing relevant information, including:
- Account name;
- Service usage period;
- Virtual items;
- Virtual units;
- Player reward points.
11. Protection of players’ rights and interests
The enterprise must have measures to ensure information security, service quality, and the lawful rights and interests of players.
APPLICATION DOSSIER FOR A G1 LICENSE
Under the current administrative procedures, an application for a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services online includes:
- An application for a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services online, made according to the prescribed form;
- A copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate or another document of equivalent legal validity;
- A proposal for providing G1 electronic games services online, certified by the enterprise’s legal representative.
The service provision proposal should primarily include:
- The service provision plan;
- Financial, organizational and personnel capacity;
- An overall system diagram and equipment installation locations;
- Primary and backup equipment, including their configuration and functions;
- Measures for information security, data backup and data redundancy;
- The method and scope of service provision;
- Domain names, IP addresses and game distribution channels;
- Internet and telecommunications connection arrangements;
- Connection arrangements with payment service providers or payment intermediaries;
- Player management measures and measures for protecting players’ lawful rights and interests.
CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING A DECISION ON THE RELEASE OF A G1 ELECTRONIC GAME
Obtaining a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services does not mean that the enterprise may immediately release each individual game. For each G1 game, the enterprise must separately apply for a Decision on the Release of the G1 Electronic Game online.
Pursuant to Article 43 of Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP, the enterprise must satisfy the following principal conditions:
1. Holding a G1 License
The enterprise must hold a valid License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services in accordance with applicable regulations.
2. Requirements concerning game content and scripts
The content and script of the game must comply with regulations on cybersecurity, intellectual property and other relevant laws.
The game must not contain prohibited content and must satisfy applicable requirements concerning images, sounds, language, characters, missions and interactive activities within the game.
In particular, the game must not simulate casino games involving prizes, use playing-card images, or contain content that violates regulations on security and public order, Vietnamese cultural customs and practices, or other relevant laws.
3. Age classification
The game must be assigned an appropriate age classification based on its content and script in accordance with Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP.
APPLICATION DOSSIER FOR A DECISION ON THE RELEASE OF A G1 ELECTRONIC GAME
The application dossier primarily includes the following documents:
1. Application for a Decision on the Release
The application must be made according to the prescribed form and signed by the enterprise’s legal representative.
2. Documents evidencing intellectual property ownership or the right to release the game
The enterprise must provide documents evidencing its intellectual property rights in the game or an agreement authorizing the enterprise to release the game in Vietnam.
For games originating from foreign countries, documents issued or prepared overseas must be consularly legalized, translated into Vietnamese and certified in accordance with Vietnamese law where such procedures are required.
3. Proposal for the release of the G1 electronic game
The proposal must be certified by the enterprise’s legal representative and primarily contain the following information:
- The name, origin, provenance and version of the game;
- Age classification;
- Game content and script;
- Character system, missions, maps and game features;
- Virtual item, virtual unit and reward point systems;
- Sounds and images;
- Interactive and competitive activities among players;
- Domain names, IP addresses and game distribution channels;
- Methods of provision and payment support within the game.
4. Game equipment or electronic materials
The enterprise must provide electronic materials presenting the distinctive features of the game, such as:
- Account registration procedures;
- Maps and diagrams within the game;
- Character, item and equipment systems;
- Distinctive interactive and competitive activities;
- Content management and sharing activities;
- Age classification information and warnings as required by law.
DISTINCTION BETWEEN G1, G2, G3 AND G4 ELECTRONIC GAMES
| Type | Key characteristics | Legal requirements |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | Games involving interaction among multiple players through the enterprise’s game server system | A License to Provide Services and a Decision on the Release are required |
| G2 | Games involving interaction only between the player and the enterprise’s game server system | Notification of release is required |
| G3 | Games involving interaction among multiple players but without simultaneous interaction among the players | Notification of release is required |
| G4 | Games downloaded over a network, without interaction between players and the enterprise’s game server system | Notification of release is required |
Properly determining the type of game at the outset is important for selecting the appropriate legal procedure and preparing the corresponding application dossier.
IMPORTANT NOTES ON APPLICATION PREPARATION
- The enterprise should accurately determine whether the game is classified as G1, G2, G3 or G4 before carrying out the relevant procedure.
- Documents evidencing intellectual property ownership or the right to release the game should be prepared in full, particularly for games originating from foreign countries.
- The contents of the service provision proposal must be consistent with the enterprise’s actual technical system and operating methods.
- The content, images, sounds, characters and interactive features of the game should be reviewed before submission to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
- The enterprise should prepare adequate measures for player management, account authentication, age verification and playtime control.
- The technical system must satisfy requirements concerning payment, information security, data backup and contingency arrangements.
- For foreign games, the enterprise should review in advance the documents evidencing the right to release the game and the requirements applicable to foreign-language documents.
COMPETENT AUTHORITY
The competent authority for issuing the License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services and the Decision on the Release of a G1 Electronic Game is the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, through the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the current administrative procedures. The administrative procedures have been updated under Decree No. 116/2026/ND-CP.
PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING THE G1 LICENSE AND DECISION ON RELEASE
Step 1: Submit the application for the G1 License
The enterprise prepares one (01) application dossier and submits it to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism through the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information by a prescribed method, including in-person submission, postal service or online submission.
Step 2: Appraisal of the application and issuance of the G1 License
Within 20 days from the date of receipt of a valid application dossier, the competent authority shall review the dossier and issue the License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services online.
In case of refusal, the competent authority shall issue a written response specifying the reasons for refusal.
Step 3: Prepare the application for the Decision on Release
After obtaining the G1 License, the enterprise prepares an application for a Decision on the Release for each specific game, including documents evidencing intellectual property ownership/the right to release the game, the release proposal and electronic materials relating to the game.
Step 4: Submit the application for the Decision on Release
The enterprise submits one (01) application dossier for a Decision on the Release of the G1 Electronic Game to the competent authority by the prescribed method.
Step 5: Appraisal and issuance of the Decision on Release
The competent authority reviews the application dossier, game content, script and relevant materials.
Within 20 days from the date of receipt of a valid application dossier, if all applicable conditions are satisfied, the competent authority shall issue the Decision on the Release of the G1 Electronic Game online.
In case of refusal, the competent authority shall issue a written response specifying the reasons for refusal.
Step 6: Release of the game
After obtaining the Decision on Release, the enterprise may release the game in accordance with the approved content, scope and conditions, while complying with obligations concerning the display of licensing information, age classification, warnings and player management as required by law.
PROCESSING TIME
- License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services online: 20 days from the date of receipt of a valid application dossier.
- Decision on the Release of a G1 Electronic Game online: 20 days from the date of receipt of a valid application dossier.
The above periods do not include the time required for the enterprise to amend or supplement the application dossier at the request of the competent authority.
FEES
Under the current administrative procedures, no separate fee is prescribed for the procedures for obtaining a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services or a Decision on the Release of a G1 Electronic Game.
VALIDITY PERIOD OF THE LICENSE
The License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services online is issued for a period requested by the enterprise, provided that such period does not exceed 10 years.
RESULTS
The results of the procedures include:
- License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services online;
- Decision on the Release of a G1 Electronic Game for each individual game.
An enterprise may only provide and release G1 electronic games after satisfying all applicable conditions and completing the required legal procedures.
The above is our complete article on the procedures for obtaining a License to Provide G1 Electronic Games Services. Should you require further legal advice or detailed guidance on how to access these services, please contact Lawyer Nguyen Duc Trong via hotline: 0912.35.65.75, or submit your service request by email at lawyer@hongbanglawfirm.com.
We wish you and your family good health and success!
Yours sincerely!
