A .vn domain is a valuable digital asset — and an increasingly common subject of disputes: from fights over premium domains to domains infringing another company’s trademark. When a dispute arises, where do you go? Is VNNIC a “domain court”? This article maps the procedures for resolving .vn domain disputes under current law.
One crucial clarification upfront: VNNIC (Vietnam Internet Network Information Center) does not adjudicate disputes — it preserves the status quo of the domain and enforces (processes) domains based on documents issued by competent dispute-resolution authorities.
1. The current framework: Decree 147/2024 replaces the old approach
Since 25/12/2024, Decree 147/2024/ND-CP (replacing Decree 72/2013/ND-CP) is the main framework for managing the “.vn” country-code domain. Two foundational rules in Article 9:
- Registration principles (Clause 4): equality, non-discrimination; first-come, first-served — except auctioned, protected or shared domains;
- Domain requirements (Clause 5): no infringement of national interests, conformity with social ethics, no confusion with press agencies or social networks.
Circular 24/2015/TT-BTTTT has been fully repealed by Circular 48/2025/TT-BKHCN (effective 10/02/2026); dispute processing now follows Decree 147/2024.
2. Four routes to resolve domain disputes
(1) Negotiation and mediation: the parties settle themselves or mediate under commercial mediation law. A successful mediation record is a basis for VNNIC to process the domain.
(2) Commercial arbitration: under the 2010 Law on Commercial Arbitration — provided the parties have an arbitration agreement (signed before or after the dispute arises). An effective arbitral award is a basis for domain processing. Businesses favour this route for its speed and confidentiality.
(3) Courts: sue in the competent court; an effective judgment or decision is a basis for domain processing.
(4) Administrative complaints / administrative sanctions: where a domain infringes intellectual property rights (identical or confusingly similar to a trademark), administrative sanctions may be sought. Under Article 7 of Joint Circular 14/2016/TTLT-BTTTT-BKHCN, if the violator fails to remedy (change information or return the domain) within 30 days of the sanction decision taking effect, the domain is revoked.
3. The biggest change: 45-day priority registration instead of 15 days
During dispute resolution, VNNIC or the registrar preserves the status quo of the domain’s registration and use upon written request of the competent authority — a disputed domain may not be transferred to another registrar.
When a successful mediation record, arbitral award or court judgment states the disputed domain is revoked for the claimant to register, the claimant enjoys priority registration for 45 days from the date the document takes legal effect (Article 16(4), Decree 147/2024). After that period, the domain becomes freely registrable. This is a major change from the old 15-working-day rule in Article 16 of Circular 24/2015 — any material still citing “15 days” is outdated.
4. Six cases of .vn domain revocation
Under Article 9(16) of Decree 147/2024, a “.vn” domain is revoked when:
- Enforcing a dispute-resolution decision, judgment, arbitral award or successful mediation record;
- Under a decision of the Minister of Science and Technology for national interests, public interests, defence, security or Internet resource planning;
- Under an administrative sanction decision imposing domain revocation as a remedial measure;
- Upon written request of investigation bodies to prevent acts infringing national security or public order;
- Maintenance fees are not paid within 30 days of the due date;
- Registration information is inaccurate, the enterprise is dissolved/bankrupt, or the individual has died without a lawful transfer of use rights.
5. Preventing disputes: register early and manage well
- Register early domain variants related to your brand (first-come, first-served);
- Renew fees on time — 30 days of unpaid maintenance means losing the domain;
- Keep registration information accurate; inaccurate information is grounds for revocation;
- When spotting a trademark-infringing domain: collect usage evidence, send a warning, then choose the appropriate mediation/arbitration/court route.
6. Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I sue directly at VNNIC to claim a domain?
A: No. VNNIC has no adjudicative power. You must take the dispute to mediation, arbitration or court; VNNIC only preserves the status quo and enforces the outcome.
Q: Do these procedures apply to international domains (.com)?
A: No. They apply only to the “.vn” country-code domain. International domains are resolved under ICANN’s UDRP policy or the parties’ agreement.
Q: Without a prior arbitration agreement, can a domain dispute go to arbitration?
A: Yes, if the parties agree to arbitrate after the dispute has arisen (a subsequent arbitration agreement). If one party refuses, you must sue in court.
Is your business facing a .vn domain dispute? Contact us for advice.
This article was prepared by the FLAW AI Legal Council. Content is pending QA Council review before submission for approval; information is for reference only and does not replace legal advice for your specific case.