G1 Game License in Vietnam: Procedure, Requirements and Cost (2026)

G1 Game license (commonly known as an Online game license) enables players to access networks to participate in electronic games such as League of Legends, PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), Vo Lam Truyen Ky, Free Fire, and Call of Duty Mobile (Battle Royale). G1 games are defined by simultaneous interaction among multiple players through a domestic game server system managed by enterprises in Vietnam. Accordingly, any business intending to provide G1 services or other game-related services must strictly adhere to the licensing conditions stipulated in Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, which continues to be the governing framework in 2026. In the article below, Viet An Law provides a comprehensive guide on G1 Game license in Vietnam: Procedure, requirements and cost (2026) in accordance with the latest legal regulations.

Requirements for enterprises providing G1 online gaming services

Based on Clause 2, Article 37 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, enterprises are only allowed to release G1 online games when they simultaneously meet two requirements:

• Possess a License to provide G1 online game services;
• Possess a Decision to release G1 online games issued by a competent authority.

Statutory conditions for obtaining a G1 game license Vietnam

According to Clause 1, Article 39 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, in order to be granted a license to provide online electronic game services, enterprises must meet all of the following requirements:

Corporate legal requirements

• The enterprise must be established in accordance with Vietnamese law;
• The business activity of providing online electronic game services must be registered on the National Business Registration Portal;
• The head office must have a clearly stated address, a legally valid and reachable telephone number;
• The enterprise must possess a licensed game copyright certificate.

Domain name requirements

• The domain name used to provide online video game services has been registered in accordance with the law.

Server requirements

• The server rental contract must have a minimum remaining term of 6 months;
• The server rental company must possess a valid telecommunications license as required by regulations.

Payment system requirements

• Possess a technical equipment system that connects payment processing with payment service providers or payment intermediaries as prescribed by law;
• Ensure accurate and complete updating and storage of payment information;
• Allow players to look up detailed information about their payment account within their game account.

Requirements for player management and user authentication

• There is a technical system for storing and updating complete player information in Vietnam, including:
  • Full name;
  • Date of birth;
  • Mobile phone number in Vietnam;
• Verify player accounts using mobile phone numbers in Vietnam; only allow verified accounts to participate in the game;
• For players under 16 years old, accounts must be registered and supervised by a parent or legal guardian;
• Delete player data after the storage period expires as per regulations.

Playtime management requirements

• There is a technical system in place to manage the playing time of players under 18 years of age, ensuring:
  • No more than 60 minutes/day for each game;
  • No more than 180 minutes/day for all games provided by the enterprise.

Age rating and warning requirements

• A system that continuously displays the age rating of games during introductions, advertisements, and releases;
• A warning message: “Playing for more than 180 minutes a day will negatively affect your health” is displayed:
  • On the game forum (if available);
  • On the player’s device screen, every 30 minutes during gameplay.

Content exchange and communication management requirements

• There is a technical system for managing the exchange and sharing of content within the game and on the forum (if any) in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 28 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP.

Data storage and virtual item management requirements

• Implement measures to manage player account information;
• Store complete and accurate information about:
  • Account name;
  • Service usage time;
  • Virtual items, virtual units, and player reward points.

Information security and player rights requirements

• Implement measures to ensure network security and information safety;
• Guarantee the quality of service and protect the legitimate rights and interests of players.

Backup solution requirements

• There are backup plans for equipment and connections;
• There are data backup plans to ensure system security in case of failure.

Financial, organizational, and human resources requirements

• Possess sufficient financial capacity;
• Have an organizational structure and a team of personnel to manage video games that are appropriate to the scale of the business’s operations.

Common pitfalls when applying for a G1 game license

• No servers in Vietnam
• Game content not yet localized into Vietnamese
• Lack of player management system
• Game name is already taken
• Unable to prove game copyright
• Incorrect game classification
• Video quality is poor and lacks information.

Regulations on conditions for obtaining the decision to release Vietnam G1 game license

Based on Clause 1, Article 43 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, only enterprises that meet all of the following conditions are eligible to be granted a Decision to publish G1 online games:

Requirements for Online game license Vietnam

Must possess a valid G1 game service license with a minimum validity of 06 months.

Game content and script requirements

Ensure compliance with:

• Article 8 of the Law on Cybersecurity;
• Regulations on intellectual property; Furthermore, the following are prohibited:
• Simulating casino games with prizes;
• Using images of playing cards;

• Contains images, sounds, and language depicting acts such as:
  • Terrorism, murder, torture, violence, incitement to suicide;
  • Pornography, obscenity, and acts contrary to moral standards;
  • Distortion of history, infringement of national sovereignty;
  • Drug, alcohol, and tobacco use;
  • Gambling and other illegal acts.

Video game age classification requirements

Video games must have age ratings that are appropriate to their content and scenarios, as stipulated in Article 38 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP.

Application dossier for obtaining a G1 game license

Essential documents for G1 license dossiers

1. Application for G1 license
2. Copy of ERC
3. Qualifications of the technical manager
4. Game Service Proposal:
   • Game Description
   • Operating Model
   • Fee Collection Method (if applicable)
5. Technical Solutions:
   • Server
   • Security
   • Player Management
6. Content management and customer care plan
7. Game copyright agreement (if the game is from a foreign country)

Practical suggestions (very important)

If they don’t yet meet the G1 requirements, many enterprises choose to:

• Hire a licensed publisher;
• Or apply for G2 first → upgrade to G1 later;

To save time and initial costs.

Application Dossier for the Decision to Release G1 Online Games

Based on Article 44 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, the application dossier for a Decision to publish G1 online games includes the following documents:

1. Application for a Decision to Publish a G1 Game

• Prepared according to Form No. 34 issued with Decree 147/2024/ND-CP.
• Signed and stamped by the legal representative of the enterprise.

2. Documents proving intellectual property rights to the game.

Include one of the following documents:

• Documents, papers, or evidence proving intellectual property rights to the game as stipulated by the Intellectual Property Law; or
• Written agreement allowing the enterprise to publish the game in Vietnam for games of foreign origin.

In the case of games licensed from foreign partners:

•  The licensing agreement must be legalized by the consular office in the country of origin;
• Documents in foreign languages ​​must be translated into Vietnamese and certified according to Vietnamese law.

3. Project for releasing the G1 online video game

The project proposal must be certified by the legal representative of the enterprise and include the following key contents:

1. a) General information about the game:

• Game name;
• Origin/Source;
• Release version;
• Player age classification results according to regulations.

1. b) Game content and script

The game content must comply with the regulations in point b, clause 1, Article 43 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, including:

• Character system;
• Quest system;
• Game maps and diagrams;
• Virtual units, virtual items, and reward points;
• In-game sound and visuals;
• Player interaction;
• Character quest execution;
• Character combat (including character models, weapons, abilities, etc.).

1. c) Method and scope of service provision:

• Domain name and IP address of the website introducing and providing the game;
• Video game application;
• Names of the app stores distributing the game (Google Play, App Store, or other platforms).

1. d) In-game payment support services

• Information about the company’s payment support services;
• Types of in-game payments;
• Methods of collecting player payments.

4. Electronic storage devices or documents related to the game

This includes data representing the game’s visuals, activities, and characteristic sounds, specifically:

• Account registration process;
• In-game maps and diagrams;
• Character classes, items, and equipment;
• Character combat mechanics during missions;
• Management of player content exchange and sharing within the game and on the game forum (if applicable);
• Display of age rating information and relevant warnings.

Distinguishing between G1, G2, G3, and G4 game

Note: Identifying the correct type of game from the outset is crucial to avoid errors in the application for a license and to prevent delays in the licensing process, as stipulated by Vietnamese law.

Procedures for obtaining a Vietnam G1 game license

Step 1: Submitting the dossiers for a G1 game license

Enterprises prepare and submit one set of documents requesting a G1 online game license using one of the following methods:

– Submitting directly to the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information;

– Via postal service to the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information;

– Submitting through the online public service system of the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information.

Note: When submitting through the online public service system of the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information, a digital signature is required in accordance with the law on electronic transactions.

Step 2: Appraisal of the G1 game license dossiers

Within 20 days from the date of receiving a valid application, the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information shall review and issue a License to provide G1 online electronic game services according to Form No. 30 in the Appendix issued with Decree 147/2024/ND-CP.

In case of refusal, the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information shall provide a written response stating the reasons.

Step 3: Receiving the G1 game license results

Enterprises should come to the application submission location to receive the results according to the appointment slip.

If the license is not granted, the enterprise will receive a written response stating the reasons.

Step 4: Submitting the dossiers for the G1 game release decision

After being granted a G1 game license, the enterprise continues to submit an application for a G1 Electronic Game Release Decision using the same method as in Step 1.

Step 5: Appraisal of the G1 game release decision application

Within 20 days of receiving a valid application, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information) will conduct an assessment of the game. If all conditions are met, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information) will consider and issue a Decision to publish the G1 online electronic game to the enterprise according to Form No. 35 in the Appendix attached to this Decree and send a copy (showing the symbol of the licensed G1 electronic game) to the enterprise’s email address.

In case of refusal, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information) will issue a written response stating the reasons.

Step 6: Receiving the final results

Enterprises granted a decision are required to embed the approved code snippet into the game description on app stores (if any) and the website providing the game. The code snippet is linked to the licensing data section on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s electronic portal (Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information).

Afterward, the enterprise can release the game and make it available to players.

Timeline and costs for obtaining a G1 game license

Processing time: usually 30-45 working days (excluding time for supplementary documents)

Generally, the cost of obtaining a video game license will depend on several factors such as the following:

• The legal status of the business
• The scale and complexity of the video game
• The game name is already taken.
• Costs also depend on whether the business handles the licensing procedures itself or uses a legal service provider to assist with the application.

Note: To avoid wasting time and opportunities to release video games, enterprises should consult with professional lawyers who have experience in assisting enterprises applying for this specific license. This will optimize time while ensuring reasonable costs for obtaining the video game license.

FAQs regarding G1 game licensing

What is a G1 license?

License to publish online multiplayer games that interact via servers.

Can foreign games get a G1 license?

Yes, if a Vietnamese enterprise is the registered owner and meets the requirements.

Is re-approval required for changes in game content?

Yes, if it changes.

Does the G1 license have an expiration date?

Yes, up to 10 years.

Comprehensive G1 game licensing services by Viet An Law

Viet An Law’s comprehensive electronic game business license application service is designed to assist businesses in completing all legal procedures related to the provision and distribution of electronic games in accordance with Vietnamese law. With a team of experienced lawyers and specialists, Viet An Law accompanies clients throughout the entire license application process.

• Viet An Law’s service scope includes:
• Consulting on the conditions for obtaining a business license for electronic games according to each type (G1, G2, G3, G4), suitable to the business model;
• Consultingon preparing the necessary documents and information to complete the application for a business license for electronic games;
• Drafting all legal documents for the application for a business license for electronic games in accordance with current regulations;
• Representing the business under authorization to carry out the procedures for applying for a business license for electronic games at the competent state agency;
• Regularly exchanging, updating, and providing information to clients throughout the application process;
• Receiving and handing over the results of the business license for electronic games to the client after it has been granted by the competent state agency.

Benefits of choosing Viet An Law’s services

• Saves time and costs for businesses;
• Minimizes the risk of being required to amend or supplement documents;
• Ensures full compliance with legal regulations regarding video games;
• Provides long-term legal support during the operation of video games.

Are you preparing to launch an online game in Vietnam? Don’t let legal shortcomings slow down your project. Contact Viet An Law for comprehensive advice and assistance in obtaining a G1 electronic game license, quickly and in accordance with Decree 147/2024/ND-CP.

📞 Phone: 09 61 37 18 18 | 📧 Email: info@vietanlaw.com| 🌐 luatvietan.vn

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