In Vietnam, is trading items between accounts in online games illegal?

Nội dung chính

• In Vietnam, is it illegal to trade items between accounts in online games?
• What are the fines for providing online games, which exchanges in-game rewards into real money?

In Vietnam, is it illegal to trade items between accounts in online games?

Pursuant to Article 106 of the Decree 15/2020/NĐ-CP stipulating violations against regulations on players:

1. A warning shall be imposed for providing inaccurate personal information when playing G1 games.

2. A fine ranging from VND 600,000 to VND 1,000,000 shall be imposed for failing to comply with regulations on playing hours posted at points of public electronic gaming services.

3. A fine ranging from VND 2,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 shall be imposed for the commission of one of the following violations:

a) Misusing electronic games for performing violations or disturbing public order, social security or national security;

b) Trading virtual items, currency or rewards.

As above regulations, trading virtual items, currency or rewards between accounts in game online is illegal and fined VND 2,000,000 to VND 3,000,000. 

What are the fines for providing online games, which exchanges in-game rewards into real money?

Pursuant to Clause 6 and 7, Article 104 of the Decree 15/2020/NĐ-CP stipulating violations against regulations on provision of online gaming services:

6. A fine ranging from VND 170,000,000 to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed for the commission of one of the following violations:

a) Exchanging virtual goods or units or reward points for real money, payment cards, coupons or other tradable items in any forms;

b) Creating in-game virtual goods or units or reward points against the game script;

c) Providing a G1 online game which contains information/images infringing upon the national sovereignty, distorting history, denying the revolutionary achievements; offending the nation, famous persons or national heroes if not liable to criminal prosecutions.

7. Additional penalties:

a) The decision on approval of G1 game script shall be suspended for a fixed period of 01 - 03 months in case of commission of the violation in Point c Clause 5 of this Article;

b) The license to provide G1 online games/certificate of provision of online gaming services shall be suspended for a fixed period of 22 - 24 months in case of commission of any of the violations in Clause 6 of this Article;

c) The exhibits and instrumentalities used for committing any of the violations in Clause 3 and Clause 6 of this Article shall be confiscated;

d) All operations shall be suspended for a fixed period of 01 – 03 months in case of commission of any of the violations in Points b and dd Clause 2, Clauses 3, 4, Points a and d Clause 5 of this Article.

As above regulations, those providing online games, which exchanges in-game rewards into real money, is fined from VND 170,000,000 to VND 200,000,000. Besides, their license to provide online games/certificate of provision of online gaming services shall be suspended for period of 22 - 24 months. Also, all the exchanged money from rewards and commiting instruments shall be confiscated. 

Best regards!