Vietnam will impose fines of up to VND200 million (USD7,850) on online game operators that allow players to exchange virtual rewards for cash, prepaid telecom cards, bank cards or other items with real-world value under a newly issued government decree.

The government recently promulgated Decree 174/2026/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the postal and telecommunications sectors. The decree, which takes effect on July 1, 2026, introduces clearer regulations targeting reward redemption mechanisms in online games.

Under Clause 5, Article 99 on “Violations related to the provision of online electronic game services,” authorities may impose fines ranging from VND170 million to VND200 million (USD6,670-7,850) for acts involving the conversion of virtual items, virtual currencies or reward points into cash, prepaid mobile service cards, bank cards, shopping vouchers, game cards, gift cards or other items with transactional value outside online games.

Until now, reward redemption systems have primarily been associated with card-based games, with several cases previously prosecuted as gambling offenses. However, the new regulation expands oversight beyond traditional card games to other online gaming formats.

The same penalty range also applies to online games containing content or imagery that distorts historical traditions, violates national sovereignty and territorial integrity, or insults ethnic groups, national figures and heroes, provided the violations do not reach the threshold for criminal prosecution.

The decree also stipulates fines ranging from VND60 million to VND80 million (USD2,350-3,140) for online games that violate provisions under Article 8 of Vietnam’s Cybersecurity Law or intellectual property regulations.

Additional violations subject to these penalties include games simulating casino gambling activities or card-based betting games; games containing images, sounds or language depicting acts such as terrorism, murder, torture, abuse, trafficking of women and children, incitement to suicide or violence, pornography or vulgar content contrary to Vietnam’s cultural and moral standards; and games featuring drug use, alcohol consumption, smoking or gambling-related content.

The regulation also targets games that allow players to buy and sell virtual items, virtual currencies or reward points directly with one another within online gaming platforms.

In addition to financial penalties, violating publishers may face suspension of game publishing operations for between one and three months.

Le My