Vietnam Enacts New Gaming Decree with Heavy Fines for Virtual Item Trades

Effective 1 July 2026, Vietnam’s government issued Decree 174/2026/ND‑CP, extending administrative penalties to the gaming sector. Under the decree, online gamers who buy, sell or exchange virtual items, in‑game currency or reward points face fines of 2–3 million VND per violation. More severe offenses, such as activities that threaten national security, public order, or involve gambling or fraud, may trigger criminal prosecution.

The decree also targets game‑service providers. Companies that design or enable the trade of virtual assets can be fined 60–80 million VND, while converting virtual items into cash, prepaid cards, bank cards or other real‑world value carries penalties of 170–200 million VND. Failure to verify user accounts with a Vietnamese mobile number may result in fines of 20–40 million VND (for G2‑G4 services) or 40–60 million VND (for G1 services). Additionally, publishers may be fined up to 200 million VND for broader breaches.

The regulation requires all players to provide full personal details, including name, date of birth and a Vietnamese mobile number when registering. Users under 16 must have accounts created and supervised by a parent or legal guardian, who are also responsible for monitoring playtime and content. The government aims to curb illegal virtual asset transactions, protect consumers and strengthen oversight of online gaming.