Tiếng Việt
中文Quick answer: Yes. Under Clause 4, Article 18 of the Press Law 2025 (No. 126/2025/QH15), where a press agency wishes to change the contents recorded in its press operation license — including the name of the press governing body — the press governing body and the press agency must prepare an application dossier and obtain approval from the state management authority for press. Do not use the new name on publications before the license is amended.
Legal basis
- Press Law 2025 (No. 126/2025/QH15, effective 01/7/2026) — Article 18 (press operation licenses): Clause 1 provides that press operation licenses are issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Clause 4 governs changes to license contents;
- Article 10 of the Press Law 2025 — the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible to the Government for state management of press;
- Effectiveness note: the Press Law 2016 (No. 103/2016/QH13) expired from 01/7/2026 (Clause 4, Article 50 of the Press Law 2025); grounds under the 2016 Law (such as Article 20) no longer apply. Dossiers and procedures for issuance, amendment and supplementation of press operation licenses are prescribed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism — the current guiding documents should be checked at the time of implementation.
Cases requiring amendment of press operation license contents
- Changing the name of the press governing body;
- Changing the name of the press agency; its principles and purposes;
- Changing other contents recorded in the license: publication names, supplements, special pages, radio/television channels; head office location; transmission and broadcasting methods; e-newspaper domain names…
Amendment procedures (overview)
- The governing body prepares an application dossier for amendment of license contents (request letter, documents proving the name change…);
- Submit the dossier to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;
- The Ministry reviews and approves the amendment of contents recorded in the press operation license;
- Use the new governing body name on publications only after the license is amended.
Key notes
- Conducting press activities with license contents not yet amended may result in administrative penalties in the press sector;
- Changing the governing body name is often tied to organizational restructuring — related legal documents of the press agency need synchronized amendment.
How ANT Legal can help
ANT Legal advises on and represents clients in procedures to amend press operation licenses and comply with press law. For advice on your specific case, please contact our lawyers at 0966.475.966.
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