Where Must Online Video Game Providers Display Age Ratings on Screen?

Where must online video game providers display age ratings on the screen?

Current legal framework: Decree 72/2013/ND-CP has been replaced by Decree 147/2024/ND-CP on the management, provision, and use of Internet services and information on the network (effective from 25/12/2024). The classification of online video games by player age is now governed by Article 38 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP.

Online video games are classified by age under Clause 1, Article 38 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP as follows:

• 18+: online video games intended for players aged 18 and above;
• 16+: online video games intended for players aged 16 and above (a new classification group compared to the previous rules);
• 12+: online video games intended for players aged 12 and above;
• 00+: online video games suitable for players of all ages.

Display position of the classification result under Clause 2, Article 38 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP:

Classification of online video games by player age

[…]

2. Responsibilities of enterprises providing online video game services in classifying online video games by player age:

a) Self-classify online video games by player age as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Show the classification result in the application dossier for the license to provide online video game services. The classification of online video games by player age is one of the appraised contents of online video games;

c) Continuously display the game classification result on the gaming device screen and in advertising content; the display position is chosen by the enterprise at its own discretion. The classification symbol must be of a size and colour that are easily recognisable.

Accordingly, under the current rules, there is no longer a mandatory requirement to display the classification result “at the top, left corner” as under the former Decree 72/2013 framework. Enterprises providing online video game services must continuously display the classification result on the gaming device screen and in advertising content; the display position is chosen by the enterprise at its own discretion, provided the symbol is of a size and colour that are easily recognisable.

Handling non-compliant game classifications

Under Clause 3, Article 38 of Decree 147/2024/ND-CP: when the competent state management authority discovers that an enterprise has classified G1, G2, G3, or G4 online video games by player age in a manner inconsistent with Clause 1, Article 38, it shall issue a written request for the enterprise to re-classify within 15 days. If the enterprise fails to adjust as requested, the authority shall require the enterprise to stop publishing that game and to implement measures safeguarding players’ rights and interests. After 15 days from the date of issuance of the written request, if the enterprise still does not stop publishing as required, the authority shall proceed to revoke the Decision to publish G1 online video games and the Confirmation of the notice of publication of G2, G3, and G4 online video games previously granted to the enterprise. (Note: following the 2025 restructuring and merger of ministries, the state management functions over the Internet and online video games have been reassigned; enterprises should identify the correct competent authority when working with them.)

How can ANT Legal assist?

ANT Legal assists in reviewing compliance with regulations on the classification and display of age ratings for online video games, dossiers for licensing/notification of G1, G2, G3, and G4 online video game services, and in handling requests from state management authorities.

For prompt advice, you may contact our lawyers at 0966.475.966.

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