No, pirating movies in Vietnam violates the 2005 Intellectual Property Law, the 2019 Cinema Law, and the 2022 Penal Code amendments, exposing offenders to fines up to ₫1 billion (~$42,000) or imprisonment. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Vietnam Directorate of Cinema (VDC) actively monitor and shut down illegal streaming sites, while the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) collaborates with INTERPOL to prosecute large-scale operators.
Key Regulations for Pirating Movies in Vietnam
- Unauthorized Distribution: Under Article 28 of the 2005 IP Law, reproducing, distributing, or broadcasting copyrighted films without permission constitutes infringement, punishable by administrative fines or criminal charges under Article 225 of the 2015 Penal Code (amended 2022).
- Online Enforcement: Decree 174/2013/ND-CP empowers the MCST to block websites hosting pirated content, while Decree 71/2022/ND-CP mandates ISPs to remove infringing links within 24 hours of notification.
- Criminal Liability: Organizing or profiting from piracy (e.g., running illegal streaming platforms) can lead to 3–7 years imprisonment under Article 225, with aggravated penalties for commercial-scale operations.
Enforcement has intensified ahead of Vietnam’s 2026 WTO TRIPS compliance deadline, with local courts prioritizing cases involving foreign studios. Public awareness campaigns by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) further pressure violators, though peer-to-peer sharing persists in unregulated digital spaces.