The Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC), operating under Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, has announced the country’s first-ever public auction of two-character domain names under the national “.vn” extension.

This initiative is aimed at improving the efficient allocation of national internet resources while creating a transparent and competitive mechanism for businesses and investors seeking premium digital assets.

Auction Timeline and Structure

The auctions will take place in two phases in 2026:

• Phase 1: March 18–20, 2026 (50 domains offered)

• Phase 2: Expected in June 2026

The auctions will be conducted online using an ascending bid format, with each domain auctioned individually via the Vietnam Partnership Auction Company platform.

Key Financial Details:

• Starting price: VND 10 million (approximately US$400) per domain

• Deposit required: VND 1 million (approximately US$40)

• Bid increment: VND 1 million

• Dossier fee: VND 50,000

• Minimum session duration: 20 minutes per domain

Eligible organisations, enterprises and individuals may register online in accordance with Vietnamese regulations.

Why Two-Character Domains Matter

Two-character “.vn” domains are limited in supply and highly valued due to:

• Short and memorable structure

• Strong branding potential

• Suitability for digital positioning

• Long-term investment value

VNNIC has described these domains as finite national digital resources with significant commercial appeal.

Categories of Domains Being Auctioned

Brand-Oriented Abbreviations

Domains such as mb.vn, lg.vn, cj.vn and jd.vn align with widely recognised brand initials, offering strong defensive and strategic value.

Industry-Specific Domains

Examples include:

• ot.vn (automobile)

• fa.vn (finance)

• gc.vn (golf)

• ex.vn (export-import)

• dd.vn (mobile)

These names may provide competitive advantages for sector-focused businesses.

Trend-Based and Social Combinations

Short, catchy names such as:

• ok.vn

• hi.vn

• 2k.vn

• f0.vn

• ez.vn

These combinations are particularly attractive for startups and digital-first brands.

Ultra-Short Alphanumeric Names

Compact domains like p1.vn, t7.vn, j2.vn and g8.vn are likely to appeal to technology ventures and long-term investors.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

According to VNNIC, the auction process will comply fully with existing Vietnamese laws to ensure transparency, fairness and equal access.

Winning bidders will receive the legal right to use the domain names under current regulations. They may also transfer usage rights according to established mechanisms, reinforcing the recognition of “.vn” domains as transferable digital assets.

Strategic Importance for Vietnam’s Digital Economy

The auction marks a significant step in Vietnam’s strategy to strengthen its national domain ecosystem and enhance the value of “.vn” as a competitive digital namespace.

As digital branding and online presence become increasingly central to economic growth, premium short domains are being positioned not merely as web addresses but as long-term investment-grade assets.

VNNIC has encouraged interested businesses and investors to review the available domains and complete registration procedures ahead of the auction deadlines.