On 5/5, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung signed a directive on behalf of the Prime Minister, outlining measures to combat, prevent, and address intellectual property infringement. The following day, numerous domestic websites illegally streaming football and films announced they had disabled data and removed content.

An illegal movie website announces it has ceased operations. *Screenshot*

Users visiting many copyright-infringing websites now encounter notices announcing service termination, citing compliance with Vietnamese law or directives from authorities. Some platforms are completely inaccessible, and a few are openly advertising the sale of their operating systems post-closure.

Beyond illegal movie and sports streaming sites, several self-organized film translation pages, including Mon Fansub and Doraemon Fansub Vietnam, have also announced their closure. Certain groups cited that their existing content-sharing model no longer aligns with legal standards, underscoring the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and urging users to utilize official distribution channels.

A representative from the "Me Phim Nhat" fanpage, which has shared and translated Japanese films for over eight years, clarified that despite operating without commercial motives, the practice of translating and distributing unlicensed films is now considered a legal violation due to stricter new regulations.

The page confirmed the complete cessation of its film translation and sharing operations. All film links, data stored on its WordPress management system, and associated content on Facebook are being removed. "We urge viewers to continue watching films via legal distribution platforms to uphold intellectual property rights," the representative added.

Film critic Le Hong Lam believes the intensified crackdown on copyright infringement highlights the authorities' resolve. He noted that strengthening the legal framework and deterrent measures exerts pressure on numerous illegally operating platforms. This action is expected to reduce long-standing film piracy and foster growth opportunities for legitimate distribution platforms. "This could encourage official entities to boost investment, broaden content offerings, and acquire additional copyrights to satisfy viewer demand," he explained.

A copyright-infringing movie website has ceased operations, and users cannot open films on its namesake application. *Tuan Hung*

Earlier this year, RoPhim, a prominent unlicensed movie website in Vietnam that gained traction in 2025, announced its cessation of operations from 5/2, stating it did not wish to "impact official platforms." Similarly, Xoi Lac TV, a website known for illegally streaming live sports like football, tennis, badminton, and basketball, has also "frozen" its content. Associated fanpages and community groups reportedly under its management have ceased posting new updates.

SimilarWeb data indicates that many copyright-infringing websites attract hundreds of thousands of monthly visits, reportedly profiting from gambling advertisements, inappropriate content, or charging users for high-speed access. Beyond copyright concerns, using these services presents significant security risks, including cyberattacks and malware distribution.

The Prime Minister's directive highlighted recent progress in combating and addressing intellectual property violations, with numerous cases detected and processed. However, infringement remains complex in certain sectors and localities, negatively impacting the investment and business environment, along with the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and businesses.

To achieve significant progress, the Prime Minister has directed ministries, sectors, and local authorities to launch a coordinated, nationwide high-intensity campaign from 7/5 to 30/5. This initiative aims to strictly address violations, emphasizing a policy of no exceptions. Following 30/5, these entities will continue to review, evaluate, and implement focused, ongoing solutions.

Cat Tien