Circular 12/2015/TT-BVHTTDL dated 11 December 2015 on amending some articles in Regulations on film censorship and distribution permit

This has been one of the most outstanding measures of Viet Nam’s cultural industries over the past 5 years in regard to support of freedom of cultural and artistic creation in the film industry. Before 2015, the film distribution in Viet Nam complied with the film evaluation and classification criteria promulgated by the Film Censorship Council (feature films, documentaries, scientific films, animated films) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, comprised of 7-9 members, setting up abstract, general and subjective criteria based on each member’s expertise and artistic sense such as content, artistic values in films, attraction, sound and image effects. Such classification in films has long restricted the diversity and creativity in the film industry in Viet Nam.

In accordance with the new Circular, criteria for film have been formulated specifically, in details, and can be quantitative, namely theme, content; violence; nudity, sex; drugs, stimulants, addiction; horror; rude images, sounds, language. Based on different levels of these criteria (frequency, details, rudeness, duration, etc.), films can be categorized as follows:

P films should be suitable for audiences.

C13 films are generally prohibited for children aged under 13.

C16 films are generally prohibited for audiences aged under 16.

C18 films are generally prohibited for audiences aged under 18.