Buying a domain from Mat Bao and other Vietnamese providers: how to compare

Buying a domain from Mat Bao makes sense if you want domain, hosting and email under one local provider. But Nhan Hoa, Tenten and iNET are also .vn registrars, so what to compare is the bundled services and how you control the domain, not the brand name.

Before comparing: which registrars sell .vn domains?

A .vn domain is not bought directly from the authority. It goes through registrars that have a contract with VNNIC. VNNIC's homepage has a section listing the official .vn registrars, showing logos such as Mat Bao, Nhan Hoa, Tenten, iNET, BKNS, Vinahost and Tino Group. Before paying anyone, check the provider's name against that list.

Two things to remember:

• You can buy a .vn domain from any listed registrar and still move it to another later. A correctly handled transfer normally does not interrupt your website.
• A well-known name is not necessarily a .vn registrar today. For example, FPT ended its .vn registrar contract on 21 January 2018, according to a notice republished by Quantrimang; customer domains were moved to other registrars. For FPT and Viettel I could not find a source confirming they are .vn registrars now, so check VNNIC's list yourself.

For paperwork, documents and eligibility rules for .vn, read the registrar's and VNNIC's guidance, or ask someone in your company who handles legal matters. This article draws no conclusions about regulations.

Buying a domain from Mat Bao: what to consider

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According to Mat Bao's homepage, it offers domain-related services including .vn and international registration, transfer of ownership, registrar transfer, domain protection and DNSSEC. It also sells hosting (Cloud Hosting, WordPress Hosting) and email on your own domain (Email Pro, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365).

That suits:

• Small businesses that want a single contact point for domain, hosting and email.
• Part-time IT owners who want many web services from one local provider.

Trade-off: putting everything in one place is convenient but makes switching providers harder. Keep the domain account registered to the company, not to an individual who may leave. See the Mat Bao — Domains page on this site for the description and reference pricing.

Quick comparison of providers

The table summarises each provider's own pages; where something was not stated, it is marked so you can verify it.

If you need an international domain together with international hosting, Hostinger — Domains is one option to compare: it does not sell .vn, and the renewal price needs a close look against the first year.

Criteria for choosing where to buy

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1. Does it offer the extension you need?

Vietnamese businesses typically use .vn or .com.vn for domestic sites and .com if they aim abroad. Tenten lists many .vn variants (.com.vn, .net.vn, .biz.vn, .id.vn, .io.vn and others) plus international extensions. Type your exact name into each provider's search box.

2. Transparent renewal costs

First-year and renewal costs can differ, and for .vn the state fee is shown separately from the service fee. Check the provider's price list (or the product page on this site), ask about tax and renewal fees before buying, and note the expiry date.

3. Control over the domain

Before buying, check:

• Whose name the management account is under, and whose email is used for recovery.
• Whether there is a domain lock to prevent unauthorised transfers.
• Whether you can hide owner details (WHOIS Privacy), since providers differ.
• Whether you can point DNS freely to outside hosting or email, so you are not locked into one ecosystem.

4. Support and transfer process

Ask how the provider accepts inbound transfers, whether an authorisation (EPP/Auth) code or other documents are needed, and how long it takes. You will need this if you want to move in a few years.

Steps to buy a domain, whichever provider you choose

1. Pick the name: short, easy to read, without diacritics, and not too close to another brand.
2. Check availability at two or more providers, then check VNNIC's registrar list if you choose .vn.
3. Compare bundled services: DNS, domain lock, WHOIS Privacy, hosting, email.
4. Register the account with a company email and accurate owner details, because for .vn the registrar is responsible for verifying the owner's information.
5. Pay, complete any documents the provider asks for, and wait for activation.
6. Turn on the domain lock, set an expiry reminder, and store login details somewhere the company controls.

Which provider should you pick?

There is no best choice for everyone. A few ways to think about it:

• Want domain, hosting and email in one place: Mat Bao is one to look at first.
• Need a .vn domain with Vietnamese support and few extras: iNET, Nhan Hoa and Tenten are all worth comparing.
• Need an international domain with international hosting: look at Hostinger.
• Already host elsewhere (for example at Azdigi): check DNS management and transfer options before switching.

One practical warning: many people choose a provider only for the first-year promotion. Ask the reverse question instead: in three years, how easy is it to leave, and do you hold the account?

Frequently asked questions

Is buying a domain from Mat Bao the only way to get a .vn domain?

No. .vn domains are sold through several registrars recognised by VNNIC; Mat Bao, Nhan Hoa, Tenten and iNET are all on its list. Pick the one whose bundled services fit your needs.

Can I buy a domain from FPT or Viettel?

I could not confirm that FPT or Viettel currently sell .vn domains as registrars. FPT ended its .vn registrar contract on 21 January 2018. Check VNNIC's registrar list and ask the company directly before buying.

How does Nhan Hoa differ from Tenten?

Both are .vn registrars that also sell international domains. According to their own pages, Nhan Hoa offers WHOIS Privacy, domain lock and .vn backorder, while Tenten offers AI name suggestions and a domain-watch tool. Compare the features you will actually use and the current price lists.

Can I move a domain from one provider to another?

Yes. Nhan Hoa, Tenten, Mat Bao and Azdigi all mention accepting inbound domain transfers, which usually require an authorisation code from the current provider. Ask the new provider about documents and processing time before you move.