At the end of June 2020, several popular pirated movie websites in Vietnam such as Phimmoi, Dongphim, HDonline, and Phimbathu were suddenly blocked by ISPs using technical measures. According to authorities, these sites were among 83 websites flagged for “copyright infringement of television program content”.
Since then, users in Vietnam have been unable to access these sites. Although the site owners have tried to evade restrictions by changing domains, traffic to many pirated movie sites has dropped sharply.
Most recently, more pirated movie sites have had their domains blocked, including Vkool, a well-known site among Vietnamese internet users.
Popular pirated movie sites like Phimmoi, Phimbathu, and now Vkool have all been blocked by ISPs following government requests (screenshot).
Specifically, when trying to visit Vkool’s domain, users see an English message saying “This site can’t be reached.” However, users can still access the site and watch movies normally by using VPNs. According to reports, users on Viettel, FPT, and VNPT networks have been unable to access Vkool’s domain since July 19.
IT expert Tran Tuan Hung from Hanoi notes that Vkool’s traffic is not as high as other pirated sites like Phimmoi or Phimbathu. Similarweb data shows Vkool averages about 1.09 million visits per month, with peaks reaching 1.3 million.
Despite this, Vkool is considered a long-standing pirated movie site in Vietnam, having existed for nearly a decade. Its domain was registered in 2008. Initially, Vkool served as a general entertainment site, but from 2012, as pirated movie sites boomed in Vietnam, Vkool began uploading unlicensed films.
Like most pirated sites, Vkool uses servers from Google, Facebook, and Openload to host and stream unauthorized movies. The site also runs ads such as banners and video commercials within movies to profit illegally from unlicensed content.
Most content on Vkool is pirated. Many newly released movies are uploaded as “cam copies” (screenshot).
Technology experts say pirated movie sites are becoming direct competitors to domestic OTT platforms due to their easy setup and huge profits. Meanwhile, many Vietnamese still don’t pay for online movies or music, unintentionally helping pirated sites thrive. Authorities face challenges in shutting these sites down because owners keep switching domains after blocks.
