Vietnamese technology company operating digital-content, online-entertainment, communications, payments, and cloud platforms.
Last updated October 25, 2026
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Overview
VNG is a Vietnamese technology company founded in 2004 as VinaGame. It began by developing and distributing online games and software for internet cafés, then broadened its activities into digital media, social networking, communications, online payments, e-commerce, and cloud computing. The company later adopted the VNG Corporation name as its business expanded beyond gaming. Its best-known consumer product is Zalo, a messaging and calling service available on mobile and desktop devices. Zalo developed into a broader communications and service platform, while VNG's Zing family established an important presence in Vietnamese online entertainment. Zing MP3 became a major local music-streaming service, and the wider Zing ecosystem included news, video, games, and community features. VNG also operated Zing Me, an early Vietnamese social network that combined profiles, blogging, media sharing, games, and other applications before being discontinued in 2020 after user interest declined. Payments became another major area. The company created 123Pay in 2010, building on the earlier ZingPay system used for its online games. It subsequently launched ZaloPay, a digital-wallet and payment service connected to the Zalo ecosystem. VNG also operates cloud and technology services for organizations, including infrastructure supported by Tier III-standard data centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Its earlier software portfolio included Cyber Station Manager, a tool for managing internet cafés, and it supported the Zuni online learning initiative. VNG is regarded as one of Vietnam's most prominent technology companies and has been described by regional startup publications as the country's first unicorn startup. In 2014, the World Startup Report assessed the company at a valuation of approximately one billion US dollars; this was a private-company valuation rather than a public-market listing. In 2017, VNG signed a memorandum of understanding with Nasdaq to explore a possible US listing, although the supplied reference material does not establish that a listing was completed. The company continues to combine consumer internet services with enterprise technology. Its gaming business remains strategically important, while communications, payments, digital content, and cloud services give VNG a broader platform position in Vietnam. In 2024, VNG and Roblox announced a cooperation agreement under which VNG became Roblox's official publisher in Vietnam, extending the company's role in local game distribution and platform operations.
History
VNG was established on 9 September 2004 under the name VinaGame, with Le Hong Minh as its founder. Its initial business was centered on online games and the software and distribution infrastructure needed to serve Vietnam's growing internet population. The company soon expanded beyond game publishing. In 2006 it released Cyber Station Manager, a tool for managing internet cafés, and developed 123mua.com.vn, an early e-commerce initiative. It also assembled a collection of web products under the Zing name, combining information, communication, and entertainment. The Zing portfolio helped VNG establish a strong position in Vietnamese digital media. Zing MP3, launched in August 2007, became one of the country's most prominent online music services. By August 2008, Alexa rankings cited it as Vietnam's leading online music listening and search destination. During 2008 and 2009, the company increasingly used the VNG Corporation identity, reflecting a business broader than the original VinaGame gaming focus. It continued to develop online games, including Thuận, which received a Sao Khue award in 2010, and Un In, which was exported to Japan. VNG also pursued social networking. Zing Me launched in August 2009 and combined social profiles, blogging, photo and music sharing, video, games, email, and other applications within the Zing environment. A mobile version followed in 2010. Although the service became an important early Vietnamese social network, competition and changing user preferences eventually weakened its position, and VNG closed it in 2020. Payments formed a further growth path. The company created 123Pay in 2010 as the successor to ZingPay, a payment system originally used for VNG's online games. In 2012, VNG released Zalo for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. The messaging and calling application gained rapid adoption, reaching 10 million users in approximately eighteen months and becoming the company's most recognizable consumer platform. Zalo later provided a foundation for additional services, including ZaloPay, launched in 2016. VNG's growth attracted international attention. In 2014, the World Startup Report estimated its value at about one billion US dollars, and regional business coverage described it as Vietnam's first unicorn startup. The company received a national Third-Class Labor Medal in April 2014, with the award presented to chairman and chief executive Le Hong Minh. In 2015, the World Economic Forum in Manila recognized VNG as a fast-growing enterprise in East Asia. From 2017 onward, VNG explored larger-scale international and enterprise opportunities. It signed a memorandum of understanding with Nasdaq in 2017 to investigate a possible US listing, though the available references do not confirm a completed listing. In 2018, the company identified finance, payments, and cloud services as strategic businesses. Its cloud operation provides technology services for organizations and businesses, supported by Tier III-standard data centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. VNG has also faced legal and regulatory challenges. A February 2009 inspection reportedly found software copyright infringement at the former VinaGame headquarters, with the alleged infringement valued at approximately VND 5 billion. In 2020, VNG sued TikTok for approximately 9.5 million US dollars over alleged copyright infringement. The supplied sources do not establish the final outcome of that case. In 2024, VNG announced cooperation with Roblox and became the official publisher of Roblox in Vietnam, reinforcing its role in local game publishing while retaining its broader portfolio of communications, entertainment, payment, and cloud services.
- 2024
Roblox publishing cooperation is announced
[1]VNG and Roblox announce that VNG will serve as Roblox's official publisher in Vietnam.
- 2017
Nasdaq listing exploration begins
[1]VNG signs a memorandum with Nasdaq to explore a possible US listing.
- 2016
ZaloPay launches
[1]VNG launches its digital-wallet and payment platform ZaloPay.
- 2014
VNG reaches reported unicorn valuation
[1]The World Startup Report assesses VNG at approximately one billion US dollars.
- 2012
Zalo is released
[1]VNG releases its mobile messaging and calling application, Zalo.
- 2010
123Pay is introduced
[1]VNG expands from gaming payments into a broader online-payment service with 123Pay.
- 2009
Zing Me launches
[1]VNG introduces a multifunctional social-networking platform within the Zing ecosystem.
- 2007
Zing MP3 launches
[1]VNG launches the Zing MP3 online music service.
- 2006
Cyber Station Manager is released
[1]The company publishes its first Cyber Station Manager software for internet-café administration.
- 2004
VinaGame is founded
[1]VNG is established on 9 September 2004 as VinaGame, initially concentrating on online games and related technology.
Products and positioning
A leading Vietnamese consumer-internet and technology platform company spanning communications, entertainment, gaming, payments, and cloud infrastructure.
Messaging and communications · 2012
Zalo
Zalo is VNG's mobile and desktop messaging and calling application. Released in 2012 for major mobile platforms and Windows Phone, it achieved rapid adoption in Vietnam and reached 10 million users in roughly eighteen months. Beyond person-to-person communication, Zalo became an important foundation for VNG's broader consumer-services ecosystem.
Music streaming · 2007
Zing MP3
Zing MP3 is an online music service launched in August 2007. It became one of Vietnam's most prominent local digital-music destinations and was reported by Alexa as the country's leading online music listening and search service in 2008. Its smartphone application was also among the frequently downloaded apps in Vietnam.
Social networking · 2009
Zing Me
Zing Me was a social network introduced in 2009 as part of the Zing ecosystem. It combined user profiles with blogging, photo and music sharing, video, games, email, and other applications. A mobile version was released in 2010. The service was shut down in 2020 after a long decline in popularity.
Online payments · 2010
123Pay
123Pay is an online-payment platform created in 2010. It developed from ZingPay, which had supported payments for VNG's online games since 2005, and represented the company's move toward a broader digital-payments business.
Digital payments · 2016
ZaloPay
ZaloPay is VNG's digital-wallet and personal-payment service. Launched in 2016, it extends the company's payments strategy and benefits from proximity to the Zalo communications platform.
Cloud services
VNG Cloud
VNG Cloud provides cloud and internet-based technology services for organizations and businesses. The offering is part of VNG's enterprise-services expansion and is supported by Tier III-standard data centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Internet-café management software · 2006
Cyber Station Manager
Cyber Station Manager, commonly abbreviated as CSM, is software for managing internet cafés and gaming stations. VNG published its first version in February 2006 as one of the company's early software products outside direct game publishing.
Online education · 2014
Zuni
Zuni was a nonprofit online-learning project funded and operated by VNG together with the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center. It was officially published in March 2014.
Controversies
2020
VNG copyright lawsuit against TikTok
VNG sued TikTok and sought approximately 9.5 million US dollars, alleging copyright infringement. The supplied reference material does not establish the final outcome.
2020
VNG sues TikTok over alleged use of Zing music
VNG sued TikTok in Vietnam, alleging that TikTok used audio tracks owned by VNG subsidiary Zing without adequate licences or consent. A court document seeks damages and demands that TikTok cease using Zing's music; the source reports allegations, not a court determination.
2009
Software copyright inspection at VinaGame
Inspectors reportedly found software copyright infringement during raids on VinaGame's Ho Chi Minh City headquarters on 23 and 24 February. The alleged infringement was valued at approximately VND 5 billion. The available reference does not provide a final legal disposition.
Brand decisions
2024
Roblox publishing partnership in VietnamProduct launchBackground
VNG maintained a substantial role in Vietnamese online gaming and digital distribution.
Action taken
VNG and Roblox announced cooperation making VNG the official Roblox publisher in Vietnam.
Aftermath
The agreement strengthened VNG's local publishing and platform-operations role in the games market.
2018
Expansion into finance, payments, and cloudStrategyBackground
VNG had developed a portfolio spanning gaming, communications, digital content, and online payments.
Action taken
The company identified finance and payment services together with cloud services as strategic growth businesses.
Aftermath
This broadened VNG's positioning from a game-focused company toward a diversified consumer and enterprise technology platform.
2017
Exploration of a US listingStrategyBackground
VNG sought to evaluate international capital-market options after receiving recognition as a major Vietnamese technology company.
Action taken
VNG signed a memorandum of understanding with Nasdaq to explore a possible US listing.
Aftermath
The available sources do not confirm that the proposed listing was completed.
2016
Launch of ZaloPayProduct launchBackground
VNG had already developed online-payment capabilities through ZingPay and 123Pay and had built a large communications audience through Zalo.
Action taken
The company launched ZaloPay as a digital-wallet and personal-payment platform.
Aftermath
The launch expanded VNG's consumer platform strategy from messaging and content into digital finance.
Recent events
Reported
ShopBase completes $7 million Series A funding[4]
ShopBase completed a $7 million Series A funding round on February 21, 2022, led by Vietnam-based VNG, with local venture capital firm Do Ventures also investing.
Reported
VNG sues TikTok over alleged use of Zing music[3]
VNG sued TikTok in Vietnam, alleging that TikTok used audio tracks owned by VNG subsidiary Zing without adequate licences or consent. A court document seeks damages and demands that TikTok cease using Zing's music; the source reports allegations, not a court determination.
Sources8 sources
- 1VNG Corporationen.wikipedia.org
- 2VNG official websitevng.com.vn
- 3VNG sues TikTok over alleged use of Zing musicvir.com.vn
- 4ShopBase完成700万美元A轮融资news.pedaily.cn
- 5Vietnamese tech firm sues TikTok over alleged copyright infringementiol.co.za
- 6Vietnamese tech firm sues TikTok, alleging copyright infringementca.news.yahoo.com
- 7Vietnamese tech firm sues TikTok, alleging copyright infringementnews.tuoitre.vn
- 8VNG sues TikTok for music copyright infringement in Vietnamvietnamnet.vn
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