What Is an International Domain? How to Register and Declare One

Growing and expanding the market is a core goal of every business, and each business takes its own approach to it. Expanding into international markets gives a business a solid position, wider influence and the potential for higher profit. Among the many goals to pursue, developing a website with the right international domain is something to take seriously.

Read on as MONA Media look at international domain is so that choosing and using it meets the needs of your work as effectively as possible.

What is an international domain name?

International domain name (global domain) means a domain issued by ICANN and usable in almost every country and territory in the world.

Any individual or organization can buy and own an international domain name, as long as it is registered with ICANN to the proper standard until the owner no longer needs it and stops renewing it.

Top-level domains can be used worldwide, in any country. These international domains come with extensions that each carry a particular meaning, depending on the type of organization.

The most common are .com, .net, .edu, .org and so on. Registering a domain, whether in a single country or as an international domain, is not subject to any specific binding terms.

->See more:

• Basics of Vietnamese domain names with diacritics
• How to choose a domain extension for your website

Common types of international domain names

International domain names can be classified by several criteria, and each criterion gives different types. Before you buy and use an international domain, it is worth understanding the basic types. International domains are mainly classified as follows:

• .com domain: used mainly by individuals and organizations engaged in commerce.
• .biz domain: widely used by businesses and individuals running a business.
• .edu domain: normally used for education and training websites.
• .net domain: used by individuals or organizations that set up and provide services on the internet.
• .org domain: this type is preferred for organizations in social, cultural and political fields.
• .int domain: used by international organizations operating in the Vietnamese market.
• .ac domain: used by individuals and organizations in research.
• .pro domain: used by individuals or organizations working in highly specialized fields.
• .info domain: used by organizations that provide information, or work in production and distribution.
• .health domain: used by organizations and individuals in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
• .name domain: an international domain for individuals active on the internet.

The lifecycle of an international domain name

The lifecycle of an international domain name usually includes these main stages:

Available

In this state the domain has not been registered by any individual, organization or agency, so you are free to register it by following the proper procedure.

Registration should follow the criteria for a valid domain name, which include:

• Characters from the alphabet A-Z, digits 0-9 and the hyphen (-).
• A maximum length of 253 characters, including the extension such as .com, .net, .org and so on.

Active state of the domain name: Registered 

Right after the purchase completes, the domain is registered and goes live, owned by an individual, organization or business.

You can renew a domain on the last day of the registration period or at any point during it. You can renew for anywhere from 1 year up to a maximum of 10 years, depending on your needs and decision.

Expired

In this state the domain has expired. You cannot access or use it.

Grace Period 

After a domain expires it moves into a "waiting" state. During this period the domain is suspended and nobody else can register it.

Under ICANN rules, the renewal grace period can last 30 to 45 days, depending on the domain. Some domains have special renewal rules, as follows:

• .EU domains: No grace period. The domain expires on the second-to-last day of the month in which it is due to expire.
• .UK domains: A grace period of up to 90 days after expiry.
• .WS domains: No grace period for renewal.
• .NAME domains: No grace period for renewal.
• .TEL domains: 30-day grace period for renewal.
• .TV domains: 30-day grace period for renewal.
• .CO domains: 15-day grace period for renewal.
• .DE domains: No renewal grace period and no deletion waiting period.

Redemption

In this state all of the domain's administrative information has been deleted, and all domain-based access (web, mail and so on) has stopped, meaning the domain is no longer active. But instead of being opened for anyone to register again, it enters a "redemption" state. This redemption period lasts about 25 to 30 days.

To redeem a domain, you pay a fee made up of a redemption fee plus the cost of renewing the domain for at least 1 year. Specifically:

• Redemption fee: The amount the customer pays the registrar to get back a domain that has entered the Redemption state.
• After a successful redemption, to return to the Registeredstate, you need to renew the domain and pay an additional renewal fee.

Pending Deletion

If you do not redeem the domain, it moves to the pending deletion state and can no longer be renewed. Neither the registrar nor you can step in to renew it once the redemption step has been skipped.

The "Pending Deletion" state lasts5 days. Between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. (Vietnam time) on the last day, the domain is deleted completely and returns to being available for anyone to register again (Available).

Released (Available) 

The domain goes back to the first stage, "Available", and a new cycle begins in which it can be registered again.

Benefits of using a global domain for your business

Choosing a domain name helps a website be developed and put to use well for the needs of an individual or business. A global domain is highly regarded and brings many benefits.

Opens up the global market

An international domain name frees you from the limits of the domestic market, geography and working hours. Global reach lets you connect with more customers, both in Vietnam and abroad. Being able to go out and find customers yourself also helps lift revenue.

Save on advertising costs

One of the big benefits of an international domain is lower advertising cost. Instead of renting premises and hiring staff, reaching customers through a website is well regarded. An international domain lets you serve a large number of customers of every kind, in every country, at the same time.

Show professionalism

An international domain with an extension such as .com, .net or .org is well regarded and shows a business's professionalism. That helps attract customers and build user trust.

Gain a competitive edge

Instead of operating only in person, the internet opens up an ideal market for online business . A global domain gives businesses in any field and industry the best conditions to grow. With the right international domain, expanding your operations and reaching more customers is well supported.

Why declare an international domain after registering it?

Declaring a global domain after registration is mandatory. Article 23 of the Law on Information Technology states clearly that individuals or organizations building websites that do not use the national domain must declare to the Ministry of Information and Communications basic information such as:

• The organization's name as written in its establishment decision, business registration certificate, operating license or office license, or the individual's full name.
• The number, date and place of issue of the citizen ID card, or the number, date and place of issue of the individual's passport.
• The full address of the organization's head office, or the individual's residential address.
• A phone number, an email address and a fax number (if any).
• Information about the registered domain names.

Declaring an international domain with the competent authority after registration is a requirement that must be taken seriously. Individuals and organizations are legally responsible for the accuracy of the information declared, and must promptly report any changes. Any error, or failing to declare when registering an international domain, is subject to penalties.

Decree 174/2013/ND-CP of 13/11/2013 sets out violations in the fields of postal services, telecommunications, radio frequencies and information technology, with administrative fines of 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 VND for registering a domain without declaring it or without complying with the law.

->Read more about registering a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade:

• Why register with the Ministry of Industry and Trade? What is the procedure?
• Why must you register your website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade?
• A Reliable Service for Registering Your Website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, from MONA Media

How to register an international domain quickly and easily

Registering an international domain can be done quickly in a few simple steps. Knowing the details helps you act confidently when you need to. Specifically:

Check the domain

Buying to check your domain name should be done before you register. It makes sure the domain you want is not already in use by anyone else. A valid domain name must:

• Not exceed 63 characters, including the extension such as .com or .net.
• Use only the letters a-z, the digits 0-9 and the hyphen (-).
• Contain no special characters or spaces, which are invalid.
• Not start or end with a hyphen.
• Relate to the subject or field you work in.
• Preferably be short, easy to remember and unambiguous.

 Complete the registration

To complete the registration, follow these basic steps:

• Step 1: Review your cart in detail, including the registration period, cost and so on.
• Step 2: Log in to your account on the domain-purchase website to finish buying the global domain you need.
• Step 3: Choose a suitable payment method from those available on the domain provider's website to complete the purchase and put the domain into use.

->See more: Should you use multiple domains for one website?

How to declare an international domain after registration

Buying register a domain Once the international domain is successfully registered, the declaration should be completed promptly and in full. To declare, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Go to the home page of the Ministry of Information and Communications at http://thongbaotenmien.vn.
• Step 2: Click New usage notice, then enter the domain name in the box, and finally click Look up.
• Step 3: If the domain is being declared for the first time, click Usage notice. Individual users should choose the option for international domains owned by an individual; organizations should choose the option for organizations. Fill in all the information on the form, then click Submit.

When the process is done, the system sends an automatic email from confirm@thongbaotenmien.vn to the email address you declared, with the subject "Thông báo sử dụng tên miền quốc tế" (international domain usage notice). It contains the declared domain name and the password you entered on the form earlier.

Registering a domain name is an important step for a business to build and protect its website, reputation and brand, and it helps you stand out. If you need to buying a domain or transfer your domain provider then CONTACT with MONA qua hotline 1900 636 648 to get the best advice and support.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions about international domain names that MONA has received:

What do international domain names do?

International domain names let users around the world use and access domains in their own language. This increases globalization and access to the internet, and is convenient for users who do not use English.

How do I register a global domain?

To register a global domain, contact a domain registrar that supports international domain registration. Provide the required information, including the domain you want to register and the language or characters you want to use. The registration process may vary depending on the rules of each country or domain authority.

Understanding what an international domain name is, and how to register and declare one, helps any individual or organization apply it to their own needs.

That way, using an international domain and developing your website goes smoothly and in line with the law. It helps you minimize negative effects on the website you use to support your work.

->See also:

• How to choose the right domain for your business
• How to renew a domain when it expires
• What is a domain name
• Rent hosting high-quality hosting from MONA