#Vietnam #Hanoi #ICANN #DNS Forum

ICANN's APAC DNS Forum in Hanoi: Shaping a Multilingual Internet

The fourth edition of the Asia-Pacific Domain Name System (DNS) Forum is set to take place from May 8 to 9, 2025, at the InterContinental Hanoi Landmark 72 in Vietnam. Organized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), this annual event brings together experts and leaders from around the globe to explore ways of enhancing a multilingual Internet.

As a vital non-profit organization, ICANN is responsible for coordinating the Domain Name System, which plays a crucial role in preserving a secure and interoperable global Internet. This year's forum is hosted by the Vietnam National Internet Center (VNNIC), the country's official Internet registry.

The discussions at the 2025 Forum aim to address how to make the Internet more accessible for millions by incorporating varied languages and scripts into the DNS. The adoption of diverse scripts is vital for providing an inclusive online space, which promotes engagement from a broader audience globally.

Among the key sessions, an opening plenary will discuss the future of the Internet and the domain name landscape, featuring current and upcoming initiatives aimed at facilitating Internet access for the next billion users. This session will also recognize significant milestones from the twentieth anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), examining its implications for the APAC region.

Notable leaders attending include ICANN Chair Tripti Sinha and CEO Kurtis Lindqvist, alongside representatives from VNNIC, local commerce, technical sectors, and civil society. Samiran Gupta, ICANN's Vice President and General Manager for the APAC region, expressed excitement about hosting the forum in Hanoi, citing the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.

"This marks the fourth year of convening the DNS Forum for our APAC community, and we look forward to hearing regional voices on critical themes influencing the future of the Internet," Gupta stated. VNNIC's General Director, Nguyen Hong Thang, also expressed pride in hosting this pivotal gathering. He emphasized that the forum would address the safe and reliable development of domain names while promoting an equitable Internet for everyone under the guiding principle: 'the Internet for all.'

ICANN has established a tradition of conducting DNS forums across various continents including Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and the Middle East, all aimed at fostering collaboration within the ICANN and global DNS community.

For the first time, the APAC DNS Forum 2025 will coincide with the Contracted Parties Summit (CP) from May 5 to 7 and the Universal Acceptance Day on May 8. Participants can leverage a single registration for access to all sessions, whether in-person or virtually, enhancing networking opportunities among stakeholders.

This event allows attendees not only to explore pressing topics in domain names but also to engage in fruitful exchanges that can help shape the direction of global Internet policies and practices. To delve into these discussions or to participate, interested individuals can register via the provided link.

About ICANN

ICANN’s mission is to ensure a secure, stable, and unified global Internet. To facilitate online communications, unique identifiers like names and numbers are essential. Established in 1998, ICANN acts as a non-profit public benefit organization involving participants worldwide, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative Internet framework.

For further details or to visualize the forum, visit the provided multimedia links.