Published: 17.10.2026
The .vu extension is the country-code domain of Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific with its capital in Port Vila on Efate. Dive operators, eco-lodges, craft makers and local firms use it to show a clear link to the islands. Use the availability form that follows this text to see whether your name in .vu is still available.
Check if a .vu domain is available .vu Check
A short history
Vanuatu has its own national code, and the zone has grown with the tourism, agriculture and service businesses of the islands. Local organisations and government offices use it alongside many small firms, and island businesses use the ending for websites ranging from dive shops to craft stalls. The country's reefs, volcanoes and village traditions draw visitors who often research their trips online.
Who runs it
A national registry runs the zone, keeps the list of registered names and publishes conditions for holders. Accredited registrars sell names to the public and pass the orders to the registry. Because the registry sets these conditions, read its current terms before you order, especially if you are based outside the country.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: some zones restrict holders, so confirm eligibility before you commit to a name.
- Contact details: the registrant's information must be accurate, and it may be checked when requested.
- Characters: names use Latin letters, digits and hyphens, and the zone's own length rules apply.
- Renewal: put renewal dates on a shared calendar, because a lapsed name may become available to others.
Who uses .vu
- Dive operators, snorkel tours and eco-lodges on the outer islands and the main island.
- Carvers, weavers and food producers who sell to visitors and to export buyers.
- Guesthouses, cultural guides and community-based tourism projects.
- Schools, churches, health clinics and local organisations serving island communities.
Strengths
- The ending points clearly to Vanuatu, which helps visitors and partners find a local business quickly.
- The official languages include Bislama, English and French, so a site can present itself in more than one language.
- Two letters are short enough for a boat, a signboard or a craft label.
Things to keep in mind
- A .vu name points to one country, so a tour company with international partners may also need a generic address.
- Good short names can already be taken, so a village, reef or island name may help you find an alternative.
- Internet access can vary between islands, so keep a phone number and an e-mail address on every page for travellers.
- Conditions set by the registry can be revised, so recheck them before you renew.
Tips before you register
- Check the .com version of the name and the booking sites you rely on.
- Enter the business name and owner details exactly as they appear in official papers.
- Offer the site in English and French, and in Bislama where local customers are the main audience.
- Set up mail authentication records before you send invoices or newsletters from the domain.
- Protect the registrar account with two-factor login and a backup contact.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone living abroad register a .vu name? Holder conditions can differ, so read the current rules before you order.
Is .vu useful for an eco-lodge that books mostly foreign guests? It can be, because the name links the lodge to its location. A generic address can still help guests who do not know the ending.
Can a Bislama-language site use .vu? Yes. The ending does not fix the language, so the site can be written in Bislama, English, French or a mix.
