{"id":37852,"date":"2026-03-15T17:38:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T10:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dps.media\/?p=37852"},"modified":"2026-03-15T17:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T10:53:30","slug":"google-maps-banned-in-vietnam-free-store-locator-plugin-replacement-for-wordpress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/google-maps-banned-in-vietnam-free-store-locator-plugin-replacement-for-wordpress\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Maps Banned in Vietnam \u2013 Free Store Locator Plugin Alternative for WordPress"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><p>Are you using Google Maps on a WordPress website? Read this carefully before continuing.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Google Maps Officially Bans Usage in Vietnam<\/h2><p>On May 20, 2024, Google updated its <strong>Google Maps Platform Prohibited Territories<\/strong> page \u2013 the list of countries prohibited from using Google Maps Platform services. Vietnam is on that list, along with China, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran.<\/p><blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cProhibited Territories: China, Crimea, Cuba, Donetsk People\u2019s Republic, Iran, Luhansk People\u2019s Republic, North Korea, Syria, <strong>Vietnam<\/strong>\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/cloud.google.com\/maps-platform\/terms\/maps-prohibited-territories\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Google Maps Platform Terms of Service \u2013 Prohibited Territories<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><p>This means: if you are integrating Google Maps API on your website \u2013 from store locators, embedded maps, to address search features \u2013 you are violating Google\u2019s terms of service. The consequence could be <strong>blocking the API key without notice<\/strong>, causing all maps on your website to break immediately.<\/p><p>This is not a technical or cost issue. This is a legal and operational risk that tens of thousands of Vietnamese websites are facing without knowing it.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Do Many Websites Still Work?<\/h2><p>Google hasn't turned off everyone's API at once \u2013 that doesn't mean you're safe. Your API key could be locked at any time without notice, especially when:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Google tightens end-user IP address checks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You upgrade your service plan or change billing info<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Request volume spikes and triggers an audit<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>When that happens, all maps on the website will display an error, and you won't understand why.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Solution: DPS Store Locator with Goong Maps<\/h2><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dps-store-locator.zip\">DPS Store Locator<\/a><\/strong> is a WordPress plugin <strong>completely free<\/strong>, using <strong>Goong Maps<\/strong> \u2013 a map platform developed in Vietnam, with no legal restrictions regarding territory of use.<\/p><p>Goong Maps is built by a team of Vietnamese engineers, featuring map data for Vietnam that is more detailed and accurate than Google Maps, especially in provinces and suburban areas. Servers are located domestically, so loading speeds are significantly faster.<\/p><p>Just paste the shortcode onto any page:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>[dps_store_locator]<\/code><\/pre><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h2><p><strong>Goong Maps \u2013 Legal, Fast, Standard for Vietnam<\/strong> No worries about locked APIs, no terms violations, and domestic servers for superior display speed.<\/p><p><strong>Find Nearest Store by Location<\/strong> Customers click \u201cMy Location,\u201d and the plugin automatically calculates the distance and displays the nearest store instantly \u2013 entirely on the client side, without additional API calls.<\/p><p><strong>Filter by Province\/City, District<\/strong> Suitable for retail chains with hundreds of points of sale nationwide.<\/p><p><strong>Address Entry with Autocomplete<\/strong> Admin types the address, and the system suggests it immediately via Goong Place API \u2013 no need to manually enter coordinates.<\/p><p><strong>Mobile Responsive Standard<\/strong> The interface looks beautiful on all devices, optimizing the customer experience for mobile lookups.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Comparison<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>DPS Store Locator (Goong)<\/th><th>Google Maps API<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Legal in Vietnam<\/strong><\/td><td>\u2705 Valid<\/td><td>\u274c Banned in ToS<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Risk of being locked<\/strong><\/td><td>No<\/td><td>Can be locked at any time<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Cost<\/strong><\/td><td>Free<\/td><td>Charged per call<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Speed in VN<\/strong><\/td><td>Fast (domestic server)<\/td><td>Slower<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>VN Map Data<\/strong><\/td><td>Detailed, accurate<\/td><td>Sometimes inaccurate<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Supported<\/strong><\/td><td>Vietnamese Team<\/td><td>English online documentation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Install in 5 Minutes<\/h2><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dps-store-locator.zip\">Download the plugin at <strong>dps.media<\/strong><\/a> and install via WordPress Admin \u2192 Plugins \u2192 Add New<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get a free API Key at <strong>account.goong.io\/keys<\/strong> (Maptiles Key + API Key)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to <strong>DPS Store \u2192 Settings<\/strong>, fill in the 2 keys<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to <strong>DPS Store \u2192 Activate<\/strong>, l\u1ea5y m\u00e3 k\u00edch ho\u1ea1t mi\u1ec5n ph\u00ed t\u1ea1i <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/\" title=\"DPS.MEDIA JSC\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"867\">dps.media<\/a> r\u1ed3i nh\u1eadp v\u00e0o<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add stores at <strong>DPS Store \u2192 Add New Store<\/strong> \u2013 type the address, coordinates fill automatically<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paste <code><code>shortcode<\/code><\/code> on any page and publish<\/li>\n<\/ol><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free Activation \u2013 Nothing to Lose<\/h2><p>The plugin has no paid features. The activation code is free, valid for 3 months, and can be renewed for free. Activation only helps DPS.MEDIA track usage volume and send important security notifications when necessary.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don't Wait Until Your Map Breaks<\/h2><p>If your website is using Google Maps API, now is the time to switch to a more legal, stable, and free solution. Migration only takes 30 minutes and does not affect existing store data.<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dps-store-locator.zip\">Download the plugin and get the free activation code at: dps.media<\/a><\/strong><\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><p><em>DPS.MEDIA JSC \u2013 Comprehensive Digital Marketing Solutions for Vietnamese SMEs<\/em> <em>56 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC | <a href=\"mailto:marketing@dps.media\">marketing@dps.media<\/a> | 0961 545 445<\/em><\/p>\n<style>\r\n.lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{\r\n            \r\n            margin-top: 40px;\nmargin-bottom: 30px;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-title{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n        }.lwrp .lwrp-description{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-container{\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{\r\n            display: flex;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-double{\r\n            width: 48%;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{\r\n            width: 32%;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{\r\n            display: flex;\r\n            justify-content: space-between;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{\r\n            width: calc(33% - 20px);\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){\r\n            \r\n            max-width: 150px;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item img{\r\n            max-width: 100%;\r\n            height: auto;\r\n            object-fit: cover;\r\n            aspect-ratio: 1 \/ 1;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item.lwrp-empty-list-item{\r\n            background: initial !important;\r\n        }\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,\r\n        .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{\r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        }@media screen and (max-width: 480px) {\r\n            .lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-title{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n            }.lwrp .lwrp-description{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{\r\n                flex-direction: column;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container ul.lwrp-list{\r\n                margin-top: 0px;\r\n                margin-bottom: 0px;\r\n                padding-top: 0px;\r\n                padding-bottom: 0px;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-double,\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{\r\n                width: 100%;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{\r\n                justify-content: initial;\r\n                flex-direction: column;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{\r\n                width: 100%;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){\r\n                \r\n                max-width: initial;\r\n            }\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,\r\n            .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{\r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            };\r\n        }<\/style>\r\n<div id=\"link-whisper-related-posts-widget\" class=\"link-whisper-related-posts lwrp\">\r\n            <div class=\"lwrp-title\">Related Posts<\/div>    \r\n        <div class=\"lwrp-list-container\">\r\n                                <div class=\"lwrp-list lwrp-list-row-container lwrp-list-double-row\">\r\n                <div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/site-check-ip-tool-to-check-website-ip-safely-and-quickly\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Site Check IP \u2013 Tool to Quickly and Safely Check Website IP<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/integrating-work-life-for-digital-marketing-businesses-secret-to-increasing-productivity\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Work-Life Integration for Digital Marketing Businesses: Productivity Boost Secrets<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/leverage-lovable-ai-free-2-months-create-marketing-webapp-quickly-for-smes\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Leverage Lovable AI free for 2 months: Quickly create marketing webapp for SMEs<\/span><\/a><\/div>                <\/div>\r\n                            <div class=\"lwrp-list lwrp-list-row-container lwrp-list-double-row\">\r\n                <div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/build-facebook-zalo-community-for-small-brand\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Building community (Community Marketing) on Facebook\/Zalo: Unique path for small Brands<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/complete-guide-on-how-to-integrate-chatwoot-with-line-channel-official-account\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Complete Guide on How to Integrate Chatwoot with LINE Channel Official Account<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"lwrp-list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/business-model-according-to-the-3-challenge-chain-that-the-fb-industry-faces\/\" class=\"lwrp-list-link\"><span class=\"lwrp-list-link-title-text\">Business Model by Chain \u2013 3 Challenges Faced by the F&amp;B Industry<\/span><\/a><\/div>                <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>B\u1ea1n \u0111ang d\u00f9ng Google Maps tr\u00ean website WordPress? H\u00e3y \u0111\u1ecdc k\u1ef9 b\u00e0i n\u00e0y tr\u01b0\u1edbc khi ti\u1ebfp t\u1ee5c.Google Maps Ch\u00ednh Th\u1ee9c C\u1ea5m S\u1eed D\u1ee5ng T\u1ea1i Vi\u1ec7t NamNg\u00e0y 20\/5\/2024, Google c\u1eadp nh\u1eadt trang Google Maps Platform Prohibited Territories \u2013 danh s\u00e1ch c\u00e1c qu\u1ed1c gia b\u1ecb c\u1ea5m s\u1eed d\u1ee5ng d\u1ecbch v\u1ee5 Google Maps Platform. Vi\u1ec7t Nam n\u1eb1m trong [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37862,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,76,1204],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-google-marketing","category-wordpress-marketing"],"acf":[],"rankmath_keywords":{"primary":"","secondary":[""]},"yoast_keywords":{"primary":"","secondary":[]},"yoast_focuskw":"","rankmath_focuskw":"","seo_keywords":{"primary":"","secondary":[""]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37852"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37852\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37866,"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37852\/revisions\/37866"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37852"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37852"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dps.media\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}