"We have to refuse the website name of www.buoi.com.vn because the word for grapefruit, buoi, without a proper tone marking can be misunderstood to mean penis," said Thai Huu Ly of the Vietnam Internet Network Information Centre.

Vowels in written and printed Vietnamese incorporate elaborate markings indicating one of six pronunciation tones. But because website addresses carry no tone indications, confusion can arise.

"The word is very sensitive so we will definitely refuse," he said.

According to Vietnamese regulations, names of websites must not contain words that "violate the national interest or are not in accordance with social ethics, lifestyle and national culture."

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