Vietnam E-Commerce Law 2026: What Foreign Businesses Must Do Before Selling Online

Vietnam E-Commerce Law 2026 took effect on 1 July 2026. It changes how businesses classify, notify, register and operate websites, mobile applications, online marketplaces, social-commerce functions and livestream sales.

The change is important for foreign-invested companies in Vietnam and overseas platforms serving Vietnamese buyers. A company must now look beyond the name of its website or application and examine what the technology actually does.

A website that only presents products, a website that accepts orders, a marketplace that hosts third-party sellers and a social network that supports livestream sales do not follow the same compliance route.

Foreign businesses should therefore classify their model before launching a website, adding a shopping cart, allowing another seller to open a store, holding seller funds or conducting livestream sales.

What Are the Main Vietnam E-Commerce Regulations in 2026?

The National Assembly adopted Law on E-Commerce No. 122/2025/QH15 on 10 December 2025. The Law took effect on 1 July 2026.

The Government then issued Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP on 30 June 2026. The Decree also took effect on 1 July 2026 and provides detailed rules on notification, registration, foreign platforms, market access and operational responsibilities.

The Law applies to domestic and foreign organizations and individuals involved in e-commerce activities in Vietnam. The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s official overview of the new Law highlights seller identification, livestream responsibilities and rules for foreign platforms as major elements of the new framework.

Which Type of E-Commerce Platform Do You Operate?

The 2026 Law distinguishes four main platform models.

Direct-Business E-Commerce Platform

The platform owner directly sells its own goods or services.

A foreign-invested retailer that operates a website to sell its own products is normally in this category. The compliance position then depends partly on whether the platform has an online ordering function.

Intermediary E-Commerce Platform

Other organizations or individuals register accounts on the platform to introduce or sell goods or services.

An online marketplace that hosts multiple independent sellers is an intermediary platform. It has broader responsibilities than a merchant selling only its own products.

Social Network Conducting E-Commerce

A social network falls into this category when it has functions for online communication, ordering or sales livestreams that support the conclusion of contracts.

The classification depends on functionality, not on whether the owner describes the service as a “community” or a “content platform.”

Integrated E-Commerce Platform

An integrated platform incorporates other e-commerce platforms or functions into a broader system.

This model requires separate legal and technical review because responsibilities may arise at more than one platform layer.

Does a Company Website Need Notification or Registration?

The correct procedure depends on the operating model.

Direct Website With Online Ordering

A direct-business e-commerce platform with an online ordering function must complete the notification procedure before it operates.

Under Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP, the provincial People’s Committee is responsible for confirming the notification, changes to the notification and termination of the notified operation under the prescribed system.

The notification file includes the prescribed form and, where the company trades in conditional goods or services, the relevant licence or document proving that the conditions are satisfied.

A business should not assume that an old “sales website notification” checklist continues unchanged. It should review the website’s present functions and the 2026 filing route.

Marketplace, Social-Commerce Network or Integrated Platform

An intermediary platform, social network conducting e-commerce or integrated platform must be operated by a legal entity, satisfy the applicable operating conditions and complete registration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade before operation.

The registration file generally includes:

• The prescribed registration form;
• Licences or eligibility documents for conditional activities, where applicable;
• An e-commerce operation proposal;
• Livestream rules, if the platform provides livestream sales; and
• The standard contract or agreement between the platform and its sellers.

The platform must also have personnel dedicated to e-commerce operations.

Where an ordering or livestream platform holds money for sellers, it must establish a mechanism for holding funds, reconciliation, payment and withdrawal. The mechanism should be reflected in the electronic contract with the seller.

When Must Platform Information Be Updated?

Notification or registration is not a one-time exercise.

Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP requires an update within 20 working days for specified changes. Depending on the platform and filing route, relevant changes include:

• The platform name, domain name or mobile application;
• The manager responsible for e-commerce operations;
• Enterprise registration information;
• The operating model;
• Published operating or transaction terms;
• Standard service-contract terms; or
• The services provided on the platform.

A company should make the e-commerce filing review part of its change-management process. A new domain, checkout tool, livestream function or third-party seller feature may change the legal classification even if the business continues using the same brand.

What Information Must Be Published on the Platform?

The platform must disclose key information in Vietnamese, in a visible and understandable manner.

Core disclosures include:

• Information identifying the platform owner;
• The policy for protecting information;
• The rights and obligations of the parties; and
• The complaint-handling mechanism.

Where the platform supports online ordering, additional disclosures include:

• Prices and other costs;
• Restrictions on the supply or use of goods and services;
• Payment methods;
• The main criteria governing ranking and display;
• Livestream rules, where applicable;
• Delivery arrangements; and
• Return, refund, cancellation and service-refund rules.

The company should test these disclosures on both desktop and mobile interfaces. Information buried in a difficult-to-read link may not satisfy the practical requirement that it be visible and understandable.

What Must the Checkout Process Show?

Before the buyer submits an order, the platform should display sufficient information for an informed decision.

The checkout should show, as applicable:

• The goods or services;
• Quantity or type;
• Delivery or performance details;
• Promotions;
• The full amount payable, including tax, delivery charges and other costs; and
• The payment method.

The buyer must be able to review and correct the information before placing the order. Order information must also remain accessible after the purchase as required by the Law.

A foreign group should not simply copy its global checkout flow into Vietnam. Price presentation, consent language, refund terms and mandatory product information should be localized for Vietnamese law.

What Are the Seller’s Responsibilities?

A seller on an e-commerce platform must provide accurate information about itself and the goods or services offered.

The required file may include:

• Identity and business-registration information;
• A contact address;
• Product quality and mandatory label information;
• Licences and eligibility documents for conditional goods or services; and
• Information requested by a competent authority.

Where the platform supports online ordering, the seller must use its own payment account in accordance with the applicable rules. It must also address defective goods, product recalls and customer obligations.

The platform’s registration does not legalize the seller’s products. A seller must separately comply with rules on distribution rights, imports, product declarations, labels, advertising, quality, warranty, tax and electronic invoices.

What Rules Apply to Livestream Selling?

Livestream commerce receives specific treatment under the 2026 framework.

The platform must:

• Publish livestream rules;
• Provide a complaint-handling mechanism;
• Electronically verify the livestreamer’s identity;
• Request advertising-approval documents where the product or advertisement requires them;
• Stop or remove unlawful livestream content; and
• Retain the livestream’s image and audio for at least one year.

The seller must provide documents proving the right to trade in conditional goods or services and the required quality or advertising approvals.

The livestreamer must verify their identity and must not mislead viewers about a product’s function, origin, quality, price, promotion or warranty. Where an advertisement requires prior approval, the livestream content must remain consistent with the approved content.

Foreign brands using influencers should allocate responsibility in writing. The contract should cover scripts, substantiation, prohibited claims, product licences, platform records, complaint cooperation and the right to stop a non-compliant livestream.

When Is a Foreign Platform Considered Active in Vietnam?

The Law and Decree establish specific rules for foreign e-commerce platforms serving Vietnam.

A foreign platform can fall within the Vietnamese framework when it:

• Permits the use of Vietnamese;
• Uses a .vn domain name; or
• Reaches 100,000 transactions with buyers in Vietnam during a calendar year.

The detailed trigger depends on the platform model. A platform reaching the transaction threshold must complete registration within 60 days after reaching it.

Foreign operators should build a Vietnam-specific monitoring mechanism. The transaction count should not be left to a year-end estimate because the 60-day filing period begins when the threshold is reached.

Must a Foreign Platform Establish a Company in Vietnam?

The required presence depends on the type of platform and whether it supports online ordering.

In summary:

• A foreign direct-business platform with online ordering must appoint a Vietnamese legal entity as its authorized representative.
• A foreign intermediary platform or social-commerce network without online ordering must appoint an authorized representative in Vietnam.
• A foreign intermediary platform, social-commerce network or integrated platform with online ordering generally must establish a legal entity in Vietnam.

Where an international treaty prevents Vietnam from requiring local establishment for the last category, Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP provides an alternative compliance structure. It includes:

• Appointment of a Vietnamese legal entity as authorized representative;
• A responsible person at that representative who resides in Vietnam; and
• A deposit of at least VND 20 billion at a commercial bank or foreign bank branch in Vietnam, maintained during operation.

This is a high-impact structuring issue. An overseas platform should review the applicable treaty, its functions, transaction volume and Vietnamese representation before launching or expanding services.

What Additional Conditions Apply to Foreign Investors?

Management and operation of an intermediary e-commerce platform, a social network conducting e-commerce or an integrated e-commerce platform is a conditional market-access sector for foreign investors.

Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP permits investment through establishment of an economic organization or a capital contribution, share purchase or acquisition of capital in accordance with investment law.

Where a foreign investor controls the operator of a large digital platform under consumer-protection law, the business-licence review requires an assessment by the Ministry of Public Security concerning national security.

Control can arise through more than share ownership. It may include holding more than 50% of charter capital or voting shares, controlling the appointment or removal of a majority or all key managers, or deciding important business matters such as technology, business structure, sector, location, scale or capital allocation.

The e-commerce registration is only one part of the foreign-investment review. A foreign-invested company should also check its Investment Registration Certificate, Enterprise Registration Certificate, foreign-ownership conditions and the consolidated regulations governing goods trading by foreign investors and foreign-invested economic organizations.

Does E-Commerce Registration Replace a Business Licence or Retail Approval?

No.

A foreign-invested company may need several layers of approval for the same online business:

1. Investment and enterprise registration;
2. Market-access approval for the proposed activity;
3. A Business Licence or retail-establishment approval where required;
4. E-commerce notification or registration;
5. Product-specific licences, declarations or certifications; and
6. Ongoing consumer, tax, data, advertising and product compliance.

The current consolidated framework for foreign investors’ goods-trading activities is available in Consolidated Decree No. 67/VBHN-ND-BCT.

The correct answer depends on what is sold, whether the company imports or distributes the goods, who owns the inventory, whether third parties sell through the platform and how payment and delivery are structured.

What Happens to Websites Registered Before 1 July 2026?

The Law includes a transition for existing websites and applications.

A website or application whose notification or registration was confirmed before 1 July 2026 may continue operating within the confirmed scope until 30 June 2027.

This is not a reason to wait until the transition expires. Existing operators should use the period to:

• Reclassify the platform under the new categories;
• Compare current functionality with the old confirmed scope;
• Update seller and livestream verification;
• Rewrite operating rules and consumer disclosures;
• Review foreign-investor market access; and
• Prepare the appropriate notification, registration or amendment.

A platform that adds a materially different feature during the transition should obtain advice before assuming that the old confirmation covers it.

Practical Example: Foreign-Owned Battery Distributor

Assume a Hong Kong-owned company imports and distributes rechargeable batteries in Vietnam.

Selling Through Its Own Website

If the website accepts orders through a shopping cart or order button, it is a direct-business platform with online ordering. The company should complete the notification procedure before operating the ordering function.

It must also check its import and distribution rights, product labels, quality documents, warranty terms, environmental responsibilities and any product-specific rules.

Selling on an Existing Marketplace

If the company sells through Shopee, Lazada or TikTok Shop, it is a seller on another operator’s platform. It must provide accurate identity, product, licence, price, warranty and return information and cooperate with complaint or recall procedures.

It does not become the marketplace operator merely because it has an official store.

Building a Distributor Marketplace

If the company creates an application where independent distributors open stores and receive orders, the model changes to an intermediary platform.

The company must then review Ministry of Industry and Trade registration, dedicated personnel, the operation proposal, seller contracts, payment controls, content monitoring, complaint handling and foreign-investor market-access conditions.

Conducting Livestream Sales

If staff or influencers livestream the batteries, the company should verify the product claims, origin, capacity, safety, price, promotion and warranty information in advance. The platform, seller and livestreamer each have separate responsibilities.

Practical Compliance Checklist for Foreign Businesses

1. Map Every Online Channel

List all websites, applications, marketplace stores, social-media accounts, mini-apps and livestream channels used by the business or its distributors.

2. Identify Who Is Selling

Determine whether the company sells only its own goods or allows other parties to create accounts, stores or offers.

3. Test the Functions

Record whether each channel supports ordering, payment, seller-fund holding, ranking, recommendations, messaging or livestream sales.

4. Select the Filing Route

Confirm whether the platform requires provincial notification or Ministry of Industry and Trade registration.

5. Review the FDI Structure

Check the IRC, ERC, ownership, market-access conditions, import and distribution rights, Business Licence and retail approvals.

6. Review Product Compliance

Confirm licences, declarations, labels, advertising approvals, quality documents, warranty and recall procedures for each product category.

7. Rewrite the Customer-Facing Terms

Update the Vietnamese-language privacy, ordering, price, delivery, return, refund, cancellation and complaint information.

8. Verify Sellers and Livestreamers

Build a process to verify identity, business registration, payment accounts, conditional-business documents and advertising approvals.

9. Create Monitoring and Removal Procedures

Assign staff and deadlines for responding to complaints, authority requests, unlawful content, unsafe goods and product recalls.

10. Track Changes and Deadlines

Apply the 20-working-day update rule where relevant, monitor foreign-platform transaction thresholds and complete any legacy-platform transition before 30 June 2027.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Foreign businesses should avoid:

• Classifying the platform by its marketing name instead of its functions;
• Launching a shopping cart before completing the required notification;
• Allowing third-party sellers without recognizing that the site may be an intermediary platform;
• Assuming a marketplace’s registration covers the seller’s own licences and products;
• Treating social-media livestreams as ordinary advertising with no e-commerce duties;
• Failing to show the total price before order confirmation;
• Using a group company’s payment account for a Vietnamese seller without reviewing the payment route;
• Adding a new domain, app or business model without updating the filing;
• Assuming e-commerce registration replaces a Business Licence or distribution right; or
• Waiting until June 2027 to review an old notification or registration.

How TICA TrustLegal Can Assist

TICA TrustLegal supports foreign investors, foreign-invested companies and overseas platforms with:

• Classification of websites, apps, marketplaces and social-commerce models;
• E-commerce website notification and platform registration;
• Review of platform terms, privacy policies, seller contracts and complaint procedures;
• Livestream rules and seller or influencer compliance;
• Foreign-platform representative and local-entity structures;
• Foreign-investor market-access and Business Licence reviews;
• IRC and ERC applications or amendments;
• Import, distribution, retail and product-licensing assessments;
• Review of payment, delivery, refund and platform-fund structures; and
• Transition reviews for websites and applications approved before 1 July 2026.

Before launching an online store, marketplace or livestream channel in Vietnam, send TICA TrustLegal the website or app flow, ownership structure, seller model, product list, payment process and proposed launch date. We can identify the required filing and other approvals before the platform goes live.

Hotline/WhatsApp: +84 354 658 272
Email: tica.trustlegal@gmail.com
Website: www.ticatrustlegal.com

This article reflects Law on E-Commerce No. 122/2025/QH15, Decree No. 248/2026/ND-CP and official materials available as of 27 September 2026. The applicable requirements depend on the platform’s functions, ordering process, seller structure, foreign ownership, products and transaction volume. This article is general information and does not constitute legal advice for a specific platform or transaction.