Vietnam: Ministry of Industry and Trade closed consultation on proposal for developing E-commerce Law including operational license requirement

On 9 April 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade closed the consultation on the draft Law on E-Commerce. The proposal outlines obligations for digital platforms, e-commerce operations, service providers, electronic contracts, and the promotion of sustainable e-commerce development. Under the proposed law, foreign businesses wishing to operate in Vietnam’s e-commerce market would be required to obtain a licence from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and either establish a representative office in Vietnam or appoint an authorised legal representative. In addition, foreign investors would need to secure a national security assessment from the Ministry of Public Security. Traders and organisations offering electronic contract authentication services must also obtain a licence from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. To qualify, they must be established under Vietnamese law, have an approved project, and comply with information security requirements. Furthermore, operators of intermediary e-commerce platforms would be required to register with the Ministry.