Vietnam e‑commerce sellers grapple with rising taxes and invoice rules, consider returning to employment

Many small shop owners on Vietnam’s e‑commerce platforms report that higher platform fees, increased taxes, mandatory electronic invoicing and tighter documentation requirements have turned entrepreneurship into a workload comparable to salaried employment. Sellers cite intense price competition, rising advertising and logistics costs, and the need to manage invoices for every order, refunds and cancellations, leaving little time off even on weekends.

The tax authority explains that platform transaction data cannot replace legal electronic invoices because invoices serve distinct legal purposes, such as proving product origin and fulfilling accounting obligations. Officials say a future integrated system will auto‑generate tax filings and invoices from transaction data, aiming to reduce manual burdens for sellers.

Facing these pressures, numerous shop owners say they are contemplating a return to traditional employment for stable wages, benefits and regular hours, highlighting a shift in the e‑commerce labor landscape in Vietnam.