[REVISION HISTORY]

Vietnam high-tech exports, e-commerce law, and retail risks

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-24 03:55 UTC → 2026-08-31 03:45 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Vietnam’s export value reached $215.6 billion in the first five months of 2026, driven by high-tech goods. While the digital economy expands, operational and security risks persist in the retail and e-commerce sectors. In Ho Chi Minh City, diamond retailers—some operating from temporarily closed physical stores—increasingly use Facebook fan pages and messaging apps for nationwide sales via bank transfers. Experts warn these transactions carry a “high risk of fraud” because buyers cannot inspect stones in person. Simultaneously, e-commerce sellers face significant logistical hurdles. Nguyen Thi Hai Hai Yen of MISA noted challenges including fragmented order management, unsynchronized inventory, disconnected software, and complex cash-on-delivery reconciliation. Livestream commerce has become a major force, particularly in agriculture, helping farmers sell seasonal produce like lychees and longans. However, the National Competition Commission and the Authority of Information Security have warned of psychological manipulation, such as using countdown timers to trigger “fear of missing out” (FOMO), and “bait-and-switch” schemes involving counterfeit or expired cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Recent data indicates a shift in the e-commerce market. While total transaction value across major platforms reached 264.8 trillion VND in the first half of 2026, the growth rate slowed to 19% from 23% the previous year. Consumer confidence has also declined from 127 points in the first quarter to 122 points. Businesses are facing heightened brand protection risks, including packaging imitation, unauthorized social media sales, price dumping, and false advertising. To address ~~evolving digital trade,~~ these issues, the National Assembly passed amendments to the Customs ~~Law, which received~~ Law with 94.20% approval. Effective March 1, 2027, the law will mandate customs procedures and supervision for all goods traded via e-commerce. It requires electronic identification and authentication for participants in international transactions, with platform operators—including foreign entities without local offices—obligated to connect to customs data processing systems to facilitate risk management.

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