The President's Office held a press conference on January 6 to announce the Presidential Order promulgating the Law on E-commerce and 11 other laws recently passed by the 15th National Assembly during its 10th session.
Set to take effect on July 1, 2026, the Law on E-commerce is designed with a development-enabling orientation. It aims to enhance management efficiency while protecting the legitimate interests of both businesses and consumers through eight new and prominent highlights:
First, clear legal classification of e-commerce platform models. For the first time, the Law specifically classifies four types of platforms: direct business e-commerce platforms; intermediary e-commerce platforms; social networks with e-commerce activities; and integrated e-commerce platforms.
Second, new regulations on livestream sales and affiliate marketing. Platform operators are now responsible for the electronic identity verification of streamers. They must also establish mechanisms to receive and resolve complaints during livestreams and store audio and visual data as prescribed by law.
Third, enhanced management of cross-border e-commerce. Foreign e-commerce platforms that use the Vietnamese language, possess a “.vn” domain name, or reach a specific transaction threshold in Vietnam are required to establish a legal entity or appoint an authorized representative within the country.
Fourth, strengthened consumer protection and information transparency. The Law mandates that e-commerce platforms fully disclose information regarding ownership, personal data protection policies, the rights and obligations of involved parties, as well as the key criteria of algorithms used to prioritize product displays.
Fifth, completion of the e-commerce supporting service ecosystem. The Law introduces additional provisions for e-commerce support service providers, covering technical infrastructure, payments, payment intermediaries, logistics, and e-contract certification.
Sixth, promotion of the private sector and innovation. The Law is built on a constructive spirit, placing businesses and citizens at the center while ensuring the freedom to conduct business within the legal framework.
Seventh, orientation toward green and sustainable e-commerce. For the first time, the Law includes policies to encourage investment in e-commerce infrastructure that reduces emissions, utilizes eco-friendly packaging, and optimizes logistics to contribute to green growth goals.
Eighth, specific support policies to ensure inclusivity. The State will provide support regarding infrastructure connectivity, training, platform access, and administrative procedures for household businesses, creative startups, people with disabilities, people from ethnic communities, and individuals or organizations in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. This ensures that the opportunities provided by e-commerce are accessible to all members of society.
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