TITLE: Vietnam Government Issues Decree Detailing Consumer Protection Law Implementation
BODY:
On May 6, 2026, the Vietnamese Government published Decree 55/2024/NĐ-CP (as amended by Decree 137/2026/NĐ-CP) detailing implementation of the Law on Consumer Protection. The decree, effective from July 1, 2024, with amendments effective July 1, 2026, establishes comprehensive consumer protection requirements across multiple commercial sectors.
Key provisions include mandatory registration of standard contracts and general transaction conditions for specified product and service categories. Businesses must register contracts before use with consumers, with registration managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (for multi-province operations) or provincial authorities (for single-province operations). Registration deadlines include five working days for document completeness review and 30 days for substantive examination, extendable by 30 days for complex cases.
The decree defines large digital platforms as those with 3 million or more active user accounts annually or classified as large-scale intermediary platforms. Large platform operators must maintain online reporting accounts and provide detailed data on content moderation, algorithm usage, advertising practices, and consumer complaint handling to the Ministry of Industry and Trade within five working days of request.
For defective products, businesses must cease supply within 24 hours of discovery and issue public warnings within three to five working days depending on defect severity. Businesses must report product recalls to relevant authorities and maintain responsibility for accurate defect classification.
The decree establishes procedures for non-fixed-location sales, requiring 72-hour advance notification to commune-level authorities. It also addresses marketplace intermediary responsibilities, influencer disclosure requirements, and compensation mechanisms for public-interest consumer protection lawsuits.
The decree replaces Decree 99/2011/NĐ-CP and includes transitional provisions for existing multi-level marketing businesses, which must comply with new requirements within 12 months.