The Draft E-Commerce Law lays the groundwork for green, sustainable, and transparent digital business, driving comprehensive digital transformation in Vietnam.
The Essential Need for Digital Transformation
E-commerce is reshaping the way goods are produced, distributed, and consumed worldwide. In Vietnam, this sector not only plays a vital role in boosting domestic consumption and exports but also drives the growth of the digital economy, opening up business opportunities for everyone from large enterprises to individual sellers.
However, rapid growth brings major challenges regarding environmental impact, information transparency, and fairness in the digital space. To address these issues, the Draft E-Commerce Law is being developed to promote green, sustainable, and transparent digital business, creating a fair legal framework and supporting comprehensive digital transformation for businesses.
Green E-Commerce – A Trend and a Development Imperative
The Draft Law introduces the concept of green and sustainable e-commerce, emphasizing the reduction of negative environmental impacts and moving towards a circular economy. This is not only a global trend but also a practical requirement to balance economic growth with resource conservation and environmental protection.
Businesses are required to comply with guidelines on green and sustainable e-commerce developed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which will regularly update and publicly disclose compliance levels of each platform. Companies are also encouraged to adopt eco-friendly technologies, optimize operations, minimize resource consumption, and shift to renewable energy. Measures such as using recycled packaging materials, improving operational efficiency, and adopting green energy solutions will strengthen competitiveness and enhance brand reputation.
Information Transparency – The Foundation of Sustainable Digital Business
The Draft Law places strong emphasis on transparency and legal responsibility in e-commerce. Intermediary platforms must disclose transaction conditions, product details, and business information; store transaction data for at least three years, including live-streaming sales; and strictly comply with regulations on personal data protection, cybersecurity, taxation, advertising, and consumer rights.
Content moderation is proposed to shift from “pre-check” to “post-check” to reduce the burden on businesses while ensuring that violations are addressed promptly within 24 hours at the request of regulators. Platforms must also actively detect fraudulent activities, safeguard consumer rights, and ensure a fair, competitive environment.
Balancing Regulation and Innovation
Another highlight of the Draft Law is its provisions regarding cross-border e-commerce platforms. Platforms with significant operations in Vietnam must establish or authorize a legal entity in the country, ensuring financial capacity and legal accountability.
Supporting services such as logistics, payment intermediaries, and electronic contract authentication are also required to comply with reporting obligations and avoid partnerships with non-compliant platforms. The Ministry of Finance is studying the implementation of a cross-border e-commerce payment gateway to monitor financial flows and enhance transparency.
The Government’s Enabling Role
Beyond establishing a legal framework, the Draft Law demonstrates the proactive role of the government in shaping the National E-Commerce Development Strategy. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will coordinate resources, including the E-Commerce Development Fund, to help small and medium-sized enterprises transition to green, transparent, and sustainable digital models.
Investments in digital infrastructure, e-commerce logistics, electronic payment systems, and digital workforce development remain top priorities, ensuring that businesses can adapt to rapid technological changes and evolving consumer behavior.
Prospects for Green and Transparent Digital Business
With its new orientation, the Draft E-Commerce Law creates a strong foundation for the growth of a green, sustainable, and transparent digital business environment. This is not only essential for improving competitiveness but also a significant opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to strengthen their position in both domestic and international markets.