Vietnam sees approximately one billion US Dollars worth of foreign goods entering the country each month through four major e-commerce platforms. This influx has raised concerns from the Ministry of Industry and Trade regarding potential tax revenue losses if regulations are not adjusted.

During the National Assembly's seventh session, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien announced plans to collaborate with relevant units to advise the Government on issuing a decree for customs management of import-export activities via e-commerce. The ministry suggested reviewing the VAT exemption for low-value imported goods to prevent unfair competition with domestically taxed products. Currently, items valued below one million Vietnamese Dong are exempt from VAT.

E-commerce in Vietnam is rapidly growing, with an average annual growth rate of 20-25 percent and sales exceeding 20 billion US Dollars per year, accounting for 8 percent of total consumer goods revenue. To enhance tax management, the ministry and other units have developed a database of over 900 websites and nearly 300 e-commerce apps. Cooperation with the Ministry of Public Security will also implement electronic identification for sellers, improving tax regulation and preventing revenue loss.

The minister highlighted three main challenges facing e-commerce: consumer data insecurity, counterfeit and low-quality goods, and tax revenue losses. He anticipated that the Consumer Rights Protection Law, effective from July 1, would help address these issues.