How to Register Mobile Application in E-commerce in Vietnam? | ANT Lawyers

The service conducted via mobile applications is no longer a trend, but actually it has become an essential tool for any business that wish to grow and compete in the marketplace.

E-commerce applications on mobile platforms, referred to as mobile applications, are applications installed on networked mobile devices that allow users to access databases of other traders, organizations and individuals to purchase, sell, or use services, including sales applications and e-commerce service applications.

Owners of sale applications, including traders, organizations or individuals that have been granted personal tax identification numbers, must notify the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade of sale applications. Traders or organizations owning applications providing e-commerce services must carry out the registration procedures with the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade. When announcing or registering a mobile application, traders and organizations should comply with the principles when using the mobile application with both sales and e-commerce service delivery functions, register with the Ministry of Industry and Trade according to regulations; and with a mobile application, traders, organizations and individuals only perform the notification or registration procedure once for different versions of the application.

In particular, notification of sales applications includes: application name; storage address or application download address; types of goods and services introduced on the website; registered name of trader, organization or name of website owner; the address of the trader, organization or permanent address of the individual; serial number, date of issue and place of issue of business registration certificate of the trader, or number, date of issue and unit issuing the decision on establishment of the organization; or an individual’s tax code; name, title, identity card number, telephone number and email address of the representative of the trader or person responsible for e-commerce website.

For registration of applications providing e-commerce services, registration documents include: an application for registration of e-commerce service provision; authenticated copy of establishment decision (for organizations), enterprise registration certificate, investment registration certificate (for traders); scheme of providing e-commerce services; operation management regulations of applications providing e-commerce services; form of service contract or cooperation agreement between traders and organizations owning applications providing e-commerce services and traders, organizations or individuals participating in the purchase, sale or auction, promotion for goods or services on that application; general trading conditions applicable to activities of purchase, sale, or auction, promotion of goods and services on applications (if any).

The process of notification of sales applications shall comply with the process of notification of sales e-commerce websites; The process of registering e-commerce service provision applications is similar to the process of registering e-commerce service websites at the E-commerce operation management portal. After the individual or organization has completed the mobile application registration procedure and it has been certified by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the application will be allowed to conduct e-commerce activities.

If the owner of the sale application fails to notify the competent state management agency as prescribed, a fine of between VND 10,000,000 and VND 20,000,000 will be imposed. Besides, traders or organizations that set up e-commerce service applications without registering with competent state management agencies shall be subject to a fine of between VND 20,000,000 and VND 30,000,000.

Above is the brief on mobile application registration except for mobile applications in the fields of banking, credit, insurance, trading, money, gold, crypto currency and foreign exchange applications and other means of payment, payment applications, payment intermediary services and financial services, online game applications, betting applications or prize-winning games. Traders, organizations and individuals that own mobile applications in such special areas should pay attention to comply with regulations of laws in such areas to avoid violations to the laws of Vietnam or should consult with lawyers in Vietnam for advice.

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Vietnam Sets to Develop E-commerce and Target 55% of the Population to Shop Online | ANT Lawyers

On May 15, 2020, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 645/QD-TTg approving the National Master Plan on e-commerce development in the 2021-2025 period aiming to develop e-commerce business area through changing in policy, creating favourable environment, increasing government spending, and attracting investors participating and setting up business in developing e-commerce in Vietnam to transform the economy toward industry 4.0.

Specifically, the Vietnam Prime Ministers set the following goals to be achieved by 2025: 55% of the population participate in online shopping, the average purchase value is 600 USD/person/year; e-commerce revenue increases by 25%/year, reaching 35 billion USD, accounting for 10% of the total retail sales of goods and revenue of consumer services nationwide; non-cash payment in e-commerce reached 50%, of which payments made through intermediary payment service providers accounted for 80%; the average cost for delivery and final order completion accounts for 10% of the product cost in e-commerce; 70% of purchases on e-commerce applications have e-invoices.

Regarding e-commerce applications in enterprises: 80% of e-commerce websites have integrated online ordering function; 50% of small and medium enterprises conduct business activities on e-commerce trading floor, including social network with function of e-commerce trading floor; 40% of businesses participate in e-commerce activities on mobile applications; 70% of electricity, water, telecommunications and communication service providers deploy electronic contracts with consumers.

To accomplish the above objectives, the Prime Minister proposed specific groups of solutions, including: perfecting mechanisms and policies to meet the needs of e-commerce development in the context of technology revolution 4.0; improving the management and organization of e-commerce activities, online dispute resolution (ODR), fighting against commercial frauds, intellectual property violations.

The Prime Minister’s policy shows the role of e-commerce in the present era. E-commerce is one of the pioneering areas of the digital economy, where the advanced technologies of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 are widely applied to increase the efficiency of the business cycle, contribute to modernizing the distribution system, improve the competitiveness of enterprises, promote the development of the domestic market and export. Besides, identifying the overall goal when developing e-commerce in Vietnam is support and promote the widespread use of e-commerce in businesses and the community; to bridge the gap between major cities and localities on the level of e-commerce development; to build a healthy, competitive and sustainable e-commerce market; to expand consumption markets for Vietnamese goods at home and abroad through e-commerce applications; to promote cross-border e-commerce and transactions; to become a country with a developed e-commerce market among the top 3 countries in Southeast Asia.

This is an opportunity for domestic and foreign investors in the field of e-commerce as well as an auxiliary service for e-commerce to promote business and investment activities in Vietnam through establishment of companies providing services.

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Whats New in the Draft of the Decree on Amending the Decree 52 on E-Commerce? | ANT Lawyers

The Decree No.52/2013/ND-CP (Decree 52) on e-commerce will be effective from July 1st, 2013. However, this Decree does not have specific regulations on e-commerce activities for foreign investors conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam. Therefore, the draft of the Decree amending Decree 52 shall fill the missing gap for foreign investors with particulars in conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam.

The draft decree has supplemented regulations on management of e-commerce activities for foreign investors setting up business in Vietnam. Specifically, the draft decree (i) adds specific regulations on foreign traders and organizations conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam; (ii) supplements market access conditions for foreign investors in accordance with the Law on Investment; and (iii) provides the exclusion of foreign investors investing in economic organizations that are innovative and creative enterprises in order to promote innovation activities in accordance with the law on support small and medium enterprises.

In particular, the draft decree also provides plans for e-commerce activities of foreign investors in Vietnam. According to the draft decree, foreign investors can set up an e-commerce website under the Vietnamese domain name or an e-commerce website with the display language in Vietnamese. The option of setting up an e-commerce exchange floor with a specified number of transactions from Vietnam in a year is also considered for selection.

In addition, foreign investors setting up e-commerce websites in Vietnam must notify and register e-commerce activities according to regulations. At the same time, they need to ensure the fulfillment of obligations on protection the interests of consumers. The quality of the goods need to be protected by their representative office, designation of a legal representative in Vietnam.

Foreign investors selling goods on Vietnamese e-commerce exchanges must comply with the operating regulations of e-commerce exchanges in Vietnam. When providing Vietnam e-commerce exchanges, foreign investors are responsible for verifying their identities. In addition, foreign investors conducting e-commerce activities are responsible for complying with the provisions of Vietnamese law on the right to export and import goods in accordance with the laws.

The draft decree also specifies that e-commerce service is a conditional market access industry for foreign investors. Market access conditions will also be considered accordingly. In addition, the control and domination of enterprises providing e-commerce services are also clearly regulated.

In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to receive comments to supplement and complete the draft of decree amending Decree 52 on e-commerce activities. It is important to create a clear and appropriate e-commerce operating environment to attract foreign investors with experience and capability to invest, set up company and operate in Vietnam in the area of e-commerce to facilitate goods transaction, protect intellectual property, reduce cost. However, it is also equally important to ensure the management of investment activities of foreign investors in the field of e-commerce in Vietnam.

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Whats New in the Draft of the Decree on Amending the Decree 52 on E-Commerce? | ANT Lawyers

The Decree No.52/2013/ND-CP (Decree 52) on e-commerce will be effective from July 1st, 2013. However, this Decree does not have specific regulations on e-commerce activities for foreign investors conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam. Therefore, the draft of the Decree amending Decree 52 shall fill the missing gap for foreign investors with particulars in conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam.

The draft decree has supplemented regulations on management of e-commerce activities for foreign investors setting up business in Vietnam. Specifically, the draft decree (i) adds specific regulations on foreign traders and organizations conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam; (ii) supplements market access conditions for foreign investors in accordance with the Law on Investment; and (iii) provides the exclusion of foreign investors investing in economic organizations that are innovative and creative enterprises in order to promote innovation activities in accordance with the law on support small and medium enterprises.

In particular, the draft decree also provides plans for e-commerce activities of foreign investors in Vietnam. According to the draft decree, foreign investors can set up an e-commerce website under the Vietnamese domain name or an e-commerce website with the display language in Vietnamese. The option of setting up an e-commerce exchange floor with a specified number of transactions from Vietnam in a year is also considered for selection.

In addition, foreign investors setting up e-commerce websites in Vietnam must notify and register e-commerce activities according to regulations. At the same time, they need to ensure the fulfillment of obligations on protection the interests of consumers. The quality of the goods need to be protected by their representative office, designation of a legal representative in Vietnam.

Foreign investors selling goods on Vietnamese e-commerce exchanges must comply with the operating regulations of e-commerce exchanges in Vietnam. When providing Vietnam e-commerce exchanges, foreign investors are responsible for verifying their identities. In addition, foreign investors conducting e-commerce activities are responsible for complying with the provisions of Vietnamese law on the right to export and import goods in accordance with the laws.

The draft decree also specifies that e-commerce service is a conditional market access industry for foreign investors. Market access conditions will also be considered accordingly. In addition, the control and domination of enterprises providing e-commerce services are also clearly regulated.

In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to receive comments to supplement and complete the draft of decree amending Decree 52 on e-commerce activities. It is important to create a clear and appropriate e-commerce operating environment to attract foreign investors with experience and capability to invest, set up company and operate in Vietnam in the area of e-commerce to facilitate goods transaction, protect intellectual property, reduce cost. However, it is also equally important to ensure the management of investment activities of foreign investors in the field of e-commerce in Vietnam.

Read More

Whats New in the Draft of the Decree on Amending the Decree 52 on E-Commerce? | ANT Lawyers

The Decree No.52/2013/ND-CP (Decree 52) on e-commerce will be effective from July 1st, 2013. However, this Decree does not have specific regulations on e-commerce activities for foreign investors conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam. Therefore, the draft of the Decree amending Decree 52 shall fill the missing gap for foreign investors with particulars in conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam.

The draft decree has supplemented regulations on management of e-commerce activities for foreign investors setting up business in Vietnam. Specifically, the draft decree (i) adds specific regulations on foreign traders and organizations conducting e-commerce activities in Vietnam; (ii) supplements market access conditions for foreign investors in accordance with the Law on Investment; and (iii) provides the exclusion of foreign investors investing in economic organizations that are innovative and creative enterprises in order to promote innovation activities in accordance with the law on support small and medium enterprises.

In particular, the draft decree also provides plans for e-commerce activities of foreign investors in Vietnam. According to the draft decree, foreign investors can set up an e-commerce website under the Vietnamese domain name or an e-commerce website with the display language in Vietnamese. The option of setting up an e-commerce exchange floor with a specified number of transactions from Vietnam in a year is also considered for selection.

In addition, foreign investors setting up e-commerce websites in Vietnam must notify and register e-commerce activities according to regulations. At the same time, they need to ensure the fulfillment of obligations on protection the interests of consumers. The quality of the goods need to be protected by their representative office, designation of a legal representative in Vietnam.

Foreign investors selling goods on Vietnamese e-commerce exchanges must comply with the operating regulations of e-commerce exchanges in Vietnam. When providing Vietnam e-commerce exchanges, foreign investors are responsible for verifying their identities. In addition, foreign investors conducting e-commerce activities are responsible for complying with the provisions of Vietnamese law on the right to export and import goods in accordance with the laws.

The draft decree also specifies that e-commerce service is a conditional market access industry for foreign investors. Market access conditions will also be considered accordingly. In addition, the control and domination of enterprises providing e-commerce services are also clearly regulated.

In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to receive comments to supplement and complete the draft of decree amending Decree 52 on e-commerce activities. It is important to create a clear and appropriate e-commerce operating environment to attract foreign investors with experience and capability to invest, set up company and operate in Vietnam in the area of e-commerce to facilitate goods transaction, protect intellectual property, reduce cost. However, it is also equally important to ensure the management of investment activities of foreign investors in the field of e-commerce in Vietnam.

Read More