08.2026 - VIETNAM’S NEW TRADING DECREE: SIMPLIFYING RETAIL MARKET ENTRY

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently finalizing a crucial draft Decree to replace Decree No. 09/2018/ND-CP governing the goods trading and directly related activities of foreign investors and foreign-owned enterprises (FOE) in Vietnam. Designed to align with Law on Investment No. 143/2025/QH15 effective from 1 March 2026 and adhere to commitments under new-generation Free Trade Agreements (such as the EVFTA and CPTPP), the draft Decree introduces milestone regulatory shifts toward administrative simplification. At the core of this reform are key updates to the retail licensing process and the economic needs test (ENT) framework, aiming to streamline procedures and facilitate foreign retail expansion.

This Legal Update highlights these key regulatory shifts and offers strategic insights for foreign retailers navigating Vietnam’s increasingly expanding market.

For more details, please refer to the Legal Update here provided by RHTLaw Vietnam.