Food Safety Compliance in Vietnam

(2026 Guide to Food Product Self-Declaration)

Food product self-declaration is a mandatory legal procedure for enterprises manufacturing and trading food in the Vietnamese market. Under the current Vietnam food safety law, specific categories of products must undergo a self-declaration process before being circulated to ensure quality and consumer protection.

Starting in 2026, Food safety regulations in Vietnam will undergo significant updates regarding legal grounds and administrative workflows. To mitigate legal risks and avoid heavy administrative penalties, businesses must stay updated on these regulatory shifts. In this article, Viet An Law provides a comprehensive guide to Food Safety Compliance in Vietnam, detailing the required dossiers, procedures, costs, and timelines for food product self-declaration in 2026.

Subjects requiring food product declaration

According to current regulations, food products are divided into two primary groups, each subject to different compliance pathways.

Group 1: Products subject to self-declaration

The following products are required to undergo the food product self-declaration process:

• Pre-packaged food products (general food items);
• Food additives and processing aids;
• Food containers and primary packaging materials;
• Dietary supplements containing only vitamins or minerals (without health-related claims);

Enterprises manufacturing or importing these products must complete the self-declaration procedure before market circulation to ensure full Food Safety Compliance in Vietnam.

Group 2: Products requiring declaration registration

The following products do not fall under the self-declaration regime and must instead be registered with the state management authorities:

• Health supplements;
• Medical nutritional foods;
• Food products for children up to 36 months old;
• Dietary supplements with specific health-related claims;

This group requires stricter oversight and a formal Food safety permit in Vietnam or a registration certificate before being legally marketed.

2026 Food Declaration process in Vietnam (effective April 16, 2026)

The procedural framework for Food safety regulations in Vietnam will follow specialized workflows starting from mid-2026.

Group 1: Process for declaration of applicable standards

Group 2: Process for registration of product declaration

Dossier requirements for food product self-declaration in Vietnam

To achieve Food Safety Compliance in Vietnam, an enterprise must prepare a dossier consisting of the following documents:

These documents serve as the legal basis for establishing the Food safety certificate in Vietnam equivalent through the self-declaration portal.

Costs of food product self-declaration in Vietnam

Under existing regulations, there is no official state fee for the act of self-declaring a product. However, businesses should budget for the following operational expenses:

• Product testing and laboratory analysis fees;
• Translation and sub-labeling costs;
• Dossier preparation and administrative drafting;
• Professional legal consultation fees;

Investing in professional services ensures that the Food business license in Vietnam and related declarations are processed accurately, preventing costly delays.

Processing time for self-declaration procedures in Vietnam

The timeline to secure Food Safety Compliance in Vietnam typically follows this schedule:

• Consultation on food safety criteria: 01–02 working days (depending on product volume)
• Labeling consultation and translation: 02–03 working days
• Drafting the self-declaration dossier: 01 working day
• Total declaration timeframe: 15–20 working days upon submission of a complete and valid dossier.

Please note that timelines may fluctuate based on the specific requirements for a Food safety license in Vietnam and the complexity of the product’s ingredients.

Post-declaration compliance notes by Viet An Law

Upon completing the self-declaration, enterprises must adhere to the following:

• Only commence business operations after the declaration is successfully posted on the authority’s portal.
• Maintain the compliance dossier for at least 03 years.
• Re-declare the product if any of the following changes occur:
  • Product name
  • Product origin
  • Product ingredients (excluding additives/excipients)

For other minor changes, the enterprise is only required to notify the state management authority in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Is food product self-declaration mandatory?

Yes. For many types of pre-packaged foods, businesses are legally required to perform self-declaration under the Vietnam food safety law before the products reach the consumer.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Pursuant to Decree No. 115/2018/ND-CP (amended by Decree No. 124/2021/ND-CP), failure to comply with declaration requirements may result in:

• Fines of 40 – 50 million VND for individuals.
• Fines of 80 – 100 million VND for organizations.
• Suspension of manufacturing activities for 01 – 03 months.
• Mandatory recall or destruction of the non-compliant products. Maintaining a valid Food hygiene certificate in Vietnam and declaration status is essential to avoid these sanctions.

When must a product be re-declared?

According to Article 6 of Resolution No. 66.13/2026/NQ-CP, a new declaration is required if there is a change in the product name, origin, or core ingredients.

How long does the self-declaration process take?

Generally, securing the necessary filings for a Food safety permit in Vietnam via self-declaration takes between 15 and 20 working days.

Food safety consulting services by Viet An Law

Viet An Law provides comprehensive legal support to ensure your business meets every requirement of Food Safety Compliance in Vietnam. Our services include:

• Consulting on conditions, processes, and legal procedures for self-declaration.
• Analyzing food testing parameters and representing clients at authorized testing centers.
• Translating labels and drafting mandatory sub-labels.
• Drafting the formal food product self-declaration dossier.
• Submitting and tracking the dossier until the Food Safety License in Vietnam or declaration status is officially recognized.
• Assisting with the Food hygiene certificate in Vietnam and the Food business license in Vietnam applications.
• Trademark registration services for food brands in Vietnam.

If your enterprise requires expert guidance on Food Safety Compliance in Vietnam, please contact Viet An Law for immediate and effective support.