Vietnam's National Assembly is pushing ahead with amendments to four economic laws, aiming to remove overlapping obstacles, streamline bureaucratic processes, decentralize power to local authorities, bring online platforms and large corporations into a framework of fair competition, strengthen consumer data protection, and attract investment to embrace the digital economy.
September 4, 2026 – The Thai Trade Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, reported that on August 27, 2026, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of Vietnam proceeded with consideration and commentary on four key industrial and trade laws: the Law on Trade, the Law on Competition, the Law on International Trade Management, and the Law on Consumer Rights Protection. The aim is to eliminate redundant procedures, break down existing legal limitations, and improve the flexibility of government mechanisms to accommodate the expansion of the digital economy and modern business practices.
Rework trade laws, end quiet monopolies.
This amendment to the Trade Act aims to address overlapping provisions with the Investment Act, particularly regarding the list of goods and services prohibited or restricted from being sold, as well as to clarify the role of state monopolies, which previously lacked clear details and conflicted with the Civil Code.
The new draft law proposes that state monopolies must be based on specific laws only, and that a publicly disclosed list of goods and services monopolized by the state be created to prevent state monopolies from being illegally manipulated into monopolies by private or state-owned enterprises.
In addition, plans are underway to review the limits on promotions, discount ratios, and loyalty point systems on digital platforms to prevent them from becoming obstacles to online businesses. At the same time, a proposal has been made to unlock the ability to organize trade shows abroad by decentralizing the registration process from the central government to "provincial-level people's committees" to facilitate easier access for businesses.
Mr. Truong Thanh Hoai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, stated the need to amend the laws, saying, “The current enforcement of the four laws has many limitations and practical problems, especially in regulating new business activities in the digital economy, managing international trade, and protecting consumer rights. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the laws to be clearer, more consistent, and able to effectively accommodate the current economic conditions and business models.”
Framing major capital, aggressively eliminating big players and driving the market around.
On the legal front of competition law, the existing framework has loopholes in penalizing intermediaries, sponsors, or those who induce restrictions on competition. Furthermore, there are no established regulations for new forms of competition in the digital world.
The new draft law therefore aims to improve the criteria for "dominant market power" and the abuse of that power, focusing on rigorously punishing behaviors that cause serious harm to consumers, along with standardizing the statute of limitations for penalties to be consistent with administrative fines.
While the International Trade Management Act will address bottlenecks in importing Thai or foreign goods produced in Vietnam, the administration of separate customs zones, and the issuance of Certificates of Origin (C/O).
Vietnam is preparing to establish a "single point of contact" and a unified nationwide database for product origin verification to prevent different provinces from applying varying standards, which could affect the utilization of tariff benefits under free trade agreements (FTAs).
Tighter controls on algorithms are needed to identify and crack down on apps that deceive consumers.
Regarding consumer rights protection law, the key issue is aligning it with personal data protection law and electronic transaction law.
The proposed legislation aims to increase transparency and tighten controls on businesses that use algorithms, user interface (UI) designs, or online interaction techniques that deceive, mislead, or manipulate consumers into making unintentional purchases. It also grants local officials the power to conduct cross-provincial inspections.
Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee of the National Assembly of Vietnam, confirmed this direction, stating, "The majority agreed on the scope of amendments to the law in order to create a fair and competitive investment and business environment. However, they suggested a careful review of compliance with international treaty obligations and a concrete assessment of the reduction of government procedures to prevent a legal vacuum during the transition period."
Revising the structure, cutting procedures, relaxing criteria across the board.
In summary, this overhaul of four laws clearly aims to reduce the burden on the private sector, as follows:
- Trade Law The amendments focus on two issues: abolishing regulations for three groups, eliminating four steps in the government contact process, removing three business conditions, and decentralizing power to local authorities in two areas.
- Competition law The amendments covered 5 key issue groups, added 6 new criteria, abolished 2 inappropriate regulations, and reduced 2 redundant government procedures.
- International trade law The amendments covered six issues, added one new regulation, eliminated two government procedures, simplified nine work processes, and decentralized power in five areas.
- Consumer protection law Resolve 1 issue, abolish 1 regulation, and decentralize power in 4 areas.
This entire process is preparing to draft four subordinate laws and three circulars to be submitted to the 16th National Assembly of Vietnam for consideration and approval at its second session. This will present a new challenge for Thai entrepreneurs and investors in Vietnam, requiring them to quickly adapt to more transparent and stringent trade regulations.
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