Food Product Declaration in Vietnam

Food products sold in Vietnam must comply with the food-safety declaration regime under Decree 15/2018. The route depends on the type of food.

Two routes

• Self-declaration — for most ordinary pre-packaged foods, the company self-declares conformity and publishes the declaration, then may trade.
• Registration of declaration — for special foods (health-supplement foods, foods for special medical/dietary use, products for children under 36 months), a registered declaration approved by the competent authority is required before sale.

What foreign importers must do

Imported foods generally require supporting documents such as a Certificate of Free Sale or health certificate and test results, plus compliant labelling. The importer or a local responsible entity files the declaration. The regime aims to simplify compliance while keeping stricter control over higher-risk products.

Frequently asked questions

Does every food need pre-approval in Vietnam?

No. Most ordinary foods use self-declaration; special foods require a registered declaration.

Which foods need registration?

Health-supplement foods, foods for special medical/dietary use, and products for young children.

What do importers provide?

Typically a Certificate of Free Sale or health certificate, test results and compliant labelling.

How LTV Law helps

LTV Law handles food self-declarations and registered declarations for foreign importers. Contact our team.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.