At its 49th session on September 22, the National Assembly Standing Committee will review the draft E-Commerce Law, aimed at building a stronger legal foundation for the rapidly growing sector.

A preliminary appraisal session was held on September 16 by the Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs. The draft law will be presented at the 10th sitting of the 15th National Assembly for further consideration and adoption.

According to the summary report, Vietnam’s e-commerce has been highly rated by international market research organizations ranked 3rd in Southeast Asia in market size (2024) and 5th globally in growth rate (2022). The sector has become an attractive destination for foreign investors and helped Vietnamese consumers access global markets.

So far, e-commerce activities have been regulated mainly under Decree No. 52/2013/ND-CP and Decree No. 85/2021/ND-CP. However, as these are decrees, they lack sufficient authority to address cross-sectoral issues. Rapid technological advances, new business models, and the complexity of state management have revealed shortcomings in the current regulatory framework.

Existing decrees are also inconsistent with other laws such as the Law on Consumer Protection, Tax Administration Law, and Intellectual Property Law. Issues such as counterfeit goods, poor-quality products, and cross-border e-commerce remain insufficiently controlled.

The proposed E-Commerce Law, comprising 8 chapters and 50 articles, covers four models of e-commerce platforms: direct business platforms, intermediary platforms, social networks engaging in e-commerce, and integrated multi-service platforms. It also sets responsibilities for participants in cross-border e-commerce without a physical presence in Vietnam, foreign investment in e-commerce, and overseas sellers operating in Vietnam.

Lawmakers emphasized the necessity of the law, noting it will prevent legal overlaps, strengthen administrative reform, and delegate more authority to local governments. Importantly, it will balance state management, consumer rights, and business interests shaping not only today’s governance but also the future trajectory of Vietnam’s e-commerce sector.

Currently, Vietnam’s e-commerce is expanding at 20-25% annually, accounting for around 10% of total retail sales and placing the country among the world’s top 20 fastest-growing e-commerce markets.