The Government’s Decision No. 178-1999-QD-TTg dated August 30, 1999, promulgating Regulations on Labeling of Domestically Circulated Goods and Imported and Exported Goods ("Decision 178 and accompanying regulations"), came into effect January 1, 2001. Decision 178 and accompanying regulations provide the requirements for the labeling of goods produced in Vietnam for domestic circulation and for export, and of goods produced in foreign countries that are imported for sale in the Vietnamese market. These regulations do not apply to processed food, fresh food, or unpacked necessities that are sold directly to consumers and pre-packed food and drinks which have a use-by limit of 24 hours.

According to these regulations, subject goods must bear a label containing:

1. A principal display panel in which the following compulsory contents must be shown so that consumers can easily and clearly see them in a normal goods’ display condition:

- name of goods; - name and address of business entity manufacturing, assembling, or importing goods; - amount, weight, volume, or size of the goods (in legal measurement units of Vietnam); - composition or ingredients of goods (including whether goods or components/ingredients thereof have been x-rayed or genetically modified, where a preservative has been added, where a dosage has been stipulated, or where they are included in lists of stimulants or toxicants); - usage values, human safety standards, and environmental impact on use; - date of manufacture and expiry;

- instructions on preservation and use;

- origin of goods.

2. An information section on the right-hand side of the principal display panel in which non-compulsory contents of labels of goods may be presented (as well as any compulsory contents which could not fit in the principal display panel) provided that the non-compulsory contents do not conceal or lead to misunderstanding of the compulsory contents of labels.

The basic requirement of Decision 178 and accompanying regulations is that all letters, numbers, drawings, pictures, signs, and codes on labels of goods must be clear and must determine the substance of the goods - any ambiguous labeling that causes confusion with other labels of goods is strictly prohibited.

Labels of domestically circulated goods must be presented in Vietnamese. If necessary, foreign language text may be included provided that it is in smaller print than the Vietnamese text. Labels of exported goods may be written in the language of the country or region into which such goods are imported where so agreed in the contract for sale and purchase of goods. In the case of imported goods, the compulsory contents in Vietnamese may be either printed on the original label or presented in a supplementary label attached to the original foreign language label prior to sale or circulation in the Vietnamese market.

The following acts constitute violation of the law regarding the labeling of goods:

- Circulation of goods without the required labels; - Labeling goods with pictures, figures, or writing that do not correspond to the nature of the goods; - Labeling goods unclearly, or with labels so faint that normal eyes cannot read their contents; - Labeling goods without including all required compulsory contents; - Failing to meet guidelines for the correct size, position, method of presentation, or languages on labels; - Erasing or amending the contents of labels of goods; - Replacing labels of goods for the purpose of deceiving consumers; - Using trademarks of goods already protected by law without the approval of their owners; - Labeling goods in the same manner as those of other business entities which have been protected by law.

Source: Doing business in Vietnam: A country commercial Guide for US Companies