Which businesses must register a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade?

As online sales grow in Vietnam, registering a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT, Bộ Công Thương) is mandatory for some businesses. Understanding the rule keeps a business on the right side of the law, and it also builds credibility and customer trust.

Which websites must be registered with the Ministry of Industry and Trade?

Under MoIT rules, not every website has to register. The requirement applies to specific types of e-commerce websites:

• Online store websites: sites that an individual or a company sets up to sell their own goods or services. Examples include company websites and online shops built on their own platform.
• E-commerce service websites: marketplaces, online auction sites and online promotion sites. Large marketplaces such as Shopee, Tiki and Lazada are in this group, and they are registered with MoIT.
• Other websites that take online transactions: if the site lets people place orders, pay online, or deal directly about a transaction, it also has to be registered with MoIT.

Sites in the groups above must register or file a notification with MoIT. Ordinary content sites, such as a personal blog or a company profile site with no transactions, do not need to register.

Why does a business have to register its website with MoIT?

Registering a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade benefits both the business and its customers. Here are the main reasons to consider.

• Stay compliant: under Decree 52/2013/ND-CP and Circular 47/2014/TT-BCT, registration keeps a business in line with the law and avoids legal risk later on.
• More trust from customers: once the site is registered with MoIT, it can display the ministry’s confirmation logo. Shoppers feel safer buying because they know the site has been checked and meets the security and safety requirements for online transactions.
• Easier supervision of e-commerce: for MoIT, registration makes it easier to manage and supervise e-commerce activity, and to protect consumers from online scams.
• A brand that can last: a brand that plays by the rules builds a lasting reputation, which helps the business grow in a competitive market.

>>> See also: How to register a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade

What is the penalty for not registering a website with MoIT?

Under Decree 98/2020/ND-CP on administrative penalties in e-commerce, a business that breaks the website-registration rules can face the following.

• A fine: depending on the type and seriousness of the breach, the penalty can range from VND 10 million to VND 30 million (as of 2024) for failing to register or notify e-commerce activity. A site that was required to register, and did not, can be fined more heavily, and its operation can be suspended.
• Suspension: in some serious cases, MoIT can order the website to stop operating until the business completes registration and notification.
• Remedial measures: besides the fine, the business may be required to correct the breach, file a supplementary registration, or recall products or services if the breach harms consumers.

Not registering a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade can mean a substantial fine and real damage to the company’s reputation. Shoppers are better informed and expect online purchases to be safe, so registration is part of protecting their interests and keeping their trust.

Registering a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade is a step online businesses need to take to stay compliant and protect the brand. Besides avoiding serious penalties, registration builds trust and credibility and helps the business grow steadily while e-commerce in Vietnam is booming. If your site is in a group that must register, complete the process soon so you do not take on risks you could have avoided. If you need help registering a website with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, contact 123Website for quick, detailed advice.