Vietnam Issues Decree 70/2025 Introducing Key Reforms to Electronic Invoicing
On March 20, 2025, the Vietnamese Government released Decree No. 70/2025/ND-CP, setting forth comprehensive changes to the regulations governing electronic invoices and associated documentation. These revisions, which come into force on June 1, 2025, significantly amend Decree No. 123/2020/ND-CP and are intended to streamline compliance, enhance integration with the tax administration system, and clarify the obligations of taxpayers, intermediaries, and technology providers.
Extended Scope
The decree broadens the regulatory reach to encompass foreign suppliers operating without a permanent establishment in Vietnam. This includes digital platforms and e-commerce businesses, which must now adhere to specific invoicing deadlines depending on the transaction type. These entities may also voluntarily opt to issue electronic VAT invoices.
Revisions to Invoice Issuance and Timing Rules
- Delegated Issuance: Businesses and individual sellers may authorize a third party to issue invoices on their behalf, provided a formal agreement is in place.
- Export Processing Enterprises: The decree clarifies invoice classification for export processing enterprises engaged in activities beyond processing and export. Depending on their tax declaration method, they may be required to use either electronic sales invoices or electronic VAT invoices.
- Cross-border E-Commerce: Companies exporting goods or services via e-commerce channels may issue electronic invoices, provided they comply with format, content, and data transmission standards.
- Export Transactions: For exported goods, sellers can determine the invoice issuance time but must issue it no later than the next working day after customs clearance.
- Sector-Specific Timing Rules: New provisions address issuance timelines for industries such as banking, insurance, passenger transport, and retail, as well as for the sale of goods from national reserves.
Enhanced Invoice Content Requirements
Invoices must now include additional identifiers such as the budget-related unit code or the personal identification number of end consumers, as provided by the buyer.
If the timestamp of the digital signature differs from the date the invoice is issued, the seller must transmit the invoice to the tax authority no later than the next business day.
Updated Correction Mechanisms
The former process of invoice cancellation has been replaced with two alternative methods: adjustment or replacement, depending on the circumstances.
In the case of B2B transactions, adjustments or replacements can only proceed after a written agreement between the buyer and seller identifying the error. For B2C transactions, the seller must either notify the consumer or publish a notice on their website.
A single invoice may be used to correct or replace multiple erroneous invoices issued within the same month to the same buyer. Additional guidance is provided for handling invoices related to returned goods.
Mandatory Use of Cash Register E-Invoices
Business households and individual businesses with annual revenue of VND 1 billion or more (approximately EUR 34,000)—including shopping centers, supermarkets, restaurants, and passenger transport providers—must now use e-invoices generated by cash registers that are linked to the tax authorities for data transmission.
Other Notable Amendments
Decree 70 also introduces revisions to official forms and reporting templates. Moreover, it expands the list of prohibited practices to include the failure to transmit invoice data electronically to the tax authority and the forgery of invoices or related documents.
Companies operating in Vietnam and their tax consultants should carefully evaluate the implications of the regulation on their operational and compliance processes.
There’s more you should know about e-invoicing in Vietnam – learn more about the new and upcoming regulations.
