Navigating Global Volatility: Vietnam’s Customs Sector Boosts Business Confidence Through Reform and Digitalisation
In an era marked by persistent domestic and global economic fluctuations, the effective implementation of tax and customs policies has emerged as a cornerstone for bolstering business confidence, fostering recovery, and streamlining commercial activities in Vietnam. This was a key takeaway from a recent customs-business dialogue meeting convened by the Ministry of Finance.
Ho Sy Hung, chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), highlighted the business community’s strong appreciation for the proactive engagement of customs authorities. “Businesses highly appreciate the fact that customs authorities regularly organise dialogues, training sessions, and direct consultations, helping policies quickly translate into practice and minimise compliance risks,” he stated. This collaborative approach is seen as instrumental in navigating the complexities of international trade and domestic regulations.
The pursuit of administrative procedure reform and digital transformation continues to be central to the customs sector’s management strategy. Significant strides have been made, evidenced by a marked reduction in business conditions, shortened processing times, and a decrease in compliance costs for enterprises. A notable achievement is the full integration of administrative procedures into the National Single Window Portal and the National Public Service Portal, creating a more unified and accessible platform for businesses.
The Ministry of Finance, with the customs sector at its forefront, has been instrumental in rolling out a series of timely and practical support policies. These initiatives, particularly those stemming from policy dialogues, have proven effective in nurturing a more robust economic recovery and growth trajectory. These dialogues serve as a vital channel for understanding and addressing the evolving needs of businesses.
Feedback gathered from enterprises and industry associations indicates a positive trajectory in recent customs reforms. These reforms are increasingly aligned with practical realities, focusing on simplifying procedures and accelerating the adoption of information technology. The implementation of automated clearance systems, online public services, and advanced digitalisation solutions has directly translated into tangible benefits for businesses. These include shorter customs clearance times, reduced logistics costs, and greater predictability in import-export operations, all of which are critical for maintaining a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
Deepening Reforms for a Digital Future
Looking ahead, the VCCI chairman, Hung, emphasised the need for customs procedure reform to be more substantive, synchronised, and consistent, especially in light of Vietnam’s deepening international integration. Businesses are keenly anticipating further simplification of procedures, with a particular focus on the specialised inspection stages, which can often present bottlenecks.
“With the customs sector’s strong reform commitment and constructive spirit, VCCI expects the customs sector to remain a reliable partner for businesses, contributing to the promotion of import-export activities, investment attraction, and the creation of sustainable growth momentum in 2026 and beyond,” Hung stressed. This sentiment underscores the critical role of customs as a facilitator of economic growth and investment.
A Strong Legal Foundation for Digital Customs
The development and refinement of customs policies and legislation are being guided by a robust political framework. Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy director general of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, pointed to key resolutions from the Politburo as providing a solid foundation for institutional reform. These resolutions address critical areas such as the development of science and technology, innovation, national digital transformation, international integration, and private sector development.
“All new regulations are geared towards simplifying administrative procedures, encouraging the digitalisation of dossiers, and facilitating import–export activities, while still ensuring state management requirements and combating smuggling and trade fraud. Improving the legal framework is a crucial prerequisite for completely renewing operational processes and gradually building digital and smart customs in line with international standards and practices,” Hung stated. This strategic alignment ensures that reforms are not only about efficiency but also about maintaining security and integrity in trade.
Enhancing Dialogue and Legal Frameworks
A significant highlight in recent customs policy and legal development has been the concerted effort to strengthen consultations and dialogue with the business community. Customs authorities have adopted a multi-faceted approach to engagement, including public consultations on official portals, close collaboration with the VCCI and various business associations, both domestic and international, and direct engagement with enterprise groups significantly impacted by specific policies.
Looking towards 2026, the customs sector is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Customs Law. This review is intrinsically linked to the strategic objective of building a digital customs framework. The insights gained from this review are expected to inform proposed amendments and supplements to the Customs Law, which will then be submitted for government approval.
The overarching aim of these revisions is to establish a robust legal foundation for the complete digital transformation of customs management. This includes internalising international treaties, strengthening decentralisation and delegation of authority, and further enhancing the legal system to promote reform, procedural simplification, openness, and transparency. Crucially, these efforts will ensure consistency and coherence with other relevant laws and international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory, positioning the country as a reliable partner in global trade.
