Complete Guide to Cosmetic Product Registration in Vietnam

Vietnam’s beauty industry is expanding rapidly, attracting both local enterprises and global brands. To legally sell cosmetics, all products must go through cosmetic registration in Vietnam, officially known as the Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN). This process, managed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and aligned with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, ensures product safety, labeling compliance, and market access. Skipping registration may lead to fines, product bans, or loss of distribution rights. In this 2026 guide, Green NRJ explains the legal definition of cosmetics, the step-by-step cosmetic product notification procedure, required documents, common pitfalls, and how our expert team supports your smooth market entry.

What Is Considered a Cosmetic Product in Vietnam? (Definition & Classification Guide)

Official Definition of Cosmetics in Vietnam

According to Vietnamese law—harmonized with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive—a cosmetic is defined as:

This legal definition closely follows that of other ASEAN countries, but actual classification can vary based on product ingredients, intended use, and claims made on the packaging.

Cosmetic or Drug? Key Distinctions in Vietnam

Some products marketed as cosmetics in other countries may be classified as drugs, functional foods, or medical devices in Vietnam. This distinction has major implications for regulatory approval and product launch timelines.

Common Examples of Misclassification:

• Acne Creams with ingredients like Tretinoin or Benzoyl Peroxide: These are considered medicinal products and require drug registration, not cosmetic notification.

• High-SPF Sunscreens with therapeutic or pharmaceutical claims: These may face extra scrutiny and require approvals beyond the cosmetic framework.

Compliance Tip: Avoid Therapeutic Claims

When creating labeling and advertising content for cosmetics in Vietnam, you need to pay special attention to avoiding terms that suggest medical effects or treatments, such as “acne cure” or “eczema treatment.”… Instead, use expressions that are appropriate to the nature of the cosmetic product, such as “moisturizing,” “skin whitening,” or “fading wrinkles.” Furthermore, all claims about benefits must be well-founded, avoiding exaggeration or misleading claims, as this could cause the product to be perceived as medicine rather than a cosmetic. Understanding legal definitions and classification regulations from the outset will facilitate the product registration process and minimize the risk of delays, penalties, or even market bans.

What Is Cosmetic Product Notification in Vietnam? (Definition & Purpose)

Simply put, Cosmetic Product Notification (CPN) is a procedure for regulatory agencies to register a product before it is released to the market. Upon completion, the business will be issued a notification number – this is the “passport” allowing the product to be sold on the market.

It’s important to note that this procedure is not a license in the sense of granting quality certification. Instead, the responsibility rests entirely with the business registering the product. This means you must ensure the product is safe, contains the correct ingredients, and fully complies with current regulations. A product without a valid notification number cannot be legally imported, distributed, or advertised in Vietnam.

Who Must Apply for Cosmetic Product Notification in Vietnam?

Under current regulations, the responsibility for cosmetic registration in Vietnam (Cosmetic Product Notification – CPN) lies with:

• Importers of cosmetics – must complete the notification before customs clearance.

• Domestic cosmetic manufacturers – must notify products before distribution in the market.

• Authorized entities (Cosmetic Notification Holder – CNH) – required when the brand owner is located overseas and appoints a Vietnamese company to act on its behalf.

Condition: The applicant must hold a valid Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) with business lines covering cosmetic manufacturing or cosmetic trading.

Required Documents for Cosmetic Registration: Complete Checklist for Vietnam

A complete and accurate dossier is essential for successfully submitting a cosmetic product notification in Vietnam. Incomplete, missing, or incorrectly prepared documents are among the top reasons for rejection by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV).

Below is the updated list of required documents for cosmetic notification in Vietnam, applicable to both local manufacturers and importers.

Documents	Domestic Manufacturer	Importer	Legal Explanation
Cosmetic Product Notification Report	Mandatory	Mandatory	According to the form prescribed in Appendix No. 01-MP, Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT.
Enterprise Registration Certificate	Mandatory	Mandatory	Issued by the Department of Finance (or Planning & Investment), with registered business lines in cosmetic manufacturing or trading.
Letter of Authorization (LOA)	Not Required	Mandatory	For imported cosmetics, the owner or foreign manufacturer must authorize an organization/individual in Vietnam to stand for the notification. The LOA must be legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized.
Product Ingredient Formula	Mandatory	Mandatory	Full ingredient names must be listed according to International Nomenclature (INCI) with concentrations. The formula must comply with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and regulations on restricted or prohibited substances.
Certificate of Free Sale (CFS)	Not Required	Mandatory	Issued by the competent authority in the exporting country, proving the product is legally sold. The CFS must be legalized at the Vietnamese diplomatic mission.
Product Benefits/Functions	Mandatory	Mandatory	Descriptions must reflect the true nature of cosmetics (cleansing, skin nourishing, beautifying, or appearance improvement). Must not indicate or imply therapeutic effects like medicine.

Note: All documents in foreign languages ​​(other than English) must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized by an authorized agency or licensed service provider in Vietnam.

Step-by-Step Process for Cosmetic Registration in Vietnam

To legally import or distribute cosmetics in Vietnam, businesses must complete the cosmetic product notification process via the Ministry of Health’s National Single Window Portal.

Step 1: Prepare the Cosmetic Notification Dossier

In reality, the most laborious part isn’t the application process itself, but the preparation. The documents must match, from the product formula and labels to the accompanying legal documents. Even a small discrepancy between documents can easily lead to a request for corrections.

With documents from abroad, businesses often overlook the translation and consular legalization process. However, this is a point that the reviewing agency scrutinizes very carefully, so failing to meet the standards from the start can easily lead to the application being suspended.

Step 2: Submit the Application via the MoH Online Portal

Once the application is ready, businesses submit it through the National Single Window Portal. The process is not overly complicated: register an account, upload the application to the system, and then submit it in the required format.

A publication fee of VND 500,000 per product is also required. This fee is paid online and is virtually non-refundable, even if the application is not approved.

Step 3: Review by the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV)

After the application is received, the Drug Administration Department (Ministry of Health) will begin reviewing it. The processing time is usually around 50-60 working days, but in reality, it may be faster or slower depending on the completeness of the application.

If there are any issues, the business will be asked to provide additional information. This is a crucial step because the response will determine whether the application is approved. If the application is not completed within 3 months, it will be canceled and must be resubmitted.

Step 4: Receive the Cosmetic Product Notification Number

If everything goes smoothly, the business will be issued a product declaration acceptance number for the cosmetic product. This can be understood as a condition for the product to be legally allowed to circulate in Vietnam.

Only after receiving this number can the business officially import, distribute, or sell the product on the market. However, in reality, this is not the “end of the procedure,” but merely the beginning of long-term compliance.

Post-Notification Obligations and Ongoing Compliance

Many businesses often think that completing the registration of cosmetic products in Vietnam means they can confidently bring their products to market. However, this is only the beginning. Once the product is in circulation, compliance responsibility must be maintained throughout the business process.

First, businesses need to ensure that all information used on labels, documents, and advertising activities is consistent with the registered content. Misleading wording, especially that of a “treatment,” can lead to product inspections or penalties for violations at any time.

In addition, monitoring and handling unwanted reactions from consumers is also a crucial obligation. If any incidents related to product safety occur, businesses need to proactively report them promptly to the regulatory authorities.

One often overlooked aspect is the obligation to maintain Product Information Files (PIFs). This is a mandatory set of documents for businesses, including formulas, quality standards, test data, and evidence demonstrating product safety. Regulatory bodies may inspect the PIF at any time, so thorough preparation and regular updating are crucial.

Furthermore, businesses need to proactively monitor the expiration date of their product registration numbers. When approaching the 5-year mark, re-registration should be planned early to avoid impacting distribution and sales operations.

Common mistakes when registering cosmetic products in Vietnam.

During the process of registering cosmetics in Vietnam, many businesses encounter difficulties right from the preparation of documents, leading to prolonged processing times or rejection of registration numbers. Most of these errors do not stem from complex legal issues, but rather from a lack of consistency and understanding of current regulations.

One of the most common mistakes is incomplete documentation or inconsistent information across different documents. Even small discrepancies between formulas, product labels, or legal documents can lead to requests for revisions, slowing down the entire registration process.

In addition, translation errors are also a common cause. Many businesses use Vietnamese translations that do not meet the standards of the cosmetics industry, leading to misunderstandings of ingredients or the content of the original documents. This not only affects the evaluation process but also poses potential legal risks later on.

Another easily overlooked issue is describing product uses beyond the permitted scope. Therapeutic terms like “acne treatment,” “melasma treatment,” or “dermatitis treatment” are often unacceptable in cosmetic product registration dossiers, as they can lead to the product being perceived as medicine rather than a cosmetic.

Furthermore, many businesses struggle to keep track of the validity period of their registration numbers. Failure to renew or re-register on time can disrupt product circulation, directly impacting business operations and distribution in the market.

Overall, these errors can be avoided if businesses understand the regulations and prepare their dossiers carefully, consistently, and in accordance with legal standards from the outset.

Green NRJ – Partnering with Businesses in Cosmetic Product Registration

With practical experience in the legal aspects of cosmetics, Green NRJ provides a comprehensive solution from consultation and document preparation to monitoring and handling feedback from regulatory agencies. Each application is thoroughly reviewed to minimize potential risks.

Beyond simply issuing registration numbers, Green NRJ also supports businesses in maintaining long-term compliance, helping products develop sustainably in the market.

Conclusion: Bring Your Cosmetic Products to Vietnam Legally and Smoothly

Entering Vietnam’s fast-growing beauty market requires strict compliance with cosmetic registration in Vietnam. By completing the cosmetic product notification process, brands can import, advertise, and distribute products legally while avoiding costly delays. Green NRJ provides end-to-end support—from dossier preparation to approval and post-market compliance—ensuring your registration is accurate and timely.

✅ Ready to register your cosmetic products in Vietnam?

📞 Contact Green NRJ today for a free consultation and personalized registration plan.
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