Vietnam Cosmetic Registration & Notification Guide: Process, Fees, & Timelines

Vietnam’s fast-growing beauty market offers real opportunity, and Vietnam cosmetic product registration sits at the center of any successful market entry. While the process is formally called a “notification,” it defines who carries legal responsibility for product safety, labeling, and compliance throughout the product’s life in Vietnam. For foreign manufacturers, getting these early regulatory decisions right is key to a smooth, scalable launch.

Continue below for a step-by-step walkthrough, or get in touch with Cisema for assistance with Vietnam cosmetic product registration and local responsible company support.

To understand what qualifies for registration in the first place, it is necessary to begin with how Vietnam legally defines cosmetic products.

How Are Cosmetic Products Regulated in Vietnam?

Vietnam cosmetic product registration and notification are governed by Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT, issued by the Vietnam Ministry of Health and aligned with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive. This regulation establishes the legal scope of products that may be notified as cosmetics and sets the foundation for all subsequent compliance obligations.

Under this regulation, cosmetics are defined as:

“Any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odours and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.”‍

Vietnam Ministry of Health

This definition clearly separates cosmetics from pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and medical devices, which are regulated under different frameworks due to their therapeutic or physiological claims. Confirming that a product fits within the cosmetic scope is therefore a critical first step before proceeding with notification.

Once product classification is clear, manufacturers must determine how regulatory responsibility is structured locally.

Responsible Company Requirements Under Vietnam Cosmetic Regulations

With the product scope established, the next consideration is how Vietnam assigns legal accountability for cosmetic products placed on the market.

Vietnamese authorities do not issue a marketing authorization for cosmetics. Instead, companies must submit the Product Notification and obtain a receipt number through the Vietnam Ministry of Health’s online portal.

The company named in the Product Notification is legally designated as the Responsible Company.  This designation carries full accountability for the product throughout its lifecycle in Vietnam, including:

• Ensuring product safety, efficacy, and quality.
• Guaranteeing labeling and ingredient declarations comply with regulations.
• Handling renewal, variations, or notifications when necessary.
• Responding to authorities, managing complaints, and post-marketing surveillance.

Because this role defines long-term regulatory control, the choice of Responsible Company has lasting commercial implications. For foreign manufacturers, appointing an independent Responsible Company such as Cisema — rather than a local distributor — provides structural advantages:

• You keep ownership of your registrations and data.
• You can switch commercial partners without regulatory disruption.
• You can scale your distribution network in Vietnam without costly and time-consuming re-registrations.

This approach gives foreign manufacturers long-term flexibility, stronger control over compliance, and a more resilient market presence.

With roles clearly defined, the next step is to understand how the registration process works in practice.

Cosmetic Registration Procedure in Vietnam

Vietnam cosmetic product registration follows a standardized notification process conducted entirely online. Understanding this sequence helps manufacturers plan documentation, timelines, and internal approvals more effectively.

Although the process is procedurally straightforward, documentation errors or inconsistencies are the most common causes of delay, making preparation critical.

With the procedural steps defined, manufacturers can next evaluate expected timelines and regulatory costs.

Cosmetic Product Registration Timeline

Although the official assessment timeline is 3 working days from submission of a valid dossier, foreign manufacturers should plan for a realistic processing period of approximately 1 to 1.5 months, particularly in cases where document legalization or corrections are necessary.

Cosmetic Product Registration Fees

Vietnam cosmetic product registration fees are standardized and set by regulation, allowing manufacturers to budget with relative certainty. The applicable government fee is:

• Assessment fee: 500,000 VND per product, in accordance with Circular 277/2016/TT-BTC

Beyond the official fee, foreign manufacturers should also anticipate ancillary costs. These commonly include consular legalization of documents and certified Vietnamese translations.

Cosmetic Product Registration Validity

After issuance, the Product Notification receipt number is valid for 5 years, providing a stable regulatory basis for commercialization during that period. Validity continues unless:

• The product is no longer marketed in Vietnam, or
• The receipt number is withdrawn due to non-compliance.

To avoid interruption in sales, companies must submit a new notification before the receipt number expires. Allowing a notification to lapse can result in temporary market withdrawal and additional administrative burden.

Maintaining validity, however, is not only about renewal dates. Throughout the 5-year lifecycle, products often undergo changes that must be managed within the regulatory framework. This makes structured change control an essential part of ongoing compliance.

Notification of Changes for Cosmetic Products in Vietnam

Not all product or company changes are treated the same under Vietnam cosmetic regulations. Authorities distinguish between changes that fundamentally affect regulatory responsibility or product identity and those that are considered administrative in nature.

Some changes require full resubmission of the Product Notification, while others can be handled through system updates only.

Changes requiring system update only include:

• Product presentation updates
• Packaging changes not affecting labeling
• Company information updates (address, tax code, legal representative)

Changes requiring resubmission include:

• Formula changes
• Product name or brand name changes
• Responsible Company changes
• Intended use changes
• Manufacturer changes
• Product type changes

Among these, changes to the Responsible Company are the most disruptive and warrant separate attention.

Change of Responsible Company

If the Responsible Company changes from Company A to Company B, the existing notification cannot be amended. The only compliant solution is for Company B to submit a completely new Product Notification dossier.

This requirement reinforces the importance of selecting a stable Responsible Company structure from the outset to protect market continuity.

Final Thoughts

Vietnam cosmetic product registration offers a clear and efficient pathway to market entry, provided manufacturers respect documentation requirements, Responsible Company obligations, and post-market controls. While the notification system is simpler than other regulated product categories, non-compliance can still result in withdrawals, penalties, or commercial disruption.

With a local office in Vietnam, Cisema supports foreign cosmetic manufacturers across the full Vietnam cosmetic product registration lifecycle, from initial notification through ongoing compliance.

To discuss registering your cosmetic products for the Vietnam market or appointing an independent Responsible Company, get in touch with Cisema today.

Further Information

• Explore Cisema's Vietnam Cosmetics Product Registration Services
• Read our article on what Japanese manufacturers should know about cosmetics registration in Vietnam