Compliance · Vietnam
RCS Compliance in Vietnam
A practical overview of the rules that affect RCS messaging and marketing in Vietnam, with a checklist before you launch.
Key Rules for RCS in Vietnam
RCS business messaging availability in Vietnam depends on operator and device support, so we confirm coverage before planning campaigns and keep SMS as a fallback; the same consent rules that apply to SMS apply to RCS.
RCS support differs widely between Asian markets and operators, so coverage should be confirmed for each country before planning a campaign.
Data Protection
Vietnam's personal data framework, built on Decree 13/2023/ND-CP and the Personal Data Protection Law adopted in 2025, requires notice and consent for processing personal data and sets rules for cross-border transfers.
Keep a record of how each contact was collected, what they agreed to and when, and make it easy for them to withdraw consent.
Practical Checklist
- Verify your brand with the RCS provider and keep the sender profile accurate.
- Confirm device and operator coverage for the country and configure SMS fallback.
- Apply the same consent rules you use for SMS marketing to promotional RCS.
- Keep suggested replies meaningful and do not hide key terms inside images.
- Track opt-outs and suppress those numbers on both RCS and SMS.
Contact data
Format numbers in international E.164 format with the +84 country code, remove duplicates and invalid numbers, and keep consent records linked to each number.
Timing and Language
Vietnam follows the Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh time zone (UTC+07:00 in October 2026). The usual working week is Monday to Friday. Schedule RCS campaigns for the recipient's local daytime hours, avoid public holidays and religious observances that matter to your audience, and convert send times from IST before scheduling.
In Ho Chi Minh City, customers commonly use Vietnamese and English. Messages in the customer's preferred language usually perform better, but check how local-language text affects character counts (for SMS) and template approval (for WhatsApp).
Digital Habits and Channels in Vietnam
Vietnam has high smartphone use, and Zalo is the leading local messaging app, used alongside Facebook and Messenger; Zalo Official Accounts are a common way for businesses to send updates. Advertising SMS must follow Decree 91/2020 on spam, which requires consent, sender identification and restricted sending hours, and branded sender names (brandname SMS) are registered with the operators.
Bank transfers by VietQR, MoMo and ZaloPay are widely used, and cash on delivery remains common. Tet (Lunar New Year) is the biggest commercial period, followed by the 11.11 and 12.12 online sales and Mid-Autumn Festival. Vietnam's Personal Data Protection Law took effect on 1 January 2026.
Vietnam's economy has grown fast through electronics manufacturing (Samsung is the largest foreign investor), textiles, footwear, coffee, rice and seafood. VAT is 10%, temporarily reduced to 8% on many goods. Zalo is the main local messaging app, and MoMo and bank QR codes are used for payments.
Regulators, Registers and Practical Rules in Vietnam
Vietnam's Decree 13/2023 and the Personal Data Protection Law apply.
Brand names for SMS must be registered.
Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology now oversees telecoms after the 2025 ministry merger, and Decree 91/2020 on fighting spam messages, calls and emails requires prior consent for advertising messages, limits ad SMS to a set number per day and to daytime hours, and requires brand names to be registered. The Personal Data Protection Law, effective from January 2026, replaces much of Decree 13/2023. Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone are the main operators, and Zalo is the dominant messaging app, often more important than WhatsApp.
General guidance, not legal advice. Check current rules with the regulator or a local adviser before launch.
Advertising Alongside Messaging
Advertising must follow Vietnam's Law on Advertising, including its rules on online advertising, and platform policies.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reflects our understanding as of October 2026. Rules change, so we check current requirements for Vietnam before every launch.
Planning RCS campaigns for Vietnam?
We check the rules, set up sender requirements and run compliant campaigns.
RCS in Vietnam: FAQs
Do I need consent to send marketing RCS messages in Vietnam?
In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. RCS business messaging availability in Vietnam depends on operator and device support, so we confirm coverage before planning campaigns and keep SMS as a fallback; the same consent rules that apply to SMS apply to RCS.
Is RCS available in Vietnam?
RCS business messaging availability in Vietnam depends on operator and device support, so we confirm coverage before planning campaigns and keep SMS as a fallback; the same consent rules that apply to SMS apply to RCS.
Can DND Teams run RCS campaigns to Vietnam?
Yes. We are based in Bhopal, India, and run campaigns for international markets remotely, after checking the current rules, sender requirements and coverage for Vietnam.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide is general information to help you plan. Regulations change and their application depends on your business, so take local legal advice for significant campaigns.
Related Guides and Services
Other channels in Vietnam
RCS rules in nearby markets
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