Compliance · Vietnam
WhatsApp Compliance in Vietnam
A practical overview of the rules that affect WhatsApp messaging and marketing in Vietnam, with a checklist before you launch.
Key Rules for WhatsApp in Vietnam
Zalo is the dominant local messaging app in Vietnam, while WhatsApp is used more by international customers and businesses. Official WhatsApp Business API use must follow Meta's policies and Vietnam's personal data protection rules.
WhatsApp's popularity varies across Asia; where it is widely used, Meta's policies and the local data protection law both apply to business messaging.
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
- Use the official WhatsApp Business Platform rather than personal or modified apps, which risk bans.
- Collect opt-in that clearly mentions WhatsApp and your business name, and store a record of it.
- Choose the correct template category and keep utility messages free of promotions.
- Respond within the 24-hour customer service window where possible, and use approved templates outside it.
- Honour opt-outs and blocks, and watch your quality rating in WhatsApp Manager.
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 WhatsApp 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 WhatsApp campaigns for Vietnam?
We check the rules, set up sender requirements and run compliant campaigns.
WhatsApp in Vietnam: FAQs
Do I need consent to send marketing WhatsApp messages in Vietnam?
In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. Zalo is the dominant local messaging app in Vietnam, while WhatsApp is used more by international customers and businesses.
Do WhatsApp rules differ by country?
Meta's WhatsApp Business policies apply worldwide, but local data protection and marketing laws in Vietnam also apply, and per-message charges vary by recipient country.
Can DND Teams run WhatsApp 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
WhatsApp rules in nearby markets
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