A shield for producers and consumers

Product traceability plays a vital role in both production and market access. For manufacturers, traceability information enables tighter control over production processes, improves product quality and value, and contributes to environmental protection. For regulators, it provides an effective tool to prevent and combat counterfeit goods, while consumers are assured of purchasing products that meet declared quality standards.

Traceability information also enables businesses to verify the origin and quality of their products, helping them meet international standards and market requirements. It has become an indispensable requirement for exported goods, particularly in markets with stringent standards such as Europe, the US, and Japan. These markets are not simply being demanding; rather, they use traceability systems to protect their domestic industries and consumers.

In the Vietnamese market, however, most information printed on product labels serves mainly for promotion. Essential details such as product origin, place of manufacture, production date, expiry date, and ingredients are often incomplete or absent. Even when barcodes or QR codes are printed on packaging, they frequently fail to provide all the information required for effective traceability.

According to Tran Huu Linh, Head of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, many businesses, manufacturers, and consumers still do not fully understand or appreciate the importance of product traceability. However, it is essential for businesses and consumers to protect themselves against counterfeit and substandard goods. There are several factors contributing to this lack of awareness; chief among them being weak legal and enforcement frameworks. The priority now is to establish clear roadmaps, practical implementation plans, and appropriate technological solutions for each business and brand to ensure a transparent and well-managed market.

Tran Huu Linh noted that product traceability codes enable businesses to monitor and identify their products, helping them strengthen management and protect both their brands and products. With the amended Law on Product and Goods Quality No. 78/2025/QH15 dated June 18, 2025, having taken effect, applying origin traceability codes to products and goods with high levels of risk will be a mandatory requirement when entering the market.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the requirement for exported goods to carry traceability codes presents both opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese businesses. Viet Nam already has comprehensive standards for traceability codes under the Government’s Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP, dated January 23, 2026. In practice, however, many product codes currently in circulation are merely symbolic, containing limited information and offering poor accessibility, making effective traceability difficult. This creates opportunities for counterfeit and low-quality products to enter the market, causing losses for legitimate businesses and consumers alike.

Technology solutions and the quality of digital infrastructure

The Government’s Decree No. 37/2026/ND-CP encourages the use of various identification technologies, including QR codes, Data Matrix codes, radio frequency identification (RFID), near-field communication (NFC), and other appropriate technologies. Priority is also given to integrating artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect, store, and share product quality data throughout the supply chain. However, this also raises important questions about whether Viet Nam's digital infrastructure is sufficiently developed to support these technologies.

According to Pham Van Quan, Chairman of Checkee Technology Joint Stock Company, Viet Nam's current technological infrastructure is capable of supporting the creation and implementation of product traceability systems, with many domestic technology firms already able to provide such services. What businesses and consumers need is a standardised traceability code containing comprehensive and essential information attached to products or their packaging. Once the Law on Product and Goods Quality takes effect, it will provide the legal basis for requiring manufacturers to deploy a "QR shield" to trace the origin of their products.

One of the pioneers in implementing product traceability is Petrolimex Gas. According to Nguyen Khac Tri, the company's Deputy General Director, each product currently carries three identification features: a serial number on the cylinder, a shrink-wrap security seal, and a QR code. These measures have enabled the company to manage its products effectively. To further enhance security, Petrolimex Gas is also introducing advanced technologies such as electronic chips. However, this will require compatible digital infrastructure. The company hopes that national standards and regulations on traceability technology will be introduced promptly and enforced consistently.

Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BKHCN, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on March 8, 2024, sets out four principles for managing product traceability: "one step forward, one step back," "availability of data elements," "transparency," and "full participation of all parties involved in traceability."

The Circular also specifies the mandatory categories of traceability information, including the product name and image, the name and address of the manufacturer, production stages and timelines, traceability code, brand and trademark, expiry date, and applicable national standards and technical regulations.

In reality, however, the traceability codes used by most businesses and manufacturers still do not include all the information required under the Circular. This highlights the need for coordinated efforts involving policymakers, digital infrastructure providers, businesses, manufacturers, and consumers to build an effective and transparent product traceability system.