New Rules for Bloggers in Vietnam in 2026

If you run an Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Telegram channel, or any other social media platform, work with local businesses, or are planning to monetize your blog in Vietnam, it's important to be aware of the recent changes in Vietnamese legislation.

Since 2026, several new legal regulations have come into force in Vietnam that directly affect bloggers, influencers, and digital content creators.

Even if your audience is Russian-speaking, you receive payments to a foreign bank account, or you do not hold an official work visa, it does not necessarily mean that these new rules do not apply to you.

💡 Important

This article is for informational purposes only. It is based on Vietnam's Advertising Law No. 75/2025/QH15, Decree No. 147, Decree No. 262/2026/ND-CP, the Personal Income Tax (PIT) guidelines, and other official legal sources.

Vietnamese legislation changes regularly. Before making any legally significant decisions, we strongly recommend checking the latest regulations or consulting a licensed legal professional.

Who Is Now Considered an Advertising Participant?

One of the most significant changes is the official recognition of bloggers and influencers as participants in advertising activities.

This category includes:

• bloggers;
• influencers;
• KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders);
• KOCs (Key Opinion Consumers);
• content creators;
• public figures publishing sponsored content.

If you receive compensation for promoting a product or service—whether in the form of money, free accommodation, gifts, complimentary meals, or any other benefit—your activity falls under Vietnam's advertising legislation.

"It Was the Brand's Script" Is No Longer a Defense

Many creators previously believed that only the company paying for the advertisement was responsible for its content.

That approach has now changed.

Under the updated law, bloggers are considered independent participants in advertising activities and are personally responsible for the information they publish.

In other words, saying "I was simply reading the brand's script" is no longer enough to avoid potential legal responsibility.

Advertising Information Must Be Verified

The new regulations require influencers to exercise reasonable due diligence before publishing advertisements.

This means creators are expected to:

• verify the advertiser;
• review documents confirming the legality of the product or service;
• avoid promoting products or services they have never used or do not sufficiently understand;
• provide accurate and truthful information to their audience.

Sponsored Content Must Be Clearly Disclosed

If a post is part of a commercial partnership, your audience should clearly understand that it is an advertisement.

Under the new rules, sponsored content must be properly identified as advertising.

Account Verification

Another important change concerns social media account verification.

According to Decree No. 147, social media accounts must be verified using either a passport or a registered phone number.

According to the regulation, this requirement is intended to improve transparency in the digital environment and simplify user identification.

Removal of Illegal Advertising

The new rules also impose obligations on social media platforms.

Upon receiving a request from the authorities, platforms must remove illegal advertising within 24 hours.

Taxes for Bloggers and Digital Nomads

The new regulations also affect taxation.

According to the Personal Income Tax (PIT) guidance:

• if you stay in Vietnam for 183 days or more within a 12-month period, you are considered a Vietnamese tax resident and are required to declare your worldwide income;
• non-residents are taxed on income earned from activities carried out in Vietnam;
• receiving payments to foreign bank accounts does not automatically exempt you from Vietnamese tax obligations if the work is performed within Vietnam.

The guidance also notes that blogging activities may be classified as business income, with applicable tax rates depending on the nature of the activity.

Working Without a Work Visa

The sources also point out that not having a work visa does not exempt someone from complying with Vietnamese law.

In addition to advertising and tax regulations, separate legal acts govern the activities of foreign media organizations and foreign representatives operating in Vietnam.

If your activities fall within those categories, additional permits may be required.

Possible Liability

Depending on the nature of the violation, Vietnamese legislation may impose:

• administrative fines;
• compensation for damages caused;
• in certain cases, more serious penalties, including criminal liability if the violation results in significant consequences.

The materials also note that violations of immigration or media regulations may lead to additional consequences, including cancellation of residence documents and deportation where provided by law.

What Does This Mean for Bloggers?

If you create content in Vietnam and work with local businesses, it's advisable to:

• verify the company you're working with;
• make sure the advertised information is accurate;
• clearly disclose sponsored content;
• keep contracts, correspondence, and other documents related to collaborations;
• understand your potential tax obligations before accepting commercial work.

Conclusion

Since 2026, the regulation of bloggers and influencers in Vietnam has become significantly more comprehensive.

The new rules focus on advertising transparency, accuracy of information, tax compliance, and the personal responsibility of content creators.

If you work with brands or plan to monetize your content while living in Vietnam, it's worth familiarizing yourself with these requirements and seeking professional legal advice when necessary.

Sources

• Vietnam Advertising Law No. 75/2025/QH15 (as amended in 2025–2026).
• Decree No. 262/2026/ND-CP.
• Personal Income Tax (PIT) Guidance (effective July 1, 2026).
• Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP (July 22, 2026).
• Decree No. 147.
• Vietnam Cybersecurity Law.
• Vietnam Press Law No. 126/2025/QH15.

Disclaimer: This overview is provided for informational purposes only. The information reflects the legal framework available at the time the referenced sources were published. We strongly recommend verifying the latest regulations with the relevant Vietnamese authorities or consulting a licensed legal professional before making business decisions or engaging in commercial blogging activities in Vietnam. Any use of this information without professional legal advice is entirely at your own risk.