No, raw milk sales are prohibited in Vietnam under Decree 15/2018/ND-CP and Circular 43/2018/TT-BYT, with enforcement tightening via MARD’s 2026 risk-based inspections. The Ministry of Health classifies raw milk as a high-risk product due to pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella, mandating pasteurization or ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processing. Violations incur fines up to VND 200 million (≈$8,500) per Decree 124/2021/ND-CP, and repeat offenses may trigger criminal liability under the Penal Code’s food safety provisions.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Vietnam
- Mandatory Pasteurization/UHT: All milk sold domestically must undergo processing per Circular 43/2018/TT-BYT, with raw milk explicitly banned from retail (Article 5.3).
- Import Restrictions: Raw milk imports require Ministry of Health (MOH) pre-approval and must comply with Vietnam’s food safety standards (QCVN 8-3:2012/BYT), which prohibit unprocessed dairy.
- Local Enforcement: Provincial Departments of Health (e.g., Hanoi DOH, Ho Chi Minh City DOH) conduct quarterly inspections under Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT, targeting unregistered raw milk vendors and online sales platforms.
Cross-border e-commerce loopholes are aggressively monitored post-2023, with customs seizures of raw milk shipments under Decree 98/2023/ND-CP. Exemptions exist only for scientific research or industrial processing, requiring MARD’s written consent. Non-compliant businesses face immediate product confiscation and license revocation.