Health Supplement Advertising in Vietnam: How to Get Content Confirmation

In Vietnam, advertising for health supplements (thực phẩm bảo vệ sức khỏe) must have its content confirmed by the authorities before it runs, on any channel: TV, print, websites, e-commerce listings, social media and livestreams. This guide explains the current procedure, the mandatory wording and the 2026 rules for influencers. It is based on Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, which still applies, and on our experience as an importer; it is not legal advice.

Legal basis in 2026

• Decree 15/2018/ND-CP sets the advertising confirmation procedure for health supplements. Decree 46/2026/ND-CP was issued to replace it but has been suspended, so Decree 15/2018 continues to apply until the amended Food Safety Law and its new decree take effect.
• The amended Law on Advertising (No. 75/2025/QH15), in force since 1 January 2026, adds obligations for people who deliver advertising content, including influencers and KOLs.
• Decree 342/2025/ND-CP (in force since 15 February 2026) sets the information that food and cosmetic advertisements must contain.

Before you apply

The product must already have a registration receipt for its product declaration (see our guide to registering food supplements). The advertising content must match the functions in that declaration.

Who files and where

The company that owns the product registration files the application. From 1 July 2026, advertising confirmation for health supplements is handled at provincial level (the provincial People’s Committee, usually through the Department of Health) instead of the Vietnam Food Administration. Applications can be filed in person or online through the public service portal. Delegation differs between provinces, so check the rules where you file.

Documents

• application form;
• registration receipt and the product declaration;
• label sample;
• the advertising content: a script and recording for TV or radio, or a colour mock-up for other media;
• scientific evidence if the content includes claims that need support.

All documents must be in Vietnamese; foreign documents need notarised translations.

Timeline and fee

• The authority reviews the dossier within 10 working days.
• It can request amendments only once. If you do not respond within 90 working days, the dossier lapses.
• The state fee is VND 550,000 per dossier until 31 December 2026 and VND 1,100,000 from 1 January 2027.
• The confirmation has no fixed expiry, but the advertisement must match the confirmed content exactly. Any change to the content needs a new confirmation.

Mandatory wording

• The phrase “Thực phẩm bảo vệ sức khỏe”, the product name, the responsible company and the product’s functions.
• The warning “Thực phẩm này không phải là thuốc và không có tác dụng thay thế thuốc chữa bệnh”, clearly visible in a colour that contrasts with the background.
• In TV and radio advertisements the warning must also be read aloud; ads shorter than 15 seconds only need to show it.

Note that the advertising wording uses “và”, while the label wording uses a comma.

What is not allowed

• images, uniforms or names of doctors, pharmacists, health workers or medical facilities;
• patient testimonials or thank-you letters;
• claims beyond the declared functions, or presenting the product as curing or preventing disease;
• “best” or “number one” claims without legal proof.

Influencers and KOLs

Since 1 January 2026, people who promote products must check the advertiser and the product documents, must not promote products they have not used or do not understand, must clearly disclose that the content is advertising, and must remove violating content within 24 hours of a request. Brands should brief influencers using only confirmed content.

Penalties

Fines for advertising violations are set by Decree 87/2026/ND-CP, in force since 15 May 2026. Organisations pay double the fine for individuals. Missing the mandatory warning, using testimonials or presenting a supplement as a medicine can each lead to significant fines, and the content can be ordered to be removed.

What about cosmetics?

Cosmetic advertising does not need prior content confirmation. The product must have a valid notification number, and the advertisement must show the product name, its function, the company responsible and the required warnings, without suggesting the product is a medicine. See our cosmetic notification guide.

How Hoang Bao Minh Vietnam can help

We prepare and file advertising dossiers for the supplements we import, check product listings and social content against the confirmed text, and brief creators before campaigns go live. Learn more about our e-commerce and marketing services or send us your product list.

Frequently asked questions

Do e-commerce listings and social media posts need confirmation?

Yes. Any content that advertises a health supplement, including marketplace listings, social media posts and livestreams, must use confirmed content.

How long does confirmation take?

The authority has 10 working days from a complete dossier. Allow extra time if amendments are requested.

Can we reuse an old confirmation for a new campaign?

Only if the content is exactly the same as the confirmed version. New visuals, wording or formats need a new confirmation.

Last reviewed: November 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice.