Vietnam's Ministry of Health has imposed administrative fines totaling over 2.8 billion VND on 17 pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies in a single week (May 27 to June 2), while ordering recalls and destruction of several popular cosmetic products. The crackdown signals stricter enforcement of registration, labeling, and advertising compliance, which overseas distributors and importers should monitor closely for supply-chain risks.
Key enforcement actions
The Drug Administration of Vietnam (under the Ministry of Health) fined Vigo Import-Export Trading and Service Company Limited (Ho Chi Minh City) 112.5 million VND for selling three cosmetic products with formulas that did not match approved product declarations. The affected products include Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 0.5 (skin rejuvenation serum, registration number 228904/24/CBMP-QLD issued March 12, 2024), Laboratorios Babé Stop Akn Hidratante Reparadora (acne-prone skin repair moisturizer, registration number 177124/22/CBMP-QLD issued August 11, 2022), and Ekseption White-Up Sorbet (skin lightening cream, registration number 215050/23/CBMP-QLD issued October 24, 2023). All three products were recalled and destroyed nationwide, and their registration numbers were revoked.
Advertising violations and misleading claims
Several companies were fined for advertising cosmetics with content inconsistent with their approved dossiers and certifications, or for labeling products with misleading information about their nature and properties, causing consumers to mistakenly believe they were medicines. For example, Thanh Lam One-Member Limited Company (Ho Chi Minh City) was fined up to 195 million VND for three violations, including marketing Pressensa Quality Dermal Solutions Defencextra 80+ SPF sunscreen (registration number 269773/25/CBMP-QLD issued March 24, 2025) with a formula not matching the approved declaration. This product was also recalled and destroyed, and its registration number revoked.
Product recalls and market withdrawals
The Ministry of Health suspended circulation and recalled batches of Xmen for Boss Intense perfumed shower gel (180g bottle) and Bontanika hand sanitizer (500g bottle) for kitchen use. Lam Dong province recalled a batch of Nhat Viet Cosmetics facial cleanser that failed to meet quality standards. Additionally, the Ministry ordered the recall and destruction of 511 products from Viet Huong Cosmetics.
What buyers should watch
Overseas importers and distributors sourcing from Vietnam should verify that their suppliers maintain accurate product registration documents and that formulas match approved declarations. The recent enforcement highlights the risk of registration revocation and product recall for non-compliance, which can disrupt supply chains. Companies should also ensure that advertising and labeling do not imply medicinal claims for cosmetic products, as this is a key trigger for penalties.
Regulatory and channel signals
The Ministry of Health's concentrated enforcement in one week signals a heightened regulatory focus on cosmetic compliance in Vietnam. Products found non-compliant were often sold on e-commerce platforms at premium prices (1.1 to 3.5 million VND), indicating that online sales channels are under scrutiny. The revocation of registration numbers for multiple products underscores the importance of maintaining rigorous quality control and documentation for all imported and domestically produced cosmetics.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 02, 2026