Prohibited Business Lines In Vietnam Under The 2025 Investment Law

April 1, 2026 | Guidelines, Setting up a company in Vietnam

In the context of Vietnam's increasingly deep international economic integration, the Government consistently encourages and creates favorable conditions for investment and business activities. However, to ensure national security, social order, safety, and public ethics, the law clearly prescribes certain "restricted zones" where investment is strictly prohibited. Mastership of the list of prohibited business lines under the Investment Law 2025 is a prerequisite for enterprises to ensure compliance and avoid unfortunate legal risks.

I. List of prohibited business lines in Vietnam

According to the provisions of Article 6 of Investment Law No. 143/2025/QH15 dated December 11, 2025, the list of prohibited business lines includes:

a) Trading in narcotic substances as specified in Appendix I of the Investment Law;

b) Trading in chemicals and minerals as specified in Appendix II of the Investment Law;

c) Trading in specimens of wild flora and fauna derived from nature as specified in Appendix I of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora); specimens of endangered, precious, and rare forest flora, forest fauna, and aquatic organisms of Group I derived from nature as specified in Appendix III of this Law;

d) Prostitution;

đ) Human trafficking; trading in human tissues, corpses, human body parts, or human fetuses;

e) Business activities related to human asexual reproduction;

g) Trading in firecrackers;

h) Debt collection services;

i) Trading in national treasures;

k) Exporting relics and antiquities;

l) Trading in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

II. Administrative sanctions for engaging in prohibited business lines

Individuals and organizations are not permitted to conduct investment activities in the aforementioned sectors. In case of violation, administrative sanctions shall be applied in accordance with Clause 3, Article 16 of Decree No. 122/2021/ND-CP regarding administrative penalties in the field of planning and investment.

Specifically, a fine ranging from 200,000,000 VND to 300,000,000 VND shall be imposed for the act of conducting business activities in prohibited business lines as prescribed by law.

III. Conclusion

Compliance with the list of prohibited business lines is not only a legal obligation but also a measure of the prestige and sustainability of every investor. With strict financial penalties reaching hundreds of millions of Vietnamese Dong, along with operational suspension measures, enterprises must conduct a thorough review of their investment portfolios right from the planning stage. We hope that these latest updates on the Investment Law 2025 will assist investors in building a safe and effective business roadmap in the Vietnamese market.

The information contained in this article is general and intended only to provide information on legal regulations. DB Legal will not be responsible for any use or application of this information for any business purpose. For in-depth advice on specific cases, please contact us.

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