Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification Updated in 2025

1. New Points

The Prime Minister issued Decision No. 36/2025/QD-TTg on the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification (“Decision 36”), replacing Decision No. 27/2018/QD-TTg (“Decision 27”), which takes effect from 15 November 2025.

The Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification (“VSIC”) under Decision 36 incorporates the amendments adopted in the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, Revision 5 (ISIC Rev.5), at the 55th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC55) in New York, USA, in March 2024, as follows:[1]

• For Level 1: The number of Level 1 sectors increases from 21 to 22, as Sector J "Information and communication" in ISIC Rev.4 is split into two Level 1 sectors in ISIC Rev.5: Section J “Publishing, broadcasting, and content production and distribution activities” and Section K “Telecommunications, computer programming, consultancy, computing infrastructure and other information service activities”
• For Level 2: Division 45 "Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles" in ISIC Rev.4 is reclassified into Division 46 "Wholesale trade", Division 47 "Retail trade", and Division 95 "Repair and maintenance of computers, personal and household goods, and motor vehicles and motorcycles" in ISIC Rev.5.
• For Level 3 and Level 4: ISIC Rev.5 adds new Intermediation service activities to reflect the significant increase in brokerage activities driven by technological advancements through digital platforms in the current period, such as:

354 “Activities of brokers and agents for electric power and natural gas”

434 “Intermediation service activities for specialised construction services”

479 “Intermediation service activities for retail sale”

523 “Intermediation service activities for transportation”

553 “Intermediation service activities for accommodation”

564 “Intermediation service activities for food and beverage services activities”

7750 “Intermediation service activities for rental and leasing of tangible goods and non-financial intangible assets”

824 “Intermediation service activities for business support service activities n.e.c., except financial intermediation”

8561 “Intermediation service activities for courses and tutors”

8691 “Intermediation service activities for medical, dental and other human health services”

8791 “Intermediation service activities for residential care activities”

9540 “Intermediation service activities for repair and maintenance of computers, personal and household goods, and motor vehicles and motorcycles”

9640 “Intermediation service activities for personal services”

• Some economic sectors in ISIC Rev.4 have been split into new groups in ISIC Rev.5, such as:

Split of class 1103 into two classes: 1103 “Manufacture of beer” and 1104 “Manufacture of malt”

Breakdown of class 2610 into two new classes: 2611 “Manufacture of solar cells, solar panels and photovoltaic inverters” and 2619 “Manufacture of other electronic components and boards”.

Split of class 5510 "Short-term accommodation" into two groups: 551"Hotels and similar accommodation" and 552"Other short-term accommodation".

Split of division 90 "Arts creation and performing arts activities" into three groups: 901 "Arts creation activities"; 902 "Activities of performing arts"; and 903 "Support activities to arts creation and performing arts"….

• Removal of the distinction at the group level between wired, wireless, and satellite telecommunications activities. Consequently, the Level 3 group (611, 612, 613) in ISIC Rev.4 has been consolidated into one Level 3 group (611) in ISIC Rev.5.
• The classification of retail activities is now based on the goods transacted rather than the sales method (in stores, online, via stalls and markets, etc.). Therefore, Level 3 group (478 "Retail sale via stalls and markets"; 479 "Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets") from ISIC Rev.4 no longer exists in ISIC Rev.5.
• The content and scope of some economic sectors have been clarified, for instance: 3900 "Remediation and other waste management services activities" has been clarified by making explicit reference to carbon capture in the explanatory notes
• In addition, some economic sectors have been eliminated, with their content transferred to other sectors. For example, 7722 "Renting of video tapes and disks" has been fully merged into 7729 "Renting of other personal and household goods".

Furthermore, Decision 36 also updates and amends business lines to align with practical realities and to reflect additional service activities based on Vietnam's economic situation. Notable examples include:

01183 "Cultivation of annual flowers and ornamental plants" is amended to "Cultivation of annual flowers".

14100 "Manufacture of wearing apparel, except fur apparel" is amended to "Production of wearing apparel, except fur apparel".

71103 "Geological and water source exploration activities" is amended to "Geological and groundwater exploration activities".

79110 "Tourism agency activities" is amended to "Travel agency activities".

85600 "Educational support services" is amended to "Other educational support activities".

86102 "Activities of commune health stations and ministerial/sectoral health stations" is amended to "Activities of commune health stations".

8720 "Residential care activities for mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse" is amended to "Residential care activities for intellectual, neurological, and mental disabilities and substance abuse".

2. Cases of Change

In general, compared to Decision 27, Decision 36 introduces changes to some economic sectors that fall into the following cases:

• Amendment of  VSIC name
• Amendment of VSIC code
• Amendment of both VSIC codes and names
• Splitting of Level 4 and 5 sectors based on information needs
• Addition of new activities
• Amendment in explanatory notes

3. Look-up Tool

The National Business Registration Portal has updated its business line look-up tool, which now includes the Conversion Table for the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification VSIC 2018 - VSIC 2025, available here:https://dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn/vn/pages/nganhnghe.aspx

4.What should enterprises do?

Enterprises should reassess their scope of operations, business sectors, products, and services to evaluate the level of alignment with the new changes under Decision 36. In cases where an enterprise’s registered VSIC falls within the categories amended under Decision 36, in order to ensure consistency in registered business activities and the issuance of invoices for the products and services provided by the enterprise, updating and amending the enterprise’s business lines is necessary.

Accordingly, the enterprise shall carry out the procedure for updating the change of business lines to the business registration authority.

For enterprises with investment projects under the provisions of the Law on Investment, if the change in business lines results in a change in the project’s operational objectives, the adjustment of the investment project should also be duly implemented.

Disclaimer

This Newsletter contains only brief notes and includes legislation in force as of November 2025. The information herein is general and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one is entitled to rely on this information, and no one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice obtained after a thorough examination of the particular situation.