Customers advised to be cautious when shopping online on Temu, Shein, 1688

Temu has sold goods in Viet Nam without a license since early this month. However, the e-commerce platform launched a series of promotions, including free shipping, a return policy with refunds up to 90 days, and a willingness to pay substantial commissions of up to 30 percent for affiliate marketing to boost the number of new users.

Many businesses and experts are expressing concerns that the influx of retail platforms like Temu, Shein, and Taobao will bring cheap, low quality goods into the Vietnamese market.

Hence, the Viet Nam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade warned customers should be cautious when shopping online on cross-border e-commerce platforms in general and platforms such as Temu, Shein, 1688 in particular.

Strengthening management of e-commerce

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien signed a directive on October 26 requesting authorities to enhance state management of e-commerce.

The ministry instructed the E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency to lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to increase public awareness.

The ministry advised against transactions on these platforms unless they are registered on the e-commerce management portal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The agency is responsible for making a report to the Prime Minister on the non-compliance of e-commerce platform regulations in Viet Nam and methods for monitoring and regulating imported goods traded on non-compliant e-commerce platforms in Viet Nam.

Additionally, the agency will contact with Temu's legal team to ensure the platform's adherence to Vietnamese laws.

The the Ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications to implement technical measures to block these platforms if necessary.

Furthermore, the Ministry has tasked the General Department of Market Management to work with the General Department of Customs to closely monitor, identify, and handle any warehouses or distribution points associated with cross-border e-commerce platforms that are not officially registered.

Currently, Indonesia has issued a ban on the operation of the Temu platform, while several other countries have also expressed concerns about this e-commerce platform, according to media outlets./.