Vietnam Type Approval: Guide for 2026
Navigate Vietnam’s Evolving Regulatory Landscape with Confidence
Vietnam’s telecommunications regulatory framework underwent a significant transformation in 2025 to 2026, from the consolidation of ministries to the groundbreaking allocation of spectrum for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. For manufacturers seeking to enter this high-growth Southeast Asian market of nearly 100 million people, understanding the current type approval process is critical to avoiding costly delays.
Ready to accelerate your entry into the Vietnam market? MiCOM Labs leverages APEC MRA Phase I recognition to conduct testing and submit reports directly to Vietnamese authorities, streamlining your certification timeline to 7-8 weeks.
What Is Vietnam Type Approval?
Vietnam Type Approval is a mandatory certification confirming that telecommunications and radio equipment meet Vietnamese technical regulations (QCVN standards) and safety requirements. This certification serves as legal proof that products comply with national requirements and can be legally imported, distributed, and sold within Vietnam.
Critical 2025 Regulatory Authority Change
As of March 1, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) merged with the Ministry of Science and Technology, resulting in the creation of a unified Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) through Decree No. 55/2025/ND-CP. MST now oversees all telecommunications type approvals and ICT conformity certification. All new applications are processed through MST, while existing MIC certificates remain valid until their original expiration dates.
Who Needs Vietnam Type Approval?
Type Approval is mandatory for wireless telecommunications equipment and radio devices, including:
• Wi-Fi routers and access points (including Wi-Fi 6E/7)
• Bluetooth and BLE devices
• Cellular devices (2G-5G)
• IoT devices (Zigbee, LoRa)
• RFID systems
• Wireless charging devices
• Mobile phones and smartphones
• Tablets with cellular connectivity
• IT equipment with wireless functions like laptops with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Major 2025-2026 Regulatory Changes
| Change | Regulation | Effective Date | Impact |
| 6 GHz Band Opening | Circular 01/2025/TT-BKHCN | May 15, 2025 | 500 MHz (5925-6425 MHz) for Wi-Fi 6E/7; Indoor 200 mW EIRP, Outdoor 25 mW EIRP |
| ICT Mark Abolished | Circular 23/2024/TT-BTTTT | December 31, 2024 | CR mark now unified standard; CODE eliminated |
| IP Camera Cybersecurity | QCVN 135:2025/BTTTT | January 1, 2026 | Mandatory cybersecurity testing; limited lab capacity |
| Mobile Phone SAR | QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT | July 1, 2026 | ≤2 W/kg over 10g tissue; 30-day test duration |
| Updated EMC Standards | QCVN 86:2025/BKHCN | January 1, 2027 | Replaces QCVN 86:2019/BTTTT; 12-month transition |
Wi-Fi 6E/7: Opportunities and Implementation Challenges
The opening of the 6 GHz band to 500 MHz enables Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, with theoretical speeds of up to 9.6 Gb/s. However, as of mid-2025, practical implementation challenges persist. Some importers have reported requirements to submit manufacturer letters committing to disable 6 GHz functionality pending complete regulatory harmonization between MST technical approval and customs clearance.
Strategic Timeline for New Requirements
Manufacturers should complete IP camera certifications under current standards before January 1, 2026, when QCVN 135:2025/BTTTT becomes mandatory. Testing capacity for cybersecurity requirements is limited, with few designated laboratories as of mid-2025.
For mobile phones, SAR testing becomes mandatory on July 1, 2026. With test durations of up to 30 days and limited capacity, begin planning early and explore APEC MRA-recognized international laboratories, such as MiCOM Labs.
The Vietnam Type Approval Process
| Step | Activity | Duration |
| 1 | Product classification & standards identification | 1-2 days |
| 2 | Establish local representation | 1-2 weeks |
| 3 | Prepare documentation package – internal/external photographs, user manual, block diagram, technical specs | 1-2 weeks |
| 4 | Laboratory testing (RF + EMC) | 5 weeks |
| 5 | Report submission to MST | 1-2 days |
| 6 | MST evaluation & certificate issuance | 3 weeks |
| Total Timeline: | 7-8 weeks from complete documentation to certificate | |
Detailed Process Steps
Step 1: Product Classification
Determine which Vietnamese National Technical Regulations apply to your product. Common standards include:
• QCVN 127 & 129: Specific RF regulations with mandatory test cases
• QCVN 18:2022/BTTTT: 5G NR and LTE NB-IoT EMC
• QCVN 86:2019/BTTTT: 2G/3G/4G EMC (transitioning to QCVN 86:2025/BKHCN)
Step 2: Establish Local Representation
Vietnam requires a local representative, such as:
• A Vietnamese-registered company
• An importer, distributor, or subsidiary
• Specialized compliance services provider
Your local representative becomes the certificate holder and manages all regulatory communications with MST.
Step 3: Prepare Documentation
Essential documents include:
• Application form
• Product specifications
• Product label photos
• Sample information declaration
• ISO 9001:2015 certificate from the manufacturing factory (critical requirement)
• Test procedures and software
• Factory declaration
• Sample shipment documentation
• Local representative’s Vietnamese business license
2025 Critical Update:
Recent changes emphasize sample traceability. If the test report holder is the manufacturer, authorization for the local importer must be endorsed by the manufacturer’s Vietnam office, OR receive consular authentication. If the test report holder is a local company, provide sample importation evidence (invoice, airway bill, customs declaration) or manufacturer sample shipment documentation.
Step 4: Testing in APEC MRA-Recognized Laboratories
Vietnam operates under APEC TEL MRA Phase I, allowing test reports from recognized foreign laboratories to be submitted directly to MST. MiCOM Labs holds this recognition as an A2LA-accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) testing laboratory, conducting:
• RF testing: Typically 3-5 weeks
• EMC testing: Typically 2-3 weeks to Vietnamese QCVN standards
Real-Time Visibility:
MiCOM Labs’ MiTest® platform provides live project status updates and real-time data feeds during testing, allowing engineering teams to monitor progress and receive provisional results immediately for quick design corrections if needed.
Step 5: Report Submission and MST Evaluation
Once testing is complete, the full documentation package is submitted to MST for evaluation. MST reviews:
• Test reports for QCVN compliance
• Product documentation
• ISO 9001:2015 certificate validity
• Overall conformity assessment
This evaluation takes approximately 3 weeks.
Critical Note:
MST now monitors the validity of ISO certificates. When your ISO 9001:2015 certificate expires, you must update MST with the renewed certificate within 10 days. Failure to update causes the automatic expiration of your Type Approval certificate.
Step 6: Certificate Issuance
Upon successful evaluation, MST issues a Type Approval Certificate valid for three years, which includes:
• Unique certificate number
• QR code for validity verification
• ISO certificate update requirements
• List of approved product models
Certificate Validity and Compliance
Vietnam Type Approval certificates are valid for 3 years from the date of issuance, provided that a current ISO 9001:2015 certificate is maintained. The 2025 requirement for ISO monitoring represents a significant change in compliance. MST actively tracks ISO validity, and failure to submit a renewed certificate within 10 days of expiration results in the automatic expiration of Type Approval, regardless of the original 3-year term.
MiCOM Labs’ MiPassport® certification maintenance portal monitors document expiration dates and provides automated alerts before your ISO certificate expires, ensuring zero compliance gaps.
Certificate renewal after 3 years involves similar documentation and may require updated testing if technical regulations have changed. The renewal timeline is typically 4-6 weeks, which is faster than the initial certification process. Begin renewal 3-4 months before expiration to ensure continuity of market access.
Type Approval vs. Declaration of Conformity
| Aspect | Type Approval | Declaration of Conformity |
| For | Radio/telecommunications equipment | ITE without radio functions |
| Testing | Accredited laboratory testing required | Self-declaration with test reports |
| Issuer | MST (government) | Manufacturer/Local representative |
| Validity | 3 years | Permanent (updates if standards change) |
| Marking | CR conformity mark | CR conformity mark |
Important: Many radio-equipped devices require both Type Approval certification AND Declaration of Conformity for full market access.
MiCOM Labs’ Vietnam Type Approval Advantage
APEC MRA Phase I Recognition
MiCOM Labs’ official APEC TEL MRA Phase I recognition for Vietnam means test reports are pre-approved for MST submission, eliminating duplicate in-country testing.
Service benefits include:
• 7-8 week timeline
• Moderate coordination costs
• Real-time test tracking via MiTest®
• Certification phase management through MiCMS®
• Good predictability
• High control during testing with coordination for certification
Technology Platform Ecosystem
MiTest®: Automated testing with real-time data feeds – Live status; immediate provisional results
MiCMS®: Certification workflow management – Organizes Vietnam documentation; tracks MST submission
MiPassport®: Certificate maintenance portal – Monitors ISO 9001:2015 expiration; prevents compliance gaps
MiComms™: Regulatory newsfeed service – Real-time Vietnam regulatory updates
Comprehensive Testing Capabilities
MiCOM Labs’ A2LA-accredited laboratory provides:
• RF testing up to 220 GHz
• EMC/EMI testing
• Antenna characterization (2D/3D patterns)
• DFS testing
• Safety testing
• Environmental testing
Supported technologies:
Wi-Fi (all standards including 6E/7), Bluetooth, BLE, Zigbee, RFID, LoRa, cellular (2G-5G), IoT protocols, CBRS, and satellite communications
Beyond Vietnam: Multi-Market Access
Direct Certification (5 markets):
US (FCC), Canada (ISED), EU (CE), UK (UKCA), Japan (MIC)
Testing + Report Submission (10 markets):
Vietnam (MST), Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Mexico
Strategic Advantage:
Test once with MiCOM Labs and leverage the same test data for 10 markets, reducing time-to-market and certification costs by 40-60% for regional expansion.
Common Challenges and Solutions
ISO 9001:2015 Certificate Requirements
Vietnam requires ISO certification from the manufacturing factory, not the brand owner. Many smaller manufacturers lack ISO certification.
Solutions:
• Budget 3-6 months and $5,000-$15,000 for initial certification if needed
• Verify that contract manufacturers have a current ISO before finalizing agreements
• Use MiCOM Labs’ MiPassport® for renewal alerts
Sample Source Documentation
Recent 2025 changes require detailed sample origin documentation with different requirements based on certificate holder type.
Solutions:
• Coordinate with your testing lab on documentation requirements before shipping samples
• Maintain detailed records of all sample shipments, including invoices, airway bills, and customs declarations
Regulatory Changes During Certification
Vietnam’s active regulatory evolution can create uncertainty.
Solutions:
• Partner with specialists having direct MST relationships
• Build 2-3 week timeline buffers
• Monitor multiple information channels, including MST announcements, industry associations, and experienced certification partners
Limited Testing Capacity for New Standards
New cybersecurity and SAR standards lack designated testing facilities.
Solutions:
• Accelerate pre-2026 certifications under current standards
• Engage APEC MRA-recognized laboratories early
• Maintain flexible product roadmaps based on the availability of testing infrastructure
Vietnam Type Approval FAQ
How long is the Vietnam Type Approval valid?
3 years from issuance, contingent on maintaining a current ISO 9001:2015 certificate. If ISO expires without updating the MST within 10 days, the Type Approval automatically expires.
Can I use test reports from other countries?
Yes, if the laboratory is APEC TEL MRA Phase I recognized for Vietnam. MiCOM Labs holds this recognition; our reports are accepted directly by MST.
Do I need a local representative?
Yes. All applications must be submitted through a Vietnamese-registered entity (importer, distributor, subsidiary, or compliance provider).
Is Wi-Fi 6E allowed in Vietnam?
Yes, officially permitted as of May 15, 2025. However, some importers report interim requirements to disable 6 GHz functionality pending complete procedural harmonization. Consult experienced certification partners.
Why Choose MiCOM Labs
MiCOM Labs offers APEC MRA Phase I recognition, allowing test reports to be accepted directly by Vietnam’s MST for faster certification. Our streamlined 7–8 week timeline ensures efficient testing and submission, while the MiTest® platform provides real-time visibility throughout the process. With MiPassport® monitoring, you maintain ISO compliance and prevent documentation gaps. Plus, our multi-market testing approach lets you leverage the same data for up to ten global markets.