Legal Updates – July 2025: eContracts, Online Notarization, and What Businesses Need to Know

Starting July 2025, a series of new legal regulations officially take effect, marking a significant shift in how electronic contracts are deployed across Vietnam. Below is a detailed summary of the key changes and strategic recommendations for businesses accelerating digital transformation in legal operations, contract execution, and storage.

Online Notarization of eContracts Officially Allowed from July 1, 2025

According to Decree 104/2025/NĐ-CP, from July 1, electronic contracts can be notarized online for all civil transactions, except wills and unilateral legal acts.

The online notarization process includes:

• Initiating the transaction on the e-notarization system

• Uploading the digitally signed contract

• Verifying identities via eKYC or national ID databases

• Applying remote digital signature with timestamp

• Synchronizing contract storage across participating points
  
  

This development helps reduce travel costs, shortens processing time, and enhances transparency in civil contract execution.

Decentralization of Standard Contract Registration to Provincial Authorities

Under Decree 146/2025/NĐ-CP, the registration of standard form contracts and general transaction conditions will no longer be handled by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Instead, it will be managed at the provincial level.

• Until June 30, 2025: businesses still submit to the Ministry

• From July 1, 2025: submissions must be made to the local Department of Industry and Trade
  
  

This decentralization is expected to accelerate the approval process and help local businesses bring their products and services to market more efficiently.

Draft Amendment to the E-Commerce Law Expands Contract Certification Services

In June 2025, the revised E-Commerce Law proposed to legally recognize electronic contract certification services. This opens up new opportunities for third-party providers to offer specialized solutions.

These services would include:

• Long-term contract storage

• Ensuring data integrity throughout the contract lifecycle

• Integration with the national eContract platform

• Regular reporting to regulatory agencies
  
  

If approved, this would establish a strong legal foundation for the expanded use of eContracts in B2B, B2C, and cross-sector transactions.

Broader Use of VNeID and eKYC for Signing and Identity Verification

Recent developments show increasing support for:

• Remote digital signatures using VNeID level 2 accounts

• eKYC-based identity verification on mobile and web platforms

• Integration of enterprise digital signatures (USB tokens, HSM) with personal signatures on mobile devices
  
  

This integration is accelerating the adoption of eContracts across sectors such as:

• E-commerce

• Banking and finance

• Logistics and transportation

• Healthcare, education, and real estate
  
  

Policy Summary and Effective Timelines

Action Recommendations for Businesses

To stay ahead of legal changes, businesses should:

• Review their current eContract platforms
  Ensure compliance with Decree 23/2025/NĐ-CP
  Verify support for valid eSignatures and trusted services
  
  

• Prepare for online notarization workflows by July 1
  Set up official notary accounts
  Check infrastructure for video conferencing, data storage, and ID verification
  
  

• Migrate standard contract registration processes to local departments
  Contact local Departments of Industry and Trade for new guidelines
  
  

• Monitor the E-Commerce Law amendment process
  Choose platforms that support national contract integration and certification
  Prepare API connections for automated reporting and contract verification
  
  

Conclusion

July 2025 marks a legal milestone for the implementation of electronic contracts in Vietnam. Timely updates and compliance with new regulations will allow businesses to:

• Streamline operational processes

• Accelerate digital transformation in contract execution

• Ensure legal validity and data security
  
  

This is the ideal time for organizations to review their legal and digital infrastructure and prepare for a new era of digital contracting in Vietnam.