Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable packaged
Industry PositionPackaged Snack / Confectionery Product
Market
Vietnam is a large consumer market with substantial domestic manufacturing of packaged biscuits and cookies (including premium fruit/nut variants) alongside imported global brands. Key producers include Mondelēz Kinh Đô (Cosy, AFC) and local confectionery firms such as Hữu Nghị, Hải Hà and Bibica, with factories across northern and southern industrial provinces; demand is year-round with Tet gifting peaks.
Market RoleDomestic producer and consumer market with significant branded imports
Domestic RoleMainstream snack and seasonal gifting category (notably around Tet) supplied by domestic manufacturers and importers
SeasonalitySales are year-round for shelf-stable packaged cookies, with gifting-driven peaks around Tet (Lunar New Year) for boxed/tin assortments.
Risks
Food Safety Contaminants HighMycotoxin non-compliance (notably aflatoxins) linked to nuts and dried-fruit inclusions can trigger tightened inspection, rejection, disposal actions, or market withdrawal in Vietnam due to national technical limits under QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT for foods at risk of mycotoxin contamination.Implement a mycotoxin control plan for nut/dried-fruit inputs: approved-supplier program, incoming COA plus periodic third-party testing, and clear hold/release criteria before production or import release.
Regulatory Compliance HighDocumentation and labeling gaps (e.g., incomplete Decree 15 self-declaration dossier, missing or inconsistent Vietnamese compulsory label contents for imported goods under Decree 43/2017 as amended) can delay clearance, block listing, or create recall exposure.Run a pre-shipment/import readiness checklist covering Decree 15 dossier completeness (including valid test results) and Vietnamese supplementary labeling review before distribution.
Logistics MediumFreight cost volatility and port-to-warehouse delays can disrupt supply and pricing for imported cookies and imported fruit/nut inclusions, particularly for bulky finished goods.Use dual sourcing (domestic and import), maintain buffer inventory for peak seasons (e.g., Tet), and lock freight capacity for seasonal promotions where possible.
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS
- IFS
FAQ
What must be done before selling imported packaged cookies in Vietnam?Packaged processed foods generally need a product self-declaration dossier under Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, including a current safety test result/data sheet. In addition, compulsory label information must be presented in Vietnamese, typically via a compliant label or supplementary Vietnamese label for imported goods under Vietnam’s goods labeling decree.
Why are mycotoxins a major risk for fruit-and-nut cookies in Vietnam?Because nuts and dried fruits can be higher-risk ingredients for mycotoxin contamination, and Vietnam applies national technical limits for mycotoxins in foods at risk (QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT). A non-compliant result can lead to intensified inspection actions and product rejection or withdrawal.
Do cookie labels need to be in Vietnamese for Vietnam retail?Yes. Compulsory label contents for goods circulated in Vietnam must be in Vietnamese, and imported products that do not fully show compulsory Vietnamese information typically need a supplementary Vietnamese label while keeping the original label.