Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormBulk powder (vitamin B6 / derivatives, e.g., pyridoxine HCl)
Industry PositionMicronutrient ingredient for dietary supplements and fortified products
Market
Vietnam is a net importer of vitamin B6 (HS 293625: vitamin B6 and its derivatives, unmixed), with import volumes and values far exceeding exports in recent UN Comtrade/WITS data. Imports are highly concentrated from China, making supply availability and pricing sensitive to upstream production and cross-border logistics conditions. When vitamin B6 is marketed in Vietnam as part of a health supplement (dietary supplement/"thực phẩm bảo vệ sức khỏe"), market access depends on Ministry of Health/Vietnam Food Administration product-declaration and advertising compliance. Post-market enforcement has highlighted counterfeit and substandard health supplements as a recurring risk, increasing the value of supplier due diligence, documentation integrity, and lot-level traceability.
Market RoleNet importer and downstream formulation market
Domestic RoleImported micronutrient used in domestic supplement formulation and distribution; limited upstream production
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIf vitamin B6 is placed on the Vietnamese market as part of a health supplement, commercialization can be blocked or disrupted if the product lacks the required product-declaration registration receipt and (where applicable) advertising content approval; regulators also emphasize consumer checks on labeling and official verification portals.Confirm classification as a health supplement vs other food category early; file the correct product-declaration dossier with required legalized/translated documents; verify status via official Vietnam Food Administration and Ministry of Health portals before shipment launch and marketing.
Product Integrity HighCounterfeit/substandard health supplements and related documentation issues have been repeatedly reported and targeted by enforcement actions, creating recall, seizure, and reputational risks for supply chains using vitamin inputs.Use audited suppliers, require COAs and independent verification testing for inbound vitamin B6 lots, and implement batch-level traceability from ingredient receipt to finished-product release.
Supply Concentration MediumVietnam’s HS 293625 vitamin B6 imports are highly concentrated by origin (notably China in recent data), increasing vulnerability to upstream production disruptions, policy changes, or logistics bottlenecks.Qualify at least one alternative origin (e.g., EU/India) for critical SKUs; maintain safety stock calibrated to lead times and regulatory filing timelines.
Governance MediumInvestigations and media reports have alleged bribery and forged health-supplement registration certificates in Vietnam, which increases the risk of relying on counterfeit or invalid regulatory documents in the market.Verify declaration/advertising approvals directly on official portals (not only via intermediaries) and conduct enhanced due diligence on regulatory agents and document provenance.
Labor & Social- Counterfeit and substandard health supplements have been a recurring enforcement theme in Vietnam, elevating consumer protection, documentation integrity, and responsible marketing expectations for supplement brands.
- Governance and compliance integrity risks have been publicly reported in relation to alleged improper issuance/forgery of health-supplement registration certificates, increasing the need for direct verification through official portals.
Standards- GMP (dietary supplement manufacturing)
- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety
- IFS Food
FAQ
Is Vietnam primarily an importer or exporter of vitamin B6 (HS 293625)?Vietnam is primarily a net importer. UN Comtrade data as presented by the World Bank WITS shows Vietnam imported about USD 4.06 million of HS 293625 in 2023, while exporting about USD 0.26 million in the same year.
What approvals are needed to sell a vitamin B6 dietary supplement (health supplement) in Vietnam?Under Vietnam’s Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, dietary supplements (health supplements) are in the group that must undergo product declaration registration with the competent authority. Official Dispatch 790/ATTP-SP (Vietnam Food Administration/Food Safety Department) also emphasizes that health supplements are only allowed on the market after being granted product declaration receipt and that advertising content approval information is publicly searchable on official portals.
How can buyers verify whether a health supplement is properly registered in Vietnam?Official Dispatch 790/ATTP-SP states that information on health supplements granted product declaration receipt and advertising content approval is published on the Vietnam Food Administration website and the Ministry of Health public service portal, where buyers/consumers can search before purchase.