The Vietnamese version of Temu, the cross-border e-commerce platform, remains temporarily suspended, with no clear timeline for its return.

Customers who placed orders but have not received their goods are entitled to a full refund via their bank accounts, along with compensation credits in their Temu accounts, which can only be used for future purchases once the platform resumes operations.

The platform’s owner, Elementary Innovation Pte. Ltd, is still in the process of completing registration procedures as required under Decree 52, which was amended by Decree 85 to regulate e-commerce activities in Vietnam.

Since November 30, 2024, Temu has been ordered to cease operations in Vietnam until it successfully obtains a business license.

Regulatory roadblocks delay Temu’s return

After its Vietnamese-language website was disabled, Temu issued an English-language statement confirming its ongoing efforts to comply with local registration laws.

However, the company has not provided an estimated timeline for when it expects to complete the process.

According to Hoang Ninh, Deputy Director of the E-Commerce and Digital Economy Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, it remains uncertain when Temu will be allowed to resume operations in Vietnam.

As part of regulatory enforcement, Vietnamese customs authorities have blocked shipments from e-commerce platforms that have not been officially registered with the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

This has resulted in thousands of undelivered orders, leaving many customers worried about potential financial losses.

Adding to consumer concerns, Temu had raised its minimum order value to 887,000 VND (~$35 USD) before its suspension, amplifying frustration among those waiting for refunds.

Temu required to issue refunds and compensation

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has mandated that Temu issue an official apology to Vietnamese consumers and ensure full refunds for all undelivered orders. Customers are entitled to two forms of compensation:

A 100% refund of their order value, credited directly to their bank accounts.

A compensation credit, calculated as a percentage of the order value, deposited into their Temu accounts. However, this credit cannot be withdrawn and can only be used as a discount for future purchases once the platform resumes service in Vietnam.

Ministry officials acknowledged that some customers may still be waiting for their refunds, possibly due to transaction errors during payment and order processing on Temu’s system.

Warnings about risks of unregistered cross-border e-commerce

Vietnamese authorities have repeatedly warned consumers about the risks of shopping on unregistered international e-commerce platforms.

Unlike domestic e-commerce marketplaces, these platforms are not subject to Vietnamese consumer protection laws, making it difficult to:

Verify the quality and authenticity of products.

Secure post-sale support, returns, or warranty claims.

Resolve disputes or obtain refunds in case of defective or misleading goods.

Additionally, cross-border platforms require customers to provide sensitive financial details, such as credit card or e-wallet information. Without proper data security measures under Vietnamese law, users face a heightened risk of fraud, identity theft, or unauthorized charges.

Consumers may also encounter hidden costs, including import taxes and fees, which are often not transparently disclosed at checkout.

Binh Minh