On October 1, Vietnam’s Decree No. 365/2026/ND-CP on rice export and import business took effect. Under the new rules, Vietnamese traders and foreign-invested enterprises may export rice once they obtain an eligibility certificate. To qualify, they must own or lease at least one specialized warehouse and one milling facility that meet food safety and technical standards. Exporters of organic, parboiled, and micronutrient-fortified rice are exempt. Rice importers must register their import plans with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) within 45 days of the decree taking effect. Existing certificates remain valid until they expire.
On October 13, MOIT’s Agency of Foreign Trade held a conference in Dong Thap province to guide businesses and local authorities on implementing the decree and its accompanying Circular No. 65/2026/TT-BCT, including exporters’ obligations and reporting requirements. Direct exposure for U.S. exporters is limited, as rice is not among the top 10 U.S. agricultural exports to Vietnam, a $4.7 billion market in 2025. The decree matters more for U.S.-invested firms in Vietnam’s rice trade, which will also face new trader credibility assessments from January 2028.
