Legally Required Document

Title in original language: Hóa đơn giá trị gia tăng

Applicable to: All business entities with a Tax Code (i.e., the Business Registration No.)

Holder of Document: Both seller and buyer in Viet Nam 

Signature required by:
Signature and Seal of the seller

Key considerations when checking the doc:
□ Is the invoice signed and sealed by the seller?
□ Are the names and tax codes of the buyer and/or seller the same as in the Business Registration Certificates and the packing list?
□ Do the product description, volume, or quantity match other documents such as packing list, sales contract, and/or delivery note?
□ Check whether the document date is reasonable, e.g., the same date or after the date of packing list, or after the sales contract date?
□ If it is an e-invoice, it can be verified via the government's website (Available in Vietnamese): http://tracuuhoadon.gdt.gov.vn/main.html
□ To ensure the correct supply chain for logs and sawn timber, it is recommended to check the sales contract, packing list of forest products, delivery note to confirm the species.

Purpose and content of document:
An invoice provides evidence of a transaction. A VAT invoice (sometimes called the Red Invoice) proves that an enterprise pays tax and tax reimbursement. Usually, invoices are issued by the seller to the buyer. VAT invoices have a uniform format and requirements and are printed and sold by designated printing companies by tax authorities. Once the company has registered, it will apply for the blank template (Book containing a hundred copies with invoice number pre-printed) from the designated printing company. Following any transactions, companies write the necessary information such as price, total amount, name of the product, etc., into the blank VAT invoice, sign, and seal, and give to the buyer. Contents of the invoice include: name and address of seller and buyer, tax code (for both buyer and seller, except individual buyer), invoice code, invoice serial number, invoice number, Signature, and seller seal. Viet Nam will make e-invoice compulsory for all business entities. It is currently in a transition period, and the due date to completely change to e-invoice is 1st July 2022. From 1st July 2022, the validity of e-invoices should be possible to check online on the website of the General Department of Taxation: http://tracuuhoadon.gdt.gov.vn/main.html

Evidence limitations and weaknesses:
• There is no publicly available database to verify the information for invoices in the paper.
• The species is not legally required to be included in the VAT invoice for timber or timber products. As a result, it is recommended to check the sales contract, packing list of forest products, delivery note to confirm the species for logs and sawn timber.