Doing business in Vietnam:
E-signature laws and compliance essentials

Electronic signatures: How they operate

Electronic signatures are digital versions of your signature that indicate your agreement to the contents of an online contract. They provide a hassle-free way to sign documents remotely, eliminating the need for physical paperwork and enabling faster and more streamlined transactions.

They are legally binding for a variety of purposes and can either be typed, drawn on the screen of an electronic device, or uploaded from your desktop. This modern alternative to wet signatures has been adopted across the world because it empowers individuals and businesses to sign documents online in a legal, secure, and efficient way.

Vietnam goes digital with Zoho Sign

In Vietnam's fast-growing economy, where agility and efficiency define success, e-signatures are transforming how businesses operate. Tasks that once took days, like closing contracts, approving transactions, or onboarding new clients, can now be completed in just minutes. E-signatures are also helping companies simplify compliance in cross-border partnerships and enabling seamless collaboration among remote teams. As Vietnam continues its digital transformation, adopting e-signatures offers businesses a competitive advantage, facilitating faster operations, cost reductions, and access to new opportunities across ASEAN and beyond.

Zoho Sign provides enterprise-grade digital signatures through an easy-to-use platform. Designed for business efficiency, our solution delivers:

• Faster signing processes
• Enhanced productivity
• Robust signer authentication
• Top-tier security
• Remote accessibility
• Better user experience
• Cost savings

E-signatures take center stage in Vietnam's digital transformation

Key sectors in Vietnam turning to e-signatures to boost efficiency and security:

• Banking and Finance
• Legal
• Retail and ecommerce
• Education
• Healthcare
• Government services
• HR
• Technology
• Telecommunications

Classification of Electronic Signatures

Electronic Signatures are categorized based on their intended use into the following types:

1. Specialized Electronic Signature

This type of signature is exclusively generated and utilized by a specific agency or organization for its designated functions and responsibilities.

2. Public Digital Signature

This signature is employed in public transactions and is supported by a public digital signature certificate. These are commonly used by individuals and businesses for electronic transactions such as e-commerce, online banking, and contract signings—activities necessitating a verified digital identity. For instance, a private company may employ a Public Digital Signature to electronically execute agreements with clients or partners.

3. Digital Signature for Public Service

Designed solely for activities related to public services, this signature is validated by a digital signature certificate specifically issued for public service purposes. Government agencies and public officials primarily use this form of Digital Signature to perform official functions such as document authentication, issuing public notices, or inter-agency communications. For example, a government department might utilize this signature to securely approve and transmit regulatory documents.

Requirements for Digital Signatures

For Digital Signatures, the requirements include all of the above, with additional stipulations:

• Detect any alterations made to the message after signing.
• Be secured through a Digital Signature certificate.
• Be created using secure methods that:
  a) Prevent exposure or misuse of signature data.
  b) Ensure the signature data is used only once.
  c) Prevent unauthorized modifications to the signed data.

Specialized digital signature certificates for public services are issued and managed by authorized organizations providing digital signature certification services for public sector use, in compliance with electronic transaction and cryptography laws.

Validity of Electronic Signatures under the law

An Electronic Certification Service Provider is a legal entity responsible for issuing and validating electronic certificates. These providers act as trusted third parties to ensure the authenticity of electronic signatures.

An individual has the right to use Electronic Certification Service Providers to create Electronic Signatures. These providers are responsible for verifying the authenticity of the Electronic Signature and ensuring it belongs to the rightful signer.

There are two types of certification providers:

• An Electronic Signature is not considered legally invalid simply because it is in electronic form.
• A secure Specialized Electronic Signature or a Digital Signature holds the same legal value as an individual's handwritten signature on paper documents.
• If the law requires a document to be certified by an agency or organisation, this requirement is fulfilled when the document is signed using a secure Specialized Electronic Signature or a Digital Signature issued by the relevant agency or organisation.

Limitations on the use of Electronic Signatures

As per Vietnam's Law on Notarization No. 53/2014/QH13, Electronic Signatures are not permitted in the following instances:

• Wills
• Real estate transactions
• Matrimonial property regimes
• Auction documents
• Authorization for legal appeals
• Testimonies of notaries

Digital Signature Certificate

An Electronic Signature Certificate is a data message that verifies the identity of the certified agency, organization, or individual as the signer of the Electronic Signature. When utilised for Digital Signatures, it is called a Digital Signature Certificate.

Certifying Authority

A Digital Signature Certification Service is provided by a digital signature certification service provider to authenticate the digital signer of a data message, ensure the signer's non-repudiation of the data message, and maintain the integrity of the signed data message.

Timestamping service

• A timestamping service adds a time mark to a data message to confirm it existed at a specific point in time.
• The timestamp is created as a Digital Signature.
• The recorded time indicates when the service provider accepted and verified the data message.

Zoho Sign partners with recognized timestamping authorities, GlobalSign and Seiko, to provide trusted digital timestamps for electronic transactions. These timestamps validate the authenticity of e-signatures and verify that the signed document existed in the given form at the time of signing and remains unaltered. This adds a robust layer of security to the signing process. By making signatures tamper-proof, digital timestamps enhance the reliability of signed documents for both legal and commercial purposes.

Key takeaway

E-signatures are legally recognized in Vietnam, making it easier for businesses to move toward fully digital document processes. As remote work and cross-border collaboration become more common, more organizations are choosing secure, easy-to-use tools like Zoho Sign to simplify their workflows. By going digital, businesses can save time, cut down on paperwork, and work more efficiently. E-signatures also play a key role in supporting Vietnam’s ongoing digital transformation. Start your free trial with Zoho Sign today and experience a faster, safer way to manage your agreements.

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and shall not be construed as legal, regulatory, or any other form of professional advice. Zoho Sign disclaims any liability for any error in the information provided herein. We recommend that you consult your legal counsel for any questions that you may have in this regard.