Junior Associate – Tran Thi Nhu Quy
On 29th September, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 36/2025/QĐ-TTg promulgating the Vietnam System of Economic Sectors Classification, which took effect from November 15, 2025 (“VSIC 2025”) and replaced Decision No. 27/2018/QĐ-TTg dated 6th July, 2018 (“VSIC 2018”).
According to the Proposal on the promulgation of the Vietnam System of Economic Sectors Classification from the Ministry of Finance, Document No. 345/TTr-BTC dated June 26, 2025, the Vietnam System of Economic Sectors Classification (VSIC) 2018 has successfully played its role in management, planning, and statistics. However, in the global economic development trend, Vietnam’s economy has occurred many changes, becoming more diverse and complex. With the development of digital technology, many new economic activities have emerged in Vietnam. Furthermore, VSIC 2018 was developed based on the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 4, currently, the United Nations Statistical Commission has adjusted ISIC Revision 5. Therefore, VSIC 2018 must be revised to update and supplement new economic sectors in accordance with the ISIC Revision 5, and fully reflect Vietnam’s economic activities.
On that basis, the newly issued Vietnam System of Economic Sectors Classification includes 5 levels:
- Level 1 includes 22 sections hierarchically designated by alphabetical letters from A to V;
- Level 2 includes 87 divisions, each of which is assigned a two-digit code from 01 to 99 according to the corresponding section;
- Level 3 includes 259 groups, each of which is assigned a three-digit code from 011 to 990 according to the corresponding division;
- Level 4 includes 495 classes, each of which is assigned a four-digit code from 0111 to 9900 according to the corresponding division;
- Level 5 includes 743 sub-classes, each of which is assigned a five-digit code from 01110 to 99000 according to the corresponding class.
Differences between VSIC 2018 and VSIC 2025:
| Decision No. 27/2018/QĐ-TTg | Decision No. 36/2025/QĐ-TTg | |
|---|---|---|
| Date of issue and effect | Issued on 6th July, 2018 and effective from 20th August, 2018 | Issued on 29th September, 2025 and effective from 15th November, 2025 |
| Number of economic sector categories | The list of economic sectors includes 5 levels:
• Level 1: 21 sectors, codes from A to U • Level 2: 88 sectors • Level 3: 242 sectors • Level 4: 486 sectors • Level 5: 734 sectors |
The list of economic sectors still includes 5 levels but there are adjustments in the number of sectors at each level:
• Level 1: 22 sectors, name codes from A to V • Level 2: 87 sectors • Level 3: 259 sectors • Level 4: 495 sectors • Level 5: 743 sectors |
| Criteria for determining economic sectors | There are no specific regulations. | Three (03) clearly criteria, in order of priority: (i) Production process of economic activities, (ii) Input materials that economic activities use to create products; and (iii) Characteristics of output products of economic activities. |
| Scope | In state statistical activities | Stipulating the purposes of issuance, the criteria for determining economic sectors, and the list and content of Vietnam System of Economic Sectors Classification.
The purposes of issuance in: (i) state statistical activities; (ii) administrative registration system, national database, specialized database; and (iii) other relevant state management activities |
The Ministry of Finance (The General Statistics Office) is responsible for providing documents and handbooks guiding the use of the Vietnam System of Economic Sectors Classification to comply with the provisions of this Decision.
Here is our article about LATEST UPDATE TO VIETNAM’S SYSTEM OF ECONOMIC SECTOR CLASSIFICATION, EFFECTIVE FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2025. If you are interested or require legal support regarding electronic identification procedures for enterprises, please visit our DIMAC Website and explore the News Category to stay updated with the latest legal insights and shared market experiences.
