Vietnam’s food safety culture remains weak, with gaps in hygiene, enforcement, and legal frameworks leaving the public exposed to foodborne illness, according to Brian Bedard, director of Food Safety and Animal Health at Alinea International→view source.

In an interview with Vietnam Investment Review, Bedard warned that the country’s current system relies too heavily on voluntary standards and needs a unified enforcement agency.

Key risks highlighted:

Foodborne illness outbreaks remain widespread, driven by bacterial contamination linked to poor hygiene, unsafe handling, and inadequate sanitation — especially in schools, public markets, food service, and home kitchens.
Fragmented oversight: No single competent authority currently enforces food safety — multiple agencies share responsibility, diluting accountability.
Voluntary standards: Many key rules remain based on voluntary Vietnamese standards rather than enforceable QCVNs (technical regulations), undermining compliance.
Weak business accountability: Food handler training is not mandatory; CEOs and food businesses often lack incentives or legal pressure to enforce food safety practices.
Traceability gaps: Without an integrated traceability system, neither government nor consumers can reliably track risks through the food supply.

Without stronger legal and enforcement frameworks, Vietnam’s food system remains vulnerable to outbreaks and reputational risks — especially as consumers and foreign markets demand higher standards.

Foreign firms — particularly food processors, retailers, and export-oriented businesses — should take away from this that Vietnam’s food safety culture is improving slowly, and it remains inconsistent in practice.

In this light, companies should take a proactive approach to supply chain verification, private audits, and training to protect brand and consumer trust.

Your support keeps this site independent and objective.
If you find value in this work, please consider making a contribution.

$2/mo $5/mo $10/mo One-time

Need more convincing?

Our content is free because we believe a rising tide lifts all boats.

By making accurate, independent information accessible to everyone, we help create a more informed, resilient, and empowered business community.

When businesses, investors, policymakers, and everyday readers all have access to clear, unbiased analysis, it leads to better decisions, fairer opportunities, and stronger economic outcomes for all.

That said, while our content is free to read, it costs money to create.

Behind every article is careful research, fact-checking, and expert analysis — all of which require time, skill, and resources.

If you can spare a couple of dollars, your support helps ensure that reliable, unbiased information remains accessible to all.