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VCCI calls for flexible electronic identity verification for online sellers. Draft decree detailing several provisions of the E-commerce Law requires intermediary e-commerce platforms to both authenticate identity electronically and require sellers to provide information. The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to provide feedback on the draft decree. The draft requires intermediary e-commerce platforms to both verify electronic identities and collect information from sellers. Businesses have said this is not reasonable due to compliance costs. Integrating the national identification data system alongside the information requirement could incur significant costs and technical risks. This is not feasible within the expected integration timelines and conflicts with the principle of collecting only data necessary for transactions. Therefore, VCCI asks the drafting agency to consider allowing flexibility for businesses, specifically either integrating the national electronic identification system or collecting information themselves and performing platform-specific identity verification. In addition, the draft requires contract authentication related to the platform operator holding sellers’ funds. In practice, most platforms use licensed payment or intermediary services. Requiring an additional contract authentication procedure is not strictly necessary. VCCI suggests revising so that contract authentication applies only if the platform does not use licensed payment or intermediary services. Furthermore, the draft requires large platforms with online ordering capabilities to report monthly via the E-commerce Activity Management System and to report removal of violative information within 48 hours of detection or request. VCCI argues this would impose substantial cost and operational burdens on platforms, especially those whose primary operations are not e-commerce. The requirement to perform such burdensome procedures would not encourage firms to expand online commerce. Therefore, reporting responsibilities should apply only to e-commerce platforms with at least 3 million direct users.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
