Vietnam: Key changes under Circular 79/2025/TT-TBC on E-Procurement

Circular No. 79/2025/TT-BTC

Circular No. 79/2025/TT-BTC, which comes into force on 4 August 2025 (‘Circular 79’), introduces several changes to the e-procurement regime on the Vietnam National E-Procurement System, which was previously governed by Circular No. 22/2024/TT-BKHDT (‘Circular 22’).

Transfer of responsibility to the Ministry of Finance

Firstly, the national e-procurement system is now managed by the Ministry of Finance rather than the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Under Circular 22, the system was established and operated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment at muasamcong.mpi.gov.vn.

Circular 79 transfers this responsibility to the Ministry of Finance, with the system being operated at muasamcong.mof.gov.vn. This change is in line with the 2025 restructuring of the government apparatus, under which the Ministry of Planning and Investment was merged into the Ministry of Finance.

Simplified documentation requirements: Elimination of standalone assessment forms

Secondly, Circular 79 abolishes certain forms for assessment reports. Whilst Circular 22 referred to forms for the preparation, evaluation and approval of general contractor selection plans and specific contractor selection plans, Circular 79 refers only to forms for preparation and approval. Evaluation is therefore no longer listed in this Circular as a separately prescribed form. This reduces the administrative burden of the evaluation stage and streamlines the documentation framework within the system, but does not necessarily remove the evaluation requirements, provided these are prescribed by law or required by the competent authority.

Clearer accountability for investors

Thirdly, Circular 79 shifts responsibility from the procuring entity to the investor. The investor now assumes most of the disclosure obligations regarding information on contractor selection. The same approach applies to the issuance, amendment and clarification of tender documents, as well as to the opening of tenders in the system. This change clarifies accountability and centralizes procedural responsibility.

Strengthened push for digital procurement

Fourthly, Circular 79 also strengthens digital processing. For certain procurement packages paid through the State Treasury, contracts must be signed within the system. In this regard, Circular 79 introduces a clearer and more operational requirement, thereby further promoting paperless procurement and a more uniform digital implementation.

More flexible requirements for technical evaluation

Finally, in cases where samples are requested for technical evaluation, Circular 79 removes the requirement for separate approval by a competent authority and transfers responsibility to the investor to ensure that such a requirement is necessary and does not restrict competition or create unequal treatment.