No, selling homemade lemonade in Vietnam without proper licensing violates the 2023 Food Safety Law and local municipal ordinances. Authorities like the Ministry of Health and provincial Departments of Health enforce hygiene standards, requiring vendors to register as food businesses and comply with labeling, storage, and preparation protocols. Recent 2026 draft amendments under Decree 15/2018/ND-CP tighten penalties for unregistered street food operations, including fines up to ₫50 million ($2,100) for repeat offenders.
Key Regulations for Lemonade Stands in Vietnam
- Food Business Registration: Operators must register with local authorities (e.g., District People’s Committees) under Circular 43/2018/TT-BYT, even for temporary or seasonal sales. Failure to do so triggers administrative sanctions.
- Hygiene and Safety Compliance: Lemonade must be prepared in licensed kitchens adhering to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards, with potable water sources and refrigeration for perishable ingredients. Non-compliance risks closure under Decision 37/2021/QD-UBND provincial decrees.
- Labeling and Tax Obligations: Labels require nutritional facts, expiry dates, and business contact details. Micro-vendors earning over ₫100 million/year must register for VAT under the 2024 Tax Administration Law, though enforcement targets larger operators first.