Vietnam's 2026 Packaging Transformation: Mastering Decree 110 EPR and the Rise of Fiber-Based Solutions
Vietnam is entering a pivotal year in its journey toward a circular packaging economy. As one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic food service and tourism markets, the country is simultaneously implementing three transformative regulatory instruments: the newly issued Decree 110/2026/ND-CP establishing detailed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations, the Vietnam Plastic Action Partnership's 2026 milestone banning the production and import of non-biodegradable plastic bags, and an environmental protection tax of VND 50,000 per kilogram on plastic bags.
For Vietnamese B2B operators—from phở chains in Hanoi to resort kitchens in Nha Trang—the era of cost-free plastic packaging has ended. At Hebei Mountain Environmental Protection Technology, we provide the verified PFAS-FREE and fiber-based with functional lamination solutions required to navigate Vietnam's regulatory transformation, supported by a Cambodia-based supply chain that offers unique cross-border logistics advantages for Vietnamese importers.
Decree 110/2026: Why Vietnam's New EPR Framework is Redefining Packaging Responsibility
Effective May 25, 2026, Decree No. 110/2026/ND-CP replaced the previous EPR regulations and introduced significantly clearer obligations for packaging producers and importers. The decree establishes binding recycling targets, mandatory registration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), and detailed reporting requirements for all entities placing packaged products on the Vietnamese market.
For Vietnamese importers and brand owners, this means that every kilogram of packaging material must now be tracked, reported, and routed through approved recycling or recovery pathways. Packaging that is difficult to recycle or lacks clear end-of-life documentation creates compliance bottlenecks. Hebei Mountain's fiber-based bagasse trays with functional lamination are designed for this reporting-intensive environment. Our products consist of a natural plant fiber base with an ultra-thin functional coating. We provide the complete material declarations, recycling pathway documentation, and certification data that Vietnamese brands need to satisfy Decree 110's reporting obligations—transforming packaging compliance from an administrative burden into a competitive advantage.
The VND 50,000/kg Reality: How Vietnam's Plastic Tax is Driving the Switch to Fiber
Vietnam's Environmental Protection Tax Law (No. 14/2010) imposes a tax of VND 50,000 per kilogram—approximately US\$2.00 per kilogram—on non-biodegradable plastic bags. This is one of the most aggressive weight-based plastic taxes in Southeast Asia, directly impacting the cost structure of every food service operation that relies on conventional plastic packaging.
For high-volume caterers, takeaway chains, and food manufacturers, this tax represents a significant and growing operational expense. Hebei Mountain's fiber-based hybrid solutions are classified entirely outside the scope of this tax. Because our packaging is built on a natural plant fiber base, it is 100% tax-exempt under Vietnam's current Environmental Protection Tax framework. This allows Vietnamese businesses to redirect funds from a regulatory cost into innovation, branding, and growth—a direct financial advantage that transforms packaging strategy from a compliance discussion into a profit-enhancing decision.
The 2026 Plastic Ban Milestone: From Hanoi's Tourism Sector to National Targets
Vietnam's national roadmap on single-use plastics has reached a critical milestone. By 2026, the country has committed to banning the production and import of small non-biodegradable plastic bags. Concurrently, Hanoi has taken the lead with a bold city-level mandate: from January 1, 2026, single-use plastics are banned across all hotels and tourist destinations in the capital. Other provinces are expected to follow.
For Vietnam's massive hospitality sector—from the UNESCO-listed streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter to the coastal resorts of Da Nang and Phu Quoc—this ban creates an urgent compliance requirement. Hebei Mountain's certified compostable fiber containers are designed to satisfy these hotel and tourism regulations. Certified to AS 4736 (Industrial) standards, our packaging provides the premium guest experience that Vietnam's tourism industry demands while ensuring full compliance with the emerging patchwork of provincial and national single-use plastic restrictions.
Street Food to Resort Dining: Fiber-Based Solutions for Vietnam's World-Famous Food Economy
Vietnam's food culture is a national treasure—from steaming bowls of phở in Ho Chi Minh City to bánh mì stands in Hanoi to fresh seafood restaurants along the central coast. This extraordinary food economy creates a unique demand profile: packaging must perform reliably with hot, broth-rich dishes while meeting the aesthetic and hygiene expectations of both local consumers and international tourists.
Hebei Mountain's fiber-based trays with functional lamination are engineered specifically for Vietnam's culinary environment:
Hot Broth Stability: Our trays maintain structural integrity with steaming hot phở and bún bò Huế, eliminating the warping and leakage common with low-grade alternatives.
100% Oil and Liquid Barrier: The ultra-thin functional layer provides complete containment of oils, broths, and nước mắm—essential for Vietnam's rich culinary traditions.
1:1 Mold Replication: We match your existing container dimensions precisely, allowing Vietnamese central kitchens and food processors to switch to fiber without disrupting automated filling lines.
Hebei Mountain's Solution: Fiber-Based with Functional Lamination (PFAS-FREE ND)
We deliver a fully documented compliance strategy designed for Vietnam's regulatory framework:
Decree 110-Ready: Complete material declarations and recycling pathway documentation to support MONRE EPR reporting.
Tax-Exempt: Plant-fiber base falls outside the VND 50,000/kg plastic bag tax, delivering direct bottom-line savings.
Hanoi-Compliant: Certified to AS 4736 Industrial Compostable Certification, satisfying the capital's tourism sector single-use plastic ban.
SGS Certified: Full compliance with REACH, POPs, and BPA-free standards for export-grade Vietnamese food products.
The Cambodia Advantage: Cross-Border Supply Chain for Vietnam's F&B Sector
Vietnam shares a direct land border with Cambodia—and Hebei Mountain's production base is positioned to capitalise on this geographic proximity. For Vietnamese importers, this cross-border supply route offers unique advantages that no other fiber packaging supplier can match.
By sourcing from our Cambodia facility, Vietnamese partners benefit from:
Reduced Lead Times: Land freight from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City takes a fraction of the time of maritime shipments from distant sourcing regions.
Lower Logistics Costs: Cross-border trucking eliminates the port fees and container costs of intercontinental shipping.
Supply Chain Resilience: Diversification within the ASEAN neighbourhood reduces exposure to global shipping disruptions.
Tariff Advantages: ASEAN trade agreements facilitate smoother cross-border movement of goods.
We ensure a stable, high-volume supply of premium compostable food containers, supported by direct land freight routes to distribution hubs in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.
Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Vietnamese Business for 2026 and Beyond
The convergence of Decree 110's EPR framework, the VND 50,000/kg plastic bag tax, and Hanoi's tourism sector single-use plastic ban makes the transition to certified, fiber-based packaging the most financially and strategically logical pathway for Vietnamese food brands. Companies that act today to integrate PFAS-FREE, fiber-based hybrid packaging will be the market leaders in Southeast Asia's most dynamic consumer economy.
Contact Hebei Mountain today to request samples of our SGS-certified sugarcane bagasse solutions and discover how our Cambodia-neighbour supply chain and 1:1 mold replication can secure your compliance and your brand's future in Vietnam.
Hebei Mountain Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.
Your Partner for Sustainable Innovation in Vietnam and ASEAN.
