What is the format of authenticated e-invoices in Vietnam? How to handle erroneous e-invoices in Vietnam?

What is the format of authenticated e-invoices in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 12 of the Decree 123/2020/NĐ-CP stipulating the format of authenticated e-invoices in Vietnam as follows:

1. The e-invoice format is the technical standards for type of data, length of data of information fields serving transmission, storage and display of e-invoices. E-invoices shall be XML (extensible Markup Language) documents, which are meant to share electronic data between IT systems.

2. The data of an electronic invoice consists two components: information about the transaction and the digital signature. Authenticated e-invoices shall also contain the data of the tax authority’s code.

3. The General Department of Taxation shall develop and announce the format of transaction-related information, digital signatures and tools for display of e-invoices prescribed herein.

4. The following requirements must be met when sellers directly transmit data to tax authorities:

a) Connect to the General Department of Taxation via a separate channel or MPLS VPN Layer 3, including 1 main channel and 1 backup channel. Each channel has a minimum bandwidth of 5 Mbps.

b) Use an encrypted Web Service or Message Queue (MQ) for connection.

c) Use Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) to compile, transmit and receive data.

5. Contents of e-invoices shall be fully and accurately displayed, ensure readers can read them with electronic devices.

As regulations above, the data of an electronic invoice consists two components. However, authenticated e-invoices shall also contain the data of the tax authority’s code.

How to handle erroneous e-invoices in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 1 Article 7 of the Decree 78/2021/TT-BTC stipulating handling of erroneous e-invoices and e-invoice datasheets sent to tax authorities in Vietnam as follows:

a) If the issued e-invoice contains errors and requires a new tax authority’s identification code or the erroneous e-invoice needs to be corrected or replaced as prescribed in Article 19 of Decree No. 123/2020/ND-CP , the seller shall use Form No. 04/SS-HDDT provided in Appendix No. IA enclosed with Decree No. 123/2020/ND-CP to notify the correction of each or multiple erroneous e-invoices, and send a notice using Form No. 04/SS-HDDT to the tax authority by the last day of the VAT declaration period in which erroneous e-invoices are handled;

b) If an invoice has been issued when receiving advance payment or during the service provision as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 9 of Decree No. 123/2020/ND-CP but then the service provision is cancelled or terminated, the seller shall cancel the issued e-invoice and notify the tax authority of such cancellation of invoice using Form No. 04/SS-HDDT provided in Appendix No. IA enclosed with Decree No. 123/2020/ND-CP ;

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