On April 24, 2026, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) issued Circular 12/2026/TT-BKHCN, introducing mandatory technical requirements for imported smart pet collars with Bluetooth connectivity. This update directly affects exporters, manufacturers, and importers supplying the Vietnamese pet tech market — particularly those focused on Bluetooth-enabled wearable devices for companion animals.

Event Overview

Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) published Circular 12/2026/TT-BKHCN on April 24, 2026. The regulation mandates that all Bluetooth-connected smart pet collars imported into Vietnam must pass Bluetooth 5.4 frequency-band interference resistance testing at the Vietnam National Institute of Metrology (VNIEM), and must include an embedded real-time Vietnamese-language voice prompt module — independent of mobile applications. Products failing to meet both requirements are ineligible for import license issuance.

Which Sub-Sectors Are Affected

Direct Exporters & Importers

Exporters shipping Bluetooth-based smart pet collars to Vietnam must now ensure compliance before customs clearance. The new VNIEM testing requirement adds a formal certification step not previously mandated, and the standalone Vietnamese voice module introduces hardware-level localization obligations — increasing pre-shipment validation time and cost.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) & Contract Manufacturers

OEMs producing smart pet collars for global brands face revised design and firmware specifications. The requirement for on-device (non-APP) Vietnamese voice prompts implies hardware-level audio output capability, memory allocation for localized speech assets, and firmware support for real-time trigger logic — potentially affecting bill-of-materials, firmware development timelines, and unit cost.

Distribution & Channel Partners

Local distributors and authorized importers in Vietnam can no longer rely on post-import software updates or app-based localization to satisfy regulatory requirements. Inventory planning must now account for certified SKUs only, and stockouts may occur if existing non-compliant units remain unsold after the effective date.

What Relevant Businesses Should Monitor & Do Now

Track official implementation guidance from VNIEM

The Circular states the requirements take effect immediately, but VNIEM has not yet published detailed test protocols or accreditation criteria for Bluetooth 5.4 interference testing. Companies should monitor VNIEM’s official notices for test methodology, sample submission procedures, and turnaround timelines.

Verify voice module architecture against the ‘non-APP’ requirement

Analysis来看, the stipulation for ‘real-time Vietnamese voice prompts (non-APP)’ implies voice generation must occur locally on the device — ruling out cloud-based TTS or app-mediated audio playback. Firms should audit current firmware and hardware designs to confirm onboard speech synthesis or pre-recorded audio storage meets this functional boundary.

Assess impact on product variants and regional SKU strategies

From industry perspective, this regulation applies specifically to Bluetooth-connected collars entering Vietnam — not global models. Companies managing multi-market SKUs should isolate affected variants and avoid blanket firmware rollouts. Prioritize revalidation only for Vietnamese-bound units to minimize engineering overhead.

Initiate early engagement with Vietnamese import license agents

Import license applications now require proof of VNIEM test reports and documentation verifying embedded Vietnamese voice functionality. Firms should align with local licensing agents now to clarify required evidence formats and avoid delays during application review.

Editorial Observation / Industry Perspective

Current more appropriately understood as a targeted market access refinement rather than a broad policy shift. It reflects Vietnam’s incremental alignment of consumer electronics regulations with evolving wireless standards (Bluetooth 5.4) and linguistic localization expectations. Observation来看, the emphasis on on-device voice — rather than app-dependent features — signals growing regulatory attention to functional autonomy and user accessibility in connected pet devices. This is likely a precursor to similar requirements in other ASEAN markets adopting harmonized technical frameworks, though no such proposals have been confirmed elsewhere at this time.

Conclusion: This regulation establishes a new baseline for market entry — not a temporary adjustment. Its immediate enforceability and specificity suggest it is operational, not symbolic. However, its scope remains narrowly defined: Bluetooth-linked smart pet collars for the Vietnamese market. Broader implications for other pet tech categories (e.g., GPS-only trackers, non-Bluetooth feeders) or other ASEAN jurisdictions are not indicated by the text of Circular 12/2026/TT-BKHCN and remain unconfirmed.

Information Source: Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Circular No. 12/2026/TT-BKHCN, effective April 24, 2026. VNIEM’s official test protocol documentation remains pending and is under ongoing observation.