Temu, the Chinese-owned shopping app, has been forced to suspend operations in Vietnam after failing to meet a registration deadline with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, according to state media on Thursday.
The failure to register by the end of November has led to customs authorities halting the clearance of goods ordered through Temu. Vietnamese consumers are now unable to receive items purchased on the app.
A spokesperson for Temu stated, “We have submitted all required documents for the registration and are working with Vietnamese authorities to resolve the issue.”
Temu, owned by China’s PDD Holdings, has grown rapidly since its launch in Vietnam in October 2024. The platform gained attention with discounts of up to 90% and free shipping, attracting many local buyers. However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade raised concerns about the app’s extremely low prices, suggesting that such offers could harm local producers.
“It is unclear whether the goods sold on Temu are authentic,” Vietnam News Agency quoted the ministry as saying.
Temu is not the only platform facing scrutiny. Online fashion retailer Shein also missed the registration deadline, temporarily shutting down its Vietnamese website. A Shein spokesperson said they are working with authorities to complete the registration process.
In response to the suspension, Temu has removed Vietnamese as a language option on its app, leaving users with English, Chinese, and French.
The app, which launched globally in 2022, has become one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the United States and is rapidly growing in Europe. However, it faces increasing regulatory pressure worldwide.
In April, South Korean authorities opened an investigation into Temu over allegations of unfair practices, false advertising, and poor product quality. The European Union is also investigating the platform for allegedly failing to stop the sale of illegal goods.
