On December 11, 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam officially promulgated the revised Law on Investment (Law No. 143/2025/QH15), which officially entered into force on March 1, 2026. The Law details the List of Narcotic Substances Prohibited from Investment and Business (Annex I) and the List of Chemicals and Minerals Prohibited from Investment and Business (Annex II) in its appendices, further strengthening Vietnam's legal control framework over narcotics and hazardous chemicals.
List of Narcotic Substances Prohibited from Investment and Business (Law No. 143/2025/QH15 Annex I)
Annex I explicitly enumerates various categories of narcotic substances and their precursors that are absolutely prohibited from circulation and trading in the market. This measure aims to strengthen social order, cut off the sources of narcotics, and any activities involving substances listed therein will face severe legal sanctions.
Annex II stipulates the catalogue of chemicals prohibited from investment and business due to public security, environmental protection, or obligations under international conventions. This includes certain highly toxic pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, and sensitive chemical precursors that may be used for manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. This List establishes clear legal red lines for all chemical and related industries within the territory of Vietnam.
