Tools for protecting household businesses

In the context of an increasingly competitive business market, transparency of information not only builds trust with customers but also allows producers and businesses to protect their own interests.

Tax officials from Unit 8, Dong Nai Provincial Tax Department, collaborated to promote the benefits of input invoices for business operations at Phuoc Binh Commercial Center (Phuoc Binh Ward). Photo: Truong Hien

Product codes and input invoices are an inevitable trend, helping to protect legitimate rights, prevent legal risks, and demonstrate professionalism and transparency in business operations, especially from January 1, 2026, when the tax declaration system will be implemented.

Product code: verifies the origin of the goods.

Dong Phu Cashew Company Limited (located in Nghia Trung commune, Dong Nai province) has been producing roasted salted cashews for quite some time. Previously, the company's cashew products were sold within the province. Recently, the products have become available in many domestic and international markets. Therefore, the company has registered barcodes for its products; invested in printing labels, standardizing packaging, and attaching QR codes to each product box.

This practice not only protects the brand but also helps the company better manage production and distribution; it is a mandatory condition for goods to be sold in supermarkets and e-commerce platforms, as well as a stepping stone to expanding the consumer market.

Mr. Le Van Lam, from Dong Phu Cashew Company Limited, shared: “When we implement QR codes, customers can trace the origin of the goods, know the company's address, and thus can recommend products to each other; at the same time, they can quickly trace the origin, through which they can learn about the product's origin, other information about nutrition, and ingredients that meet their requirements.”

Not only businesses and small-scale production facilities, but also individual business owners are now interested in product codes for their goods.

As a vendor at a traditional market, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue , a small business owner at Phu Rieng Commercial Center (Phu Rieng commune, Dong Nai province), believes that when sellers pay attention to product codes, it helps buyers easily check information about origin, expiration date, quality standards, creating transparency and ensuring the rights of both sellers and buyers. Therefore, she always imports goods with product codes, because this is the "key" that helps consumers check product information, production process, expiration date, etc.

Ms. Hue shared: "When imported goods have product codes, customers gain more trust, and it also helps prevent counterfeiting. Therefore, we always import goods with clear product codes."

According to small business owners, in previous years, the issue of goods with unclear origins directly affected legitimate businesses. Therefore, seemingly simple information like product codes has become an "identity card" for goods, building trust among consumers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Khuyen, a small business owner at the Bu Nho Commercial Center (Phu Rieng commune, Dong Nai province), said: “Product codes are very good for both sellers and consumers. Firstly, having a product code lets you know the origin of the product. Secondly, it creates safety for consumers; when they scan the code and see the information, they will know the origin of the goods and avoid counterfeit products.”

“Business transactions must be accompanied by invoices; that is a regulation. Invoices and supporting documents must be complete. This serves as the basis for businesses and enterprises to account for input costs and, especially, to record, evaluate, and determine the origin of goods to ensure payment and proper accounting records. Regarding taxation, from January 1, 2026, the tax will shift from lump-sum to declared tax, meaning all goods purchased and sold must be accompanied by invoices and supporting documents as required by law.”

Mr. DUONG DINH TRINH, Deputy Head of Tax Office No. 10, Dong Nai Provincial Tax Department

Input invoices: important legal basis

Pham Thi Ngoc, who runs a grocery business at Bu Nho Commercial Center, previously encountered problems when customers complained about the quality of some items, but she couldn't trace their origin because the sellers didn't provide invoices. Following that incident, Ms. Ngoc changed her purchasing habits to always obtain invoices, which allowed her to prove the legality of her goods during inspections by authorities.

“Input invoices are important documents that help business households prove the origin of goods and fulfill their tax obligations correctly. They act as a ‘shield’ protecting business owners. When each transaction has clear documentation, business owners are protected from legal and financial risks; and it creates a foundation for transparent business practices,” added Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc.

As a business selling stationery, Thien Chi Bookstore (in Phuoc Binh ward, Dong Nai province) is concerned about input invoices for its goods.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thien Chi, the owner of a bookstore: Input invoices are not only important documents in tax management but also provide transparent expense tracking and clear management of both input and output.

"The items we import have input invoices. If there are no invoices, we have to create an accurate list in the accounting software and then record it in that software," Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thien Chi explained.

According to the tax authorities, in business operations, input invoices are not only documents for tax management but also important legal grounds for protecting the rights of business households. By fully complying with invoice regulations, business households and individual businesses will feel secure in their buying and selling activities, contributing to building a healthy and transparent market. Issuing invoices is not only an obligation but also a right of business households, ensuring transparency in commercial activities and avoiding risks when applying the tax declaration management model from January 1, 2026.

In the current context, consumers are not only concerned about product prices but also prioritize clear origin and compliance with quality regulations. Therefore, product codes and the use of input invoices not only help businesses operate transparently, affirm their reputation, protect their brand, and establish a foundation for easier transition to a tax declaration system. Product codes and input invoices also build customer trust in the quality and origin of goods, making them essential for sustainable business development.

Mr. Ngoc

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202512/cong-cu-bao-ve-ho-kinh-doanh-c493a20/