When the 2026 Lunar New Year approached, businesses and farming households across Việt Nam were thrown into turmoil by a surprise legal issuance, fearing they would “lose the Lunar New Year.” [1] The cause was Decree No. 46/2026, a document designed to “[detail] the implementation of certain provisions and measures for organizing and guiding the enforcement of the Law on Food Safety.” [2]

Despite its intention to clarify existing laws, Decree 46 proved so unclear that it caused immediate congestion and disruption in Việt Nam’s supply chains. Just 10 days after taking effect, the decree was temporarily suspended on Feb. 4. [3] [4]