Vietnam's fast-growing market is a land of opportunity for Korean companies, and food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic exports are rising. But health-product export procedures are strict — one essential step is proving manufacturing and quality-control standards. Here is what a GMP certificate is and how to certify it efficiently.
What is a GMP certificate?
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certifies that quality is controlled across the entire process — from raw-material intake through manufacturing, packaging, and shipment — for products that act directly on the body, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics. In Korea it is granted after strict review by bodies such as the MFDS. To register and distribute a product with Vietnamese health authorities, a state-accredited GMP certificate must back it up.
Vietnam's apostille takes effect on 11 September 2026 (instrument deposited 31 December 2025). Documents prepared on or after that date may use the apostille; until then, consular and embassy legalization applies.
When do you need it?
- Registering pharmaceuticals or cosmetics with Vietnamese health authorities
- Proving manufacturing/quality standards for product distribution in Vietnam
- Submitting a GMP certificate alongside a CFS for export registration
- Appointing a Vietnamese distributor or import partner
Key documents
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| GMP certificate | State-accredited; legalized for Vietnamese recognition |
| Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) | Often submitted together for product registration |
| Certified Vietnamese translation | Required for submission in Vietnam |
| Apostille / embassy legalization | Embassy legalization until 11 Sep 2026; apostille thereafter |
The certification process, step by step
- Prepare the GMP certificateSecure the state-accredited GMP certificate.
- Certified translationTranslate into Vietnamese and notarize.
- Consular + embassy legalizationMinistry of Foreign Affairs confirmation and Vietnamese Embassy legalization (or apostille once in effect).
- SubmissionSubmit to the Vietnamese health authority.
How to apply with Apostille Korea
Apostille Korea handles GMP issuance support, certified translation, and legalization for Vietnam export in one stop, entirely online.
Frequently asked questions
What is a GMP certificate?
It certifies quality control across the entire manufacturing process for products like pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics, granted after strict state review.
Why does it need legalization for Vietnam?
A Korean document is recognized in Vietnam only after legalization — embassy legalization until 11 September 2026, and the apostille thereafter.
Is it submitted with a CFS?
Yes, GMP and CFS are often submitted together for product registration.
Is certified Vietnamese translation required?
Yes. Vietnamese authorities require a notarized Vietnamese translation.
How long does it take?
Because several stages are involved, timelines vary by case. Your specialist provides an estimate after intake.
Why Apostille Korea
- Specialist team — apostille, certified translation, and embassy legalization handled directly by experts.
- One-stop service — from issuance support to the finished certification, resolved together.
- Fully remote — apply online from anywhere and receive your documents — no in-person visit.
- Fast handling — urgent cases processed quickly with real-time status updates.
- Accurate guidance — tailored advice analyzing each country's and document's requirements.