Hanoi woman detained for evading taxes on $33 million online business
The rapid growth of social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube is fueling increasingly sophisticated tax evasion tactics, even as Hanoi’s e-commerce tax revenue surpassed exceeds $38 million in H1.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi police has recently detained Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, 37, for allegedly evading taxes on revenues of more than VND834 billion (US$33 million) from her online luxury goods business.
Investigators said Huong, who had sold handbags, watches, accessories, and diamonds via Facebook and Zalo since 2020, failed to declare or pay taxes, causing a loss of over VND12.5 billion (US$500,000) to the state budget.
The case highlights growing concerns over tax evasion in Vietnam’s booming digital economy, where social media and e-commerce platforms are enabling increasingly sophisticated schemes.
According to Hanoi tax authorities, tax payments by business households and individuals through the national e-commerce portal reached VND1 trillion (US$39 million) in the first half of 2025, accounting for 55% of the country’s total.
Officials say platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube have created a vibrant online business environment, but also present significant challenges for tax administration.
Police detain a person for tax evasion. Photo: CACC 1
Some businesses use multiple bank accounts to split revenue, operate parallel accounting systems, and conceal income through complex business models.
To address these issues, the Hanoi Tax Department has adopted digital technology and big data analysis from e-commerce platforms, banks, and social networks to build a centralized tax management database.
Based on the data, tax authorities have summoned high-revenue individuals and organizations to attend information sessions on fulfilling tax obligations.
At the same time, the department is stepping up enforcement, working with police to crack down on tax evasion schemes involving large revenues and sophisticated tactics.
