What is Vietnam’s Barcode? How to Check and Practical Applications
Vietnam’s barcode is one of the important factors that helps identify products and manage goods information. Many people often wonder: What is Vietnam’s barcode, which country does barcode 893 belong to, or what does Vietnam’s national barcode mean?
To answer these questions, this article from iCheckQR will provide complete information about Vietnam’s barcode, instructions on how to check it, and its practical applications.
1. What is Vietnam’s Barcode?
Vietnam’s barcode has the prefix 893 according to GS1 standards. This is a national prefix code in the EAN-13 structure, used to identify businesses registered in Vietnam. However, it should be noted that 893 does not mean the product is manufactured in Vietnam, but only reflects where the business registered the barcode.
Barcodes play an important role in modern commerce: helping to automatically identify products, speeding up retail at checkout counters, supporting warehouse management, standardizing data in the supply chain, and enhancing transparency in management.
2. Why is Vietnam’s National Barcode Important?
Quick product identification: The 893 prefix helps distinguish goods registered in Vietnam, supporting management and market transparency.
Increase consumer trust: GS1 standard lookup authenticates business information, reduces counterfeiting, and strengthens brand reputation.
Commercial advantages: Barcode 893 is widely accepted in retail, logistics, e-commerce, and exports, helping manage and distribute efficiently.
Support traceability and fraud prevention: Easy to check origin, prevent code forgery, and protect the interests of businesses and consumers.
Note: The 893 prefix does not 100% confirm production in Vietnam. It is necessary to combine GS1 Verified checks, business information, and anti-counterfeit stamps for accurate verification.
3. Structure of Vietnam’s Product Barcode
The structure of Vietnam’s product barcode according to EAN-13 standards consists of 4 main parts:
Country code (893): identifies businesses registered in Vietnam under the GS1 system.
Company code: issued by GS1 Vietnam, used to identify each organization/manufacturer.
Product code: assigned by the business itself to each specific item, helping distinguish within the product catalog.
Check digit: calculated according to international standard algorithms to ensure accuracy and minimize scanning errors.
Explanation:
893: Vietnam
8507: Company code
12345: Product code
6: Check digit
Thanks to this structure, each product will have a unique code, supporting warehouse management, retail, logistics, and effective traceability.
4. How to Register Vietnam’s Barcode
Registering a barcode is a mandatory step for all businesses wanting their products to circulate legally on the market and be internationally recognized. In Vietnam, management is carried out by GS1 Vietnam. The registration process includes 4 specific steps:
Step 1: Prepare and submit registration documents
Businesses need to prepare a complete dossier, including:
Application for the use of barcode numbers (according to GS1 Vietnam’s form).
Business registration certificate or investment license (copy).
List of products expected to have barcodes.
Company information sheet (according to the form).
Receipt of initial registration fee payment.
Once completed, the dossier is submitted directly to GS1 Vietnam for review.
Step 2: Pay annual maintenance fee
After submitting the dossier, businesses must pay maintenance fees according to current regulations. This fee is paid annually to ensure the company’s barcode remains valid.
Step 3: Issuance of company code and assignment of product codes
When the dossier is valid, GS1 Vietnam will issue a company code (prefix). Businesses will use this code to assign specific numbers to each product in the registered list, according to international standards.
Step 4: Print barcode on product packaging
After assigning codes, businesses proceed to print barcodes on product packaging. This is a common standard, accepted by most retail systems, supermarkets, and distribution units worldwide.
Note: Businesses are not allowed to create EAN-13 codes themselves without registering with GS1 Vietnam, as duplication may occur and will not be internationally recognized.
5. How to Accurately Check Vietnam’s Barcode
Check with the naked eye: Observe the 893 prefix on the barcode to identify products registered in Vietnam.
Use barcode scanning apps: Download and open popular apps such as iCheck Scan, Barcode Scanner, or GS1 → Scan the product’s code to look up information.
Search on GS1 database: Access Verified by GS1 – the global registration system → Enter the code to verify the registered business and product information.
This method helps consumers and businesses quickly verify goods, avoiding buying products with fake or unclear barcodes.
6. Common Misconceptions about Vietnam’s Barcode
First misconception: Barcode 893 means the product is manufactured in Vietnam. This is incorrect. In fact, the 893 prefix only shows that the product is registered in Vietnam, not where it is produced. Goods can be manufactured domestically or imported.
Second misconception: Barcode can distinguish genuine from fake products. This is also incorrect. The barcode only serves to identify and manage products in the system, not as an anti-counterfeit tool. To authenticate genuine goods, anti-counterfeit QR Code stamps or digital traceability solutions must be applied.
Understanding barcodes correctly helps businesses manage more effectively and consumers avoid confusion when checking.
7. Practical Applications of Vietnam’s Barcode in Daily Life
The practical applications of Vietnam’s barcode in daily life are diverse and bring many benefits:
Retail and supermarket management: supports quick scanning at checkout, shortens payment time, and reduces errors.
Warehouse and logistics management: helps track, inventory, and transport goods accurately, saving costs.
E-commerce: synchronizes product data, speeds up order processing, and optimizes supply chain management.
Traceability and anti-counterfeiting: provides transparent product information, supporting verification of genuine goods.
Conclusion
Through this article, it can be seen that 893 is Vietnam’s national barcode according to GS1 standards, playing an important role in product identification and circulation. However, it must be understood correctly that 893 only indicates where the business registered the code, not that the product was manufactured in Vietnam.
Consumers should combine scanning codes with trusted applications and cross-checking information from GS1 to verify goods. For businesses, legally registering barcodes with GS1 Vietnam helps protect their brand and expand trade opportunities both domestically and internationally.
References to Other Countries’ Barcodes
In addition to Vietnam’s barcode (893), each country is assigned a unique prefix by GS1. Knowing these codes not only helps businesses in import-export activities but also helps consumers easily recognize and differentiate product origins.
Korea (880): often found in cosmetic and food products.
Thailand (885): common on consumer goods and agricultural products.
Malaysia (955): frequently seen in household goods and packaged food.
For quick lookups and more detailed comparisons, you can refer to the article “List of Barcodes by Country Worldwide.”
