The History of the Formation of Consumer Protection Legislation in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Relevance. In this work, the author examines the history of the formation of consumer protection legislation in accordance with the socio-economic circumstances in Vietnam in general and civil circulation in particular. Consumers are involved in civil circulation as subjects of civil law, however, they are considered a "weaker side" in relation to the counterparty. Consequently, the formation of a special legal mechanism is extremely necessary to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers. The aim of this work is to study the genesis and development of the legal institution for consumer protection in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The objectives of the study are to analyze important innovations in the 2010 Consumer Protection Act compared to the previous 1999 Consumer Protection Ordinance; define the concept of "consumer" under the laws of Vietnam and other countries, thereby establishing the most complete and clear definition of "consumer". Methodology. In the process of research, the author used general scientific methods of cognition (analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction) and special methods (comparative legal, descriptive, historical method, etc.). Results. Vietnamese consumer protection legislation establishes the relatively complete legal status of these participants in civil law relations, including their fundamental rights in accordance with UN guidelines, manufacturer's liability for violation of consumer rights and measures to ensure a legal mechanism for resolving disputes with con-sumers. Conclusion. Consumer protection is currently a fairly important institution in Vietnam, which is strictly regulated by regulatory legal acts and guaranteed by the state and its competent authorities. However, the concept of "consumer" should be clearly defined and consistent with the development of consumer relations in the modern market.