We are not receiving email notifications when orders are placed. This is critical.
Then provide more information and someone may be able to give you some advice
Like what?
Are you receiving other Joomla email notifications? Have you configured mail settings correctly in Joomla Global Configuration - https://docs.joomla.org/J3.x:Global_configuration/en#Mail_Settings_Group. You can also test the mail configuration by sending a test mail from the Joomla Global Configuration page.
QuoteLike what?
Try reading this first - Then understand that you are asking for help from a forum that is reviewed by unpaid people
http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=79799.0 (http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=79799.0)
Also read http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=104795.0