Apr. 26 – New bidding regulations will favor local contractors and materials for state-sponsored projects and programs.

International tenders for goods and equipment will only be allowed if local bids are not able to meet required standards, if the required materials are unavailable in the country, or if official development assistance (ODA) requires that foreign contractors must be considered according to Directive 494/CT-TTg.

Transactions related to the bidding process must be made in Vietnamese dong unless goods and services are imported overseas.  According to the directive, hiring foreign workers is not allowed when suitably qualified Vietnamese workers are available.

Moreover, international bidding is forbidden in engineering procurement and construction contracts where local companies are suitably qualified to carry out the projects.