Other Briefings
Vietnam Clarifies Housing Rent Tax for Expatriate Employees
Aug. 6 – Authorities clarified regulations regarding input value added tax on housing rent for expatriate employees in an official letter released July 22. Official Letter No. 2696/TCT-CS verifies that expatriate employees holding management positions in Vietnamese companies and working in the country with a valid labor contract shall have their housing rental included in their […]
New Issue of Vietnam Briefing: Establishing Representative Offices in Vietnam
Aug. 4 – In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we look at the process of establishing representative offices in Vietnam. As the second best performing economy in the region this year, many foreign investors are now considering building a presence in Vietnam to take advantage of the robust growth. A representative office is the simplest […]
Vietnam Approves Cau Treo Border Economic Zone Development in Ha Tinh Province
Aug. 4 – The government has just approved development plans for the Cau Treo Border Gate Economic Zone in central Vietnam’s Ha Tinh Province that will last until 2025. In February, the zone was allowed to exempt goods from import tariffs – specifically materials, equipment and unfinished products imported for production and installation in the […]
Revised Labor Code to Bring Reform
Jul. 28 – Vietnam is due to submit a draft of the revised labor code for approval by the National Assembly next year that is expected to bring major changes. Vietnam’s labor code is due for an overhaul despite amendments made in 2002, 2006 and 2007. The current version has not made changes to reflect […]
Campaign to Simplify Administrative Procedures in Implementation Stage
Jul. 27 – The government campaign to simplify 258 priority administrative procedures is now in its implementation phase after being adopted last month. The Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform Secretariat is currently collecting feedback on the simplification plans. The campaign is under resolution number 25 that follows the principle “one document amends all” with […]
Vietnam Sets Rules for Foreign Investment in Science and Technology Industry
Jul. 22 – A new decree will now require science, technology, research and training cooperation deals involving foreign investors to have a written agreement or memorandum of understanding. Decree No 80/2010/ND-CP, issued on July 14, says that authorities must be informed when an agreement takes effect within 15 days from the date of execution.
New Commercial Arbitration Law to Help Resolve Disputes Faster
Jul. 21 – Vietnam’s new Commercial Arbitration Law, set to take effect from January 1, 2011, is expected to help local and foreign businesses resolve disputes quicker outside of the court of law. The new law was approved on June 17, 2010 by the National Assembly and will provide an important legal foundation for businesses […]
Trade Restrictions to Hit Exporters
Jul. 20 – Vietnamese exporters may face tougher restrictions this year as countries employ trade remedies to address anti-dumping and countervailing issues on items produced by importing countries according to trade experts. Vietnam’s top export goods like garments, steel, woodwork and handicrafts are at risk when stricter import regulations are imposed. “In addition to remedies […]
Vietnam Expands E-Customs Services to 12 Offices
Jul. 14 – The General Department of Customs will offer its e-customs services to 12 more offices as a way of encouraging companies to use the service. This will bring the total number of offices with the e-customs service around the country to 36. Eventually authorities aim to offer the service in 70 percent of […]
Vietnam Considers Removing Limit on Petroleum Trading Licenses
Jul. 9 – The Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Administrative Reform is recommending that the five year limit on petroleum trading licenses be removed to cut down on administrative procedures. The group advises shortening the time it takes to grant a petroleum license from 30 days to 20 days. Regular performance reports by petroleum importers and […]
