Legal Updates

Vietnam has recently introduced a major legislative update on beneficial ownership under the Amended Law on Enterprises 2025. This is accompanied by the enactment of Decree 168/2025/ND-CP on business registration which replaces Decree 01/2021/ND-CP on business registration, and Circular 68/2025/TT-BTC on business registration standard forms.

On 25 June 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP on electronic identification and authentication (“Decree 69”), which repealed Decree No. 59/2022/ND-CP. A key transitional provision under Article 40.4 of Decree 69 stipulates that from 1 July 2025, accounts created via the National Public Service Portal or ministerial/provincial administrative platforms for enterprises will no longer be valid.

On 26 June 2025, the National Assembly approved the long-awaited Law on Personal Data Protection (“PDP Law”). The PDP Law, which comes into operation on 1 January 2026, is the first formal law dedicated specifically for personal data protection, elevating the subject beyond just a government decree (under Decree 13/2023/ND-CP on protection of personal data).

On 25 June 2025, the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam released a draft amendment to the Law on Higher Education for public consultation. The public consultation runs until 16 July 2025.

On 27 June 2025, Vietnam’s National Assembly officially passed the resolution on the development of an International Financial Centre (“Resolution”), with over 93.5% of deputies voting in favour of its establishment. The Resolution takes effect from 1 September 2025.

To mark the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam on 3 February 2025, General Secretary To Lam published “Rạng rỡ Việt Nam” (Radiant Vietnam). The principles outlined in “Rạng rỡ Việt Nam” are at the core of Vietnam’s 2025 reforms, which seek to streamline governance and legal frameworks for enhanced economic growth and global integration. The new chapter of governance in Vietnam takes effect from 1 July 2025.

The Ministry of Finance of Vietnam has released a draft decree proposing amendments to Decree No. 31/2021/ND-CP, which guides the implementation of the existing Law on Investment of Vietnam.

On 14 June 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed the amended Law on Corporate Income Tax with an approval rate of approximately 94.56%.

From an academic perspective, the fundamental principles of Vietnamese law can be clearly presented and analysed based on the Constitution and foundational statutes. However, in judicial practice and law enforcement, the issue is far more complex and cannot be reduced to abstract theory. Identifying and invoking a specific “fundamental principle” requires more precise guidance, especially through case law and official legal interpretations.

This Update explores the policy and legal framework underpinning Vietnam’s ongoing legal and judicial reform. This legal and judicial reform is anchored on Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW, a pivotal directive from the Politburo signed by General Secretary To Lam on 30 April 2025.

Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers has recently submitted its recommendations and comments on the draft amendments to the Rules of Arbitration of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre.

On 18 May 2025, at a national conference to implement Resolutions No. 66-NQ/TW and No. 68-NQ/TW of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, General Secretary To Lam highlighted four pivotal resolutions as cornerstones for ushering Vietnam into a new era of development.

On 13 May 2025, the Vietnamese Government submitted to the National Assembly a draft Resolution to replace Resolution No. 35/2021/QH15 dated 13 November 2021 on piloting special mechanisms for Hai Phong.

On 8 May 2025, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 100/2025/ND-CP, amending Decree No. 56/2025/ND-CP dated 3 March 2025.

On 15 April 2025, Vietnam’s Prime Minister approved Decision No. 768/QD-TTg, adjusting the National Power Development Plan VIII for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050.

The Vietnamese government has issued a series of decrees to implement the 2024 Electricity Law (“Electricity Law”), one of which is Decree No. 56/2025/ND-CP of the Government dated 3 March 2025 elaborating the Electricity Law pertaining to power development plan, grid development strategy, investment of power projects and tendering process for selecting investors in power projects.

On 17 February 2025, the Ministry of Finance issued an official letter in response to inquiries from the People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province and the Dong Nai Tax Department. This letter provides critical guidance on the applicable VAT rate for transactions where a domestic enterprise sells goods to a foreign trader with a presence in Vietnam, who then directs their delivery to a third-party Vietnamese enterprise via a bonded warehouse.

The Vietnamese government has issued a series of decrees to implement the 2024 Electricity Law. The decrees took effect from the date of their issuance, and replaced/revoked several decrees, including decrees recently issued in 2024.

According to a report by the Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, the country possesses significant strategic mineral resources with substantial reserves

This Update highlights recent tax and customs developments in Vietnam.

As the end of 2024 approaches, Vietnam’s energy sector is moving forward to 2025 with aspirations and numerous fundamental changes in policy and legislative directions under a new electricity law.

This Update highlights recent tax and customs developments in Vietnam.

On 4 November 2024, the Government issued Decree 145/2024/ND-CP, amending Clause 2 Article 12 of Decree 03/2017/ND-CP in relation to the extension of pilot scheme allowing Vietnamese citizens in Vietnam to play at casinos.

On 15 November 2024, the new Circular 06/2024/TT-BKHCN came into effect, introducing revisions and/or additions to certain articles of Circular 11/2015/TT-BKHCN concerning the enforcement of intellectual property rights through administrative sanctions against IP infringement in Vietnam

The Vietnam Government has recently issued Decree No. 135/2024/ND-CP dated 22 October 2024 stipulating mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of rooftop solar power for self-production and self-consumption.

This Update highlights recent tax and customs developments in Vietnam.

1. Tax Policy on Transfer of Mortgaged Real Estate.
2. Tax Implications on Transfer of Real Estate.
3. Tax-Deductible Expenses for Employment Benefits.

This Update highlights recent tax and customs developments in Vietnam.

In line with the significant changes proposed in the new draft Corporate Income Tax (CIT) law, set to take effect on 1 January 2026, tax authorities have been conducting audits on the existing tax incentives for foreign-invested enterprises in industrial zones.

On 15 May 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 52/2024/ND-CP on non-cash payments, replacing the former Decree 101/2012/ND-CP on the same subject.

On 16 May 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 55/2024/ND-CP guiding certain articles of the Law on Consumer Rights Protection

On 1 July 2024, the Ministry of Public Security issued the draft Law on Data for public consultation

In this Update, we highlight the following tax and customs developments in Vietnam: (i) Forecast Foreign Investment Policy in Vietnam; (ii) Extended Deadline for Payment of Corporate Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, Value Added Tax and Land Rental in 2024; and (iii) Consolidated Regulation on Tax Administration.

In this Update, we highlight the following tax and customs developments in Vietnam: (i) VAT Refund for Export; (ii) Personal Income Tax policy on benefits to employees; and (iii) Personal Income Tax policy on overseas profit remittance.

In this Update, we highlight the following tax and customs developments in Vietnam: (i) Foreign Investment Protection Measures; (ii) Application of VAT Rate to Goods; and (iii) Amendments to VAT Regulations – Update.

In this Update, we highlight the following tax and customs developments in Vietnam: (i) Update to the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) Implementation & Potential Tax Reforms; and (ii) Consolidated Regulation on Certificates of Origin.

In this Update, we highlight the following tax and customs developments in Vietnam: (i) Notice on Impact on Tax Treaties Between Vietnam and other Countries; (ii) Tax Exemption for Innovative Startup Enterprises – Special Policies for Ho Chi Minh City; and (iii) Cambodia and Vietnam Special Preferential Tariff.

In February 2024, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) had published its proposals to request for the development of a Law on Data and a Law on Personal Data Protection

In the 15th National Assembly meeting (6th session) held on 27 November 2023, the Law on Real Estate Business and the Law on Housing were passed. Following a short postponement due to the complexity of the proposed reforms, on 18 January 2024, the Law on Land was also approved.

In this Update, we highlight the following tax and customs developments in Vietnam: (i) Global Minimum Tax (“GMT”) Introduction & Potential Tax Reforms – Update; (ii) Value-added Tax (“VAT”) Reduction Policy in 2024; and (iii) VAT Reforms – Proposed Changes in a New Law on VAT.

In this Update, we highlight the following tax and customs developments in Vietnam: (i) Global Minimum Tax Introduction & Potential Tax Reforms; (ii) Double Tax Agreement between Vietnam and Singapore – Application to Capital Share Transfer in Vietnam Entity; and (iii) Supplements to Vietnam’s Customs Regulations for Period 2022 – 2027 under RCEP.

This Update highlights recent tax and custom developments in Vietnam. New Decree on Import Management of Refurbished Goods under CPTPP

This Update highlights recent tax and custom developments in Vietnam. Clarifications on On-spot Imports and Exports Procedures The General Department

On 20 June 2023, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed the new Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights (“LPCR“).

On 22 June 2023, the National Assembly passed the new Law on Electronic Transactions No. 20/2023/QH15 dated 22 June 2023

On 15 May 2023, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision No. 500/QD-TTg approving the National power development plan for the period between 2021 and 2030, and setting out the vision for 2050.

On 17 April 2023, the Government issued the long-awaited Decree 13/2023/ND-CP on personal data protection (“PDP Decree“). The PDP Decree

The costs of legal proceedings is a major consideration influencing a party’s choice of dispute resolution in Vietnam – both

On 8 March 2022, the Vietnamese Government issued Decision 29/NQ-CP approving the Ministry of Finance’s (“MOF”) submission dated 24 January

On 15 January 2022, Resolution No. 43/2022/QH15 on Fiscal and Monetary Policies for Supporting Socio-economic Recovery and Development Program (“Resolution

On 06 January 2022, the Government issued Decree No. 02/2022/ND-CP (“Decree 02/2022“) amending certain articles of the Law on Real

On 11 January 2022, the National Assembly of Vietnam issued Law No. 03/2022/QH15 (“Law 03/2022“) amending and supplementing several articles

On 20 July 2021, the Government issued Decree No. 70/2021/ND-CP (“Decree 70”) amending and supplementing several articles of Decree No. 181/2013/ND-CP implementing the Law on Advertising (“Decree 181”). Decree 70 took effect on 15 September 2021.

On 25 September 2021, the Government issued Decree No. 85/2021/ND-CP (“Decree 85/2021”) amending Decree No. 52/2013/ND-CP dated 16 May 2013 on e-commerce. Decree 85/2021 shall take effective from 1 January 2022.

In March, two circulars were issued regarding performing electronic tax transactions and foreign currency transactions. The first circular sets out, among others, the modes of registering electronic tax transactions. The second circular provides the guidelines for foreign currency transactions on foreign currency markets by authorised credit institutions.

On 04 January 2021, the Government promulgated Decree No. 01/2021/ND-CP guiding the Law on Enterprise 2021 with respect to enterprise registration (“Decree 01”), replacing Decree No. 78/2015/ND-CP and its relevant amendments (“Decree 78”).

On 30 December 2020, the Government promulgated Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP (“Decree 152”) regulating foreign employees working in Vietnam as well as the recruitment and management of Vietnamese employees working for foreign employers in Vietnam.

On 14 December 2020, the Government issued Decree No. 145/2020/ND-CP which elaborates the implementation of the current Labour Code 2019 (“Labour Code”) on working conditions and labour relations (“Decree 145”). Decree 145 came into effect from 01 February 2021 .