Tran Phuong Minh Trang
Kommunikationsmanagerin & Vertretung Spielwarenmesse
+84 (28) 3823 9085 trang.tran@vietnam.ahk.de
Taxation & Compliance - VCCI Out, AFT In: Trade Compliance in the Age of Reciprocal Tariffs
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has officially transferred the authority to issue key export certifications, including C/O, CNM, and REX registrations, from VCCI to the Agency of Foreign Trade (AFT).
Starting 5 May 2025, all applications must be submitted via AFT’s eCoSys platform. This transition marks a major push to combat origin fraud, enhance traceability, and protect Vietnam’s trade integrity, especially amid escalating reciprocal tariffs from global markets.
From operational shifts to compliance strategy, this change signals a pivotal adjustment for Vietnamese businesses engaged in cross-border trade.
Contributed by Luther Vietnam Law LL.C.
Pioneering Petro Projects: Ensuring Sustainable Oil and Gas Industry Growth
Over the past decade, Vietnam’s petroleum industry has undergone major disruptions due to global political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and broader economic challenges, all of which have significantly impacted the energy sector. In light of these shifts, refining the legal framework is essential to support sustainable industry growth, meet rising energy demands, and safeguard national energy security.
To this end, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree 132/2024/ND-CP, which came into effect on 5 December 2024, replacing Decree 124/2017/ND-CP. This new decree sets out detailed regulations for offshore investment in oil and gas activities, covering areas such as capital deployment, management of operating companies, capital transfers, and project transfers abroad.
Decree 132 places strong emphasis on legal compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency. It provides a clear and structured approach for investors engaging in international petroleum projects, enabling sustainable development while ensuring alignment with Vietnam’s long-term energy strategy.
Contributed by Luther Vietnam Law LL.C.
Vietnam's New Law on the Digital Technology Industry
On 14 June 2025, Vietnam’s National Assembly passed the Law on the Digital Technology Industry, set to take effect on 1 January 2026. This new law formally recognizes digital technology as an independent industrial sector encompassing AI, semiconductors, cloud services, digital content, and more.
The law also clarifies the legal basis for managing digital assets, recognizing their ownership, usage, and transaction rights, a critical step in regulating the digital economy. It also includes preferential policies to boost domestic innovation and incentivize foreign direct investment to transfer technology through corporate tax benefits, while domestic startups shall receive financial support for acquiring advanced technologies and developing prototypes. Besides, locally produced digital products will be prioritized in public procurement.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has been designated as the lead agency, empowered to issue standards and enforce regulations on cybersecurity, digital trust, and product quality. This governance approach shall reduce uncertainty, foster investor confidence, and position Vietnam as a digital leader in the region. Ultimately, the law lays a strategic foundation for a modern and innovation-driven digital economy in Vietnam, and we look forward to seeing its implementation and impact in the coming years.
Contributed by RBA WTS Vietnam
Vietnam’s Procurement Market Opens Up: A Legal Perspective for Foreign Investors
Vietnam’s public procurement market is undergoing a significant transformation with the amended Law on Bidding, effective July 1, 2025. These reforms aim to enhance transparency, efficiency, and foreign investor participation. Foreign entities can now engage in bidding through wholly foreign-owned enterprises, joint ventures with local partners, or public-private partnerships. The law simplifies procurement procedures by expanding the use of direct appointments, restricted bidding, and special-case contractor selection, especially for urgent or high-tech projects.
A key shift in the legal framework is the prioritization of technical quality over the lowest price in sectors such as strategic infrastructure and advanced technology. These changes benefit foreign firms with strong technical expertise. Additionally, the national e-procurement system (i.e., https://muasamcong.mpi.gov.vn/en/web/guest) has become mandatory for most competitive bidding processes, offering a centralized, bilingual platform for accessing bidding opportunities and submitting proposals. This digital system ensures transparency and equal access for both domestic and international participants.
To further support fairness and accountability, the law introduces comprehensive oversight mechanisms, including real-time monitoring and the right to file complaints through the e-procurement platform. Foreign investors may benefit from relaxed financial capacity requirements in certain sectors.
In conclusion, the updated legal landscape offers broader access to the state-funded projects, clearer regulatory procedures, and a more level playing field, which would make Vietnam an increasingly attractive destination for strategic investment in public infrastructure and services.
Contributed by Rödl & Partner Vietnam
