Circular 17 will ensure that companies are taking an active approach towards their compliance with labour laws and correlatively, employer obligations and employee rights. It provides guidelines on the scope, timing and reporting. Employers are required to implement solutions to improve if the self-inspection shows this.

Decree 148 provides a much needed simplification of the current employment framework. It contains provisions on the period that counts for the severance allowance, the disciplinary hearing, settlement time in case of mutual termination; and what needs to be in the labour contract.

Under the Law on Social Insurance of end 2014 it would also apply to foreign employees as of 1 January 2018. Decree 143 gives the long-awaited guidance about the scope of the Law on Social Insurance. The application will be implemented in two steps. The first part enters into force in 2018 and the second per 2022.

Decree 140 addresses issues related to work permits and work permit exemption for foreigners working in Vietnam. It eases the requirements for foreign employees as more persons are exempted, fewer documents need to be submitted and the necessity to submit a labour usage plan for certain foreign employees is removed.

Decree 22 provides additional information on collection and distribution of royalties, protection invalidation of copyright and related rights, and the timeline related to the copyright registration certificate.

The Law on Product and Goods Quality sets out requirements products must meet before they can put on the Vietnamese market. Most notable changes in Decree 74 are the possibility to self-assess product conformity and that several products such as samples and luggage when arriving at Tan Son Nhat international airport, are exempted of inspection.

The Government seems to be more relaxed about foreign investment in the educational sector allowing more Vietnamese students to enrol, but investment capital and teacher qualification requirements have increased. The decree also contains criteria related to educational linkage, approval and accreditation requirements, joint programs for foreign language proficiency, and increased investment capital minimums.

Elaine Chew, Senior Associate of ACSV Legal, gave a presentation on 'How to structure your investment in Vietnam and an update on investing in industrial parks and special economic zones' at the event organised by Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park in KL, Malaysia. Other companies participating in this event were Savills, KPMG, and VSIP. There were about 100 attendees.

It is expected that the EVFTA will be signed soon. Marieke van der Pijl, BD Manager at ACSV Legal gave a presentation on the impact of the EVFTA.

The new decree will bolster Vietnam’s PPP framework through simplified administrative procedures, increased transparency in investment projects, and strengthened decentralisation. It will minimise difficulties and promote the PPP form of investment in Vietnam.

Decree 27 on the use of internet services and online information intends to create an investment environment that will increase online activities ranging from online gaming, social networks and website creation. At the same time, it will regulate the management of social network sites.

Decree 81 provides guidance on the Commercial Law regarding trade promotion activities. It is expected to create a more efficient trade environment with simpler procedures and more detailed regulations on commercial promotions.