A recent amendment to Vietnam's regulations governing employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) has significantly simplified the process for foreign entities to offer these benefits to Vietnamese employees. The State Bank of Vietnam's Circular No. 23/2024/TT-NHNN, effective from August 12, 2024, has removed several hurdles, making it easier for companies to implement offshore-issued ESOPs.

Decree 101, effective August 1, 2024, outlines new regulations for land registration, LURCs, and land-attached assets in Vietnam. Key changes include clearer timelines for registration, new LURC issuance requirements, unique LURC codes, and improved access to land information. These updates aim to streamline the land registration process and enhance transparency for land users in Vietnam.

Decree 52 on non-cash payments significantly overhauls Vietnam's non-cash payment landscape. With a sharper focus on e-money and international payments, it aims to boost efficiency, transparency, and security. Key changes include a clear definition of e-money, stricter regulations for payment intermediaries, and new rules for public postal service providers.

Social Enterprises Vietnam article explores the legal framework for social enterprises in Vietnam, businesses that prioritize social and environmental goals alongside profit. It outlines the rights and obligations of these enterprises, the process for obtaining social enterprise status, and the challenges they face in the current landscape. Despite regulatory hurdles and limited public awareness, social enterprises in Vietnam are making a tangible impact, as exemplified by Mai Handicraft, Tò He, and The Zó Project. The article concludes with recommendations to strengthen the social enterprise sector, including clearer guidelines, enhanced public support, and increased awareness campaigns.

Vietnam's 2023 Law on Bidding (LOB) has introduced significant changes to the country's bidding landscape. The upcoming article will delve into the key modifications, including the expansion of the law's application to include state-owned enterprises and specific investment projects and the introduction of international bidding. Additionally, the article will explore the new types of agreements introduced with contractors. These changes are set to enhance transparency, fairness, and efficiency in Vietnam's bidding processes.

In the latest edition of our newsletter, read about the new Law on Housing (effective from January 1, 2025) which is expected to create many favorable conditions for apartment owners and mini apartments. Among other things, this new law introduces stricter conditions for investors of commercial housing projects, as well as regulations on removing residency conditions for social housing buyers to move and attract labor between regions and localities and to suit the practical situation in each period.

Law on Real Estate Business No. 29/2023/QH15 has been issued and will take effect in 2025. Law on Real Estate Business provides stricter regulations on brokerage activities, receiving remunerations, and commissions and requires public disclosure of real estate information before putting it into business. With important amendments linked to practice, Law on Real Estate Business will contribute to market transparency and best protect the interests of real estate buyers, renters, and lease-purchasers.

Decree No. 75/2023/ND-CP (Decree 75) has just been issued and took effect from December 2023. Decree 75 is said to have groundbreaking regulations, creating many favorable conditions for insurance participants such as the expansion of eligible subjects for health insurance support as well as increasing the level of health insurance benefits from 80% to 100% for medical examination and treatment costs covered by health insurance for some target groups to enhance the benefits of participants.

The Government (GOV) has published Decree No. 78/2023/ND-CP aimed at creating a legal basis to ensure safety and efficiency for the operations of the Vietnam Development Bank as well as overcoming and removing obstacles in the process of practical application. Decree 78 regulates cases where credit exceeds the limit to help businesses borrow capital to invest in production and business key projects and also expands the legal framework more reasonably for clients and projects that need loans.

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has published a new draft decree aimed at addressing the shortcomings and obsolescence of the previous regulations governing the use of Internet services and online information.The new regulation supplements the contents relating to the protection of children in the online environment, as well as provides for stricter regulation of registration and management of Social Networks as well as Live Streaming and Revenue-Generating Services. This new draft decree is currently under review by the competent authorities and is expected to be announced soon.

Obtaining a work permit or a work permit exemption certification in Vietnam is often a concern for foreigners. Decree 152 caused some issues, especially with regard to the requirement to have a degree matching the job. This is no longer required. There is a new requirement to post the vacancy before starting the recruitment.

To fulfill the role of the trade unions in labour dispute resolution procedures, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour has issued Guidance Number 92/HD-TLD. This guidance will provide instructions for the trade union regarding complaints and participation in civil proceedings in relation to labour disputes at the court.