A Draft Law that simultaneously will supplement and amend the Law on Value-Add Tax, the Law on Special Consumption Tax, the Law on Corporate Income Tax, Law on Personal Income Tax and the Law on Natural Resource Tax is expected to come into effect on 1 January 2019.

Decree 163 sets out the basis for FDI companies to set up a business providing logistics services in Vietnam under certain ownership limits. It gives a positive signal though and could help attracting more foreign investment especially resulting in increased partnerships between domestic and overseas companies.

As of 1 October 2017 a work-permit can be requested on-line and as of 1 January 2018 foreigners are obliged to participate in the social insurance scheme and the amount on which the contribution is based changes, as more will fall under salary.

Circular 27 on self-certification of certificate of origin no longer contains the requirement of total export turnover of at least USD10 million in the preceding year to ASEAN member states. This allows SMEs, and larger companies as well, to increase export to ASEAN countries and take advantage of preferential tariff treatment of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

Decree 9 gives information on business license requirements, issuance term, administrative procedures and relevant authorities. Requirements for foreign owned enterprises (FOE) to obtain a business licence are reduced, the retail sector is opened up and the same requirements apply to companies from non-WTO countries. The economic needs test (ENT) remains and new requirements are introduced.

Decree 8 sets out a wide range of amendments of investment conditions imposed on enterprises in various trade areas such as food production and trading, oil and gas, tobacco, electricity, and franchising. Its main objective is to reduce administrative procedures and easing doing business. The expected abolishment of the registration requirement for franchises did not materialise.

Decree 14 provides details on cross-border trade activities with neighbouring countries China, Laos, and Cambodia. It contains specific provisions on trade activities in border areas and the purchase, sale and exchange of goods among border inhabitants.

The new Cybersecurity Law is expected to impact FDI as it requires investors to open a branch or representative office when active in sectors covered by the law. Companies have to comply with the requirements by 1 January 2019.

Decree 108 will simplify the business registration procedures and reduce costs. Notable changes are related to registration and notification requirements; and the prohibition of setting up another business location is removed.

There have been issues, such as unfairness towards the customers, failure to fulfil tax obligations, and the sale of low-quality products, with MLM companies in Vietnam. Decree 40 intends to address these issues and provide a better legal framework for companies using MLM as well as create transparency.

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.

Vietnam is working towards supporting different kinds of industries by introducing new concepts of industrial zones with incentives. Decree 82 introduces the new concepts, such as the auxiliary industrial zone, or supporting industry zone, and the eco-industrial zone. Incentives are also set out for manufacturers of supporting industries' products and eco-enterprises.