Social security in Vietnam is a comprehensive system designed to provide financial support and protection to individuals and families against life’s uncertainties, such as illness, unemployment, and old age.

Vietnam’s Natural Resources Tax

the-shiv September 21, 2024

Vietnam’s Natural Resources Tax is enforced through a regulatory system managed by the General Department of Taxation. Entities exploiting natural resources must register, declare their extraction volumes, and make monthly tax payments. The tax is calculated based on the type and volume of resources extracted and the applicable tax rate. Regular inspections and audits are conducted to ensure compliance, and penalties are imposed for non-compliance, such as fines or operational suspensions.

Human Resources in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide 2024

the-shiv September 16, 2024

Vietnam’s human resources landscape is undergoing significant transformation as the country integrates more into the global economy. With rapid economic growth, companies are increasingly focused on strategic HR management to align with both local and international standards. With all of this in mind, this article looks at the key human resources related factors foreign firms should be aware of when operating in Vietnam.

Labour Contracts in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide 2024

the-shiv September 16, 2024

In Vietnam, labour contracts are governed by the Labour Code, which establishes the rights and obligations of both employers and employees. Labour contracts must be clearly defined and meet specific legal requirements to ensure the protection of both parties. Here is a detailed overview of the key elements of labour contracts in Vietnam:

Cross-border service providers see jump in tax payments in Vietnam year-on-year

the-shiv September 14, 2024

Cross-border service providers that do not have an office in Vietnam have been required to pay tax under Vietnam’s Foreign Contractor Tax regime since 2021. Of note, most of these firms are actually required to open local offices per the Law on Cyber Security, however, few of them have with foreign firms in local offices set to “bear stricter supervision and satisfy more requirements,” according to the Ministry of Information and Communication…

Foreign Contractor Tax in Vietnam 2024

the-shiv September 13, 2024

Foreign Contractor Tax (FCT) is a tax regime in Vietnam that applies to foreign organizations and individuals (referred to as “foreign contractors”) who do not have a permanent establishment in Vietnam but earn income from providing services, supplying goods, or conducting business activities in Vietnam. The FCT combines both Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Corporate Income Tax (CIT) obligations for these foreign entities. The FCT is commonly applied to foreign contractors operating in sectors such as construction, telecommunications, digital services, and e-commerce.

US IP group claims ‘stunning victory’ over Vietnam-based video piracy network

the-shiv August 30, 2024

Of note, this isn’t the first time an illegal streaming website has been shut down in Vietnam only to reappear days later under a slightly different domain name. Popular illegal streaming site Phim Moi has been shut down repeatedly since 2021 but is still alive and well. Likewise Fmovies appears to be back online already under a slightly different domain name.

Increase in Vietnam Value-Added Tax-exemption threshold under debate

the-shiv August 25, 2024

The outcome of this debate is unlikely to have any direct impact on foreign invested enterprises in Vietnam, it is, however, worth bearing in mind when considering in small business investments in Vietnam.

Counterfeit OMO laundry detergent operation raided in northern Vietnam

the-shiv August 13, 2024

Of note, protecting intellectual property in Vietnam can be challenging. It is common for local businesses to use brand names and logos of other more well-established businesses as well as to find fake brand name goods in Vietnam’s towns and cities. As of April 2024, Vietnam remained on the Office of the US Trade Representative’s Special 301 Report which found that despite intellectual property rights reforms, there were still ‘serious concerns remain regarding IP protection and, in particular, enforcement’.

Public Holidays in Vietnam 2025 for Foreign Firms

the-shiv August 6, 2024

Like most countries in the world, Vietnam has a number of public holidays. These are codified in the Labour Code 2019 under Chapter 7, Section 2, Article 112. This cheat sheet provides an overview of Vietnam’s public holidays including their length and the dates they fall on in 2025. For details regarding overtime rates and other leave entitlements that may apply on these public holidays see Vietnam’s Labour Code for Foreign Firms in 2025.

Is a Sugar Tax Right for Vietnam?

Mark Barnes July 31, 2024

A sugar tax has been on the cards for Vietnam for some time now and may be drawing closer to becoming a reality. It has, however, been met with broad push back from industry and industry groups. This article looks at the public debate around a possible sugar tax in Vietnam, the impact it might have, and what foreign-owned businesses should be mindful of in this context.

Vietnamese to consume additional 2.56 million litres of soft drink by 2033

the-shiv July 20, 2024

Of note, Vietnam is currently debating adding soft drinks to the list of items subject to the Special Consumption Tax. In the most recent version of a revised SCT, the Ministry of Finance has included a ten percent tax on drinks with 5 grams or more of sugar per 100 millilitres. This legislation, however, is still in its draft stage…

‘Limited investment support’ in Vietnam sees big name FDI go elsewhere: MPI

the-shiv July 4, 2024

This stems from the introduction of the Global Minimum Tax which has seen corporate tax incentives significantly diminished for firms operating in Vietnam. An alternative ‘investment support fund’ has been proposed, however, this is yet to be legislated. A December 2023 draft included financial support for training and reimbursements for research and development conducted in Vietnam…

Vietnam Value Added Tax cut extended to end of the year

the-shiv June 30, 2024

The VAT is normally 10 percent, however, it was reduced during COVID as an economic stimulus measure to 8 percent. But Vietnam’s economic recovery was in large part thwarted, much like in many other countries, by the Ukraine War and the rising fuel prices that came with it. This has led to extensions of the aforementioned VAT cut for the better part of the last four years…

Vietnam floats corporate income tax cuts for small-micro businesses

the-shiv June 22, 2024

Of note, the draft amendments to the Law on Corporate Income Tax do not seem to make a distinction between local and foreign firms. That being the case, foreign-owned small businesses–cafes, bars, gyms, and what not–could also benefit from these changes if passed. That said, there does not seem to be a timeline for a decision as to whether these changes will be approved and go ahead…

Vietnam PM suggests foreign workers for executive roles at state-owned enterprises

the-shiv June 17, 2024

In the past the leaders of SOEs have always been members of the Communist Party of Vietnam which has significantly reduced the talent pool from which to draw–there are currently only a little over 5 million members of the party or around 5 percent of the population. This also leaves these positions open to being filled through political jostling and networking often connected to seniority and an individual’s position within the party more broadly, rather than merit and qualifications…

Vietnam looking at introducing sugar tax on soft drinks

the-shiv June 15, 2024

Dubbed the ‘sugar tax’ this has been raised several times in the past. The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam came out against the idea back in 2018 arguing there was no evidence legislating a sugar tax would reduce consumption of sugary drinks. That said, a study on a similar tax in Mexico found that the consumption of sugary beverages fell 6 percent in its first year of implementation…

Adidas, New Balance suppliers struggling to find workers in southern Vietnam

the-shiv June 11, 2024

Some of the challenges raised in this article, with respect to hiring workers, is that workers have more job options other than factory work, workers no longer need to move to population centres with many manufacturing operations opening in tier two cities and provinces, and workers that moved back to their hometowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have still not returned on the back of the general uncertainty that the pandemic created.

Vietnam’s Labour Law for Foreign Firms in 2024: Quick Read

the-shiv June 5, 2024

The most recent iteration of Vietnam’s Labour Law, the Labour Code 2019, contains details on hiring and firing, employee leave entitlements, and regulates working hours and overtime. The Labour Code, however, is quite dense and can be quite nuanced. In light of this, this Quick Read runs through the most important parts and should hopefully provide the key details foreign firms, that are looking to establish a business in Vietnam, might need…

Vietnam Visas for Doing Business in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide 2024

the-shiv June 5, 2024

Visas in Vietnam are codified in the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. This law can be very nuanced and it is not unusual for interpretations of the law to differ between provincial immigration departments. That said, this Quick Read runs through the basics a foreign firm or individual would need to know in most normal circumstances including the types of visa, the length of stay, and how to apply for a visa in Vietnam.