HO CHI MINH CITY AIRPORT APPLIES DUAL LUGGAGE SCAN TO CUT EXIT TIME
[17-11-2015] Passengers leaving Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City will save time exiting as their luggage will be scanned by both customs and security forces at the same time instead of twice as was previously the case from Monday onward, customs officers said.
ADVICE FOR FOREIGN HOME OWNERSHIP
[16-11-2015] Although the Housing Law of 2014 created favorable conditions for foreigners to own houses here, buying a home is still no easy matter for foreigners given the legal complexity of the real estate sector in Vietnam. The following notes may be useful to foreigners thinking of getting on the residential property ladder. First, the buyer must be qualified under the applicable laws.
STAMPING FEES FOR SHORT-TERM VISA TO DROP SHARPLY
[14-11-2015] Since November 23, 2015, stamping fees on short-stay visa to Viet Nam will be reduced sharply from US$45 to US$25. The regulation is stipulated at Circular 157/2015/TT-BTC on granting of visa for foreigners to Viet Nam for tourism and study purposes. The new circular maintains charges for three-month stay visa and raises costs for long-term visa.
WAGES TO GO UP 5% NEXT MAY
[13-11-2015] The National Assembly (NA) has assigned the Government to increase the minimum monthly salary of public servants by around 5% to VND1.21 million as from May 1, 2016. In a resolution on the 2016 State budget estimates which received approval from 392 of 435 deputies on November 11, the Government is also tasked with ensuring incomes of those whose wage coefficients are smaller than 2.34 will not be lower than the current levels.
FOREIGN LABOURERS€™ INTERNAL MOVEMENT WITHIN ENTERPRISES: OBSTACLES REMAIN
[12-11-2015] Circular 41/2014/TT-BCT issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade dated November 5, 2014 stipulates foundations and procedures to define foreign labourers’ internal movement in enterprises operating in 11 service sectors specified in Vietnam’s commitments schedule to the WTO not subject to labour licensing.
DELOITTE: UPDATE ON NEW DECREE ON SPECIAL SALES TAX
[16-11-2015] On 18 Oct 2015, the Government has issued Decree 108/2015/ND-CP (“Decree 108”) dated 28 October 2015 which provides detailed regulations and guidance on implementation of the Law on Special Sales Tax and the amended, supplemented Law on Special Sales Tax. Decree 108 would be effective from January 1st 2016.
INDUSTRIAL ZONES ATTRACT MORE INVESTMENTS IN LAST THREE YEARS
[11-11-2015] Industrial zones (IZs) in the southern key economic zone (HCM City, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Long An) have seen a high level of investment for three years because of free trade agreements (FTAs) of which Vietnam is a member.
TOURISTS FROM ALMOST ALL NATIONS TO VISIT VIETNAM VISA-FREE
[10-11-2015] The Government of Vietnam has told relevant ministries and agencies to weigh granting visa exemptions to tourists from almost all countries after some European nations have got such unilateral treatment.
