Decree 70/2026/ND-CP: Detailed Regulations Implementing the Law on Planning
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Based on:70/2026/ND-CP - Government Official Gazette
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Decree 70/2026/ND-CP, issued on March 9, 2026, provides detailed implementing regulations for the Law on Planning No. 112/2025/QH15. It sets out the procedures for preparing, appraising, deciding or approving, and publishing the national master plan, the national marine spatial plan, the national land-use plan, sector plans, regional plans, and provincial plans. Key content includes maximum preparation timeframes for each planning level (24 months for the national master plan, 18 months for sector, regional, and provincial plans); principles and procedures for resolving conflicts between overlapping plans (referred to the Prime Minister for a final decision when the responsible agencies cannot agree); mandatory professional qualification requirements for consulting organizations and lead planning experts (at least 15 years of relevant experience for holders of a bachelor's degree, or 8 years for holders of a master's degree or higher); technical requirements for planning diagrams and maps; and the structure of planning appraisal councils at each level. This is an administrative procedural document that allocates responsibilities among the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, other ministries, and provincial People's Committees for preparing and approving plans. It does not create direct tax, accounting, e-invoicing, labor, or customs obligations for businesses. Investors with land- or infrastructure-linked projects may still want to track it indirectly, since plans approved through this process will shape future land and infrastructure allocation for investment projects.
Scope and Application
Decree 70/2026/ND-CP provides detailed regulations for a number of articles of the Law on Planning No. 112/2025/QH15. It applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in preparing, appraising, deciding or approving, publishing, providing information on, implementing, evaluating, and adjusting plans.
Plan Preparation Timeframes (Article 3)
- National master plan: no more than 24 months, must be submitted to the National Assembly at its first session of the first year of the planning period.
- National marine spatial plan and national land-use plan: no more than 24 months.
- Sector plans and regional plans: no more than 18 months, submitted for approval within 3 months after the national master plan is decided.
- Provincial plans: no more than 18 months, submitted for approval within 3 months after the regional plan is approved.
- In cases of natural disasters, epidemics, or directives from competent authorities, the timeline may be extended by up to 6 additional months.
Resolving Conflicts Between Plans (Articles 4-5)
The decree sets out the grounds and procedures for resolving conflicts between plans, for example when a regional plan conflicts with a sector plan, or a provincial plan conflicts with a detailed sector plan. The agency that identifies a conflict must notify the relevant plan-organizing agencies, which then have 20 working days to reach agreement; if no agreement is reached, the Prime Minister decides which plan prevails and which must be adjusted.
Resources Supporting Planning Activities (Article 6)
The decree governs the receipt, management, and use of domestic and foreign aid or sponsorship for planning activities. Foreign support cannot be accepted for plans involving state secrets. Approval authority rests with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the ministry organizing the relevant sector plan, or the provincial People's Committee, depending on the plan type.
Qualification Requirements for Planning Consultants (Article 7)
Domestic consulting organizations must have at least 1 lead expert and 5 participating experts. The lead expert needs a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience (bachelor's degree) or 8 years (master's degree or higher), and must have led or participated in preparing 1-2 previously approved plans at the same level. Foreign consulting organizations may be selected by the plan-preparing agency based on their experience and capability records.
Technical Requirements for Planning Diagrams and Maps (Article 8)
Planning diagrams and maps must use the VN-2000 national coordinate system, accurately depict national territorial sovereignty, and comply with state-secret protection rules. Paper size is A3 for consultation dossiers and A0 for appraisal and approval dossiers.
Preparation, Appraisal, Approval, and Publication Procedures (Articles 9-20)
The decree details the steps from drafting the planning outline, consulting relevant ministries and localities (10 working days to comment), incorporating feedback, submitting to the appraisal council, and final approval by the Prime Minister or a minister. Approved plans must be published on the national planning information system within 10 working days, with the underlying database updated within 15 working days of the approval decision.
Responsibilities of State Agencies (Chapter II)
The Government is responsible for the national master plan; designated ministries organize sector plans; the Ministry of Finance organizes regional plans; provincial People's Committees organize provincial plans. Each level is responsible for assigning the preparing agency, selecting consultants, gathering feedback, and submitting the plan for approval under the corresponding procedure.
Planning Appraisal Councils (Articles 33-34, as covered in the source excerpt)
The decree specifies the composition of provincial-level appraisal councils (chaired by the provincial People's Committee chairperson, with at least 3 reviewing experts, 1 expert reviewing strategic environmental assessment results, and 1 expert reviewing diagrams and databases), along with the specific duties and powers of the chair, vice-chair, and council members.
Note
This is an administrative procedural decree governing how state agencies prepare and manage plans; it does not directly create tax, accounting, e-invoicing, labor, or customs compliance obligations for businesses.