Decision 823/QD-TTg Approving the Terms of Reference for Revising the National Forestry Planning 2021-2030, Vision to 2050
The Prime Minister approved the terms of reference for revising the National Forestry Planning for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050. This is an approval of the methodological framework document for conducting the planning revision, not the revised plan itself. The document is based on the Law on Forestry, the Law on Planning, and National Assembly resolutions on administrative unit reorganization and the national master plan. It has no direct impact on SME tax or financial obligations. The Decision was signed on 11 May 2026.
Decree 147/2026/ND-CP: Implementing Rules for Resolving Stalled Land Projects under National Assembly Resolution 29/2026
Decree 147/2026/ND-CP, issued by the Government on May 7, 2026, provides detailed guidance for implementing National Assembly Resolution 29/2026/QH16, which sets out special mechanisms to resolve stalled and prolonged land projects tied to land-law violations that occurred before the 2024 Land Law took effect. The decree covers three main areas: correcting land-use certificates that were issued improperly, allowing continued land allocation or leasing for projects with investor-selection or land-management violations, and handling investment projects on land the State had wrongly recovered. For businesses, the most practically important provisions concern how additional land-use fees and land-rent payments are calculated when land-use purpose is adjusted, based on the difference between the new and old land prices at the time of adjustment, plus the procedures, required documents, and timelines for coordination among the Department of Construction, Department of Finance, Department of Agriculture and Environment, and the Land Registration Office. Investors whose projects face land-related legal issues from before the 2024 Land Law, such as incorrectly issued certificates, improper land recovery, or investor-selection violations, should review their project files to determine whether they qualify for this special mechanism. The decree took effect May 7, 2026 and remains in force until the special mechanisms under Resolution 29/2026/QH16 expire. Real estate developers and foreign investors with stalled projects should proactively contact the provincial Department of Finance or Department of Agriculture and Environment for specific procedural guidance.
Personal Income Tax Method for Newly Established Business Households with Revenue Exceeding VND 3 Billion in 2026
Newly established business households (HKD) in 2026 with no prior-year revenue data are governed by Article 10 of Decree 68/2026/ND-CP. Once cumulative revenue exceeds VND 500 million, the HKD must file quarterly and may elect either the percentage-of-revenue method or the net-income method. The elected method is applied stably for the first two years of operation. For the specific situation described: If the HKD elects the percentage-of-revenue method from the start of 2026 and cumulative revenue at year-end exceeds VND 3 billion, the HKD retains that method for all of 2026 and continues it stably through 2027 (no mid-year switch to the net-income method is required). From 2028 onwards, the actual 2027 revenue determines which tax-method group applies under the applicable regulations.
Land-Use Levy for Converting Garden Land to Residential Land: Legal Basis under Decree 50/2026
The Ministry of Finance addressed the situation of a household that obtained a district People's Committee decision in February 2026 to convert garden land to residential land, but the tax authority has been unable to determine the financial obligation because detailed implementing guidance was reportedly not yet available. The Ministry clarified that Decree 50/2026/ND-CP dated 31 January 2026 (effective 31 January 2026) already provides detailed rules for calculating the land-use levy when households convert garden, pond, or agricultural land to residential land under point c, clause 2, Article 10 of Resolution 254/2025/QH15. Responsibility for determining and collecting the levy rests with provincial People's Committees and local functional agencies per Articles 44 and 48 of Decree 103/2024/ND-CP (as amended). The household is directed to contact local functional agencies to complete the process under existing law.
Land-Use Levy Calculation for Garden-to-Residential Conversion: No Aggregation with Existing Residential Area
The Ministry of Finance clarified how the local residential land-allocation quota applies under point c, clause 2, Article 10 of Resolution 254/2025/QH15 when a household wants to convert 200 sq m of garden land to residential land on a plot that already has 300 sq m of existing residential land. The local residential allocation quota is 200 sq m. The household asked whether the existing 300 sq m of residential land must be deducted when assessing the quota. The Ministry concluded that point c, clause 2, Article 10 of Resolution 254/2025/QH15 and clauses 1 and 2 of Article 6 of Decree 50/2026/ND-CP do not require aggregation of existing residential land. The 200 sq m being converted is assessed independently against the 200 sq m quota: 30% of the difference applies to the area within the quota, 50% for the area exceeding the quota by up to one quota-width, and 100% for anything beyond that. This concession is applied only once per household, on one plot of the household's choosing.
Circular 24/2026/TT-BCT: Rules of Origin for Goods under the Vietnam-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
On May 5, 2026, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular 24/2026/TT-BCT, setting out the Rules of Origin that implement the Vietnam-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed October 28, 2024. Goods qualify as originating either by being wholly obtained in a member country (grown, raised, mined, etc. entirely within Vietnam or the UAE) or by undergoing sufficient working or processing, meaning a change in tariff classification at the 4-digit heading level (CTH) or a regional value content (QVC) of at least 35% of the ex-factory price. A 20% de minimis tolerance applies to non-originating materials that fail the tariff-shift test. Businesses trading between Vietnam and the UAE can prove origin to claim preferential tariffs through three channels: a UAE-VN Certificate of Origin (C/O) issued by the Import-Export Department or provincial People's Committees, a self-issued certification by an approved exporter, or a self-declaration for shipments valued at 500 USD or less. Certificates are valid for one year and must be submitted to customs within that period. The Circular also covers retroactive (back-dated) C/O issuance, replacement of lost or damaged certificates, tolerance for minor discrepancies, and an origin-verification process that gives the exporting country's authority up to six months to respond to a customs inquiry from the importing country. The Circular takes effect May 5, 2026, but applies retroactively: authorities may issue back-dated C/O for Vietnamese exports shipped from February 3, 2026, and customs will accept origin certificates for import declarations registered from that same date. This means businesses that already traded with the UAE in this window can still claim preferential tariff treatment. Exporters and importers dealing with the UAE, particularly SMEs and foreign-invested businesses building Middle East supply chains, should review their origin documentation now to take advantage of CEPA preferences.
No Penalty for Late Tax Return Filing When Changing Tax Period from Quarterly to Monthly
According to guidance from the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department, businesses with revenue over VND 50 billion in 2025 must switch to monthly VAT filing from 2026 instead of quarterly filing. If a business mistakenly filed a quarterly return and then corrected this by re-filing monthly returns for January, February, and March 2026, the business is **not subject to administrative penalty** for late filing. The legal basis is Decree 373/2025/ND-CP (effective 14 February 2026), Article 1(c): taxpayers are not penalized for late filing of tax returns for tax periods that must be re-filed due to a change in the tax period. The re-filed monthly returns are treated as replacement returns for the previously filed quarterly return. The Tax Department notes that businesses should self-assess and seek specific guidance if they have any questions about the treatment of late payment surcharges.
Decree 143/2026/ND-CP: Vietnam's Special Preferential Import Tariff Schedule under the Vietnam-UAE CEPA (2026-2027)
Decree 143/2026/ND-CP, issued by the Government on 5 May 2026, sets out Vietnam's Special Preferential Import Tariff Schedule to implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 2026-2027 period. The decree assigns preferential CEPA tariff rates to imported goods by 8-digit HS code, with two rate tiers: one for 2026 and a generally lower one for 2027. To qualify for the CEPA preferential rate, imported goods must meet three conditions: (1) be listed in the special preferential tariff schedule attached to the decree, (2) be imported directly from the UAE into Vietnam, and (3) be accompanied by a certificate of origin that satisfies the CEPA's rules of origin and current Vietnamese law. Goods moving from Vietnam's non-tariff zones into the domestic market must also satisfy conditions (1) and (3), without needing the direct-import-from-UAE condition. The decree takes effect from its signing date (5 May 2026) through 31 December 2027, but includes an important retroactive provision: for customs declarations registered between 3 February 2026 (when the CEPA itself took effect) and the decree's effective date, if the goods met the preferential conditions but importers paid duty at a higher rate, customs authorities will process a refund of the overpaid tax under tax administration rules. Businesses importing from the UAE should review customs declarations from this window to claim any eligible refunds.
VAT Guidance for Businesses Trading in Minimally-Processed Agricultural and Forestry Products - Input Credit, Refund, and Cost Accounting
The Tax Department provided guidance on VAT policy for businesses producing and trading in minimally-processed plant products (wood chips, ground bark, firewood, etc.) sold to other businesses, under VAT Law No. 48/2024/QH15 and Decree 181/2025/ND-CP (as amended by Decree 359/2025/ND-CP). Under newly inserted Clause 1b of Article 4 of Decree 181/2025: enterprises and cooperatives that purchase minimally-processed agricultural/forestry products and sell them to other enterprises/cooperatives are **not required to declare or pay VAT** but **may still claim input VAT credits**. If sold to individuals, household businesses, or other non-enterprise entities, the 5% VAT rate applies. Regarding VAT refunds: refunds are available only if conditions in Article 15 of the VAT Law are met (primarily exports, new investment projects, or businesses exclusively supplying 5%-rate goods with uncredited input VAT of VND 300 million or more after 12 months/4 quarters). If refund conditions are not met, uncredited input VAT may be treated as a **deductible expense** for CIT purposes under Article 9(2) of CIT Law No. 67/2025/QH15.
Circular 19/2003/TT-BTC on Treasury Shares Revoked - Guidance on Share Buybacks and Employee Bonus Shares
The Ministry of Finance confirmed that Circular No. 19/2003/TT-BTC on treasury share management in joint-stock companies has been **revoked** by Circular No. 96/2025/TT-BTC dated 24 October 2025 (effective 15 December 2025). Accordingly, applying Circular 19/2003 to purchase treasury shares for employee bonus purposes **no longer has a legal basis**. Furthermore, the Enterprise Law 2020 (as amended in 2022 and 2025) does not have specific provisions on treasury shares or employee bonus shares. Share offering is governed by Articles 123-125, and share buybacks by company decision are governed by Article 133 of the Enterprise Law. The Ministry of Finance advises businesses to study the Enterprise Law 2020 and apply it in accordance with their specific circumstances.
Is Income from Participating in Science and Technology Evaluation/Acceptance Councils Exempt from Personal Income Tax?
The Hanoi Tax Department provided guidance on the personal income tax (PIT) exemption under Clause 3 of Article 71 of Law No. 93/2025/QH15 for income earned from participating in science, technology, and innovation (STI) task evaluation and acceptance councils. Under Clause 1 of Article 5 of Circular 03/2023/TT-BTC, costs for advisory council, evaluation council, and acceptance council activities in STI tasks are classified as **task management costs** (not task implementation costs). However, Law No. 93/2025/QH15 exempts from PIT income earned from wages and salaries **when performing STI tasks**. The Tax Department advises taxpayers to self-assess whether council participation activities qualify as "performing an STI task" in order to apply the correct tax treatment. If further clarification is needed, taxpayers may consult the Hanoi Tax Department's website or contact the tax authority directly.
Decree 145/2026/ND-CP on Financial Management and Enterprise Classification for the Vietnam Stock Exchange and the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation
Decree 145/2026/ND-CP, effective from 22 June 2026, sets out the financial management mechanism and the enterprise-performance evaluation and classification framework that applies specifically to the Vietnam Stock Exchange (VNX) and the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSDC) - the two state-owned securities market-infrastructure entities for which the Ministry of Finance acts as state-capital owner representative. It replaces Decree 59/2021/ND-CP. The main content covers investment activities (VNX and VSDC must identify and control potential conflicts of interest before investing); a detailed breakdown of each entity's revenue sources (membership fees, market-organization fees, depository fees, clearing and settlement fees, technology infrastructure services, and more); specific expense items that are deductible when determining corporate income tax, such as VSDC's contributions to its operational risk-reserve fund; and objective factors excluded when the two entities' operating performance is evaluated and classified. Because the decree applies only to VNX, VSDC, their wholly-owned subsidiaries, and the Ministry of Finance in its ownership capacity, it does not create new compliance obligations for SMEs, accountants, or foreign investors generally. It reads as internal financial governance for the securities-market infrastructure sector rather than a rule with direct impact on the wider business community.
Decree 144/2026/ND-CP Amends VAT Law Implementing Regulations - New VAT Exemptions, Revised Input Credit Rules, Updated List of Exported Minerals
Decree 144/2026/ND-CP, issued by the Government on May 5, 2026 and effective from June 20, 2026, amends Decree 181/2025/ND-CP, which details the implementation of the VAT Law. The decree expands the list of VAT-exempt goods and services, adding several types of insurance: life insurance, health insurance, student insurance, livestock and crop insurance, insurance for boats and equipment used directly in fishing, reinsurance, and insurance for oil and gas facilities and foreign-flagged tankers leased by foreign petroleum contractors operating in Vietnamese or jointly-exploited overlapping waters. It also clarifies that 'debt sale' (VAT-exempt) covers the sale of both payables and receivables, as well as the sale of deposit certificates. On input VAT credit, the decree clarifies treatment of deferred-payment or installment purchases of VND 5 million or more: businesses may still credit input VAT even without non-cash payment documents if the contractual payment deadline has not yet arrived. Once the deadline passes without non-cash payment proof, however, the business must declare a downward adjustment to the credited input VAT for that portion; if valid non-cash payment documents are obtained later, the credit can be reclaimed. Most significantly for exporters, the decree replaces the entire list of exported raw and processed natural resources and minerals (Appendix I - unprocessed, Appendix II - processed) that determines export tax treatment under the state policy of restricting raw mineral exports. Businesses exporting minerals and metals (iron, copper, aluminum, tin, zinc, gemstones, gold and silver, etc.) should check their HS codes against the new lists to confirm their correct export tax obligations.
Decision 21/2026/QD-TTg Issuing the List of Strategic Technologies and Strategic Technology Products
The Prime Minister issued Decision 21/2026/QD-TTg dated 30 April 2026 (effective 1 July 2026) promulgating the List of Strategic Technologies and the List of Strategic Technology Products, replacing Decision 1131/QD-TTg dated 12 June 2025. The list covers 10 strategic technology domains: digital technology (AI, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, IoT), next-generation mobile networks, robotics and automation, biotechnology and biomedical sciences, advanced energy and materials, semiconductor chips, cybersecurity and quantum technology, ocean and underground technology, aviation and space, and high-speed rail. The list of strategic technology products includes 30 products in two groups: those with existing markets (such as AI, chips, robots, clean energy) and future foundational technologies (such as quantum computing, rare earths, small modular nuclear reactors). This list may influence tax incentives for businesses investing in high-tech sectors.
Handling Incorrect VAT Return Filing Period (Daily Instead of Quarterly) - Administrative Penalty and Correction Procedure
The Hanoi Tax Department (Tax Base 22) provided guidance to Thach That General Hospital regarding the accidental filing of a VAT return under a daily period instead of the quarterly period on the e-government portal. The tax amount owed was paid on time and in full, but the declared period was incorrect. According to the Tax Department's guidance: based on Article 13(4)(b) of Decree No. 125/ND-CP dated 19 October 2020, the specific situation must be assessed. If a taxpayer files a tax return more than **74 days** beyond the prescribed deadline, administrative penalty for late filing applies. The fact that the tax amount was fully paid on time may be considered a **mitigating circumstance** in determining the penalty amount. The Tax Department advises the Hospital to review the relevant regulations and contact the tax authority directly for assistance with the correction and supplementary return process.
Guidance on Completing Tax Obligations When Transferring a Household Business Registration
Tax Sub-Department No. 9 of Da Nang City advises a case where the former household business owner (ID 049090022529) transferred the business registration but the tax system still shows incomplete tax obligations. The tax authority determined that the household business has taxpayer type NNT 0300310 and a primary business registration (bran_type=9); tax obligations have been fulfilled but the dissolution/cessation application has not yet been submitted to the Business Registration Authority. To resolve this, the former owner must submit a dissolution/business cessation application to the Business Registration Authority. Once the authority updates the status to 01, the tax authority can complete the process allowing new digital signature registration. Tax Sub-Department No. 9 Da Nang (phone: 0235.3851210) is available for direct contact.
Decision 808/QD-TTg: Assigning Strategic Technology Development Tasks to Ministries for 2026 - 2030
On 6 May 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung (on behalf of the Prime Minister) signed Decision No. 808/QD-TTg assigning 20 strategic technology development tasks, each tied to a major national problem, to 10 ministries and central agencies for 2026-2030: the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade, Health, Construction, Education and Training, National Defense, Public Security, Science and Technology, the State Bank of Vietnam, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The task list follows the Strategic Technology List issued under Decision No. 21/2026/QD-TTg, spanning gene-edited crop and livestock breeds, next-generation veterinary and human vaccines, cell therapy, 3D-printed medical devices, energy security and smart grids, industrial self-reliance, high-speed rail construction, an AI-powered national education platform, a drone traffic management (UTM) system, sovereign domestic cloud computing, cybersecurity, sovereign AI capability, 5G/5G-Advanced networks, AI-based banking supervision, and earth-observation satellites. Each lead ministry must work with enterprises, research institutes, universities, and localities to finalize task scope and output targets by 30 June 2026, then organize implementation and remain accountable for progress and deliverables. Funding comes from the state budget (through the National Science and Technology Development Fund, the National Technology Innovation Fund, and ministries' annual budget estimates), combined with capital contributed by participating businesses, organizations, and the private sector. The Decision takes effect from its signing date (6 May 2026). This is an internal administrative decision assigning research-and-development tasks to state agencies, not a legal instrument on tax, e-invoicing, customs, or labor, so it creates no direct compliance obligation for most SMEs. It may be of interest mainly to technology enterprises, research institutes, or investors looking to participate as co-funders or research partners in these national strategic technology programs.
VAT Rate for Domestically-Sold Frozen Seafood that has Undergone Basic Processing
The Ministry of Finance clarified the VAT rate for domestically sold frozen seafood that has undergone only basic (simple) processing — cleaning, sorting, cutting, blast-freezing, and cold-storage at below -18°C. Under VAT Law 48/2024/QH15 (amended by Law 149/2025/QH15) and Decree 181/2025/ND-CP (amended by Decree 359/2025/ND-CP, effective 1 January 2026), cold storage and freezing are explicitly listed as basic processing operations. Consequently: self-producing or self-catching entities that sell such products are VAT-exempt (outside the scope of VAT). Enterprises or cooperatives buying and reselling to other enterprises/cooperatives are not required to declare and pay VAT but may claim input VAT credits. Sales to individuals or other parties attract a 5% VAT rate. Business households using the direct method pay 1% of revenue.
Circular 37/2026/TT-BCA: Amending Regulations on Vehicle Registration and Technical Inspection
On 24 April 2026, the Ministry of Public Security issued Circular 37/2026/TT-BCA amending several circulars on vehicle registration and technical inspection (for road and inland waterway vehicles). The main changes include updated inspection certificate templates, revised change-registration procedures, and adjustments to administrative procedures related to vehicle inspection. The circular takes effect on 8 June 2026. Inspection books issued before the effective date remain valid.
Circular 07/2026/TT-NHNN Amending Regulations on Monetary Brokerage Activities of Commercial Banks
The State Bank of Vietnam issued Circular 07/2026/TT-NHNN dated 6 May 2026, amending Circular 17/2016/TT-NHNN on monetary brokerage activities of commercial banks and foreign bank branches. The circular takes effect on 20 June 2026. The key amendment is to Clause 1 of Article 4: commercial banks and foreign bank branches must issue internal regulations on monetary brokerage covering at minimum the implementation procedures, scope of responsibilities and authority of persons involved, and risk management. Within 10 days of issuing or amending such internal regulations, banks must send a copy to the SBV (Credit Institution Supervision Department or regional SBV branch). Article 11 on implementation is also amended to clarify supervisory and inspection responsibilities of the SBV Inspectorate and the Credit Institution Supervision Department, and the responsibilities of heads of relevant units.
Customs Tax Clearance Confirmation for Company Dissolution - Processing Timeline and Procedure
The Customs Department responded regarding tax clearance confirmation for Phuong Nam International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (Tax code: 0312855843) for dissolution purposes. According to Official Letter No. 4005/HQKV2-NVHQ dated 24 April 2026 from Regional Customs Sub-Department II, a search of records on 21 April 2026 showed the company has **no outstanding tax debts** or other amounts related to import-export activities. The Sub-Department requires all regional customs units within **3 working days** to check their records and report any outstanding debts. If no notification is received within the deadline, the respective unit bears responsibility. From the date of this letter, the company **may not register new customs declarations**. The confirmation is valid for **7 working days** from the signing date.
Land Use Fee Exemption/Reduction When Converting Garden, Pond, and Agricultural Land to Residential Land under Resolution 254/2025/QH15
The Dong Thap tax authority provided guidance on land use fees when converting 66 sqm of perennial crop land (CLN) to urban residential land (ODT). Applying Article 10(2)(c) of **Resolution 254/2025/QH15** and Article 6 of **Decree 50/2026/ND-CP**: garden and pond land on the same plot as residential land, when converted to residential use, qualifies for preferential rates. The rates are: **30%** of the difference between residential and agricultural land use fees for the area within the local residential allocation limit; **50%** for the area exceeding the limit by up to one additional limit; **100%** for the area exceeding two times the limit. This policy applies **only once** per household/individual, on **one plot** of their choosing. Households must submit an application at the one-stop service counter **before 1 January 2027** to qualify. Land prices are calculated using the official land price schedule at the time of the conversion approval decision.