Compliance Timeline

Upcoming regulatory effective dates and compliance deadlines

All Corporate Income Tax Customs E-Invoice IFRS / Accounting Standards Labor VAT

July 2028

Jul 26, 2028

EU Sustainability Due Diligence Rules: Compliance Implications for Vietnam Businesses

The EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will significantly impact global supply chains, including Vietnamese exporters to the EU market. While the rules directly apply to large companies selling into the EU, Vietnam-based suppliers will feel the indirect impact through stricter procurement requirements from EU customers. The CSDDD requires large companies to identify, prevent, and address human rights and environmental harms across their operations and supply chains. Implementation is phased from 2028-2029 based on company size thresholds. Vietnamese exporters need to prepare compliance evidence covering working conditions, subcontractor oversight, waste and emissions controls, and effective grievance mechanisms. To maintain and expand EU orders, Vietnamese businesses must build documentation systems demonstrating: supplier codes of conduct, risk and impact assessments, labor and occupational health and safety (OHS) management, environmental permits, corrective action processes, and complaint channels. Early preparation reduces audit disruptions, shipment delays, and reputational exposure while positioning companies to win new business from EU buyers requiring credible due diligence from their supply chains.

HIGH

Labor

Customs

April 2026

Apr 16, 202646/2026/ND-CP

Vietnam Suspends Effectiveness of Decree 46 on Food Safety

Vietnam's government has acted swiftly to address significant operational challenges arising from the implementation of Decree 46/2026/ND-CP on food safety, which took effect on January 26, 2026. While the decree strengthens food safety controls across production, import, and distribution chains, its immediate rollout caused severe bottlenecks at customs and border crossings due to new mandatory inspection and laboratory testing requirements. In response, the government issued Resolution 09/2026/NQ-CP, temporarily suspending the effectiveness of Decree 46 and Resolution 66.13 until April 15, 2026, with Decree 15/2018/ND-CP remaining in force during this period. The bottleneck was particularly severe at land border gates lacking adequate laboratory facilities, with over 1,300 vehicles carrying food and fresh agricultural products stranded at checkpoints on January 30, 2026, unable to clear customs due to missing food safety inspection results. Relevant ministries have been tasked with fully preparing implementation conditions before April 16, including issuing detailed guidance documents, enhancing infrastructure and personnel at border gates, and ensuring smooth operation of the national electronic customs clearance system. SME businesses involved in food production, import, and distribution should closely monitor new guidance and prepare compliance systems to meet the stricter requirements when Decree 46 resumes effectiveness.

CRITICAL

Labor

Customs

January 2026

Jan 15, 202620/2026/ND-CP

Driving Vietnam's Private Sector Growth: Core Incentives Introduced by Decree 20/2026

Decree 20/2026/ND-CP, effective January 15, 2026, provides detailed regulations for implementing Resolution 198/2025/QH15 on special mechanisms and policies to promote private sector development in Vietnam. Applicable to enterprises, household businesses, individual business operators, and other relevant organizations, this decree establishes a comprehensive framework of targeted incentives covering tax relief, access to land and business premises, support for innovation and digital transformation, and capacity-building measures. Key tax incentives include: full corporate income tax (CIT) exemption for three years from the first Enterprise Registration Certificate for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); full CIT exemption for two years followed by 50% reduction for four years for innovative startup enterprises and supporting organizations; full personal income tax (PIT) exemption for two years followed by 50% reduction for four years on salaries for experts and scientists working at innovative startups, R&D centers, and innovation centers; and PIT/CIT exemption on income from capital transfers invested in innovative startups. The decree also establishes mechanisms for land and premises access, including infrastructure investment support, land fund allocation within industrial parks and technology incubators for priority enterprises, rental discounts, leasing of public property, and reimbursement mechanisms for infrastructure developers who provide discounted subleases to supported enterprises. Additionally, it provides support for research and development, science and technology application, digital transformation, and human resource development through R&D funding programs, tax deductions, digital platform support, and training initiatives. These measures collectively form a robust policy framework designed to translate Vietnam's private sector development strategy into actionable, enterprise-level benefits.

Resolution 79: What Vietnam's SOE Strategy Means for Private Businesses

Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW, issued on January 6, 2026, reaffirms the strategic role of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Vietnam's economy through 2045. The resolution emphasizes that the state-owned economy will maintain a leading and pioneering role in strategic sectors while operating on equal legal footing with other economic sectors, promoting fair competition, cooperation, and transparent access to resources and opportunities. For private businesses, the resolution creates opportunities to develop alongside and complement the state sector. SME owners should note that SOEs will be prioritized in strategic sectors, with targets to place 50 SOEs among Southeast Asia's top 500 enterprises by 2030. The resolution commits to transparent and equitable access to resources, markets, and development opportunities for all economic sectors. Specific targets to 2030 include: mobilizing state budget revenue at around 18% of GDP, maintaining public debt below 60% of GDP, and accelerating socialization of public service provision. Private businesses can leverage opportunities to integrate into global supply chains through partnerships with SOEs, while preparing to compete with state conglomerates that will have modern technology and governance capabilities. The resolution signals a clear policy direction for Vietnam's mixed economy approach toward becoming a high-income economy by 2045.

HIGH

Labor

Jan 1, 2026198/2025/QH15, 362/2025/ND-CP, 645/CT-CS

Vietnam Abolishes Business License Tax from 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, Vietnam has officially abolished the business license tax (BLT) as part of regulatory reforms to reduce compliance costs and promote private-sector growth. Previously, enterprises paid VND 2-3 million (US$80-120) annually, while household businesses paid VND 300,000 to VND 1 million (US$12-40), regardless of profitability. This change is mandated by Resolution No. 198/2025/QH15 on special mechanisms and policies to promote private-sector development and Decree No. 362/2025/ND-CP, which repeals the previous framework under Decree No. 139/2016/ND-CP. Official Letter No. 645/CT-CS issued by the Taxation Department on January 24, 2026, directs provincial tax authorities to implement the new rules uniformly. From 2026 onward, all enterprises, cooperatives, public service units engaged in business, household businesses, and individual operators are exempt from paying BLT and filing related declarations. However, tax authorities will continue collecting outstanding BLT for 2025 and prior years. This abolition particularly benefits micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises by allowing them to retain more working capital and reducing administrative procedures, contributing to a more streamlined business environment.

HIGH

VAT

Labor