Free Trade Zones in Vietnam under Decree 378/2026: Legal Issues for Foreign Investors
Questions for investors evaluating a Vietnam free trade zone, including permitted activities, approvals, customs treatment and operational planning.
Update
Decree 374/2026/ND-CP on Government Procurement Affecting Foreign Bidders
Foreign suppliers considering public contracts in Vietnam need to know whether the buyer can accept their bid and the goods or services they propose. A product may be commercially suitable while the bidding company or its supply arrangements fall outside the conditions of a particular tender. Decree 374/2026/ND-CP on Government Procurement, issued on September 30, …
Decree 303/2026/ND-CP on Industrial Clusters That Affect Foreign Investors
Choosing an industrial cluster for a factory involves more than comparing rent, transport costs, and available space. The site needs to accommodate the proposed manufacturing activity and be ready for lawful production when the business plans to launch. Decree 303/2026/ND-CP on Industrial Clusters took effect on September 15, 2026. It amends Decree 32/2024/ND-CP on the …
Business Licenses, Retail Outlets and E-Commerce: 7 Points under Decree 342/2026/ND-CP on FDI Trading
A foreign-invested company may want to open a store, sell directly to consumers or add a marketplace to its website. Each decision can change the permissions it needs in Vietnam, even when the company is already registered and operating. This framework is set out in Decree 342/2026/ND-CP on FDI trading, which regulates goods trading and …
Foreign Investment Capital Accounts Under Circular 38/2026/TT-NHNN: 8 Key Points for Foreign Investors
Foreign investment capital accounts under Circular 38/2026/TT-NHNN changed the foreign-exchange framework for foreign investment from August 18, 2026. It replaced Circular No. 06/2019/TT-NHNN and updates how specified investment money is received, transferred, returned and reinvested in Vietnam. A foreign investment capital account is a designated bank account used for specified foreign investment money entering, moving …
Vietnam Resolution No. 66.17/2026/NQ-CP on Conditional Business Sectors: What Foreign Investors Should Check
Vietnam has cut back the list of business activities that need special approval. Vietnam Resolution No. 66.17/2026/NQ-CP on Conditional Business Sectors took effect on July 1, 2026. It applies for a limited period, and a further revision of the list is expected. A company should check the list whenever it starts a new activity, adds …
Vietnam Decree No. 296/2026/ND-CP: New Enterprise Registration and Beneficial Ownership Rules
The Vietnamese Government issued Vietnam Decree No. 296/2026/ND-CP on July 23, 2026. It took effect on the same day and amends Decree No. 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration. The changes affect how foreign investors form companies, identify beneficial owners, submit online filings and manage suspended enterprises. For new projects, the decree also puts the ERC-first sequence …
Vietnam Decree No. 288/2026/ND-CP: Higher Corporate Registration and Beneficial Ownership Penalties
The Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 288/2026/ND-CP on July 21, 2026. The decree took effect on the same day and raises administrative penalties for late, missing, incomplete or inaccurate corporate filings. It amends Decree No. 122/2021/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the planning and investment sector. It also creates clear penalty exposure for failures involving beneficial …
Vietnam Resolution No. 66.23/2026/NQ-CP: New Beneficial Ownership Standards for AML Compliance
The Vietnamese Government has issued Resolution No. 66.23/2026/NQ-CP, dated July 24, 2026, introducing temporary special mechanisms in the anti-money laundering framework. The resolution amends and supplements provisions of the Law on Anti-Money Laundering 2022 and its guiding documents, setting beneficial ownership standards for AML compliance, and it changes how beneficial ownership is identified for customer …
Does Decree 96/2026 Impact Existing FDI Projects in Vietnam? When To Review Your IRC or ERC
When Vietnam issues a new decree on investment, the most common question managers ask is whether foreign-owned companies have to amend IRC or ERC. With Decree 96/2026/ND-CP, the answer for most operating businesses is no. You do not have to rush to amend your Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) or Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) just because …