In a recent article by Vietnam Investment Review (September 22, 2025), Chris Luong – Partner at ALTAS Corp – shared his perspectives on the opportunities and challenges for Vietnam’s real estate market following the administrative merger of provinces and cities.
30 September 2025
On August 18, 2025, the Ministry of Public Security issued Decision No. 7134/QĐ-BCA-QLXNC, announcing a new administrative procedure in the field of entry and exit management, specifically the procedure for issuing special visa-exempt cards for foreigners. This procedure applies to agencies and organizations that wish to invite or sponsor foreigners to enter Vietnam under the special visa-exempt category.
30 September 2025
The Ministry of Finance has recently submitted to the Government the latest draft of the amended Personal Income Tax (PIT) Law, released on July 17, 2025. This draft seeks to replace the current PIT Law and comprehensively revise the rules on taxable income, tax-exempt income, tax brackets, and calculation methods. It also introduces several new categories of income that will be subject to tax. The objective of the amendment is to create a fairer and more practical tax system, better reflecting actual income levels and reducing difficulties in implementation.
30 September 2025
The Ministry of Health is leading the drafting and soliciting comments on a draft Decree amending Decree No. 15/2018/NĐ-CP dated 2 February 2018, which provides guidance for the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Food Safety. The amendments aim to remedy deficiencies in self-declaration, advertising, and post-market surveillance while enhancing product quality, aligning with international practices, and facilitating administrative reform.
30 September 2025
On September 5, 2025, the Department of Wages and Social Insurance under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued Official Letter No. 1198/CTL&BHXH-BHXH in response to inquiries from the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam) regarding salaries as the basis for mandatory social insurance (SI) contributions under Decree No. 158/2025/ND-CP, effective from June 25, 2025. This document provides detailed guidance on salary components subject to SI contributions, based on the Law on Social Insurance No. 41/2024/QH15 and relevant implementing regulations, to ensure consistent enforcement across the business community.
30 September 2025
This Resolution outlines a pilot program for a crypto asset market in Vietnam, detailing the legal framework and operational guidelines. It defines key terms like "digital assets" and "crypto assets," specifying who can participate, including Vietnamese and foreign individuals and organizations. The Resolution takes effect immediately on 9th September 2025, and the pilot period will last for 5 years from this date. After the pilot, the market will continue to operate under this Resolution until new or amended laws are enacted. In this article, we introduce some key elements of this Resolution so that Investors can grasp relevant information and prepare to accompany with this landmark legal framework on crypto assets introduced by the Vietnam Government.
30 September 2025
Decree No. 09/2018/NĐ-CP was issued to implement the provisions of the Law on Commerce and the Law on Foreign Trade Management regarding the trading of goods and directly related activities of foreign-invested economic organizations (FDIs). However, after more than seven years of implementation, this decree has revealed multiple shortcomings. A major reason lies in the changes to the fundamental legal framework, particularly the adoption of the Law on Investment 2020 replacing the Law on Investment 2014. The investment conditions, conditional business lines, as well as licensing procedures under the 2020 Law on Investment are no longer consistent with the provisions of Decree 09.
30 September 2025
Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions for M&A activities, especially in the context of supply chain shifts and FDI attraction post-COVID-19. However, legal procedures, ownership restrictions, and tax systems vary significantly among countries, affecting market selection and deal structures. The following comparison provides investors with a quick overview of the key factors to consider when investing in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia.
31 August 2025
We would like to share an important legal update regarding Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP, issued by the Government of Vietnam on August 7, 2025. This new decree replaces Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP and Decree 70/2023/NĐ-CP, introducing significant reforms to the regulations governing foreign workers in Vietnam.
31 August 2025
Vietnam is emerging as a strategic destination for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Southeast Asia, especially attracting investors from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and EU countries. The period from 2025–2026 is expected to be a dynamic one with numerous opportunities, thanks to economic recovery, institutional reforms, and global capital flow shifts. However, to seize these opportunities, investors need to understand key sectors and conduct thorough financial and legal due diligence.
31 August 2025
In every M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) transaction—especially for foreign investors entering emerging markets like Vietnam—conducting Financial & Tax Due Diligence is a mandatory step to identify risks, determine the actual value, and ensure transparency for the transaction. In Vietnam, this process requires a deep understanding of the Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS), a legal framework that is still evolving, and varying levels of transparency among enterprises. Therefore, designing a thorough, systematic, and locally adapted due diligence process is a key factor for ensuring deal success.
31 August 2025
Although financial and tax due diligence is a mandatory process in any M&A transaction, the process itself still carries significant risks—especially in the context of target companies operating in emerging markets, which often lack transparency, stability, and have complex legal environments. Early identification of risks and the implementation of effective preventive measures can help investors not only protect the transaction’s value but also avoid post-M&A disputes that may negatively impact long-term business strategies.
31 August 2025
