Notable new policies of Vietnam effective as of the middle of May 2024

1. Conditions for Ho Chi Minh Prizes for literature and art in Vietnam from May 20, 2024 

On April 4, 2024, the Government of Vietnam promulgated Decree No. 36/2024/ND-CP on elaboration on the award of Ho Chi Minh Prizes and State Awards for literature and art. 

According to the Decree, the following conditions shall be met for the award of Ho Chi Minh Prizes for literature and art: 

- Authors with works of literature or art requesting Ho Chi Minh Prizes for literature and art shall be loyal to the Fatherland and comply with the guidelines of the CPV and policies and laws of the State.

- Foreign authors with works of literature, art, or science concerning Vietnam requesting Ho Chi Minh Prizes for literature and art shall respect Vietnam's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, law, and fine customs and traditions.

- Works of literature or art requested for Ho Chi Minh Prizes for literature and art shall meet the following conditions: 

+ They have been disclosed or used in forms of publications, architecture, exhibitions, theaters, cinema, radio, television, teaching, and records since September 2, 1945. 

Works of literature and art must be disclosed or used for at least 5 years before applying for Ho Chi Minh Prizes for literature and art at Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism or Departments of Culture and Sports or Central Associations of Literature and Arts;

- There are no disputes over copyrights from the disclosure or use, or disputes have already been settled by competent authorities when applying for the award. 

See more details in Decree No. 36/2024/ND-CP, effective as of May 20, 2024. 

2. Average electricity retail price to be adjusted once every 3 months in Vietnam from May 15, 2024

This is a content of Decision No. 05/2024/QD-TTg dated March 26, 2024 on regulations on adjustments to the average electricity retail price promulgated by the Prime Minister of Vietnam. 

Specifically, the average electricity price may be adjusted after at least 3 months from the latest adjustment instead of a minimum of 6 months as prescribed in Decision No. 24/2017/QD-TTg. The average electricity retail price is calculated according to Article 4 of Decision No. 05/2024/QD-TTg.

In case the calculated average electricity price is outside the price bracket, it shall only be considered and adjusted within the price bracket as prescribed by the Prime Minister of Vietnam. EVN is entitled to increase or reduce the average electricity retail price within the price bracket according to Articles 5 and 6 of Decision No. 05/2024/QD-TTg.

If the average electricity price needs to be increased by 10% or more compared to the current average electricity price, or the increase impacts the macroeconomic status, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam shall preside over and cooperate with related Ministries and agencies in carrying out inspection and review and submitting a report thereon to the Prime Minister of Vietnam for consideration and opinions. Where necessary, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam shall cooperate with related Ministries and agencies in submitting a report to the Price Administration Steering Committee before submitting it to the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

See details in Decision No. 05/2024/QD-TTg, effective as of May 15, 2024. 

3. Detailed contents of labor supply contracts in Vietnam from May 15, 2024 

On February 23, 2024, the Minister of Labor – War Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam promulgated Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH on amendments to Circular No. 21/2021/TT-BLDTBXH guiding the Law on Vietnamese Guest Workers 2020. 

According to the Circular, the detailed content of a labor supply contract according to the market, sector, profession, and job is stipulated as follows:

- Regarding sectors, professions, and jobs in the Japanese market, comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix II enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

- Regarding sectors, professions, and jobs in the Taiwanese market (China), comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix III promulgated enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

- Regarding sectors, professions, and jobs in the Korean market, comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix IV enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

- Regarding sectors, professions, and jobs in West Asia, Central Asia, and Africa markets, comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix V enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

- Regarding sectors, professions, and jobs in markets of Europe and Oceania, comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix VI enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

-  Regarding sectors, professions, and jobs in the market of Americas, comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix VII enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

- Regarding sectors, professions, and jobs in the Chinese market or Macau market (China) and Southeast Asia market, comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix VIII enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

- Regarding labor jobs on the international sea, comply with regulations prescribed in Appendix IX enclosed with Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH.

The labor supply contract shall be agreed on by the service enterprise with the foreign employment receiver and satisfy the minimum requirements specified in the regulations mentioned above. 

Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BLDTBXH comes into force as of May 15, 2024. 

4. Vietnam’s guidelines on salary classification of civil judgment enforcement officials from May 18, 2024 

This is a content of Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTP dated April 3, 2024 on codes, professional standards, and salary classification regarding pay grades for officials specializing in civil judgment enforcement promulgated by the Minister of Justice of Vietnam.

According to the Circular, civil judgment enforcement officials may apply the specialized salary table for officials in state authorities (Table 2) enclosed with Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP on regulations on salaries for officials, public employees, and armed forces (amended by Decree No. 17/2013/ND-CP) as follows: 

- Superior executors and superior inspectors in judgment enforcement may apply the salary for officials type A3, group A3.1; 

- Intermediate executors and principal inspectors in judgment enforcement may apply the salary for officials type A2, group A2.1; 

- Primary executors, judgment enforcement inspectors, and judgment enforcement secretaries may apply the salary for officials type A1;

- Intermediate secretaries in judgment enforcement may apply the salary for officials type B. 

Circular No. 02/2024/TT-BTP comes into force as of May 18, 2024. 

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