Notable new policies of Vietnam to be effective as of the start of December 2022

1. New Nomenclature of Exports and Imports of Vietnam to be applied as of December 1, 2022

Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC on promulgation of the Nomenclature of Exports and Imports of Vietnam comes into force as of December 1, 2022.

According to the Circular, the Nomenclature of Exports and Imports of Vietnam  promulgated with Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC (2022 Edition) will replace the Nomenclature of Exports and Imports of Vietnam  promulgated with Circular No. 65/2017/TT-BTC (amended by Circular No. 09/2019/TT-BTC) (2017 Edition).

In Official Dispatch No. 4891/TCHQ-TXNK dated November 17, 2022, the General Department of Vietnam Customs stated a number of new contents in Circular No. 31/2022/TT-BTC as follows:

- The 2022 Nomenclature includes 12 Parts, 97 Chapters, 1.228 headings at the 4-digit level, and 4.084 sub-headings at the 6-digit level, detailed into 11.414 lines of goods at the 8-digit level (increased by 601 goods types compared to the 2017 Edition).

- Changes in the 2022 Nomenclature compared to the 2017 Nomenclature are focused on the update of changes in technology, techniques, and commerce of a number of goods groups to be consistent with the actual situation, including the following goods:

+ Fisheries (Chapter 3);

+ Processed food (Chapters 16, 19, 21);

+ Cigarettes (Chapter 24);

+ Chemicals (Chapters 28, 29, 38);

+ Herbal medicines (Chapter 30);  

+ Machinery and equipment (Chapters 84, 85);

+ Transportation vehicles (Chapter 87);  

+ Artworks (Chapter 97), etc.  
 
2. Vietnam to annul the requirements for certificates of foreign language and computer science for public employees specializing in natural resources and environment and sports

Circular No. 12/2022/TT-BTNMT on amendments to regulations on the professional title of public employees in the sectors of natural resources and environment promulgated by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam, which comes into force as of December 9, 2022.

Circular No. 07/2022/TT-BVHTTDL promulgated by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam on codes and standards of the professional title and salary classification of public employees specializing in sports comes into force as of December 10, 2022.

According to the Circulars, the requirements for certificates of foreign language and computer science in the standards of training and advanced training qualifications of the following professional titles will be annulled:

* Public employees specializing in natural resources and environment

- Cadastral Officers Grades II, III, and IV;

- Inspectors of Natural Resources and Environment Grades II, III, and IV;

- Hydrometeorological Forecasters Grades II, III, and IV;

- Hydrometeorological Controllers Grades II, III, and IV;

- Observers of Natural Resources and Environment Grades II, III, and IV;

- Cartographers Grades II, III, and IV.

* Public employees specializing in sports

- High-class Coaches (Grade I);

- Main Coaches (Grade II);

- Coaches (Grade III);

- Instructors (Grade IV);

Circular No. 12/2022/TT-BTNMT and Circular No. 07/2022/TT-BVHTTDL stipulates the requirement for certificates of foreign language and computer science in the standards of training and advanced training qualifications of public employees of the professional titles mentioned above as follows:

Have skills in using basic information technology and the ability to use foreign languages or ethnic minority languages regarding public employees working in ethnic minority areas according to the requirement of the job position.

3. Changes to the organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam

Decree No. 81/2022/ND-CP promulgated by the Government of Vietnam on October 17, 2022, on functions, tasks, entitlements, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam comes into force as of December 1, 2022.

According to the Decree, changes to the organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam are as follows:

- The Emulation - Commendation and Diplomatic Tradition Department is dissolved.

- The Information Security Department and the Information Center is consolidated in to the Information Security - Information Technology Department;

- The National Interpretation and Translation Center becomes the Diplomatic Interpretation and Translation Department.

Therefore, the organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam will include the following 28 units as of December 1, 2022:

- Europe Department.

- Americas Department.

- North East Asia Department.

- South East Asia - South Asia - South Pacific Department.

- Middle East - Africa Department.

- Policy Planning Department.

- Economic Affairs Department.

- ASEAN Department.

- International Organizations Department.

- Multilateral Economic Cooperation Department.

- Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs Department.

- Law and International Treaties Department.

- Diplomatic Interpretation and Translation Department.

- Press and Information Department.

- Personnel and Organization Department.

- Office of the Ministry.

- Inspection Department.

- Information Safety - Information Technology Department.

- Consular Department.

- State Protocol Department.

- Department of Foreign Affairs Provincial.

- Administrative and Financial Department.

- Ho Chi Minh City’s Department for External Relations.

- National Border Committee.

- State Commission on Overseas Vietnamese.

- Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

- Vietnam and the World Report.

- Overseas Representative Missions of Vietnam.

4. New regulations of Vietnam on forms of applying for Commemorative Medals of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Vietnam

Circular No. 8/2022/TT-BNV on amendments to Circular No. 14/2019/TT-BNV on awarding Commemorative Medals regarding fields under the management of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Vietnam comes into force as of December 1, 2022.

According to the Circular, regulations on applications for Commemorative Medals are as follows:

- Statements of requests of units (according to the forms prescribed in Appendix I);

- Lists of requests for the award of Commemorative Medals (according to the forms prescribed in Appendixes II, III, and IV);

- Tables of achievements and work processes regarding individuals in the sector (according to the forms prescribed in Appendix V);

- Cases eligible for prioritization of consideration for awards are prescribed in Clause 1 Article 10 of Circular No. 14/2019/TT-BNV (amended by Circular No. 8/2022/TT-BNV) enclosed with copies of Commendation Decisions or Recognition Certificates.

Additionally, regulations on the number of applications sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs are as follows:

- Regarding applications for consideration for the award of the “For the State Organization Sector" Commemorative Medals: 1 dossier.

- Regarding applications for consideration for the award of the “For Emulation and Commendation”, "For State Management of Belief and Religion”, and “For Clerical Work and Storage” Commemorative Medals: 2 dossiers.

Applications for commendation and electronic applications (in “.doc” or “.docx” format for Statements and lists; ".pdf“ format for achievement reports and other relevant documents; except for documents containing the contents of State Secrets) shall be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs of Vietnam.

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