Notable documents of Vietnam in the previous week (from November 6 to November 12, 2023)

1. Vietnam to increase electricity generation retail prices for domestic use  

On November 8, 2023, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam promulgated Decision No. 2941/QD-BCT 2023 on the electricity prices. 

According to the Decision, the average electricity generation retail price is 2.006,79 VND per kWh (exclusive of VAT); Previously, in Decision No. 1062/QD-BCT dated May 4, 2023, the average electricity generation retail price is 1.920,3732 VND per kWh (exclusive of VAT).

Electricity generation retail prices for domestic use, according to Decision No. 2941/QD-BCT, are as follows: 

- Electricity generation retail prices for domestic use 

+ Level 1: 0 – 50 kWh: 1.806 VND per kWh (increased by 78 VND compared to the previous price);

+ Level 2: 51 – 100 kWh: 1.866 VND per kWh (increased by 80 VND compared to the previous price);

+ Level 3: 101 – 200 kWh: 2.167 VND per kWh (increased by 93 VND compared to the previous price);

+ Level 4: 201 – 300 kWh: 2.729 VND per kWh (increased by 117 VND compared to the previous price);

+ Level 5: 301 – 400 kWh: 3.050 VND per kWh (increased by 131 VND compared to the previous price);

+ Level 6: 401 kWh or higher: 3.151 VND per kWh (increased by 136 VND compared to the previous price);

- Electricity retail prices for household via prepaid card meter: 2.649 VND per kWh (increased by 114 compared to the previous price). 

See more details in Decision No. 2941/QD-BCT 2023, which comes into force as of November 9, 2023 and replaces Decision No. 1062/QD-BCT dated May 4, 2023. 

2. Vietnam’s guidelines on forms of online provision of insurance services and products 

On November 2, 2023, the Minister of Finance of Vietnam promulgated Circular No. 67/2023/TT-BTC guiding the Law on Insurance Business and Decree No. 46/2023/ND-CP guiding the Law on Insurance Business. 

According to the Circular, forms of online provision of insurance services and products include: 

- Web portals/websites with domain names registered under current laws, e-commerce websites for sales or applications installed on electronic devices connected to the network allowing service users or policyholders to access web portals/websites, e-commerce websites for sales, or applications installed on web portals/websites, e-commerce websites for sales or e-commerce applications established by insurers, branches of foreign non-life insurers, or mutuals providing microinsurance products for the online provision of insurance services and products. 

- Web portals/websites with domain names registered under current laws, e-commerce websites for sales, websites providing e-commerce services, or applications installed on electronic devices connected to the network allowing service users or policyholders to access web portals/websites, e-commerce websites for sales, or websites providing e-commerce services established by brokers or insurance agents for the online provision of insurance services and products.   Websites providing e-commerce services include: 

+ E-commerce trading platforms;

+ Other types of websites prescribed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam. 

See more details in Circular No. 67/2023/TT-BTC, effective as of November 2, 2023. 

3. Methods of controlling authority and preventing and combating negativity and corruption in procedural operations and judgment enforcement in Vietnam 

On October 27, 2023, the CPV Central Committee promulgated Regulation No. 132-QD/TW 2023 on the control of authority and prevention and combat against negativity and corruption in the investigation, prosecution, trial, and judgment enforcement. 

Specifically, methods of controlling authority and preventing and combating negativity and corruption in procedural operations and judgment enforcement are as follows: 

- Leading, directing, and consulting the development, promulgation, and implementation of guidelines and regulations of the CPV, laws of the State, working regulations, professional regulations and procedures, moral standards, and codes of conduct to control authority and prevent and combat negativity and corruption in procedural operations, judgment enforcement, and other relevant operations.

- Leading, directing, and implementing self-criticism, criticism, responsibility for setting an example, transparency, publicity, accountability, and other measures to control authorities and prevent violations, corruption, and negativity; settlement of suggestions, feedback, complaints, and denunciations in procedural operations, judgment enforcement, and other relevant operations; self-inspection, detection, prevention, and handling of violations, corruption, and negativity within authorities and organizations competent to conduct procedural operations, judgment enforcement, and relevant operations. 

- Leading, directing, and orienting operations of authorities and organizations competent to conduct procedural operations, judgment enforcement, and relevant operations according to the regulations of the CPV and laws of the State and the development and consolidation of the organizational apparatus and officials, CPV members, and public employees in such authorities.

- Examining, supervising, inspecting, and auditing the implementation of tasks and entitlements and compliance with guidelines and regulations of the CPV, laws of the States, working regulations, professional procedures and regulations, moral standards, and codes of conduct; settlement of suggestions, feedback, complaints, and denunciations and implementation of measures to prevent and handle violations, exploitations of positions and authority, corruption, and negativity in procedural operations, judgment enforcement, and relevant laws according to the regulations of the CPV and laws of the State.

- Leading and directing guidelines on the handling of cases and incidents according to regulations of the CPV and laws of the State. Requesting examination, inspection, audit, and reconsideration of decisions of competent authorities, organizations, and persons concerning procedural operations, judgment enforcement, and relevant operations according to regulations of the CPV and laws of the State.

See more details in Regulation No. 132-QD/TW, effective as of October 27, 2023. 

4. Regulations on domestic violence acts applicable to couples in cohabitation in Vietnam  

On November 1, 2023, the Government of Vietnam promulgated Decree No. 76/2023/ND-CP guiding the Law on Prevention and Combat against Domestic Violence. 

According to the Decree, regulations on domestic violence acts applicable to couples in cohabitation are as follows:

- Acts prescribed in Points a, b, c, k, and m Clause 1 Article 3 of the Law on Prevention and Combat against Domestic Violence 2022 include: 

+ Torturing, ill-treating, beating, and threatening or acts of intentionally violating the health and lives of others;

+ Insulting, nagging, or other acts of intentionally insulting the honor and dignity of others;

+ Forcing people or animals to witness violence to put constant psychological pressure;

+ Forcing performance of erotic acts; forcing other family members to listen to, view, and read pornographic audio, images, and contents, inciting violence; 

+ Forcing pregnancy, abortion, and fetal sex selection; 

- Forcing sexual intercourse against the will of others.

- Isolating or holding others in custody.  

- Forcing others to leave their legal residence illegally. 

- Discriminating against others’ body, gender, sexuality, and capability.

- Disclosing or spreading information on personal life, secrets, and family secrets of others to insult their honor and dignity. 

- Preventing others from meeting their family members, having legal, healthy social relationships, or committing acts of isolating and putting constant psychological pressure. 

- Preventing the performance of rights and obligations in the family relations between grandparents and grandchildren; between father, mother, and child; between brothers and sisters. 

- Neglecting and deserting others. 

- Forcing or obstructing marriage. 

- Forcing family others to overwork, over-study, or make financial contributions more than they can afford; controlling property and income of others to create a state of physical or mental dependence.

See more details in Decree No. 76/2023/ND-CP, which comes into force as of December 25, 2023 and replaces Decree No. 08/2009/ND-CP.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE