Notable documents of Vietnam in the previous week (from September 23 to September 29, 2024)

1. Standards and conditions for promotion to grade II translators in Vietnam 

On September 23, 2024, the Minister of Information and Communications of Vietnam promulgated Circular No. 12/2024/TT-BTTTT on standards and conditions for promotions of public employees specializing in information and communications, which includes grade II translators. 

For the promotion to grade II translators (code V.11.03.08), the following standards and conditions shall be met: 

- Holding the professional title of grade III translator, code: V.11.03.09.

- Holding the professional title of grade III translator (or equivalents) for at least 9 years (excluding probationary period).  In case of having a period equivalent to the period prescribed for the grade III translator, there must be at least 1 year (12 months) of holding the professional title of grade III translator by the end date of the time limit for submission for applications for grade promotion (if the period of holding the professional title of grade III translator is not consecutive, accumulation is permitted);

- During the period of holding the professional title of grade III translator (or equivalents), having presided over or participated in the translation of at least 1 work that achieves ministerial, central, or provincial prizes or prizes organized by central CPV agencies, central socio-political organizations, or Vietnam Journalist's Association; or having participated in special subject writing in at least 1 topic or specialized scientific research program at the grassroots level, researched and developed by agencies and units managing or using public employees under assignment and promulgated or tested by competent authorities.  

- During the period of holding the professional title of grade III translator (or equivalents), having received diplomas of merit,  achieved emulation soldier titles at ministerial, central, or provincial levels, or achieved grassroots-level emulation soldier titles twice for achievements in professional operations. 

See more details in Circular No. 12/2024/TT-BTTTT, effective as of November 7, 2024. 

2. Program on application of Industry 4.0 achievements to energy security assurance in Vietnam 

On August 26, 2024, the Prime Minister of Vietnam promulgated Decision No. 914/QD-TTg on approving the program on the application of Industry 4.0 achievements to the assurance of national energy security by 2030.

According to the Decision, the Prime Minister of Vietnam has issued approval for the program on the application of Industry 4.0 achievements to the assurance of national energy security by 2030 with many contents. 

General objectives and application orientations in electricity and renewable energy:

*General objectives: 

- Proactively and effectively make use of Industry 4.0 opportunities; master and widely apply new technologies concerning electricity; gradually create new technologies to accelerate the innovation in electricity; strongly develop the digital economy; enable swift and sustainable development based on science, technology, innovation, and high-quality personnel; improve life quality, benefits, and health of the people; ensure firm national defense and security for the protection of the ecological environment and assurance of green growth objectives, gradually moving to carbon neutralization by 2050; improve the effectiveness of international integration and closely associate the application of Industry 4.0 achievements with the protection of energy security, ensuring national defense and security. 

- Continue to develop and complete the system of information concerning energy unified by scientific organizations with an international-standard database in an adequate, timely, and consistent manner, regularly updated, managed, and operated by professionally trained personnel based on modern information technology infrastructures to ensure the output quality to meet the demands of state management activities of the Government of Vietnam and ministries and central authorities relevant to energy. 

*Application and development orientations in electricity and renewable energy

- Develop electricity in a modern direction, meeting international standards and conforming with Vietnam’s conditions.  Ensure the balance of energy supply and demand among regions in conformity with the socio-economic development plans of the country, regions, and provinces in each period, ensuring safe and effective operation. 

- Develop supply chains of electricity in the direction of synchronization from the development of electricity sources, electricity generation, and electricity transmission to electricity distribution, meeting the demand for the development of the electricity system and electricity market. Accelerate investment and operation of projects on electricity sources and electricity grids. 

- Research the development of storage systems, such as batteries for storing energy, heat, etc., to ensure the stabilization of electricity systems integrated with many renewable energy sources while researching and implementing projects relevant to clean fuel sources, such as green hydrogen and green ammonia for socio-economic development. 

- Promote digital transformation and effective utilization of Industry 4.0 achievements to resolve challenges in the development of sources, management of production, development and operation of transmission systems, competitive electricity market development, and effective integration of renewable energy sources. 

- Continue to research the implementation of solutions to the reduction of energy loss on electricity grids, especially for those with low voltage levels, including medium and low voltage electricity grids, while calculating the electricity loss index and setting objectives on par with other countries in the region and the world.

See more details in Decision No. 914/QD-TTg, promulgated on August 26, 2024. 

3. Ministry of Finance of Vietnam’s amendments to procedure for tax deferral 

On September 11, 2024, the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam promulgated Decision No. 2127/QD-BTC on the announcement of amended administrative procedures concerning taxation under the management of the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam (tax deferral procedure). 

According to regulations on amendments to the tax deferral procedure prescribed in Decree No. 64/2024/ND-CP; Decree No. 65/2024/ND-CP; and Circular No. 80/2021/TT-BTC, the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam's guidelines on amendments to the tax deferral procedure are as follows: 

- Step 1: The taxpayer entitled to tax deferral shall prepare an application and submit it to the supervisory tax authority.  

- Step 2: The tax authority shall receive the application: 

+ Where the application is submitted in person at the tax authority or by post, the tax official shall receive and process the application and return the results as per regulation. 

+ Where the application is submitted through an electronic transaction, the tax authority shall carry out the receipt, inspection, and acceptance of the application through the electronic data handling system. 

- Implementation: 

+ In-person submission at the headquarters of the tax authority; 

+ Submission by post; 

+ Online submission to the tax authority through an electronic transaction (on the web portal of the General Department of Taxation of Vietnam/web portal of a competent state authority or T-VAN service provider). 

- Composition and quantity: 

+ Component:

++ Written request for tax deferral of the taxpayer following Form No. 01/GHAN in Appendix I enclosed with Circular No. 80/2021/TT-BTC dated September 29, 2021 of the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam; in case of requesting tax deferral due to natural disasters, catastrophes, epidemics, fire, or unexpected accidents, the following documents are required: 

Documents proving the time and location of the natural disaster, catastrophe, epidemic, fire, or unexpected accident;

Documents determining the value of damaged materials prepared by the taxpayer or legal representative of the taxpayer, who shall assume responsibility for the accuracy of the provided data; 

Documents prescribing the responsibilities of organizations and individuals regarding damage compensation (if any); documents relevant to damage compensation (if any). 

- Written proposal for tax and land levy deferral according to Decree No. 64/2024/ND-CP;

- Written proposal for special excise duty deferral according to Decree No. 64/2024/ND-CP.

- Entities to carry out the administrative procedure: organizations and individuals. 

- Tax agencies to carry out the administrative procedure: Tax Departments/Sub-Departments

- Fees and charges: none

See more details in Decision No. 2127/QD-BTC dated September 11, 2024. 

4. Vietnam to consider exempting or reducing loan interests for borrowers suffering damage caused by Storm No. 3 

On September 27, 2024, the Prime Minister of Vietnam sent Official Telegram No. 100/CD-TTg on directing and implementing measures to swiftly restore agricultural manufacturing after Storm No. 3 and rains and floods. 

Specifically, to swiftly remedy the consequences of Storm No. 3 and post-storm rains and floods, restore and develop the manufacturing of agriculture, forestry, and fishery, ensure the food supply resources, contribute to the control of inflation, and stabilize the lives of the people, the Prime Minister of Vietnam requests the State Bank of Vietnam to: 

- Continue to direct credit institutions and foreign bank branches to proactively calculate schemes for support, term restructuring, and retention of debt category; actively consider exempting or reducing loan interests for borrowers suffering damage, develop new credit programs with appropriate interest rates, and continue to provide new loans for borrowers to restore their business and manufacturing after the storm following current laws. 

- Accelerate the implementation and disbursement of loan credit packages concerning forestry products and fisheries that are being implemented, prioritize provinces suffering severe damage caused by the storm, and consider increasing the scale if necessary and effective under jurisdiction. 

- Take charge and cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and relevant agencies in reviewing and assessing the results of the implementation of Decree No. 55/2015/ND-CP and Decree No. 116/2018/ND-CP on credit policies for agricultural and rural development, proposing amendments to meet the actual demands for sustainable agricultural and rural development in the context of adapting to climate change and preparing and managing natural disasters. 

Additionally, the Prime Minister of Vietnam requests Ministers, Directors of relevant agencies, and Presidents of People's Committees of provinces and centrally affiliated cities to focus on consistently, drastically, and effectively directing and implementing measures to promote manufacturing, maintain agricultural growth, and stabilize the lives of the people, focusing on the implementation of 6 key tasks and solutions according to Resolution No. 143/NQ-CP 2024 of the Government of Vietnam to urgently remedy the consequences of Storm No. 3 (Yagi), swiftly stabilize the situations of the people, accelerate the restoration of manufacturing and business, actively accelerate economic growth, and successfully control inflation. 

See more details in Official Dispatch No. 100/CD-TTg dated September 27, 2024. 

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