New policies of Vietnam coming into force from August 2016

1. From August 10, 2016, stop issuing new A, B, C computer certificates in Vietnam

This is stipulated in the Joint Circular 17/2016/TTLT-BGDDT-BTTTT regulating the organization of examinations and issuance of certificates for IT applications effective from August 10, 2016. Accordingly:

- Continue to implement and issue certificates until completion for computer application A, B, C training courses per Decision No. 21/2000/QD-BGG&DT which were initiated before the effective date of this Joint Circular.- Computer application A, B, C certificates issued are equivalent to basic IT application certificates.- While there is no national test question bank and examination management software, assessment centers will independently create multiple-choice test software, test question bank, and conduct practical exams independently; organize exams and issue certificates per this Joint Circular.

1. Support for costs for Vietnamese guest workers

According to the Joint Circular 09/2016/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BTC implementing support for Vietnamese guest workers, effective from August 01, 2016, the support levels for vocational training, foreign language training, and knowledge training for Vietnamese guest workers are as follows:

- Vocational training: per actual costs and maximum limits specified in Decision 46/2015/QD-TTg;- Foreign language training: per specific course, actual learning time, and a maximum of 3 million VND/person/course;

- Essential knowledge training: per actual costs and a maximum of 530,000 VND/person/course;- Meals during training: 40,000 VND/person/day;

- Travel costs for workers from their legal residence to the training location per the regulations of this Joint Circular.

More details can be found in Joint Circular 09/2016/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BTC.

1. New guidelines on mortgage registration documents for land use rights in Vietnam

This is mentioned in Joint Circular 09/2016/TTLT-BTP-BTNMT guiding the registration of mortgages (DKTC) for land use rights, assets attached to land, effective from August 08, 2016.

The registration documents of mortgages for land use rights and land-attached assets concurrently include:

- Mortgage registration request form (Form 01/DKTC);

- Mortgage contract or notarized, authenticated mortgage contract if required by law;

- Certificate of land use rights;

- Supporting documents, if needed:

- Authorization document when the mortgage registration request is made by an authorized person.

- One of the documents proving exemption from fees for registration of mortgages for land use rights and attached assets if a fee waiver is requested.

1. 17 groups of jobs requiring strict occupational safety and hygiene in Vietnam

Circular 13/2016/TT-BLDTBXH promulgating the list of jobs requiring strict safety and occupational hygiene, effective August 01, 2016, specifies:

The issuance of a list of 17 job groups that must comply with strict safety and occupational hygiene requirements, replacing 13 job groups listed in Appendix I of Circular 27/2013/TT-BLDTBXH.

1. Guidance on corporate income tax incentives

Circular 83/2016/TT-BTC guides the implementation of incentives for corporate income tax, import tax, and non-agricultural land use tax for entities entitled to investment incentives per the provisions of the Investment Law 2014 and Decree 118/2015/ND-CP.

More details can be found in Circular 83/2016/TT-BTC, effective from August 01, 2016.

1. Regulations on additional on-the-spot penalties

According to Circular 78/2016/TT-BQP in addition to the provisions in Clause 1, Article 56 of the Law on Handling Administrative Violations 2012, the Border Guard has the authority to impose on-the-spot penalties for individuals or organizations with multiple administrative violations, whereby each violation is punishable either by a warning or a fine up to 250,000 VND for individuals and 500,000 VND for organizations.

More details can be found in Circular 78/2016/TT-BQP, effective from August 01, 2016.

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