Vietnam: Urgent submission of applications for charging fees for water resource exploitation right

Urgent submission of applications for charging fees for water resource exploitation right in Vietnam

On November 27, 2023, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed the Water Resources Law 2023. To provide detailed regulations for its implementation, on May 16, 2024, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 53/2024/ND-CP, outlining specific provisions of the Water Resources Law 2023. Additionally, Decree 54/2024/ND-CP was issued to regulate the groundwater drilling practicing, water resource-related declaration, registration, licensing and services and fees for water resource exploitation right.

Simultaneously, on May 16, 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also promulgated three Circulars for detailed implementation of the Law, including: Circular 03/2024/TT-BTNMT; Circular 04/2024/TT-BTNMT; Circular 05/2024/TT-BTNMT.

The aforementioned legal documents take effect simultaneously with the Water Resources Law 2023 on July 1, 2024.

To implement these legislative documents and organize the execution of the Plan for the implementation of the Water Resources Law 2023 (Decision 274/QD-TTg dated April 2, 2024, from the Prime Minister of Vietnam), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment respectfully requests that the People's Committees of Provinces and municipalities (hereinafter referred to as provincial People's Committees) direct the relevant departments, authorities, districts, and communes to focus on performing the following key tasks:

- Continue directing the review and urging organizations and individuals exploiting and using water resources, who are required to register or obtain licenses, to urgently carry out the registration procedures or submit documentation for the necessary permits to the competent state authorities according to the requirements of the law.

- Direct the review and urging of organizations and individuals who have been granted permits to exploit and use water resources and are required to pay water resource exploitation fees but have not yet submitted the documentation for charging fees for water resource exploitation right to urgently submit the documentation for charging fees for water resource exploitation right to the competent state authorities in accordance with the law to ensure the strictness, equality of the law, and to prevent resource loss and revenue shortfall to the State budget.

More details may be found in Official Dispatch 3263/BTNMT-TNN issued on May 23, 2024.

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