Decree 263/2026/ND-CP on hi-tech agricultural zones

DECREE

On hi-tech agricultural zones[1]

Pursuant to Law No. 63/2025/QH15 on Organisation of the Government;

Pursuant to Law No. 133/2025/QH15 on High Technology;

Pursuant to Law No. 93/2025/QH15 on Science, Technology and Innovation;

At the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Environment;

The Government promulgates the Decree on hi-tech agricultural zones.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

1. This Decree details Article 24 of the 2025 Law on High Technology regarding the criteria, conditions and procedures for the establishment, expansion and adjustment of hi-tech agricultural zones.

2. This Decree provides implementation organisation measures regarding the operation of, incentive and support mechanisms and policies for, and state management responsibilities for, hi-tech agricultural zones.

Article 2. Subjects of application

This Decree applies to state management agencies, and organisations and individuals engaged in the activities specified in Article 1 of this Decree.

Article 3. Interpretation of terms

In this Decree, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Hi-tech agricultural zone referred to in Clause 1, Article 24 of the Law on High Technology means a zone with delimited geographical boundaries, and established according to the conditions, order and procedures specified in this Decree and relevant regulations.

2. Expansion of a hi-tech agricultural zone means increasing the area of an established hi-tech agricultural zone in order to meet its development needs.

3. Adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone means changing one or several of contents of the Decision on establishment of the hi-tech agricultural zone, including: name; boundaries; area reduction; objectives and functions; and other contents relating to the organisation and operation of the hi-tech agricultural zone.

4. Occupancy rate means the percentage (%) of the used area of land (including also land with water surfaces) to the total area of a hi-tech agricultural zone.

5. The technical infrastructure system of a hi-tech agricultural zone includes transport and security and order within the zone; electricity, water and hydraulic work systems; fire protection and environmental protection; and digital and telecommunications infrastructure.

6. The social infrastructure system includes educational, healthcare, sports, cultural, commercial and service facilities, accommodation facilities and other public works.

Chapter II

ACTIVITIES IN HI-TECH AGRICULTURAL ZONES

Article 4. Types of hi-tech and strategic technology activities in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Activities in a hi-tech agricultural zone must facilitate the performance of the tasks specified in Clause 2, Article 24 of the Law on High Technology, in conformity with the objectives, functions and development orientations of the hi-tech agricultural zone.

2. Types of hi-tech activities in a hi-tech agricultural zone include:

a/ Applied research, testing, trial, improvement and mastery of high technologies and strategic technologies in agriculture;

b/ Development and pilot production, trial and demonstration of agricultural production models applying high technologies and strategic technologies;

c/ Incubation of high technologies, incubation of agricultural science and technology enterprises, transfer and commercialisation of high technologies, strategic technologies and strategic technology products in agriculture;

d/ Training, further training and development of hi-tech and strategic technology human resources in the field of agriculture;

dd/ Provision of digital transformation services serving the research, application, testing, trial, transfer and commercialisation of high technologies, strategic technologies and strategic technology products in agriculture by organisations and individuals inside and outside the hi-tech agricultural zone.

3. Activities supporting the development of the innovation ecosystem and technology market in a hi-tech agricultural zone include:

a/ Establishing connections and linkages among research organisations, training institutions, enterprises, cooperatives and other entities in technology research, application, innovation and transfer activities;

b/ Organising technology fairs, exhibitions, forums and demonstrations; introducing agricultural products with the application of high technologies and strategic technologies; and conducting investment promotion, trade promotion and technology supply-demand connection activities;

c/ Providing consultancy, brokerage and promotion of technology transfer, technology assessment and valuation; providing intellectual property consultancy and legal support; and providing innovative start-up support services in the field of hi-tech agriculture.

4. Investment projects with the activities specified in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article must satisfy the relevant criteria specified in Article 5 of this Decree.

Article 5. Criteria for investment projects with hi-tech activities carried out in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. An investment project operating in a hi-tech agricultural zone must satisfy the following general criteria:

a/ Operating in conformity with the objectives, functions, development orientations, and sectors and fields prioritised for investment attraction in the hi-tech agricultural zone;

b/ Involving activities of the types specified in Clauses 2 and 3, Article 4 of this Decree;

c/ Applying, or serving the research, testing, trial, improvement, mastery, transfer or commercialisation of, technologies or products on the List of high technologies prioritised for development investment, the List of hi-tech products promoted for development, or the List of strategic technologies or strategic technology products promulgated by the Prime Minister;

d/ Satisfying requirements on national defence, security and environmental protection; having solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring economical use of natural resources and energy, biosafety, food safety and information security, and other requirements prescribed by relevant laws;

dd/ Concurrently satisfying the specific criteria corresponding to each type of project as specified in Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Article.

e/ Concurrently satisfying the specific criteria corresponding to each type of project as specified in Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Article.

2. Criteria for a project involving applied research, testing, improvement and mastery of high technologies and strategic technologies:

a/ The project’s research and testing contents clearly identify the objective of improving or mastering technologies, output products and the implementation roadmap;

b/ The to-be-applied technologies are on the List of high technologies prioritised for development investment, the List of hi-tech products promoted for development, or the List of strategic technologies or strategic technology products promulgated by the Prime Minister;

c/ The project involves the technology receipt, adaptation, development or transfer;

d/ The project’s science and technology personnel who have expertise in the relevant research field and directly participate in research and development activities account for at least 70% of the total workforce, of whom at least 85% hold a university or higher degree;

dd/ The project’s plans on protection, management and utilisation of intellectual property rights and on commercialisation of research outcomes comply with specialised laws;

e/ Output evaluation indicators are consistent with the project’s objectives.

3. Criteria for a project on trial production or demonstration of agricultural production models applying high technologies and strategic technologies:

a/ The products or production process or model fall(s) within the field of agriculture with application of high technologies or strategic technologies;

b/ The technology or process used in the project has been researched, tested, verified or transferred lawfully;

c/ The land area, capacity, production line or production organisation model is appropriate to the testing and demonstration objectives and complies with the approved master plan on construction (zoning master plan or detailed master plan) of the technology-applying agricultural zone;

d/ Quality management, biosafety, food safety and traceability systems comply with specialised laws;

dd/ The project is subject to a comprehensive assessment of technical, economic and environmental efficiency and scalability;

e/ The project provides solutions for economical use of land, water and energy and for emission reduction.

4. Criteria for a project involving hi-tech incubation, incubation of science and technology enterprises, or commercialisation of scientific research and technological development outcomes:

a/ The project implements programmes or plans on technology or enterprise incubation, technology or enterprise development support, or commercialisation of research outcomes in the field of agriculture;

b/ Physical facilities, workspaces, testing areas, laboratories or technical infrastructure support incubation and commercialisation activities;

c/ The project’s team of experts or network of consultants have appropriate expertise in technology, corporate governance, intellectual property, market, investment and fundraising;

d/ The project provides support for incubated entities to access financial resources, markets, partners and necessary support services;

dd/ The project applies specific regulations on plans, indicators and methods of evaluating incubation efficiency and the level of commercialisation of research outcomes.

5. Criteria for a project on training and development of human resources for high technologies and strategic technologies in agriculture:

a/ Training contents and programmes closely follow the project’s approved objectives and plans;

b/ Lecturers, experts and instructors satisfy professional requirements;

c/ Physical facilities, equipment and places for practical training and experimentation satisfy the statutory requirements;

d/ Training activities are linked with education institutions, research institutions, enterprises, cooperatives or related organisations to ensure practicality;

dd/ The project establishes a mechanism for evaluating training results, recognising learning results or issuing certificates in accordance with law.

6. Criteria for a project providing hi-tech and strategic technology services in a hi-tech agricultural zone shall be determined by type of service registered for implementation, specifically as follows:

a/ For research, testing, trial, inspection, analysis and measurement services: Laboratories, testing and trial facilities and equipment satisfy the relevant standards and technical regulations; in case accreditation or designation is required by law, such requirement shall be satisfied; personnel have appropriate qualifications and expertise; professional processes and quality management systems, and traceability for results comply with regulations; the project is capable of providing services for research, production, and quality assessment of products, varieties/breeds, supplies and technological processes in agriculture.

b/ For high technology-related consultancy, transfer and support services in agriculture: The services must meet production requirements; there must be a mechanism for cooperation with science and technology organisations, education institutions and independent experts; and a feasible option on service provision; and intellectual property rights, confidentiality of technological information and customer data shall be ensured.

c/ For digital infrastructure, data and technical support services serving the operation of the hi-tech agricultural zone: It is required to ensure the statutory requirements on information security and cybersecurity and capability to connect and integrate specialised databases with relevant management information systems and national databases.

7. An investment project simultaneously carrying out multiple types of activities specified in Clause 2, Article 4 of this Decree must satisfy the relevant criteria for each type of activity registered for implementation.

Chapter III

ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION AND ADJUSTMENT OF HI-TECH AGRICULTURAL ZONES

Article 6. Conditions for establishment of hi-tech agricultural zones

The establishment of a hi-tech agricultural zone must satisfy the conditions specified in Clause 3, Article 24 of the Law on High Technology, specifically as follows:

1. The area proposed for establishment of the hi-tech agricultural zone must be within the development space or comply with development orientations and directions identified in the regional master plan or provincial master plan approved by the competent authority, and land use quotas are included in the provincial-level land use master plan or land use plan.

2. The hi-tech agricultural zone must ensure its external connection with the transport infrastructure; technical infrastructure systems (electricity; water sources; water supply and wastewater treatment systems; telecommunications infrastructure, etc.); have a plan on cooperation and linkage agreements with science and technology organisations and universities in agriculture and environment; and cooperation in production and commercialisation of scientific products; and natural conditions are suitable to the development objectives of the hi-tech agricultural zone.

3. The hi-tech agricultural zone must be large enough to accommodate activities performing the functions and tasks specified in Article 4 of this Decree and to meet long-term development requirements; its spatial organisation must be rational and not be fragmented or scattered; and have complete technical infrastructure and management, maintenance and upkeeping mechanisms, and satisfy requirements on national defence, security and environmental protection under regulations.

4. Digital infrastructure and information security systems must be synchronous, ensuring data connection and sharing with related organisations and individuals; the hi-tech agricultural zone must have laboratories, research and testing areas, trial production areas applying high technologies, technology demonstration, incubation and transfer facilities, and accommodation facilities for experts, scientists and employees working in the hi-tech agricultural zone.

5. There must be a complete and feasible resource-utilisation plan ensuring the continuous maintenance of activities performing the tasks and development orientations of the hi-tech agricultural zone; a plan on research capacity building; a plan on attraction and employment of high-quality human resources and innovation management personnel; a plan on training and further training of human resources; a plan on cooperation with science and technology organisations, research institutes, universities, enterprises and cooperatives; a plan on market development for hi-tech products; and a plan on protection and utilisation of intellectual property rights.

6. There must be a feasible plan on development and attraction of human resources, with appropriate preferential treatment and support policies in relation to income, salaries, bonuses, capacity building training, housing and living conditions, and for cooperation in science and technology activities.

Article 7. Conditions for expansion and adjustment of hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Conditions for expansion of a hi-tech agricultural zone:

a/ The area proposed for the expansion satisfies the relevant conditions specified in Article 6 of this Decree;

b/ The existing hi-tech agricultural zone has operated effectively while ensuring its development objectives and orientations and in performing the tasks specified in Clause 2, Article 24 of the Law on High Technology;

c/ The technical infrastructure system of the existing hi-tech agricultural zone has been built in compliance with the approved master plan on construction (general master plan or zoning master plan) and has been stably operated and used;

d/ The occupancy rate of the land area with built technical infrastructure for land lease or allocation for implementation of investment projects and activities reaches at least 60% of the area of the existing hi-tech agricultural zone;

dd/ The area proposed for the expansion is adjacent to or in the vicinity of the existing hi-tech agricultural zone and ensures convenient connection with the technical infrastructure and social infrastructure systems (transport, electricity supply, water supply, water drainage, environmental treatment, digital infrastructure and other essential social infrastructure facilities) and activities of the existing hi-tech agricultural zone.

2. Conditions for adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone:

a/ The hi-tech agricultural zone after being adjusted must satisfy the relevant conditions specified in Article 6 of this Decree;

b/ The adjustment does not disrupt the completeness of technical infrastructure and social infrastructure systems and development orientations of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

c/ In case of adjustment of boundaries, the area of the hi-tech agricultural zone must remain large enough for spatial organisation, land use, infrastructure connection, management and operation of the hi-tech agricultural zone.

Article 8. Dossiers, order and procedures for establishment, expansion and adjustment of hi-tech agricultural zones

1. A dossier for establishment, expansion or adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone must comprise:

a/ A request for establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone, made according to Form No. 01: TT-NNCNC provided in the Appendix to this Decree;

b/ A scheme for establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone as specified in Clause 3, 4 or 5 of this Article, made according to Form No. 02: DA-NNCNC provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

2. Order and procedures for establishment, expansion or adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone

a/ The provincial-level People’s Committee shall assign a provincial-level specialised agency to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, preparing a scheme for establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

b/ The provincial-level specialised agency shall prepare the scheme and submit the dossier specified in Clause 1 of this Article online, by hand-delivery or through the public service portal to the provincial-level People’s Committee for consideration and evaluation;

c/ The provincial-level People’s Committee shall consider and evaluate the dossier for establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone under Clause 6 of this Article and decide on the establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

d/ Consideration of the establishment, expansion or adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone shall be carried out in combination with or concurrently with the process of making decision on investment policy or approving the investment project in accordance with the law on investment and relevant current laws;

dd/ The provincial-level People’s Committee shall provide internal procedures and a mechanism for coordination among related agencies in order to advise the provincial-level People’s Committee on deciding on the establishment, expansion or adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone. The internal procedures must ensure consistency and must not create additional administrative procedures beyond those specified by law.

3. A scheme for establishment of a hi-tech agricultural zone must have the following contents:

a/ Legal grounds for and the necessity of the establishment of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

b/ Assessment of the current status, factors and conditions relating to geographical location, natural conditions, natural resources, science and technology, socio-economic conditions, limitations and comparative advantages of the area proposed for establishment of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

c/ Assessment of, and commentaries about, the capacity to satisfy the conditions for establishment of a hi-tech agricultural zone as specified in Article 6 of this Decree (with supporting documents);

d/ Proposed development directions for the hi-tech agricultural zone, including: development objectives, nature, functions and tasks of the hi-tech agricultural zone; development directions for prioritised sectors and fields in the hi-tech agricultural zone; orientations for organisation of functional areas to perform the tasks specified in Clause 2, Article 24 of the Law on High Technology, spatial development orientations and land use master plan; and orientations for development of human resources and management personnel;

dd/ Estimated total investment capital, methods of mobilising resources and determination of responsibility for investment in the technical infrastructure system of the hi-tech agricultural zone; and the plan and roadmap for investment in construction and development of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

e/ Proposed solutions and organisation of implementation;

g/ A drawing of the plan on establishment of the hi-tech agricultural zone on a map at a scale of 1:10,000 - 1:25,000.

4. A scheme for expansion of a hi-tech agricultural zone must have the following contents:

a/ The contents specified at Points a, b, d, dd, e and g, Clause 3 of this Article;

b/ Assessment of, and commentaries about, the capacity to satisfy the conditions for expansion of a hi-tech agricultural zone as specified in Clause 1, Article 7 of this Decree;

c/ Assessment of the construction, development and operation of the existing hi-tech agricultural zone.

5. A scheme for adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone must have the following contents:

a/ The contents specified at Points a, b, d, dd, e and g, Clause 3 of this Article;

b/ Assessment of the contents and factors giving rise to the proposal for the adjustment;

c/ Assessment of the construction, development and operation of the existing hi-tech agricultural zone;

d/ Assessment of the capacity to satisfy the conditions for adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone as specified in Clause 2, Article 7 of this Decree.

6. Contents of evaluation of a dossier for establishment, expansion or adjustment of a hi-tech agricultural zone include:

a/ Legal grounds for and the necessity of the establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

b/ Evaluation of the satisfaction of the conditions for establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone and its development plan as specified in Articles 6 and 7 of this Decree;

c/ Preliminary assessment of the efficiency of scientific and technological and socio-economic contributions of the establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone;

d/ Feasibility of the solutions for the establishment, expansion or adjustment of the hi-tech agricultural zone.

Chapter IV

INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES FOR HI-TECH AGRICULTURAL ZONES

Article 9. Investment capital sources for construction and development of hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Investment capital sources for construction and development of hi-tech agricultural zones include:

a/ State budget funds, official development assistance (ODA) and foreign concessional loans as specified by law;

b/ Capital of organisations and individuals investing in hi-tech agricultural zones;

c/ Capital mobilised through public-private partnership, or from social resources, and other lawful capital sources.

2. The State shall prioritise the allocation of public investment resources for:

a/ Investment preparation, compensation, support, resettlement and site clearance;

b/ Investment in the construction of technical infrastructure, digital infrastructure, scientific and technological infrastructure and social infrastructure systems of hi-tech agricultural zones;

c/ Investment in infrastructure facilities connecting hi-tech agricultural zones with surrounding areas.

3. The State shall prioritise the allocation of resources from the state budget, programmes and funds and other lawful capital sources for investment in the construction of research and development, incubation and training facilities; and for the implementation of projects and tasks relating to research, development, incubation and training for high technologies and strategic technologies in hi-tech agricultural zones.

4. The State shall encourage organisations and individuals to invest in the construction of technical infrastructure, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure, and science and technology infrastructure systems in hi-tech agricultural zones in the forms of business investment, public-private partnership, and mobilisation of social resources and other forms in accordance with law; and encourage the advance payment of capital for compensation, support, resettlement and site clearance in accordance with law.

5. Funding for the preparation and adjustment of master plans on construction of hi-tech agricultural zones shall be allocated from the state budget in accordance with law. The mobilisation, receipt, management and use of lawful donations and support from organisations and individuals for the development of hi-tech agricultural zones must comply with the law on the state budget, the law on public assets and other relevant laws.

Article 10. Investment incentive and support policies for investment projects in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Based on actual conditions of localities and competence of provincial-level People’s Councils and People’s Committees, policies shall be issued and support resources allocated in order to attract investment projects and high-quality human resources, and develop research, innovation and commercialisation of technologies and technology products in hi-tech agricultural zones.

2. The agency managing a hi-tech agricultural zone shall provide guidance on, receive, settle, or coordinate in the settlement of, administrative procedures relating to investment, enterprises, land, construction, environmental protection, labour, tax and customs and other relevant procedures under the single-window and inter-agency single-window mechanisms in accordance with law; and support investors during project implementation.

3. Investment projects in hi-tech agricultural zones (investment projects on construction of technical infrastructure and investment projects carrying out hi-tech and strategic technology activities specified in Article 4 of this Decree) will be given priority in accessing and participating in the State’s programmes, funds and support policies on human resource training; technology research, development, innovation and transfer; support for innovative start-up activities, and small- and medium-sized enterprises; investment promotion, and trade promotion, and other lawful support programmes in accordance with law.

4. Projects performing tasks in hi-tech agricultural zones as specified in Article 4 of this Decree will be entitled to:

a/ Priority in consideration for commissioning and funding from high technology-related science, technology and innovation programmes of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, other central agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees through task assignment, commissioning or selection in accordance with law, specifically as follows:

Funding of up to 100% of costs of the performance of linked science, technology and innovation tasks that are funded or commissioned by the State in the form of public-private partnership.

Application of the lump-sum expenditure mechanism in accordance with the law on science, technology and innovation; the risk acceptance mechanism under Articles 35 thru 39 of the Government’s Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP of October 14, 2025, detailing and guiding a number of articles of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation regarding science, technology and innovation programmes and tasks, and a number of provisions on the promotion of scientific research, technological development and innovation activities.

In case of purchase of a technology or technological know-how for decoding to serve national science, technology and innovation programmes or tasks for the development of strategic technologies, support of up to 100% of costs shall be provided.

b/ Consideration for the whole or part of funding or provision of loans from the National Science and Technology Development Fund, the National Technology Innovation Fund, and science, technology and innovation development funds of ministerial-level agencies, other central agencies and provincial People’s Committees;

c/ Tax incentives: Investment projects in hi-tech agricultural zones will be entitled to tax incentives in accordance with the tax laws;

d/ Human-resource incentives and support: The State shall provide support of up to 100% of training and further training costs for individuals conducting research activities in hi-tech agricultural zones in order to build their capacity through support programmes of the National Science and Technology Development Fund and other science and technology development funds in accordance with law; specific support levels must comply with the law on the state budget and other relevant laws;

dd/ Support related to intellectual property and commercialisation:

Support of up to 100% of costs of the domestic registration and protection of intellectual property rights and up to 50% of costs of overseas registration and protection of intellectual property rights in respect of high technologies;

Support for the valuation, exploitation, transfer and commercialisation of intellectual assets formed from hi-tech research and development activities;

The loan interest support rate for projects on high technology application and commercialisation is equal to 70% of the loan interest rate under the loan contract signed between the credit institution and the hi-tech agricultural zone, but must not exceed 8% per year, from the National Technology Innovation Fund, the science, technology and innovation development fund of a ministry, sector or locality, or the national or local venture capital fund (below collectively referred to as the Fund), for the procurement of equipment, machinery and production lines serving projects on the high technology application and commercialisation.

The period of loan interest support for a loan used to implement an investment project shall be counted from the date on which the Fund issues a decision approving the loan interest support to the date the borrower’s repayment obligation towards the credit institution is completed, but must not exceed 5 years, and the remaining loan term must be at least 12 months by the date on which the repayment obligation is completed.

e/ The State shall invest in infrastructure and procurement of research equipment; and invest in upgrading and modernising shared-use laboratories and public hi-tech research facilities. Organisations and individuals may use shared-use laboratories, research facilities and hi-tech research infrastructure invested in by the State through financial support vouchers as specified in Article 23 of the Government’s Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP of October 14, 2025.

5. An investment project will not be entitled to investment incentives in the following cases:

a/ Failing to satisfy, or failing to maintain the satisfaction of, the criteria specified in Article 5 of this Decree;

b/ Being subject to termination of operation in whole or in part;

c/ Failing to remedy a violation within 1 year or within the period specified in the operation suspension decision.

Article 11. Investment in construction and commercial operation of technical infrastructure

1. The State shall prioritise the allocation of development investment capital from the state budget and encourage experienced and capable organisations and individuals to invest in the construction of the whole or part of technical infrastructure systems of hi-tech agricultural zones under Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.

2. For a hi-tech agricultural zone receiving part of state budget investment for the construction of the technical infrastructure system:

a/ For the land area used for the construction of the technical infrastructure system and the land area used for public purposes under the approved detailed master plan on construction (or zoning master plan on construction) within the scope of an investment project on construction and commercial operation of infrastructure, the competent state agency or person shall lease land to the infrastructure project owner for infrastructure construction investment in accordance with the land law;

b/ For the land area used for a secondary investment project, excluding the land area specified in Point a of this Clause, based on the infrastructure construction investment progress and the investment attraction plan, the competent state agency or person shall allocate or lease land to the land-using investor;

c/ The infrastructure project owner may commercially operate or lease infrastructure works, factories, offices and warehouses invested in by itself after having completed synchronous construction investment according to the approved schedule of the investment project, and may collect infrastructure use charges from other investors under Clause 1, Article 15 of this Decree for site preparation costs (if any), amounts for rent or purchase of factories, offices and warehouses, and other amounts under regulations (if any); infrastructure use charges exclusive of state budget funds allocated as support for land sublease and infrastructure use charges;

d/ In case the infrastructure project owner voluntarily advances funds for compensation, support and resettlement under the plan approved by the competent agency for the land area specified in Point a of this Clause, such advanced funds shall be reimbursed from the state budget and/or included in the investment costs of the project.

3. For a hi-tech agricultural zone not receiving the state budget’s investment for construction of the technical infrastructure system:

a/ The infrastructure project owner will be leased land by the State to implement the investment project on construction and commercial operation of infrastructure in the form of annual rental payment or one-off rental payment for the entire lease term in accordance with the land law;

b/ The infrastructure project owner may sublease land with complete technical infrastructure systems built according to the approved stages of the investment project, and may lease the built offices, factories and warehouses in accordance with the laws on investment, construction, land and real estate business and other relevant laws;

For the leased land area with annual rental payment, the infrastructure project owner may sublease such land area in the form of annual rental payment; for the leased land area with one-off rental payment for the entire lease term, the infrastructure project owner may sublease such land area in the form of one-off rental payment for the entire lease term or annual rental payment;

c/ For a secondary investment project required to satisfy the criteria specified in Article 5 of this Decree, the infrastructure project owner may lease the invested technical infrastructure system and factories, offices and warehouses to land-using investors within the scope of the approved investment project on commercial operation of infrastructure and may collect infrastructure use charges from other investors under Clause 1, Article 15 of this Decree for technical preparation costs, amounts of rent or purchase of factories, offices and warehouses, and other amounts under regulations;

d/ In case the infrastructure project owner voluntarily advances funds for compensation and site clearance under the plan approved by the competent state agency, such advanced funds shall be reimbursed from the state budget and/or included in the investment costs of the project.

4. For a hi-tech agricultural zone receiving the state budget’s investment for construction of the technical infrastructure system, sub-zones having the functions of research and development, hi-tech incubation and hi-tech human resource training shall be provided with the state budget’s investment for site clearance, ground levelling and synchronous construction of technical infrastructure systems, depending on the budget-balancing capacity and pursuant to law.

5. The land area used for the construction of shared-use infrastructure works in a hi-tech agricultural zone under the approved master plan on construction (detailed master plan or zoning master-plan) will be exempt from land-related financial obligations in accordance with the land law.

6. The order and procedures for investment in projects on construction and commercial operation of infrastructure in hi-tech agricultural zones must comply with the laws on investment, public investment and construction and other relevant laws.

Article 12. Policies on development of social infrastructure serving workers in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall invest in or support investment in housing areas, accommodation facilities as well as public works and essential services to meet the needs and development progress of hi-tech agricultural zones.

2. Within their competence and based on the actual conditions of a locality, the provincial-level People’s Council and People’s Committee shall promulgate policies and allocate investment support resources in order to attract projects on development of social infrastructure serving the operation of hi-tech agricultural zones.

3. Investment projects on construction of accommodation facilities, houses and service facilities serving workers and experts working in hi-tech agricultural zones will be eligible for incentive and support mechanisms applicable to social housing investment projects in accordance with the laws on housing, construction, investment and land and other relevant laws.

Article 13. Policies for research and development, incubation of, and training of human resources for, high technologies and strategic technologies

1. The State shall prioritise the allocation of resources in accordance with law for investment and investment support in hi-tech agricultural zones for:

a/ Research and development facilities for high technologies and strategic technologies in agriculture;

b/ Laboratories, testing and analysis facilities, and shared-use science and technology infrastructure;

c/ Incubators of high technologies and science and technology enterprises, and facilities supporting the commercialisation of research outcomes;

d/ Facilities providing training and further training of hi-tech human resources in agriculture;

dd/ Digital infrastructure, databases and information systems serving research, innovation and management of activities in hi-tech agricultural zones.

2. The State shall prioritise the implementation in hi-tech agricultural zones of science, technology and innovation programmes and tasks; international cooperation and bilateral and multilateral cooperation programmes; and international integration schemes for high technologies and strategic technologies in the field of agriculture.

3. The State shall promote the implementation of regulatory sandbox activities for high technologies, strategic technologies and new management models in hi-tech agricultural zones.

4. It is encouraged to organise fairs, exhibitions, forums, and technology demonstration, product introduction, technology supply-demand connection, investment promotion and trade promotion activities in hi-tech agricultural zones.

5. Organisations and individuals are encouraged and assisted in providing services of technology assessment, valuation and inspection, technology transfer consultancy, and intellectual property, legal, financial and insurance services, and other science and technology services in order to promote the commercialisation of research outcomes, innovation and technology transfer in hi-tech agricultural zones.

Article 14. Conditions for investors in projects on construction and commercial operation of infrastructure of hi-tech agricultural zones

1. The investor implementing an investment project on construction and commercial operation of infrastructure of a hi-tech agricultural zone must satisfy the following conditions:

a/ The conditions for a real estate business organisation as specified by the law on real estate business;

b/ The conditions for land allocation, land lease or land repurposing permission by the State as specified by the land law;

c/ Having financial capacity, management capacity and experience for construction, commercial operation, management and operation of the technical infrastructure system of the hi-tech agricultural zone in accordance with the law on investment and other relevant laws.

2. In case an investor is selected through bidding, the formulation of criteria for evaluating investors must comply with the law on bidding, the law on investment and other relevant laws, and satisfy the conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 15. Rights and obligations of investors in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. In addition to the rights and obligations provided by the laws on investment and enterprises and other relevant laws, investors implementing investment projects in hi-tech agricultural zones also have the following rights and obligations:

a/ To use land, sub-rent land, rent factories, offices and warehouses, and use technical infrastructure and services in hi-tech agricultural zones in accordance with law and signed contracts, ensuring that activities are carried out for the proper purposes of hi-tech agricultural zones;

b/ To coordinate with competent authorities and comply with the laws on national defence, security, social order and safety, environmental protection, water use, biosafety, food safety, fire protection, and occupational safety and hygiene;

c/ To comply with regulations on reporting and provision of information on the implementation of investment projects in accordance with law.

2. Investors implementing investment projects with the types of activities specified in Article 4 of this Decree shall:

a/ Satisfy, or maintain the satisfaction of, the criteria specified in Article 5 of this Decree throughout the operation period of the projects;

b/ Fulfil commitments regarding objectives, contents of hi-tech activities, investment progress, technical criteria and other contents stated in investment policy approval decisions or investment registration certificates.

3. Investors using land, sub-renting land or renting factories, offices or warehouses in hi-tech agricultural zones shall fully perform their financial obligations in accordance with law.

4. In addition to Clause 1 of this Article, owners of projects on construction and commercial operation of infrastructure of hi-tech agricultural zones also have the following rights and obligations:

a/ To organise investment in construction, management, exploitation, operation, maintenance and upkeeping of technical infrastructure systems within the scope of the projects in accordance with law;

b/ To conclude contracts with related organisations and individuals for investment in construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure facilities in accordance with law;

c/ To collect money amounts in accordance with law and signed contracts;

d/ To coordinate with the management authorities of hi-tech agricultural zones and related agencies in carrying out inspection, examination and supervision, and handling violations;

dd/ To formulate investment attraction plans and lists of investment-attracting projects, and organise investment promotion activities within the scope of infrastructure projects;

e/ In the case specified in Clause 2, Article 11 of this Decree, investors shall attract investment projects that have the objectives, functions and development orientations of hi-tech agricultural zones; inspect and supervise the satisfaction of the criteria by investment projects; and report, on an annual basis or upon request, to the management authorities of hi-tech agricultural zones.

Chapter V

STATE MANAGEMENT OF HI-TECH AGRICULTURAL ZONES

Article 16. Management of investment activities in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Investment activities in hi-tech agricultural zones must comply with the objectives, functions and development orientations of the zones and the types of activities specified in Article 4 of this Decree.

2. For investment projects specified in Article 4 of this Decree, investors shall provide explanations and commit to satisfying the relevant criteria specified in Article 5 of this Decree.

3. Agencies competent to approve investment policy and issue investment registration certificates in accordance with the law on investment shall review and evaluate the satisfaction of the criteria specified in Article 5 of this Decree for projects falling within their competence during the process of settling investment procedures in accordance with law.

4. Investors’ commitments to satisfying, or maintaining the satisfaction of, the criteria specified in Article 5 of this Decree serve as a basis for carrying out investment monitoring and evaluation, conducting inspection and examination, and handling violations in accordance with law.

5. Based on the strategy and development plan in each period, and the development orientations of a hi-tech agricultural zone, the management authority of a hi-tech agricultural zone shall prepare and submit to the provincial-level People’s Committee for promulgation a list of projects calling for investment in the hi-tech agricultural zone.

Article 17. Management and operation of technical infrastructure systems in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities shall organise the management, exploitation, operation, renovation and maintenance of technical infrastructure systems invested by the State and infrastructure works handed over by infrastructure project owners in accordance with law, except works assigned to specialised units for management and operation in accordance with law.

2. Infrastructure project owners shall organise the management, exploitation, operation, renovation and maintenance of their invested technical infrastructure works; and, when necessary, may hand them over to hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities or electricity, water and telecommunications service providers and other specialised units for management and operation in accordance with law, ensuring the synchronous operation of the whole systems.

3. Electricity, water and telecommunications service providers and other specialised units shall organise the management, exploitation, operation, renovation and maintenance of technical infrastructure works invested by or assigned to them in accordance with law.

4. The investment, construction, management, operation, renovation and maintenance of technical infrastructure systems in hi-tech agricultural zones must:

a/ Comply with the master plans on construction (detailed master plans or zoning master plans), construction designs and implementation schedules of the investment projects approved by competent authorities;

b/ Ensure uniformity, safety, continuity and efficiency in exploitation and use;

c/ Meet the operational requirements of investment projects in the hi-tech agricultural zones;

d/ Comply with the regulations on construction, electricity, water supply and drainage, telecommunications, environmental protection, fire protection, security and safety and other relevant regulations.

5. Investors shall use technical infrastructure in hi-tech agricultural zones for the proper purposes, ensuring safety and protection of technical infrastructure works; and fully pay infrastructure use charges and other payable amounts stated in the signed contracts in accordance with law.

6. The prices of technical infrastructure services, rental for infrastructure facilities, workshops, offices and warehouses, and other lawful charges in hi-tech agricultural zones shall be determined as follows:

a/ For technical infrastructure systems wholly funded by the state budget, the prices of technical infrastructure services shall be specifically determined by the provincial-level People’s Committees in accordance with the law on price;

b/ For technical infrastructure systems funded by the state budget and private investors, the infrastructure project owners shall formulate a plan on the prices of technical infrastructure services and submit to the provincial-level People’s Committee for approval the ceiling price. The actual price shall be determined by the infrastructure project owners, but must not exceed the approved ceiling price;

c/ For technical infrastructure systems wholly funded by private investors, the project owners shall determine the prices of technical infrastructure services on the basis of reaching agreement with the lessees as specified in the contract, in accordance with the law on price and relevant specialised laws;

d/ The declaration, posting and publicisation of service prices must comply with the law on price. Project owners shall report on the decided prices to the hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities for monitoring and supervision in accordance with the zones’ management regulations;

7. Hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities shall monitor and supervise the provision of technical infrastructure services, the publicisation of infrastructure service prices and other charges to ensure a transparent and stable investment and business environment within the zones.

8. Technical infrastructure systems funded by the state budget are public assets; the management and use of these assets must comply with the law on the management and use of public assets.

Article 18. Management of environmental protection, labour, occupational safety and health, fire protection, security and order, and other activities in hi-tech agricultural zones

1. The system of technical infrastructure works for environmental protection, fire protection, and security, order and traffic safety assurance, and works serving other necessary activities in hi-tech agricultural zones shall be planned, designed, invested, constructed and operated in a synchronous manner, meeting the requirements on scale and investment progress of the zones and investment projects within the zones in accordance with law.

2. Investors, infrastructure project owners, and organisations and individuals operating in hi-tech agricultural zones shall comply with the laws on environmental protection, labour, occupational safety and health, fire protection, security, order, traffic safety, food safety and biosafety, and other relevant laws.

3. Hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities shall, within their competence, coordinate with specialised state management agencies in guiding, examining and supervising the compliance with law in the fields specified in Clause 2 of this Article, for organisations and individuals operating in the hi-tech agricultural zones.

4. The appraisal, approval, examination, inspection, licensing, approval or certification of matters related to environmental protection, labour, occupational safety and health, fire protection, security, order, and other fields within hi-tech agricultural zones must comply with specialised laws.

Article 19. Responsibilities for state management of hi-tech agricultural zones

Ministries shall, within the ambit of their functions, tasks and powers, coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and provincial-level People’s Committees in performing the state management of hi-tech agricultural zones in accordance with law, and have the following responsibilities:

1. To guide and organise the implementation of, and inspect the compliance with, specialised laws regarding activities within hi-tech agricultural zones under their management;

2. To coordinate in settling interdisciplinary issues arising during the establishment, investment and construction, development and operation of hi-tech agricultural zones;

3. To carry out inspection and supervision and handle violations committed by organisations and individuals operating in hi-tech agricultural zones according to their competence and in the fields under their management.

Article 20. Powers and responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for performing the state management of hi-tech agricultural zones

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall act as the focal-point agency assuming the prime responsibility for, and assisting the Government and the Prime Minister in, performing the state management of hi-tech agricultural zones nationwide in accordance with the Law on High Technology, this Decree and relevant laws.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has the following powers and responsibilities:

a/ To formulate and submit to competent authorities for promulgation, or promulgate according to its competence, legal documents, programmes, plans, mechanisms and policies on the development of hi-tech agricultural zones;

b/ To guide the establishment, expansion, adjustment, investment and construction, development and management of hi-tech agricultural zones in accordance with law;

c/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and agencies in, guiding the implementation of mechanisms and policies on hi-tech activities, research and development, incubation, human resource training, investment and development of hi-tech agricultural zones;

d/ To organise the monitoring, summarisation and evaluation of the development of hi-tech agricultural zones nationwide; to send annual or unscheduled reports to the Government and the Prime Minister;

dd/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate in, the examination and supervision of the implementation of the regulations on hi-tech agricultural zones according to its competence;

e/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees in, managing the operation hi-tech agricultural zones.

Article 21. Responsibilities of provincial-level People’s Committees for performing the state management of hi-tech agricultural zones

1. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall perform the state management of hi-tech agricultural zones in their localities in accordance with the Law on High Technology, this Decree and relevant laws.

2. Provincial-level People’s Committees have the following powers and responsibilities:

a/ To organise the formulation and approval of master plans, plans, schemes, programmes and projects on the development of hi-tech agricultural zones in accordance with law;

b/ To formulate and submit to the same-level People’s Councils for promulgation mechanisms and policies to support investment, attract human resources, support research, innovation and technology commercialisation activities in hi-tech agricultural zones; to organise the implementation of such mechanisms and policies after they are promulgated;

c/ To decide on the establishment, expansion and adjustment of hi-tech agricultural zones according to their competence; to organise the performance of investment, construction, development and state management tasks for hi-tech agricultural zones in their localities;

d/ To allocate resources, land areas, and organise or support investment in technical infrastructure, social infrastructure, science and technology infrastructure and digital infrastructure systems of hi-tech agricultural zones within their competence and in accordance with law;

dd/ To formulate schemes and submit them to the same-level People’s Councils for decision the establishment, reorganisation and dissolution of hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities; to issue decisions defining the functions, tasks, powers and organisational structures of, and promulgate regulations on coordination between, hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities and specialised agencies and state management agencies in the localities;

e/ To authorise hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities to perform a number of state management tasks within their competence and in accordance with law, ensuring stability and efficiency;

g/ To promulgate a list of projects calling for investment, inspect and urge the progress of investment, construction and operation of hi-tech agricultural zones;

h/ To examine, inspect and supervise, and handle violations committed by, hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities according to their competence.

Article 22. Hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities

1. Hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities shall directly perform the state management of hi-tech agricultural zones in the provinces or cities according to the tasks and powers specified in this Decree, the laws on public investment, investment, science, technology and innovation, digital transformation, land, construction, environmental protection and labour, and other relevant laws as decentralised or authorised; guide and support enterprises and investors in carrying out administrative procedures and implementing activities in hi-tech agricultural zones in a convenient manner; and enhance the effectiveness of examination and supervision in state management activities.

2. The functions, tasks, powers, and organisational structures of hi-tech agricultural zone management authorities shall be decided by provincial-level People’s Committees in accordance with law.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 23. Transitional provisions

1. For hi-tech agricultural zones for which planning, investment and establishment procedures have been completed in accordance with law before the effective date of this Decree, it is not required to additionally carry out the planning, investment and establishment procedures under this Decree.

2. For investment projects in hi-tech agricultural zones for which investment licences/investment certificates/investment policy approval decisions/investment registration certificates have been issued before the effective date of this Decree, technology- and product-related adjustments of such projects must comply with this Decree.

3. Hi-tech agricultural zones established before the effective date of this Decree must comply with Points a and b, Clause 3, Article 27 of the Law on High Technology.

Article 24. Effect

1. This Decree takes effect on July 1, 2026.

2. To annul the Government’s Decree No. 10/2024/ND-CP of February 1, 2024, on hi-tech parks.

Article 25. Organisation of implementation

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, and related organisations and individuals shall implement this Decree.-

On behalf of the Government
For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
HO QUOC DUNG

* The Appendix to this Decree is not translated.