Legal Document Updates in English (18/2020)

FROM 2021, MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CHARGE FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER
IS VND 2.5 MILLION PER YEAR

On May 05, 2020, the Government promulgates the Decree No. 53/2020/ND-CP on environmental protection charge for wastewater.

To be specific: For residential wastewater, the environmental protection charge rate is 10% of the selling price, exclusive of value-added tax, per m3 (cubic meter) of clean water. In case of necessary to set a higher price, the provincial-level or municipal cities People’s Councils may set a higher charge rate for each specific charge-liable subject.

In addition, the production and processing establishments that discharge less than 20 m² (24 hours) of wastewater per day shall be apply the fixed charge according to the wastewater volume (not apply the variable charge rates) as follow:

Firstly, in 2020, the charge rate is VND 1.5 million.

On May 07, 2020, the Ministry of Finance promulgates the Circular No. 37/2020/TT-BTC on collection and remittance rate of charge and fee in securities sector.

To be specific, from May 07, 2020 to the end of December 31, 2020, pay charge and fee equal to 50% of the rate of the collection rate of charge and fee as prescribed in the Table of collection rate of charge and fee in securities sector attached to the Circular No. 272/2016/TT-BTC.

For the charge rate of granting, changing, renewing the certificate of practicing securities for individual practicing securities in securities company, company on management of securities investment fund and securities investment

TO REDUCE 50% OF MANY FEE AND CHARGE RATES IN THE FIELD OF CONSTRUCTION

The Ministry of Finance issues the Circular No. 34/2020/TT-BTC on prescribing the rates and remittance of fees and charges in the field of construction on May 05, 2020.

Accordingly, from May 05, 2020 to December 31, 2020, organizations and individuals may only pay 50% of the prescribed fee and charge rates when being granted construction capacity certificates, construction practice certificates by the competent State agency shall pay the fee

TO REDUCE 50% OF FEES FOR ISSUANCE OF BANK ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE
FROM MAY 05 UNTIL DECEMBER 31

The Ministry of Finance issues the Circular No. 33/2020/TT-BTC on providing for fees for issuance of licenses for establishment and operation of banks and non-bank credit institutions and the remittance thereof on May 05, 2020.

To be specific: Organizations granted bank and/or non-bank credit institution establishment and operation licenses by the competent State agency shall remit fees as follows:

From May 05, 2020 until the end of December 31, 2020, the fee rates to be remitted are equal 50% of the fee rates specified in Points a and b, Section 1 of the fee Schedule as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 4 of the Circular No. 150/2016/TT-BTC.

On April 27, 2020, the Government issues the Resolution No. 58/NQ-CP on the Action Program of the Government on implementation of the Resolution No. 50-NQ/TW dated August 20, 2019 of the Politburo on the orientations for completing institutions and policies, and improving the quality and efficiency of foreign investment cooperation by 2030.

To be specific, to achieve the objectives stipulated in the Resolution No. 50-NQ/TW of the XII^th Section, in the future, besides the regular tasks, the ministries, ministerial agencies, Government attached agencies, provinces and centrally run cities’ People's Committees should concretize and organize the implementation of the following tasks:

Firstly, the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall study and supplement regulations on "conditions on national defense and security" in the process of considering and granting investment registration certificates (or documents of equivalent legal validity) to new investment projects and the process of reviewing and approving investment activities through the form of capital contribution, share and capital contribution purchase. The Ministry shall study and develop

TO ABOLISH THE REGULATION ON EXPORT LICENSING TO MEDICAL MASKS

This content is prescribed by the Government in the Resolution No. 60/NQ-CP dated April 29, 2020 on the export of medical masks amid the COVID-19 prevention and control period.

Accordingly, the Government decides to abolish the regulation on applying the export licensing regime to medical masks according to the Government’s Resolution No. 20/NQ-CP dated February 28, 2020.

Based on the pandemic evolution and the needs of medical masks in the country, the Ministry of Health reports the Prime Minister to consider and decide appropriate management measures to ensure sufficient supply for the domestic pandemic prevention and control as prescribed by law.

TOURISTS MAY SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
AT THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism issues the Decision No. 474/QD-TCDL on amending and supplementing some contents prescribed in “the Guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures, ensuring safety at travel enterprises, tourist areas and spots, tourist accommodation establishments and tourist service business establishments” on May 01, 2020.

Accordingly, to annul the provision on prohibiting tourists, persons using tourist services and visitors coming to contact or work in tourist business establishments to share and post information about the pandemic in the tourist service business establishments on social networks and media. Besides, officials, tour guides and employees are not allowed to give untruthful and unproven information about the COVID-19 pandemic in the tourist service business establishments (as in the

previous provision, they are not allowed to share and post information about the pandemic in the tourist service business establishments on social networks and media).

In addition, the travel enterprise must make a book to monitor health status of each official, tour guide and employee and check the temperature for officials and employees at work places. An employee showing any sign of influenza, cough, fever or coming from infected areas or high risk areas according to the competent State agency's announcement must stay home and monitor his/her health at home.

This Decision takes effect on the signing date.

TO NOT ARRANGE TOO MANY TOURISTS TO SLEEP IN ONE ROOM

On April 29, 2020, the General-Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism issues the Decision No. 473/QD-TCDL on providing the Guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures, ensuring safety at travel enterprises, tourist areas and spots, tourist accommodation establishments and tourist service business establishments.

First, travel enterprises, tourist areas and spots, tourist accommodation establishments and tourist service business establishments must clean and disinfect public and service areas every day; elevators and reception areas must be cleaned and disinfected at least 03 times a day.

In addition, tourist services shall be only organized if the provisions on distancing and number of people are fully met. For food and drink catering services at tourist accommodation establishments, if failing to ensure the