Planning Law 2025, No. 112/2025/QH15

PLANNING LAW^[1]

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

The National Assembly promulgates the Planning Law.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

This Law provides the system of master plans; the formulation, appraisal, decision or approval, announcement, provision of information on, implementation, evaluation and adjustment, of master plans; and the state management of planning activities.

Article 2. Subjects of application

This Law applies to agencies, organisations and individuals involved in the formulation, appraisal, decision or approval, announcement, provision of information on, implementation, evaluation and adjustment, of master plans, and other related agencies, organisations and individuals.

Article 3. Interpretation of terms

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

1. Planning means orientations for development, arrangement and allocation of space for socio-economic activities, national defence and security in association with development of infrastructure, use of natural resources and environmental protection in a certain territorial area during a given period of time in order to efficiently utilise the country’s resources to achieve sustainable development goals and ensure the overall and long-term national development vision.

2. National overall master plan means a national-level master plan providing orientations for development, arrangement and allocation of space for socio-economic activities, national defence and security, urban system, infrastructure, use of natural resources, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and response to climate change that are of national or international importance, and that are inter-regional and strategic in the territory, including land, islands and maritime zones.

3. National marine-space master plan means a national-level master plan that concretises the national overall master plan regarding orientations for development of national marine space, covering arrangement and allocation of space for socio-economic activities, national defence and security in coastal land areas, on islands and in maritime zones under Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and national jurisdiction.

4. National land-use master plan means a national-level master plan that concretises the national overall master plan regarding national orientations for land use for socio-economic development, national defence, security, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and response to climate change on the basis of land potential and land use demand of sectors and fields in each region.

5. Sectoral master plan means a national-level master plan that concretises the national overall master plan regarding orientations for development, arrangement and allocation of space and resources for sectors relating to infrastructure, use of natural resources, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation that are of national importance and are inter-regional or inter-provincial.

6. Region means part of the national territory that embraces a number of adjacent provinces and cities, has been formed on the basis of geographical, economic, social, environmental, cultural and infrastructure connections, and is determined for the formulation of a regional master plan.

7. Regional master plan means a master plan that concretises the national overall master plan for a region regarding orientations for development, arrangement and allocation of space for socio-economic activities, national defence and security, urban system, inter-provincial infrastructure, use of natural resources, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and response to climate change, thereby meeting requirements on sustainable development and linkage among sectors and localities within a regional territory.

8. Provincial master plan means a master plan that concretises the national overall master plan and regional master plans for provincial localities regarding orientations for development, arrangement and allocation of space for socio-economic activities, national defence and security, urban and rural development, infrastructure, use of natural resources, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and response to climate change.

9. Detailed sectoral master plan means a master plan that concretises the master plans specified in Section 2 of the Appendix to this Law regarding plans for development, arrangement and allocation of development space for sectors relating to infrastructure and use of natural resources.

10. Master plan integration means an integrated approach and comprehensive coordination for resolution of inter-sectoral, inter-regional and inter-provincial issues relating to infrastructure, use of natural resources, environmental protection, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring linkage, synchronism and systematicity in order to achieve balanced, harmonious, efficient and sustainable development goals.

11. Planning activities include the formulation, appraisal, decision or approval, announcement, provision of information on, and implementation, evaluation and adjustment, of master plans.

12. Master plan-formulating agency means an agency or a unit assigned by the Government, a ministry or a provincial-level People’s Committee to formulate a national master plan, a regional master plan or a provincial master plan in accordance with this Law. Agencies that formulate detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans shall be identified in accordance with relevant regulations.

13. Master plan formulation-organising agency means the Government, a ministry or a provincial-level People’s Committee that is responsible for organising the formulation of a national-level master plan, a regional master plan or a provincial master plan in accordance with this Law. Agencies that organise the formulation of detailed sectoral master plans, and urban and rural master plans shall be identified in accordance with relevant regulations.

14. Database on master plans means a collection of data of planning dossiers that have been decided or approved, and are arranged and organised to meet access, exploitation, sharing, management and updating requirements. 

15. National database on master plans means a combination of databases on master plans and information and data relevant to master plans that are arranged and organised to meet access, exploitation, sharing, management and updating requirements. 

16. National information system on master plans means a system that consists of hardware, software and the national database on master plans and is established to serve the purposes of accessing, exploiting, sharing, managing, updating and connecting information and data on master plans nationwide.

17. Planning map means a map that illustrates principal contents of a master plan on a specific scale, with shown geographical features accurate according to that scale.

18. Planning diagram means a drawing that generally illustrates contents of a master plan, with shown geographical features providing preliminary spatial orientations.

19. Master plan formulation period means a period of time counted from the date a planning consultancy organisation is selected to the date a master plan is submitted for appraisal.

20. Planning period means a period of time used as a basis for forecasting, calculation and selection of socio-economic indicators and techno-economic indicators for the formulation of a master plan.

21. Planning vision means long-term strategic development goals and orientations for a sector or territory, serving as a basis for unifying development policies and solutions towards sustainable economic, social and environmental development.

22. Validity period of a master plan means a period of time counted from the time a master plan is decided or approved to the time it is adjusted or replaced or the subsequent period’s master plan is decided or approved. The validity period of urban and rural master plans must comply with the law on urban and rural planning.

Article 4. Fundamental principles in planning activities

1. Compliance with the Party’s guidelines and policies, this Law, other relevant laws and treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

2. Assurance of consistency and synchronicity between master plans and socio-economic development strategies and plans; assurance of combination of sectoral management and territorial management.

3. Assurance of compliance, continuity, succession, stability and chronology in the system of master plans.

4. Assurance of the country’s long-term and stable development; assurance of national interests and national competitiveness; being based on practical, scientific and objective data, meeting national, regional and local development requirements.

5. Assurance of participation of agencies, organisations, communities and individuals; adherence to the principle of gender equality.

6. Assurance of scientificity, application of cutting-edge technologies, synchronism, interoperable connectivity, forecastability, feasibility, thrift, and efficient use of the country’s resources; assurance of objectivity, publicity and transparency.

7. Assurance of independence of master plan-formulating agencies from master plan appraisal councils.

8. Assurance of sufficient resources for the implementation of master plans.

9. Assurance of unified state management of master plans, decentralisation and rational delegation of powers among state agencies.

10. Assurance of fair competition among economic sectors in accessing business opportunities and resources of the economy; elimination of barriers to market access, and assurance of an open and transparent business environment.  

Article 5. System of master plans

1. The system of master plans consists of:

a/ National-level master plans, including the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan, and sectoral master plans;

b/ Regional master plans. The Government shall identify regions for which it is necessary to formulate master plans;

c/ Provincial master plans;

d/ Detailed sectoral master plans;

dd/ Urban and rural master plans;

e/ Master plans of special administrative-economic units as specified by the National Assembly.

2. The List of sectoral master plans and detailed sectoral master plans includes the master plans provided in the Appendix to this Law.

3. Relationship between different types of master plans:

a/ The national marine-space master plan must be consistent with and concretise the national overall master plan regarding orientations for development of the national marine space;

b/ The national land-use master plan must be consistent with and concretise the national overall master plan regarding national land use orientations;

c/ Sectoral master plans must be consistent with and concretise the national overall master plan regarding development orientations for and organisation of development space of sectors; must be consistent with the national marine-space master plan regarding orientations for development of the national marine space; and must be consistent with the national land-use master plan regarding national land use orientations related to sectors.

The overall master plan on sustainable exploitation and use of coastal resources must be consistent with and concretise the national marine-space master plan regarding orientations for space development and arrangement for the exploitation and use of natural resources of all kinds and environmental protection within coastal areas;

d/ Regional master plans must be consistent with and concretise the national overall master plan regarding orientations for development, arrangement and allocation of space for socio-economic activities, national defence, security, infrastructure, use of natural resources, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, disaster preparedness, and response to climate change in regions; must be consistent with the national marine-space master plan regarding orientations for development of the national marine space for coastal land areas, islands and coastal maritime zones of coastal localities in regions; must be consistent with the national land-use master plan regarding national land use orientations for regions; and must be consistent with sectoral master plans regarding development orientations and organisation of development space of sectors in regions;

dd/ Detailed sectoral master plans must be consistent with and concretise the master plans provided in the Appendix to this Law; and ensure connectivity regarding orientations for space arrangement and allocation of regional master plans;

e/ Provincial master plans and detailed sectoral master plans must ensure their interconnectivity regarding orientations for space arrangement and allocation, except the master plans specified in Points i and k of this Clause;

g/ Provincial master plans must be consistent with and concretise the national overall master plan and regional master plans regarding orientations for development, arrangement and allocation of space for socio-economic activities, national defence, security, infrastructure, use of natural resources, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, disaster preparedness, and response to climate change in provinces;

h/ Provincial master plans must be consistent with sectoral master plans regarding orientations for development of sectors in provinces;

i/ Provincial-level land-use master plans must be consistent with and concretise provincial master plans regarding provincial-level land use orientations in provinces;

k/ Master plans on preservation, embellishment and restoration of relics, and archaeological master plans must be consistent with and concretise provincial master plans regarding orientations for development of conservation zones, areas requiring preservation, embellishment and restoration of historical-cultural relics, scenic spots and archaeological sites in provinces;

l/ Urban and rural master plans must be consistent with and concretise provincial master plans regarding orientations and directions for organisation of space for socio-economic development, urban and rural development, urban and rural systems, functional zones, infrastructure, and underground space (if any) for urban areas, rural areas and functional zones.

Article 6. Principles for determining master plans that are subject to adjustment and master plans that are eligible for implementation in case of contradictions between master plans

1. In case the national marine-space master plan or the national land-use master plan is contradictory to the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan or the national land-use master plan shall be adjusted and implemented in accordance with the national overall master plan.

2. In case a sectoral master plan is contradictory to the national marine-space master plan or the national land-use master plan, the sectoral master plan shall be adjusted and implemented in accordance with the national marine-space master plan or the national land-use master plan.

3. In case a regional master plan is contradictory to a sectoral master plan, the Prime Minister shall decide which master plan is subject to adjustment and which master plan is eligible for implementation.

4. In case a detailed sectoral master plan is contradictory to the master plan it concretises, the detailed sectoral master plan shall be adjusted and implemented in accordance with the master plan it concretises.

5. In case two sectoral master plans are contradictory to each other, two detailed sectoral master plans are contradictory to each other, or a detailed sectoral master plan is contradictory to a sectoral master plan other than the concretised master plan:

a/ If the master plans have been formulated by the same ministry, the minister shall decide which master plan is subject to adjustment and which master plan is eligible for implementation;

b/ If the master plans have been formulated by different ministries or by a ministry and a provincial-level People’s Committee, the agency or organisation that detects the contradictory provisions shall propose the related master plan formulation-organising agencies to consider and resolve the contradictory provisions within their competence; if these agencies cannot reach agreement, the Prime Minister shall consider and decide which master plan is subject to adjustment and which master plan is eligible for implementation;

c/ If the master plans are subject to approval by the Chairperson of a provincial-level People’s Committee, he/she shall decide which master plan is subject to adjustment and which master plan is eligible for implementation.

6. In case a provincial master plan is contradictory to a national-level master plan or a regional master plan, the provincial master plan shall be adjusted and implemented in accordance with the national-level master plan or regional master plan.

7. In case a provincial master plan and a detailed sectoral master plan are contradictory to each other:

a/ If these master plans are contradictory to each other but do not fall into the case specified in Point b of this Clause, the agency that has organised the formulation of the detailed sectoral master plan shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the agency that has organised the formulation of the provincial master plan in, considering and agreeing which master plan is subject to adjustment and which master plan is eligible for implementation. If no agreement is reached by these agencies, the Prime Minister shall consider and decide which master plan is subject to adjustment and which master plan is eligible for implementation;

b/ If a provincial-level land-use master plan, a master plan on preservation, embellishment and restoration of relics or an archaeological master plan is contradictory to a provincial master plan, the provincial-level land-use master plan, the master plan on preservation, embellishment and restoration of relics or the archaeological master plan shall be adjusted and implemented in accordance with the provincial master plan.

8. In case an urban and rural master plan is contradictory to a provincial master plan, the urban and rural master plan shall be adjusted and implemented in accordance with the provincial master plan.

9. The resolution of contradictory provisions between urban and rural master plans must comply with the law on urban and rural planning.

10. The adjustment of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans in case these master plans have contradictory provisions as specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, and Point a, Clause 7, of this Article must comply with the fast-track procedures specified in Article 54 of this Law.

11. The Government shall detail Clause 3; Point b, Clause 5; and Point a, Clause 7, of this Article.

Article 7. Planning period and vision

1. The planning period is 10 years, counting from January 1 of a year ending in numeral 1 through December 31 of a year ending in numeral 0.

2. The planning vision shall be determined for a period of 30 years counting from the beginning of the planning period.

3. The duration and vision of urban and rural master plans must comply with the law on urban and rural planning.

Article 8. Planning diagrams and planning maps

1. Planning diagrams and planning maps shall be made on the basis of the national topographic maps using scales similar to those of such planning diagrams and planning maps.

2. The accuracy of locations, boundaries and route alignment of planned geographical features in planning diagrams and planning maps is as follows:

a/ Planning diagrams illustrate the spatial relationship of planned geographic features in terms of location, route alignment and scope, and serve as a basis for formulation of planning diagrams and planning maps of lower-level master plans;

b/ Planning maps illustrate specific locations, route alignment and boundaries of planned geographic features with the accuracy corresponding to the map scale in accordance with the law on survey and mapping and other relevant laws.

3. The Government shall specify general technical requirements for planning diagrams and planning maps; and the list of planning diagrams for national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans.

4. The Minister of Finance shall guide technical requirements and specific contents of diagrams of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans.

5. Ministers shall guide technical requirements and specific contents of planning diagrams and planning maps of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans under their respective management.

Article 9. Procedures for formulation, appraisal, decision or approval, and announcement of master plans

1. Procedures for formulation, appraisal, decision and announcement of a national overall master plan, national marine-space master plan or national land-use master plan:

a/ The master plan-formulating agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, preparing a planning outline and submitting it to the Government for decision;

b/ The master plan-formulating agency shall formulate contents of the master plan, and send them to related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities for opinion;

c/ Related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities shall contribute their opinions and propose contents within their scope of management to the master plan-formulating agency;

d/ The master plan-formulating agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, considering and resolving interdisciplinary, inter-regional and inter-provincial issues in order to ensure consistency, synchronicity and efficiency of the master plan;

dd/ The master plan-formulating agency shall finalise contents of the master plan and send them for opinion under Article 23 of this Law;

e/ The master plan-formulating agency shall receive, explain and respond to contributed opinions and finalise contents of the master plan for submission to the Master Plan Appraisal Council;

g/ The master plan-formulating agency shall finalise contents of the master plan based on appraisal comments of the Master Plan Appraisal Council, and report them to the Government for consideration and submission to the National Assembly for decision;

h/ The master plan-formulating agency shall announce and publicise the master plan under Articles 41, 42 and 43 of this Law.

2. Procedures for formulation, appraisal, approval and announcement of a regional master plan:

a/ The master plan formulation-organising agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and ministerial-level agencies and regional localities in, preparing a planning outline and submitting it to the Prime Minister for approval;

b/ The master plan-formulating agency shall formulate contents of the master plan, and report them to the master plan formulation-organising agency for sending thereof to related ministries and ministerial-level agencies and regional localities for opinion;

c/ Related ministries and ministerial-level agencies and regional localities shall contribute their opinions and propose contents within their scope of management to the master plan-formulating agency;

d/ The master plan formulation-organising agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and ministerial-level agencies and regional localities in, considering and resolving inter-regional and inter-provincial issues in order to ensure consistency, synchronicity and efficiency of the master plan;

dd/ The master plan formulation-organising agency shall finalise contents of the master plan and send them for opinion under Article 23 of this Law;

e/ The master plan formulation-organising agency shall receive, explain and respond to contributed opinions and finalise contents of the master plan for submission to the Master Plan Appraisal Council;

g/ The master plan formulation-organising agency shall finalise contents of the master plan based on appraisal comments of the Master Plan Appraisal Council, and submit them to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval;

h/ The master plan formulation-organising agency shall announce the master plan under Articles 41, 42 and 43 of this Law.

3. Procedures for formulation, appraisal, approval, announcement and publicisation of a provincial master plan:

a/ The master plan-formulating agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and organisations in, preparing a planning outline and submitting it to the provincial-level People’s Committee for approval;

b/ The master plan-formulating agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and organisations in, formulating the framework orientations for provincial development, including analysis, evaluation and forecasting of factors, conditions, resources and development context, evaluation of local socio-economic development, proposal of guiding viewpoints and development objectives and priority orientations to serve as a basis for the formulation of the master plan; and send them to the specialised agencies of the provincial-level People’s Committee for opinion and proposal with respect to the contents falling within their scope of management, and concurrently to commune-level People’s Committees and related agencies and organisations in the province for opinion;

c/ Specialised agencies of the provincial-level People’s Committee shall propose contents falling within their scope of management to the master plan-formulating agency. Commune-level People’s Committees and related agencies and organisations in the province shall contribute their opinions on contents of the provincial master plan to the master plan-formulating agency;

d/ The master plan-formulating agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and organisations and commune-level People’s Committees in, considering and resolving interdisciplinary and inter-communal issues in order to ensure the consistency, synchronicity and efficiency of the master plan;

dd/ The master plan-formulating agency shall finalise and report on contents of the master plan to the master plan formulation-organising agency for circulation for opinion under Article 23 of this Law;

e/ The master plan-formulating agency shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and organisations and commune-level People’s Committees in, receiving, explaining and responding to contributed opinions, and finalising contents of the master plan for submission to the Master Plan Appraisal Council;

g/ The master plan-formulating agency shall finalise contents of the master plan based on appraisal comments of the Master Plan Appraisal Council for submission to the provincial-level People’s Committee;

h/ The provincial-level People’s Committee shall submit the master plan to the provincial-level People’s Council for consideration and approval before the Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee approves it; and announce and publicise the master plan under Articles 41, 42 and 43 of this Law.

4. Procedures for formulation, appraisal and approval of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

5. The announcement of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with this Law and other relevant laws.

6. The Government shall specify procedures for formulation, appraisal, approval and announcement of sectoral master plans; and detail Clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Article.

Article 10. Expenses for planning activities

1. Expenses for the formulation, announcement and adjustment of master plans shall be covered by public investment capital in accordance with the law on public investment, funding sources for recurrent expenditures in accordance with the law on the state budget, support resources from organisations and individuals, and other lawful capital sources.

2. Expenses for the appraisal of master plans and the evaluation of the implementation of master plans shall be covered by funding sources for recurrent expenditures in accordance with the law on the state budget, support resources from organisations and individuals, and other lawful capital sources.

3. The Government shall specify the mobilisation and use of support resources from organisations and individuals for planning activities.

4. The Minister of Finance shall guide expense norms for planning activities and the management and use of expenses for planning activities.

Article 11. The State’s policies on planning activities

1. The State shall manage socio-economic development, national defence and security assurance and environmental protection under the decided or approved master plans.

2. The State shall promulgate mechanisms and policies to promote and mobilise resources for promoting the application of the world’s scientific and technological advances, accelerating digital transformation; promoting sustainable development associated with environmental protection and response to climate change in planning activities.

3. The State shall promulgate mechanisms and policies to encourage domestic and foreign organisations and individuals to provide support resources for planning activities, ensuring objectivity, publicity and transparency.

4. The State shall promulgate mechanisms and policies to support the creation, updating, sharing and exploitation of information and data through the national information system on master plans.

5. The State shall promulgate mechanisms and policies to encourage and create favourable conditions for organisations and individuals of all economic sectors to participate in planning activities.

6. The State shall promulgate mechanisms and policies to boost international cooperation in planning activities.

Article 12. State management of planning activities

1. The Government shall perform the unified state management of planning activities nationwide.

2. The Ministry of Finance shall act as the focal-point agency assisting the Government in performing the state management of planning activities.

3. Ministries and People’s Committees at all levels shall perform the state management of planning activities within the ambit of their assigned tasks and powers.

Article 13. Examination of planning activities

1. Competence to examine planning activities:

a/ The Ministry of Finance shall organise the examination of planning activities for sectoral master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans; and report on examination results to the Prime Minister;

b/ The competence to examine planning activities for detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

2. Contents of examination of planning activities for sectoral master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans include the compliance with the procedures for formulation, appraisal, approval, announcement, implementation and adjustment of master plans and contents of master plans in accordance with the planning law.

3. The Government shall specify procedures for examination of planning activities for sectoral master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans, and responsibilities of related agencies, organisations and individuals.

Article 14. Reporting on planning activities

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees shall send reports on planning activities to the Ministry of Finance before October 31 for summarisation and reporting to the Government before December 31 every year.

2. The Government shall report on planning activities to the National Assembly on a five-year basis.

Article 15. Supervision of planning activities

1. The supervision of planning activities by the National Assembly and People’s Councils must comply with the law on oversight activities of the National Assembly and People’s Councils.

2. The supervision of planning activities by the Vietnam Fatherland Front must comply with the law on the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

3. The supervision of planning activities by organisations and individuals must comply with the law on practice of grassroots democracy and the law on access to information.

Article 16. Prohibited acts in planning activities

1. Formulating, appraising, deciding on or approving, announcing, providing information on, implementing, evaluating and adjusting master plans in contravention of this Law.

2. Formulating, appraising, deciding on or approving, or adjusting master plans on investment in development of specific commodities, services and products; fixing the volume or quantity of goods, services and products to be manufactured and sold; fixing investors.

3. Intentionally obstructing the contribution of opinions on master plans by agencies, organisations, communities and individuals; intentionally providing untruthful information on master plans; intentionally destroying, forging or falsifying dossiers, papers and documents related to master plans.

Chapter II

FORMULATION OF MASTER PLANS

Section 1

ORGANISATION OF FORMULATION OF MASTER PLANS

Article 17. Competence to organise the formulation of master plans

1. The Government may organise the formulation of the national overall master plan, national marine-space master plan and national land-use master plan.

2. Ministries may organise the formulation of sectoral master plans and regional master plans falling within the scope of their management under the Government’s regulations.

3. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall organise the formulation of provincial master plans.

4. The competence to organise the formulation of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

Article 18. Simultaneous formulation of master plans

1. Master plans may be formulated simultaneously, unless such simultaneous formulation is not allowed under relevant regulations.

2. In case of implementation of a special public investment project or an urgent public investment project in accordance with the law on public investment, or another project as directed by the Political Bureau or the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, or the Government’s Party Committee, the project-related master plan may be formulated simultaneously with other master plans.

Article 19. Grounds for formulation of master plans

1. Socio-economic development strategies, development strategies for sectors and fields in the same development period (if any).

2. Master plans of the previous period.

3. Relevant master plans (if any).

4. Detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans formulated in accordance with this Law and other relevant laws.

Article 20. Outlines for formulation of master plans

1. The outline for formulation of a master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Necessity of the formulation of the master plan; grounds for the formulation of the master plan; orientations and requirements of relevant master plans and the concretised master plan (if any) for the master plan to be formulated;

b/ Scope and boundaries for the formulation of the master plan; period and vision of the master plan;

c/ Requirements on contents of the master plan; dossier of the master plan;

d/ Time and schedule of formulation of the master plan;

dd/ Responsibilities of related agencies, organisations and individuals in the formulation of the master plan.

2. Competence to organise the formulation and approval of the outline for formulation of a master plan:

a/ Agencies formulating the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan shall prepare outlines for formulation of such master plans and submit them to the Government for decision;

b/ Agencies organising the formulation of regional master plans shall prepare outlines for formulation of such master plans and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval;

c/ Agencies formulating sectoral master plans shall prepare outlines for formulation of such master plans formulation outlines, and report them to agencies organising the formulation of such master plans, and submit them to agencies and persons competent to approve such master plans for consideration and approval;

d/ Agencies organising the formulation of provincial master plans shall prepare and approve outlines for formulation of such master plans.

3. The task of formulating detailed sectoral master plans (if any) and urban and rural planning task must comply with relevant regulations.

4. The Government shall specify dossiers and procedures for formulation and approval of outlines for formulation of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans.

Article 21. Planning consultancy organisations

1. The selection of organisations to provide consultancy on the formulation of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans must comply with the bidding law.

2. The selection of organisations to provide consultancy on the formulation of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

3. The selection of foreign organisations to provide consultancy on master plan formulation must meet requirements on protection of state secrets, assurance of national defence and security, and conformity with the resource-balancing capacity.

4. Organisations providing consultancy on the formulation of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans must have the legal person status and satisfy conditions on professional capacity suitable to their assumed jobs in accordance with the Government’s regulations.

5. Heads of agencies formulating the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan and provincial master plans, and heads of agencies organising the formulation of sectoral master plans and regional master plans shall perform responsibilities of competent persons for organising bidding for selection of planning consultancy organisations in accordance with the bidding law.

Article 22. Strategic environmental assessment in the formulation of master plans

1. The preparation of strategic environmental assessment reports of master plans must involve the strategic environmental assessment in accordance with the law on environmental protection, except cases of adjustment of master plans according to the fast-track procedures specified in Article 54 of this Law.

2. Strategic environmental assessment reports shall be prepared and appraised simultaneously with the formulation and appraisal of master plans.

Article 23. Collection of opinions on master plans

1. Responsibility to collect opinions on master plans:

a/ Master plan-formulating agencies shall collect opinions on the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan;

b/ Master plan formulation-organising agencies shall collect opinions on sectoral master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans;

c/ The responsibility to collect opinions on detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

2. The collection of opinions of agencies, organisations, communities and individuals on master plans must comply with the following provisions:

a/ For national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans, the collection of opinions shall be carried out by sending dossiers and documents on and posting master plans on websites of master plan formulation-organising agencies or master plan-formulating agencies and the national information system on master plans, ensuring compliance with the law on protection of state secrets;

b/ For detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans, the collection of opinions shall be carried out under Point a of this Clause and relevant regulations.

3. Master plan formulation-organising agencies or master plan-formulating agencies shall publicise contributed opinions on master plans and the receipt, explanation and response to such opinions on their websites and the national information system on master plans, except contents classified as state secrets in accordance with the law on protection of state secrets.

4. The Government shall specify the collection of opinions on each type of master plans specified in Point a, Clause 2 of this Article.

Section 2

CONTENTS OF MASTER PLANS

Article 24. Requirements on contents of master plans

1. To ensure rapid and sustainable development goals associated with environmental protection, disaster preparedness, adaptation to climate change, and assurance of national defence and security; to ensure infrastructure development and urban and rural development associated with preservation of community identity, landscape and cultural space; to allocate, exploit and rationally and efficiently utilise natural resources and conserve historical-cultural relics, cultural heritage and natural heritage.

2. To ensure the harmony of interests of the country, regions, localities, the people and enterprises, giving top priority to national interests.

3. To ensure the connectivity, synchronicity and systematisation between sectors, regions and localities and fully exploit and utilise existing infrastructure; to bring into full play potential and strengths of each region or locality associated with social progress and equality, ensuring social security and national defence and security.

4. To ensure the balance among socio-economic, national defence, security and environmental protection factors during the process of master plan formulation.

5. To minimise negative impacts on the livelihood of the people, the elderly, people with disabilities, ethnic minority people, women and children, combined with policies on promotion of development and assurance of sustainable livelihood of residents in mountainous areas, islands, areas inhabited by ethnic minority people, areas with difficult socio-economic conditions, and areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions.

6. To ensure the scientificity and application of technologies in conformity with standards and technical regulations and the requirements of the country’s development and international integration.

Article 25. Contents of national overall master plans

1. A national overall master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural conditions, national development status, and national-level major development policies and orientations; analysis and forecasting of domestic and international development trends as well as resources for development; 

b/ Drawing and selection of development scenarios;

c/ Development viewpoints, vision and objectives;

d/ Key tasks and development breakthroughs in the planning period;

dd/ Orientations for organisation of development space, embracing dynamic regions and national growth poles; economic corridors; territorial areas in need of conservation or limited from development;

e/ Orientations for development of national important sectors and fields;

g/ Orientations for marine space development;

h/ Orientations for region-based national land use;

i/ Orientations for development of regions and regional connectivity;

k/ Orientations for development of the urban system;

l/ Orientations for development of national-level infrastructure, including technical infrastructure and social infrastructure;

m/ Orientations for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation; exploitation, use and protection of natural resources; disaster preparedness, and response to climate change;

n/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

2. The Government shall detail this Article.

Article 26. Contents of national marine-space master plans

1. A national marine-space master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural conditions, resources, the context having direct impacts on and the current use of marine and island space and resources by activities in coastal areas, on islands, and in maritime zones under Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction;

b/ Forecasting of trends of changes in resources and environment, impacts of climate change on resources and environment; marine and island resource exploitation and use needs and environment protection requirements in coastal areas, on islands, and in maritime zones under Vietnam’s national sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction during the planning period;

c/ Forecasting of development context and scenarios; evaluation of opportunities and challenges of marine and island resource use activities;

d/ Development viewpoints, vision and objectives;

dd/ Zoning off of areas in coastal areas, on islands, and in maritime zones under Vietnam’s national sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction;

e/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

2. The Government shall detail this Article.

Article 27. Contents of national land-use master plans

1. A national land-use master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural conditions, resources, the context having direct impacts on, and the current state of, land use by sectors and fields;

b/ Forecasting of trends of changes in land use;

c/ Land use viewpoints, vision and objectives during the planning period;

d/ National land use orientations, regional land use orientations meeting the need for land use for socio-economic development, national defence and security assurance, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation;

dd/ Determination of land use norms for the planning period for the groups of agricultural land and non-agricultural land, identifying areas of such land categories as paddy land, special-use forest land, protection forest land, land under production forests being natural forests, land for national defence purpose and land for security purpose;

e/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

2. The Government shall detail this Article.

Article 28. Contents of sectoral master plans

1. An infrastructure sectoral master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural conditions for, and practical development state of, national-level, inter-regional and inter-provincial infrastructure; current state of distribution and use of infrastructure space; analysis and forecasting of domestic and international development trends; analysis and forecasting of development resources;

b/ Determination of socio-economic development requirements for sectors; sectoral development opportunities and challenges;

c/ Development viewpoints, vision and objectives;

d/ Orientations for development of national, interdisciplinary, inter-regional and inter-provincial important infrastructure systems nationwide;

dd/ Orientations for land allocation and use for infrastructure development;

e/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

2. A master plan on use of land for national defence purpose or a master plan on use of land for security purpose must have the following principal contents:

a/ Orientations for use of land for national defence purpose or land for security purpose;

b/ Determination of needs for use of land for national defence purpose or land for security purpose during the land use planning period in conformity with the national overall master plan; national defence and security tasks and national socio-economic development plans;

c/ Phasing for use of land for national defence purpose or land for security purpose for each 5-year plan period;

d/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

3. A water resource, hydraulic work and disaster preparedness master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural conditions and resources; investigation and survey of current state, and evaluation of impacts of water resource exploitation and use; and current state of hydraulic-work and disaster preparedness infrastructure nationwide;

b/ Analysis and evaluation of policies and orientations for socio-economic development relating to the exploitation and use of water resources, and hydraulic-work and disaster preparedness infrastructure;

c/ Forecasting of development trends and scenarios, scientific and technological advances, and socio-economic development’s impacts on the protection, exploitation and use of water resources, and hydraulic-work and disaster preparedness infrastructure during the planning period;

d/ Evaluation of sectoral connectivity and regional connectivity; determination of socio-economic development requirements, opportunities and challenges for the development of hydraulic-work and disaster connectivity infrastructure;

dd/ Viewpoints, vision and objectives of the regulation, distribution, exploitation and use of water resources and the development of hydraulic-work and disaster connectivity infrastructure serving socio-economic development;

e/ Orientations for regulation, distribution, exploitation, use and protection of water resources, and prevention, control and remediation of consequences of water-caused harms;

g/ Orientations for development of hydraulic-work and disaster connectivity infrastructure nationwide and across regions;

h/ Land use orientations for the development of national hydraulic-work and disaster connectivity infrastructure;

i/ Orientations for environmental protection and climate change response;

k/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

4. A master plan on use of other resources must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of socio-economic development policies and orientations and master plans relating to the protection, exploitation and use of natural resources;

b/ Evaluation of impacts of the exploitation and use of natural resources;

c/ Forecasting of impacts of scientific and technological advances and socio-economic development on the protection, exploitation and use of natural resources during the planning period;

d/ Viewpoints, vision and objectives of the protection, exploitation and use of natural resources to serve socio-economic development;

dd/ Identification of areas expected for resource exploitation and use and areas in need of strict protection and management (if any);

e/ Orientations for environmental protection, preparedness and climate change response;

h/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

5. An environmental protection master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Evaluation of the current state of and changes in the quality of the environment, natural landscapes and biodiversity; situation and forecasting of waste generation; impacts of climate change; and environmental management and protection;

b/ Environmental protection viewpoints, vision, objectives, tasks and solutions;

c/ Environmental zoning; nature and biodiversity conservation; waste management; and environmental monitoring and warning;

d/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

6. A biodiversity conservation master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Evaluation of the current state of and changes in biodiversity and biodiversity management and conservation;

b/ Biodiversity conservation viewpoints, vision, objectives, tasks and solutions;

c/ High biodiversity areas; important ecological landscapes; nature reserves; biodiversity corridors; biodiversity conservation facilities; and important wetland areas;

d/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

7. A master plan on the network of hydro-meteorological stations must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural, socio-economic and environmental conditions, and current state of hydro-meteorological monitoring and climate change response activities; demand for hydro-meteorological information and data for socio-economic development, national defence and security, disaster preparedness, and climate change response;

b/ Evaluation of current state of climate change monitoring; spatial and temporal changes in hydro-meteorological factors in need of monitoring; impacts of scientific and technological development; sectoral connectivity and regional connectivity in the development of the national network of hydro-meteorological stations;

c/ Forecasting of development trends and scenarios, climate change scenarios, and impacts of scientific and technological advances and socio-economic development on the national network of hydro-meteorological stations;

d/ Viewpoints, vision, objectives, tasks and solutions for development of the national network of hydro-meteorological stations;

dd/ Orientations for development of the national network of hydro-meteorological stations;

e/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

8. The Government shall detail this Article.

Article 29. Contents of regional master plans

1. Contents of regional master plans must demonstrate development orientations determined in national-level master plans; orientations for development, space arrangement and resource allocation for interdisciplinary and inter-provincial socio-economic, national defence and security activities, urban and rural systems, infrastructure, use of natural resources, and environmental protection.

2. A regional master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural conditions and current state of development of the region; analysis and forecasting of specific resources of the region, and impacts of domestic and international development trends on regional development;

b/ Drawing and selection of development scenarios;

c/ Development viewpoints, vision and objectives;

d/ Key tasks and development breakthroughs during the planning period;

dd/ Orientations for development of the region’s advantageous sectors; orientations for organisation of the region’s socio-economic development space; and orientations for regional and inter-provincial development; 

e/ Orientations for development of urban and rural systems;

g/ Orientations for development of functional zones and other areas;

h/ Orientations for development of technical infrastructure for inter-provincial connection, including the transport network, telecommunications infrastructure, hydraulic structures, water supply system, and other technical infrastructure facilities;

i/ Orientations for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation; exploitation, use and protection of natural resources; disaster preparedness and climate change response in the region;

k/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

3. The Government shall detail Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 30. Contents of provincial master plans

1. Contents of provincial master plans must demonstrate development orientations determined in national-level master plans; development orientations determined in regional master plans; orientations for development, space arrangement and resource allocation for socio-economic development, national defence, security, urban and rural systems, infrastructure, use of natural resources and environmental protection at provincial and inter-communal levels.

2. A provincial master plan must have the following principal contents:

a/ Analysis and evaluation of natural conditions and specific development conditions of the province; analysis and evaluation of socio-economic development, current state of land use and the urban and rural systems; current state of technical infrastructure and social infrastructure, and underground space; current state of the environment, the exploitation, use and protection of natural resources, and biodiversity;

b/ Drawing and selection of development scenarios;

c/ Development viewpoints, vision and objectives;

d/ Key tasks and development breakthroughs during the planning period;

dd/ Orientations for organisation of socio-economic development space; orientations for development of sectors and fields;

e/ Orientations for urban and rural development;

g/ Orientations for development of functional zones; orientations for development of cottage industry zones and concentrated agricultural production areas; orientations for development of mountainous areas, islands, areas inhabited by ethnic minority people, areas with difficult socio-economic conditions, and areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions (if any);

h/ Orientations for development of provincial-level and inter-communal technical infrastructure;

i/ Orientations for development of provincial-level and inter-communal social infrastructure;

k/ Orientations for development of underground space (if any);

l/ Orientations for land use in the province;

m/ Orientations for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation; exploitation, use and protection of natural resources; disaster preparedness and climate change response in the province;

n/ Solutions and resources to be allocated for implementation of the master plan.

3. A provincial master plan formulated for a city must have the following principal contents:

a/ The contents specified in Points a, b, c, d, dd, g, h, i, l, m and n, Clause 1 of this Article.

b/ Orientations for development of urban and rural systems.

4. The Government shall detail Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.

Article 31. Contents of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans

Contents of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with Points dd, e, i, k and l, Clause 3, Article 5, and Article 24, of this Law and relevant regulations.

Chapter III

APPRAISAL, DECISION ON OR APPROVAL OF MASTER PLANS

Section 1

APPRAISAL OF MASTER PLANS

Article 32. Competence to form master plan appraisal councils

1. The Prime Minister may form appraisal councils for national overall master plans, national marine-space master plans, national land-use master plans, and regional master plans.

2. Agencies and persons competent to approve sectoral master plans may form appraisal councils for sectoral master plans.

3. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees may form appraisal councils for provincial master plans.

4. The competence to form appraisal councils for detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

Article 33. Master plan appraisal councils

1. An appraisal council for a national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan shall be composed of the chairperson, vice chairpersons and members. Members of a master plan appraisal council include representatives of related ministries, ministerial-level agencies, localities, agencies and organisations, and experts acting as critical members.

2. The composition of appraisal councils for detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

3. Master plan appraisal councils shall work under the collective regime and appraise master plans based on their assigned tasks.

In case of necessity, master plan appraisal councils may select independent critical consultants. An independent critical consultant must satisfy conditions on professional capacity appropriate for his/her assumed tasks as specified by relevant regulations and the Government’s regulations.

4. The Government shall specify the composition and operation of appraisal councils for national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans.

Article 34. Dossiers submitted for master plan appraisal

1. A dossier submitted for appraisal of a national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan must comprise the following principal documents:

a/ A request for appraisal of the master plan;

b/ A commentary report on the master plan;

c/ A draft document on decision on or approval of the master plan;

d/ A system of master plan diagrams and database;

dd/ A strategic environmental assessment report (if any);

e/ A report summarising, explaining and responding to opinions of agencies, organisations, communities and individuals on the master plan.

2. A master plan appraisal council shall appraise a master plan only after receiving a complete dossier specified in Clause 1 of this Article. In case of necessity, the master plan appraisal council may request the agency submitting the master plan for appraisal to provide additional information or explanation about relevant contents.

3. Dossiers to be submitted for appraisal of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

4. The Government shall specify the format of dossiers to be submitted for master plan appraisal specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 35. Contents of appraisal of master plans

1. For a national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan, contents of master plan appraisal must focus on:

a/ The compliance with the master plan formulation procedures specified in Article 9 of this Law;

b/ The master plan’s consistency with relevant master plans;

c/ The master plan’s compliance with the provisions of Section 2, Chapter II of this Law;

d/ The uniformity and consistency in the resolution of interdisciplinary, inter-regional and inter-provincial issues by the method of master plan integration.

2. For a detailed sectoral master plan or an urban and rural master plan, the appraisal must cover the content specified in Point b, Clause 1 of this Article and those under relevant regulations.

Section 2

DECISION ON OR APPROVAL OF MASTER PLANS

Article 36. Competence to decide on or approve master plans

1. The National Assembly may decide on the national overall master plan, national marine-space master plan and national land-use master plan.

2. The Prime Minister may approve regional master plans.

3. The Government shall provide the competence for approving sectoral master plans.

4. Ministers may approve detailed sectoral master plans, except the master plans specified in Clause 5 of this Article.

5. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees may approve provincial master plans, provincial-level land-use master plans, archaeological master plans, and master plans on preservation, embellishment and restoration of relics of national relics complexes or national relics complexes with provincial-level relics under their management.

6. The competence to approve urban and rural master plans must comply with the law on urban and rural planning.

Article 37. Sequence for decision on or approval of master plans

1. The national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan, sectoral master plans and regional master plans shall be decided or approved after the national overall master plan.

The national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan, sectoral master plans and regional master plans that are formulated and appraised first shall be decided or approved first.

2. Provincial master plans shall be approved after regional master plans.

3. Detailed sectoral master plans shall be approved after the master plans they concretise.

4. Approval of urban and rural master plans:

a/ General master plans or zoning master plans in cases not requiring formulation of general master plans in accordance with the law on urban and rural planning shall be approved after provincial master plans are approved;

b/ The sequence for approval of urban and rural master plans must comply with the law on urban and rural planning, except the case specified in Point a of this Clause.

 5. In case of implementation of a special public investment project, an urgent public investment project in accordance with the law on public investment, or another project as directed by the Political Bureau or the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, or the Government’s Party Committee, the project-related master plan may be approved before relevant master plans.

Article 38. Dossiers submitted for master plan decision or approval

1. A dossier to be submitted for decision on or approval of a national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan must comprise:

a/ A request for master plan decision or approval;

b/ A commentary report on the master plan;

c/ A draft document on decision on or approval of the master plan;

d/ A system of master plan diagrams and database;

dd/ A report summarising, explaining and responding to opinions of agencies, organisations, communities and individuals on the master plan.

e/ A strategic environmental assessment report (if any);

g/ A report appraising the master plan;

h/ A report on explanation of and response to appraisal opinions.

2. Dossiers to be submitted for approval of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

3. The Government shall specify the format of dossiers to be submitted for decision on or approval of master plans specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 39. Order and procedures for deciding on the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan or the national land-use master plan

1. At least 60 days before the opening date of a National Assembly session, the Government shall send a dossier to be submitted for decision on the master plan to the National Assembly’s agency for verification.

2. The verifying agency may request the Government and related agencies, organisations and individuals to report on issues relating to contents of the master plan. The requested agencies, organisations and individuals shall provide sufficient information and documents serving the verification.

3. Verification contents must focus on:

a/ The conformity of the master plan’s contents with the Party’s policies and guidelines; constitutionality and legality of the master plan; consistency in the system of master plans; the master plan’s compatibility with relevant treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party;

b/ The master plan’s compliance with Articles 24, 25, 26 and 27 of this Law;

c/ The feasibility of the master plan and satisfaction of conditions on human resources and finance for implementation of the master plan.

4. The National Assembly shall consider and adopt a resolution on the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan or the national land-use master plan.

Article 40. Contents of decision on or approval of master plans

1. Decision on or approval of a national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan must include the principal contents specified in Points c, d, dd, e, g, h, i, k, l, m and n, Clause 1, Article 25; Points d, dd and e, Clause 1, Article 26; Points c, d, dd and e, Clause 1, Article 27; Points c, d, dd and e, Clause 1; Clause 2; Points dd, e, g, h, i and k, Clause 3; Point d, dd, e and g, Clause 4; Points b, c and d, Clause 5; Points b, c and d, Clause 6; and Points d, dd and e, Clause 7, Article 28; Points c, d, dd, e, g, h, i and k, Clause 2, Article 29; and Points c, d, dd, e, g, h, i, k, l, m and n, Clause 2, Article 30.

2. Contents of approval of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

Chapter IV

ANNOUNCEMENT OF, PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF, MASTER PLANS

Section 3

ANNOUNCEMENT OF, AND PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON, MASTER PLANS

Article 41. Requirements for announcement and publicisation of master plans

1. Master plans shall be announced and publicised after they are decided or approved by competent agencies and persons, except contents classified as state secrets in accordance with the law on protection of state secrets.

2. The announcement and publicisation of master plans must adhere to the following principles:

a/ Timeliness, adequacy, convenience, and accessibility for organisations and individuals;

b/ Authenticity, integrity, and cybersecurity;

c/ Synchrony with the national information system on master plans.

3. The Government shall specify time limits for announcement and publicisation of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans.

Time limits for announcement and publicisation of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

Article 42. Responsibility to announce and publicise master plans

1. Master plan-formulating agencies shall announce and publicise the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan.

2. Master plan formulation-organising agencies shall announce and publicise sectoral master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans.

3. The responsibility to announce and publicise detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

Article 43. Forms of announcement and publicisation of master plans

1. Announcement and publicisation of documents on decision on or approval of master plans, systems of planning maps and diagrams on the national information system on master plans, and websites of master plan formulation-organising agencies or master plan-formulating agencies, except contents classified as state secrets in accordance with the law on protection of state secrets.

2. Display of planning maps and diagrams at master plan formulation-organising agencies or master plan-formulating agencies or public places in planned areas.

3. Updating of the database on master plans on the national information system on master plans.

4. Organisation of conferences and seminars to announce master plans (if any).

5. Distribution of publications (if any).

6. Other forms convenient for people to access planning information.

7. Detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans shall be announced and publicised in the forms specified in this Article and relevant regulations.

Article 44. The national information system on master plans

1. The national information system on master plans shall be established and operated uniformly nationwide to serve the state management of planning activities on the basis of application of modern technologies toward the objective of developing the uniform and effective national digital space based on digital data and technology.

2. The national information system on master plans consists of the following basic components:

a/ Information technology infrastructure;

b/ Software;

c/ The national database on master plans.

3. The provision, exchange, exploitation and use of information and data on master plans on the national information system on master plans must comply with the law on access to information, the law on protection of state secrets, and other relevant laws.

4. Responsibility to establish the national information system on master plans:

a/ The Prime Minister shall direct and coordinate the establishment of the national information system on master plans;

b/ The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, and People’s Committees at all levels in, organising the establishment, management, operation and exploitation of the national information system on master plans; integrating the databases on master plans; developing applications for analysing, forecasting and providing decision support based on digital data and technology to serve the state management of planning activities;

c/ The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall provide a standardised and regularly updated national topographic database to create framework data for the national information system on master plans;

d/ The ministries, ministerial-level agencies and People’s Committees at all levels shall create, manage and provide databases on master plans and relevant information and data under their management for being updated to the national information system on master plans; make connection and share information and data between information systems under their management (if any) and the national information system on master plans; develop applications for analysing, forecasting and providing decision support based on digital data and technology to serve the state management of planning activities under their management.

5. Organisations and individuals are encouraged to invest in, research, develop and apply science, high technologies and new technologies in the planning field.

6. The Government shall specify the establishment, management, operation and exploitation of the national information system on master plans.

Article 45. The national database on master plans

1. Components of the national database on master plans include:

a/ The database on national-level master plans, regional master plans, provincial master plans, detailed sectoral master plans, and urban and rural master plans;

b/ Other databases related to master plans.

2. The Government shall specify the establishment, management, updating, maintenance, exploitation and use of the national database on master plans.

Article 46. Provision of planning information to agencies, organisations and individuals

1. Information on decided or approved master plans shall be fully, promptly and accurately publicised and provided to agencies, organisations and individuals upon their request in accordance with this Law, the law on access to information, and the law on practice of democracy at the grassroots level, except contents classified as state secrets as specified by the law on protection of state secrets.

2. Responsibility to provide information and data on master plans:

a/ Agencies formulating the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan shall provide information and data on such master plans;

b/ Master plan formulation-organising agencies shall provide information and data on sectoral master plans and regional master plans under their management;

c/ Provincial-level People’s Committees shall provide information and data on provincial master plans;

d/ The responsibility to provide information and data on detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

3. Forms of provision of information and data on master plans:

a/ Provision of information and data in written form upon request of agencies, organisations and individuals;

b/ Provision of information and data via the national information system on master plans;

c/ Provision of information and data via websites and information systems of master plan formulation-organising agencies (if any);

d/ Other forms as specified by law.

4. The Minister of Finance shall guide the provision of information and data on master plans via the national information system on master plans.

Section 2

IMPLEMENTATION OF MASTER PLANS 

Article 47. Responsibility to organise the implementation of master plans

1. The Government shall organise the implementation of the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan; and organise the implementation of programmes and projects to implement the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan.

2. The Prime Minister shall organise the implementation of regional master plans; and organise the implementation of programmes and projects to implement regional master plans.

3. Ministers and Chairpersons of People’s Committees at all levels shall organise the implementation of relevant master plans under their management; and organise the implementation of programmes and projects to implement master plans under their management.

Article 48. Evaluation of conformity of projects with master plans in accepting or approving investment policy or deciding on investment

1. Master plans used as a basis for evaluation of conformity of projects in accepting or approving investment policy in accordance with the law on public investment, the law on investment, the law on investment in the form of public-private partnership, and other relevant laws must adhere to the following principles:

a/ The acceptance or approval of investment policy of projects is based on one of the master plans in the planning system to evaluate the conformity of such projects with relevant master plans;

b/ For investment projects on construction, repair, embellishment, improvement, upgrading, renovation or expansion of existing works or construction of new works in replacement of existing works with unchanged objectives, locations and scales, the evaluation of conformity of such projects with master plans is not required.

2. Master plans used as a basis for evaluation of conformity of projects upon investment decision in accordance with the law on public investment and the law on investment in the form of public-private partnership include the master plans specified in Clause 1 of this Article, relevant urban and rural master plans or detailed sectoral master plans.

After investment in projects is decided, relevant master plans that have contents contradictory to the investment decision shall be promptly reviewed and adjusted according to the fast-track procedures specified in Article 54 of this Law.

3. For special public investment projects and urgent public investment projects specified by the law on public investment, and other projects as directed by the Political Bureau or the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, or the Government’s Party Committee, agencies and persons competent to decide on investment in such projects may make investment decision at variance with relevant master plans, while ensuring satisfaction of national development requirements.

After investment in projects is decided, relevant master plans shall be promptly reviewed and adjusted according to the fast-track procedures specified in Article 54 of this Law.

4. The accuracy of planning diagrams and planning maps upon the evaluation of conformity of expected locations of projects with master plans shall be determined under Clause 2, Article 8 of this Law.

5. The Government shall detail this Article.

Chapter V

EVALUATION AND ADJUSTMENT OF MASTER PLANS

Article 49. Evaluation of the implementation of master plans

1. The implementation of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans shall be evaluated once every 5 years, on an extraordinary basis, or upon the occurrence of the need for adjustment of such master plans.

2. The evaluation of the implementation of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

3. Responsibility to evaluate the implementation of master plans:

a/ Agencies formulating the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan shall evaluate the implementation of such master plans;

b/ Agencies organising the formulation of sectoral master plans and regional master plans shall evaluate the implementation of such master plans under their management;

c/ Provincial master plan formulation-organising agencies shall evaluate the implementation of provincial master plans;

d/ The responsibility to evaluate the implementation of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

4. Contents of the evaluation of the implementation of master plans shall be presented in reports, which must have the following principal contents:

a/ Summarisation, analysis and evaluation of the situation and results of the implementation of master plans; evaluation of achievements against objectives and targets set out in master plans;

b/ Identification of factors and causes affecting the situation and results of the implementation of master plans; proposal of solutions to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of master plans; and recommendations on adjustment of master plans (if any).

5. Agencies evaluating the implementation of master plans shall publish reports on evaluation of the implementation of master plans on the national information system on master plans.

6. The Government shall specify contents of evaluation of the implementation of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans.

Article 50. Competence to adjust master plans

1. Agencies and persons competent to decide on or approve master plans may decide on or approve the adjustment of such master plans, except the case specified in Point c, Clause 3, Article 54 of this Law.

2. Agencies competent to organise the formulation of master plans shall organise the adjustment of such master plans.

Article 51. Principles of adjustment of master plans

1. The adjustment of master plans shall be carried out on the basis of evaluation of the implementation of such master plans under Article 49 of this Law or under Clause 1, Article 52 of this Law.

2. Master plans may be adjusted simultaneously and decided and approved in the sequence specified in Article 37 of this Law.

3. The adjustment of master plans must comply with the provisions on relationship between master plans of Clause 3, Article 5 and contents of master plans provided in Section II, Chapter II of this Law.

4. The announcement and publicisation of the adjustment of master plans must comply with Articles 41, 42 and 43 of this Law.

5. The adjustment of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must adhere to the principles specified in this Law and other relevant laws.

Article 52. Grounds for adjustment of master plans

1. A national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan shall be adjusted when:

a/ Objectives of socio-economic development strategies or strategies for development of sectors or fields are adjusted, leading to a change in the master plan’s objectives;

b/ Administrative boundaries are changed or adjusted, affecting the nature or scale of the master plan’s territorial space;

c/ Disasters, climate change or wars change objectives, orientations and the organisation of territorial space of the master plan;

d/ Abnormal developments in the socio-economic situation limit resources for implementation of the master plan;

dd/ The development of science and technology substantially changes the implementation of the master plan;

e/ For the assurance of national defence, security and external relations.

2. Grounds for adjustment of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with this Law and other relevant laws.

Article 53. Order and procedures for adjustment of master plans

1. Order and procedures for approving the policy on adjustment of national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans:

a/ Agencies formulating the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan shall evaluate the implementation of such master plans under Article 49 of this Law, and report on the master plan adjustment policy to the Government for consideration and approval;

b/ Agencies organising the formulation of regional master plans shall evaluate the implementation of such master plans under Article 49 of this Law, and report on the master plan adjustment policy to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval;

c/ Agencies organising the formulation of sectoral master plans shall evaluate the implementation of such master plans under Article 49 of this Law, consider and approve the policy on adjustment of sectoral master plans according to their competence or propose agencies competent to approve sectoral master plans to consider and approve the master plan adjustment policy;

d/ Agencies formulating provincial master plans shall evaluate the implementation of such master plans under Article 49 of this Law and report on the master plan adjustment policy to provincial-level People’s Committees for consideration and approval.

2. Order and procedures for formulation, appraisal, decision on or approval of, announcement of the adjustment of a national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan:

a/ The master plan formulation-organising agency or the master plan-formulating agency shall submit the master plan adjustment policy to the competent agency for consideration and approval under Clause 1 of this Article;

b/ After having the master plan adjustment policy approved by the competent authority, the master plan formulation-organising agency shall formulate, appraise, decide on or approve, and announce the adjustment of the master plan under Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 6, Article 9 of this Law;

c/ The chairperson of the appraisal council shall decide to organise the appraisal of the adjustment of the master plan by holding a meeting of the appraisal council or collect appraisal opinions in written form;

d/ Contents of the appraisal of the adjustment of national-level master plans, regional master plans or provincial master plans must comply with Article 35 of this Law;

dd/ The dossier to be submitted for appraisal of the adjustment of a national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan must comply with Article 34 of this Law;

e/ The dossier to be submitted for decision on or approval of the adjustment of a master plan must comply with Article 38 of this Law.

3. The order and procedures for formulation, appraisal, approval, and announcement of the adjustment of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans must comply with relevant regulations.

Article 54. Adjustment of master plans according to fast-track procedures

1. A national-level master plan, regional master plan or provincial master plan shall be adjusted according to fast-track procedures when one of the following grounds exists:

a/ The implementation of directions of the Political Bureau or the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee or the Government’s Party Committee; resolutions of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Standing Committee or the Government on assurance of national defence and security or arrangement of administrative units, or national important projects leads to a change in one or more of the contents of the master plan;

b/ There is an extraordinary or urgent requirement for the reason of national defence, security, national interest, or disaster, epidemic or fire/explosion prevention and control, leading to a change in one or more of the contents of the master plan;

c/ The master plan has contradictory contents as specified in Article 6 of this Law;

d/ The adjustment aims to make the master plan conformable with the project investment decision under Clause 3, Article 48 of this Law;

dd/ The adjustment of a number of techno-economic norms or requirements of works or functional zones or development zones is determined in orientations for development of the infrastructure sector, use of natural resources, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, or development zones in the master plan without changing development objectives of the master plan;

e/ The adjustment of boundaries of areas planned for mineral survey, exploration and exploitation under the management by a provincial-level People’s Committee in a provincial master plan is made to make such master plan conform to its practical implementation without changing its development objectives and norms.

2. Master plan formulation-organising agencies or master plan-formulating agencies shall evaluate the implementation of master plans under Article 49 of this Law, and prepare dossiers for adjustment of master plans and send them to related agencies for opinion; and receive and respond to such opinions for completion of such dossiers for submission to agencies or persons competent to decide on or approve the adjustment of master plans.

3. Competence to approve the adjustment of master plans according to fast-track procedures:

a/ The National Assembly may decide on the adjustment of the national overall master plan, the national marine-space master plan and the national land-use master plan;

b/ The Prime Minister may approve the adjustment of regional master plans;

c/ Ministers assigned to organise the formulation of sectoral master plans may approve the adjustment of sectoral master plans; and shall report on master plan adjustment results to the Prime Minister;

d/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees may approve the adjustment of provincial-level master plans.

4. The adjustment of detailed sectoral master plans and urban and rural master plans according to fast-track procedures (if any) must comply with relevant regulations.

5. The Government shall detail Clause 2 of this Article; and specify dossiers for adjustment of master plans according to fast-track procedures.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 55. To amend, supplement or annul a number of articles and clauses of the planning-related laws

1. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Railway Law No. 95/2025/QH15 as follows:

a/ To replace the phrase “traffic network master plan” in Clause 1, Article 9 with the phrase “master plan on the railway network”;

b/ To replace the phrase “under plans on implementation of approved master plans” in Clause 4, Article 14 with the phrase “in line with approved master plans”;

c/ To replace the phrase “national sectoral master plan” in Point a, Clause 1, Article 19 with the phrase “sectoral master plan”;

d/ To replace the phrase “specialised and technical master plan” in Point a, Clause 2, Article 19 with the phrase “detailed sectoral master plan”;

dd/ To replace the phrase “specialised or technical railway master plan” in Clause 1, Article 37 with the phrase “master plan on railway lines and stations”.

2. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Law No. 23/2004/QH11 on Inland Waterway Navigation, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 48/2014/QH13, Law No. 97/2015/QH13, Law No. 35/2018/QH14, Law No. 44/2019/QH14, and Law No. 84/2025/QH15, as follows:

a/ To replace the phrase “master plan on inland waterway infrastructure” in Clause 1, Article 3; Clause 3, Article 4; Clause 3, Article 13; and Clause 2, Article 100 with the phrase “overall master plan on inland waterway infrastructure, detailed master plan on inland waterway infrastructure”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 1, Article 10 as follows:

“1. The overall master plan on inland waterway infrastructure is a sectoral master plan.”;

c/ To replace the phrase “master plan on inland waterway infrastructure” and the phrase “master plan on water resources, master plan on disaster preparedness and hydraulic work” in Clause 2, Article 10 with the phrase “overall master plan on inland waterway infrastructure” and the phrase “master plan on water resources, hydraulic work, and disaster preparedness”, respectively;

d/ To amend and supplement Clause 3, Article 10 as follows:

“3. The Ministry of Construction shall organise the formulation of the overall master plan on inland waterway infrastructure in accordance with the planning law.”;

 dd/ To replace the phrase “plans on development of inland waterway infrastructure” in Clause 4, Article 10 and Clause 2, Article 100 with the phrase “orientations for development of inland waterway infrastructure”;

e/ To add Article 10a below Article 10 as follows:

“Article 10a. Detailed master plan on inland waterway infrastructure

1. The detailed master plan on inland waterway infrastructure is a detailed sectoral master plan that concretises the overall master plan on inland waterway infrastructure.

2. The Ministry of Construction shall organise the formulation and approval of the detailed master plan on inland waterway infrastructure.

3. The Government shall provide in detail contents, the formulation, appraisal, approval and announcement of, provision of information on, and evaluation, implementation and adjustment of, the detailed master plan on inland waterway infrastructure.”;

g/ To replace the phrase “master plan on dykes and hydraulic structures” in Clause 5, Article 99 with the phrase “the master plan on water resources, hydraulic work and disaster preparedness”;

h/ To replace the phrase “master plan on development of river basins” in Clause 6, Article 99 with the phrase “overall master plan on water resources and hydraulic-work infrastructure of inter-provincial river basins”.

3. To replace the phrase “national sectoral master plan” in Clause 2, Article 6 of Law No. 50/2010/QH12 on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 28/2018/QH14 and Law No. 77/2025/QH15, with the phrase “sectoral master plan”.

4. To replace the phrase “master plan on the network of higher education and teacher training institutions” in Clause 3, Article 8 of Law No. 30/2013/QH13 on National Defence and Security Education, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 35/2018/QH14 and Law No. 98/2025/QH15, with the phrase “master plan on the network of public higher education and vocational education institutions”.

5. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Law No. 24/2023/QH15 on Telecommunications, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 47/2024/QH15, as follows:

a/ To replace the phrase “master plan on passive telecommunications technical infrastructure” in Point b, Clause 4, Article 13; Clause 1, Article 64; Clause 1, Article 65; and Point a, Clause 2, Article 67 with the phrase “orientations for development of passive telecommunications technical infrastructure in provincial master plans”;

b/ To replace the phrase “master plan on telecommunications number storage” in Clause 2, Article 25 with the phrase “master plan on telecommunications number storage and Internet resources”;

c/ To replace the phrase “master plan on telecommunications number storage and the master plan on Internet resources” in Clause 3, Article 34; Article 49; Point a, Clause 1, Article 50; and Point b, Clause 2, Article 53, with the phrase “master plan on telecommunications number storage and Internet resources”;

d/ To amend and supplement Article 63 as follows:

“Article 63. Orientations for development of passive telecommunications technical infrastructure in provincial master plans

1. Orientations for development of passive telecommunications technical infrastructure in a provincial master plan must conform to the master plan on information and communications infrastructure.

2. Master plans as specified by the law on urban and rural planning for urban areas, residential areas, functional areas and cottage industry zones must ensure consistency and uniformity with orientations for development of passive telecommunications technical infrastructure in provincial master plans so as to facilitate the establishment of telecommunications infrastructure and provision and use of telecommunications services.”;

dd/ To annul Article 8.

6. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Law No. 49/2010/QH12 on Post as follows:

a/ To replace the phrase “master plans on development of the public postal network” in Clause 2, Article 34 with the phrase “provincial master plans”;

b/ To annul Clause 11, Article 44.

7. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Publication Law No. 19/2012/QH13, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 35/2018/QH14, as follows:

a/ To remove the phrase “formulating contents of publishing establishment development plans in the master plan on development of the press, radio, television, e-information and publishing establishment network, regional master plans and provincial master plans in accordance with the planning law;” in Point a, Clause 1, Article 6;

b/ To remove the phrase “publishing establishment development plans in the master plan on development of the press, radio, television, e-information and publishing establishment network, regional master plans and provincial master plans;” in Clause 1, Article 7;

c/ To annul Point d, Clause 1, Article 32.

8. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Law No. 94/2025/QH15 on Atomic Energy as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement the title of Article 10 as follows:

“Article 10. Strategy for atomic energy development and application for peaceful purposes”;

b/ To replace the phrase “master plan on atomic energy development and application” in Clause 4, Article 23 with the phrase “master plan on the national environmental radiation monitoring and warning network”;

c/ To amend and supplement Clause 5, Article 23 as follows:

“5. The Government shall detail Clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Article; and specify the formulation, appraisal, approval, announcement, implementation, adjustment and contents of the master plan on the national environmental radiation monitoring and warning network.”;

d/ To annul Clause 2, Article 10; to remove the phrase “master plan on atomic energy development and application” in Clauses 4 and 5, Article 36;

dd/ To replace the phrase “technical and specialised master plan” in Point a, Clause 3, Article 43 with the phrase “detailed sectoral master plan”.

9. To replace the phrase “master plan on the system of medical examination and treatment establishments” in Point c, Clause 1, Article 5 of Law No. 15/2023/QH15 on Medical Examination and Treatment with the phrase “master plan on the network of public healthcare facilities”.

10. To remove the phrase “approve a master plan on the system of state-owned testing establishments,” in Clause 5, Article 104 of Law No. 105/2016/QH13 on Pharmacy, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 28/2018/QH14 and Law No. 44/2024/QH15.

11. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Law No. 51/2010/QH12 on Persons with Disabilities, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 32/2013/QH13, as follows:

a/ To replace the phrase “To plan and manage” in Point m, Clause 1, Article 50 with the phrase “To manage”;

b/ To annul Point c, Clause 3, Article 50.

12. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Law No. 45/2024/QH15 on Cultural Heritage, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 84/2025/QH15, as follows:

a/ To replace the phrase “technical and specialised master plan” in Clause 1, Article 34 and Clause 1, Article 37 with the phrase “detailed sectoral master plan”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4, Article 34 as follows:

“4. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall organise the appraisal, approval and adjustment of master plans on preservation, restoration and revitalisation of world heritage sites and special national relics at the proposal of chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, ministers, or heads of central sectors, agencies and organisations assigned to directly manage the relics.”.

13. To annul Point i, Clause 1, Article 29 of Law No. 39/2009/QH12 on the Elderly, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 41/2024/QH15.

14. To amend and supplement a number of articles of Vietnam Maritime Code No. 95/2015/QH13, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 35/2018/QH14, Law No. 16/2023/QH15, and Law No. 81/2025/QH15, as follows:

a/ To replace the phrase “overall master plan on development of the seaport system, detailed master plan on seaport groups, wharves, piers, buoy berths and water zones and areas, detailed master plan on development of seaport land areas and waters” in Clause 2, Article 7; Clause 12, Article 12; Clause 1, Article 83; Clause 3, Article 88; Clause 1, Article 92; and Point dd, Clause 1, Article 126 with the phrase “overall master plan on maritime infrastructure, detailed master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

b/ To amend and supplement the title of Article 81 as follows:

“Article 81. Overall master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

c/ To amend and supplement Clauses 1 and 2, Article 81 as follows:

“1. The overall master plan on maritime infrastructure is a sectoral master plan.

2. The formulation of the overall master plan on maritime infrastructure must comply with the planning law and be based on national defence and security tasks, demand and resources, and the world maritime development trend.”;

d/ To replace the phrase “overall master plan on development of the seaport system” in the title of Article 82, and Clauses 1 and 2, Article 82 with the phrase “overall master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

dd/ To amend and supplement the title of Article 82a as follows:

“Article 82a. Detailed master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

e/ To amend and supplement Clause 1, Article 82a as follows:

“1. The detailed master plan on maritime infrastructure is a detailed sectoral master plan that concretises the overall master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

g/ To replace the phrase “A detailed master plan on development of seaport land areas and waters” in the opening paragraph of Clause 3, Article 82a with the phrase “A detailed master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

h/ To amend and supplement Clause 4, Article 82a as follows:

“4. The Minister of Transport shall approve detailed master plans on maritime infrastructure.”;

i/ To replace the phrase “detailed master plan on seaport groups, wharves, piers, buoy berths and water zones and areas, detailed master plan on development of seaport land areas and waters” in Clauses 5 and 6, Article 82a with the phrase “detailed master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

k/ To annul Clause 2, Article 82a;

l/ To replace the phrase “detailed master plan on development of seaport land areas and waters” in Clause 2, Article 88 with the phrase “detailed master plan on maritime infrastructure”;

m/ To replace the phrase “technical and specialised master plan” in Clause 1, Article 102 with the phrase “detailed sectoral master plan”;

n/ To amend and supplement Clause 3, Article 102 as follows:

“3. The Ministry of Transport shall organise the formulation and approval of the master plan on development of the inland clearance depot system.”.

Article 56. Adjustment of the national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan, national sectoral master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans for the 2021-2030 period

1. Principles of adjusting master plans:

a/ Master plans and adjustments to master plans that are currently formulated in accordance with Clause 2, Article 58 of this Law must comply with this Article;

b/ Master plans may be adjusted simultaneously. Adjustments to master plans that are appraised first shall be approved first;

c/ For adjustment of master plans, it is not required to formulate master plan adjustment tasks or conduct strategic environmental assessment.

2. Procedures for formulation, appraisal and approval of adjustments to the national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan or a regional master plan:

a/ The agency organising the adjustment of the master plan shall decide on the contents of the master plan that need to be adjusted; direct the agency assigned to adjust the master plan to make cost estimates for the adjustment of the master plan based on to-be-adjusted contents; and organise the appraisal and approval of the cost estimates in accordance with law;

b/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall formulate to-be-adjusted contents of the master plan and report them to the agency organising the adjustment of the master plan for opinion.

In case of adjustment of the national marine-space master plan or the national land-use plan, it is required to consult the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, related ministries and provincial-level People’s Committees. In case of adjustment of a regional master plan, it is required to consult the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, ministries, and provincial-level People’s Committees in the region;

c/ Consulted agencies shall reply in writing within 15 working days after receiving a consultation dossier;

d/ The agency organising the adjustment of the master plan shall assimilate, and give its response to, contributed opinions and finalise the adjustments to the master plan for submission to the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council;

dd/ The agency organising the adjustment of the master plan shall finalise the adjustments to the master plan based on appraisal opinions of the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council and submit them to the agency competent to approve the adjustments to the master plan for consideration and approval;

e/ The agency organising the adjustment of the master plan shall organise the announcement of the adjustments to the master plan in accordance with the planning law before the effective date of this Law.

3. Procedures for the formulation, appraisal and approval of adjustments to a national sectoral master plan:

a/ The agency organising the adjustment of the master plan shall decide on contents of the master plan that need to be adjusted; direct the agency assigned to adjust the master plan to make cost estimates for the adjustment of the master plan based on to-be-adjusted contents; and organise the appraisal and approval of the cost estimates in accordance with law;

b/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall formulate to-be-adjusted contents, report them to the agency organising the adjustment of the master plan for the latter to send them to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, ministries, and provincial-level People’s Committees for opinion.

c/ Consulted agencies shall reply in writing within 15 working days after receiving a consultation dossier;

d/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall assimilate, and give its response to, contributed opinions and finalise the adjustments to the master plans;

dd/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall review the adjustments and report them to the agency organising the adjustment of the master plan for submission to the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council;

e/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall finalise the adjustments to the master plan based on appraisal opinions of the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council, report them to the agencies organising the adjustment of the master plan, and submit them to the person competent to approve the adjustments to the master plan for consideration and approval;

g/ The agency organising the adjustment of the master plan shall organise the announcement of the adjustments to the master plan in accordance with the planning law before the effective date of this Law.

4. Procedures for formulation, appraisal and approval of adjustments to a provincial master plan:

a/ The agency organising the adjustment of the master plan shall decide on the contents of the master plan that need to be adjusted; direct the agency assigned to adjust the master plan to make cost estimates for the adjustment of the master plan based on to-be-adjusted contents; and organise the appraisal and approval of the cost estimates in accordance with law;

b/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall formulate to-be-adjusted contents, report them to the agency organising the adjustment of the master plan, and submit them to ministries, provincial-level People’s Committees of adjacent localities, the provincial-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, commune-level People’s Committees, and related agencies and organisations for opinion;

c/ Consulted agencies and organisations shall reply in writing within 15 working days after receiving a consultation dossier;

d/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall assimilate, and give its response to, contributed opinions, finalise the adjustments to the master plan, and submit them to the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council;

dd/ The agency assigned to adjust the master plan shall finalise the adjustments to the master plan based on appraisal opinions of the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council, and submit them to the provincial-level People’s Committee;

e/ The provincial-level People’s Committee shall submit the adjustments to the master plan to the provincial-level People’s Council for consideration and approval before the adjustments are approved by the chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee; and organise the announcement of the master plan in accordance with the planning law before the effective date of this Law.

5. Competence to organise the adjustment of master plans:

a/ Ministries shall organise the adjustment of the national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan, national sectoral master plans, and regional master plans under their management;

b/ Provincial-level People’s Committees shall organise the adjustment of provincial master plans.

6. Adjustments to master plans:

a/ Adjustments to the national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan, national sectoral master plans, and regional master plans must comply with  planning-related regulations that are in effect before this Law takes effect, except the provisions in Point n, Clause 2, Article 22; Point i, Clause 2, Article 23; Point g, Clause 3; Point d, Clause 5; Point d, Clause 6, Article 25; and Point g, Clause 2, Article 26, of Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH15, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 03/2022/QH15, Law No. 05/2022/QH15, Law No. 08/2022/QH15, Law No. 09/2022/QH15, Law No. 15/2023/QH15, Law No. 16/2023/QH15, Law No. 20/2023/QH15, Law No. 26/2023/QH15, Law No. 27/2023/QH15, Law No. 28/2023/QH15, Law No. 31/2024/QH15, Law No. 33/2024/QH15, Law No. 35/2024/QH15, Law No. 38/2024/QH15, Law No. 43/2024/QH15 and Law No. 57/2024/QH15 (below referred to as Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH15), and relevant regulations;

b/ Adjustments to provincial master plans must comply with planning-related regulations that are in effect before this Law takes effect, except the provisions in Point o, Clause 2, Article 27 of Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH15, and relevant regulations.

The determination of land-use norms in land allocation and zoning plans in adjustments to provincial master plans for the 2021-2030 period must comply with the land law.

7. Collection of opinions about the adjustments to master plans:

a/ A dossier of master plan adjustment to be sent for opinion must comprise a report on master plan adjustment, a system of diagrams, maps and databases on the adjustment of the master plan;

b/ The collection of opinions shall be carried out in the form of sending written dossiers and documents for opinion, posting on portals of agencies organising the formulation of master plans or of master plan-formulating agencies, the planning information system and database, except contents classified as state secrets in accordance with the law on protection of state secrets;

c/ Agencies organising the formulation of master plans shall make public contributed opinions as well as their responses to these opinions on their portals, the planning information system and database, except contents classified as state secrets in accordance with the law on protection of state secrets;

8. A dossier to be submitted for appraisal of the adjustments to a master plan must comprise the following principal documents:

a/ A report;

b/ A report on the adjustment of the master plan;

c/ A draft document on approval of the master plan;

d/ A report on summarisation of opinions of agencies and organisations on the adjustments to the master plan; copies of written opinions of agencies and organisations; a report on assimilation of and responses to, opinions on the adjustments to the master plan;

dd/ A system of diagrams, maps and database on the adjustment of the master plan.

9. Competence to establish Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Councils:

a/ For national land-use master plan and regional master plans, the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council shall be established by the Prime Minister;

b/ For national sectoral master plans, the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council shall be established by ministers;

c/ For provincial master plans, the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Councils shall be established by Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees.

10. The composition of a Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council is as follows:

a/ For the national marine-space master plan, the national land-use master plan or a regional master plan, the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council shall be composed of a chairperson and members. The chairperson of the council is the Prime Minister or a Deputy Prime Minister; members of the council include representatives of ministries, ministerial-level agencies and leaderships of a number of provinces and cities, and experts acting as panel reviewers;

b/ For a national sectoral master plan, the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council shall be composed of a chairperson and members. The chairperson of the council is a leader of the agency organising the formulation of the national sectoral master plan; members of the council include representatives of ministries, ministerial-level agencies and leaderships of a number of provinces and cities, and experts acting as panel reviewers;

c/ For a provincial master plan, the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council shall be composed of a chairperson and members. The chairperson of the council is a leader of the provincial-level People’s Committee; members of the council include representatives of ministries, ministerial-level agencies and leaderships of specialised agencies of the provincial-level People’s Committee, and experts acting as panel reviewers;

d/ The standing body of the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council shall be decided by the chairperson of the council.

11. Operational and decision-making mechanism of a Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council:

a/ The council shall operate on a collective basis and take responsibility for appraising the adjustments to the master plan in accordance with its assigned tasks;

b/ An appraisal meeting shall be held when at least 3/4 (three-quarters) of total members of the appraisal council are present, including the chairperson of the council, 2/3 (two-thirds) of the panel reviewers, and representative of the standing body of the council; representatives of the agency assigned to adjust the master plan and representatives of the master plan adjustment consultancy organisation;

c/ The appraisal council shall vote and make assessments based on majority for approval of the dossier submitted for appraisal of the adjustments to the master plan. The dossier shall be approved when at least 3/4 (three-quarters) of total members of the council vote for and assess in favour of approval without revision or supplementation or approval with revision or supplementation. The dossier shall be approved without revision or supplementation only when all the members of the appraisal council vote in favour of approval without revision or supplementation.

12. Responsibilities and powers of the chairperson of a Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council:

a/ To decide on the organisation of the appraisal of the adjustments to the master plan in the form of meetings of the council or by soliciting appraisal opinions in writing;

b/ To perform other responsibilities and exercise other powers in accordance with planning-related regulations that are in effect before this Law takes effect.

13. Responsibilities and powers of members of a Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal council:

a/ To give written appraisal opinions, clearly stating whether or not the master plan adjustment dossier meets the conditions for submission for approval;

b/ Appraisal council members who are representatives of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, specialised agencies of provincial-level People’s Committees, and related agencies shall take responsibility for appraisal opinions within the scope of state management of the sectors and fields under their management;

c/ Appraisal council members that are unable to attend a meeting of the appraisal council shall submit their written appraisal opinions to the standing body of the appraisal council within the specified time limit. Past the time limit for submission of written opinions, if no opinions are given, it shall be deemed that members agree with the master plan adjustment dossier.

14. Responsibilities and powers of the standing body of a Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal council:

a/ To formulate and submit to the chairperson of the appraisal council for approval a plan on appraisal of the adjustments to the master plan or a plan on re-appraisal of the adjustments to the master plan in case the adjustments have not yet met the conditions for submission for approval as concluded by the appraisal council;

b/ To summarise opinions and evaluations of the appraisal council members; to make a draft appraisal report on the adjustment of the master plan and send it to the appraisal council members for opinion; to solicit opinions of the appraisal council members on approval of the draft master plan appraisal report; to make appraisal council meeting records; to finalise a master plan appraisal report for submission to the chairperson of the appraisal council for consideration and issuance;

c/ To prepare necessary conditions for the appraisal council to carry out the appraisal in accordance with regulations.

15. Panel reviewers of a Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council:

a/ An appraisal council must have at least 3 panel reviewers in charge of reviewing the master plan; and at least 1 panel reviewer in charge of reviewing master plan diagrams, maps and databases;

b/ Panel reviewers must meet the professional capacity and experience conditions specified by planning-related regulations that are in effect before this Law takes effect;

c/ The panel reviewer in charge of reviewing master plan diagrams, maps and databases must possess a university or higher degree and has been engaged in survey and mapping activities or in formulating master plan diagrams, maps or databases for at least 5 consecutive years;

d/ Panel reviewers of the appraisal council shall perform the responsibilities and exercise the powers specified in Points a and c, Clause 13 of this Article.

16. The appraisal of the adjustments to a master plan must focus on:

a/ The compliance with the procedures for adjustment of master plans specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article;

b/ The incorporation of master plan contents assigned to related ministries and local authorities for implementation (if any); and the consistency and uniformity with relevant master plans;

c/ The conformity of the adjustments to the master plan with the provisions of Clause 6 of this Article.

17. The appraisal report must express opinions of the Master Plan Adjustment Appraisal Council on:

a/ The contents of approval of the adjustments to the master plan specified in Clause 16 of this Article;

b/ Conclusion on whether or not the adjustments to the master plan meet the conditions for submission for approval.

18. A dossier submitted for approval of the adjustments to a master plan must comprise the following principal documents:

a/ A report;

b/ A report on the adjustment of the master plan;

c/ A draft document on approval of the adjustments to the master plan;

d/ A report on summarisation of opinions of agencies and organisations on the adjustments to the master plan; copies of written opinions of related agencies and organisations; and a report on assimilation of, and responses to, contributed opinions;

dd/ A report on appraisal of the adjustments to the master plan;

e/ A report on assimilation of, and responses to, appraisal opinions;

g/ A system of diagrams, maps and databases on adjustments to the master plan.

19. Competence to approve the adjustments to a master plan:

a/ The Prime Minister shall approve adjustments to the national marine-space plan, the national land-use plan and regional master plans;

b/ The minister assigned to organise the formulation of a national sectoral plan shall approve adjustments to that national sectoral master plan;

c/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall approve adjustments to provincial master plans.

20. Expenses for the formulation, appraisal, approval and announcement of adjustments to master plans must comply with planning-related regulations that are in effect before this Law takes effect.

21. In case a foreign consultancy organisation is hired to carry out the adjustment of a master plan under a competent person’s decision, expenses for the adjustment of the master plan shall be determined on the basis of consultancy jobs, the number of experts, qualifications of consultancy experts, working time of experts, domestic and regional salary levels of to-be-hired experts, and other necessary expenses for completion of the consultancy jobs. Expenses, for which no norms have been specified, or for which specified norms are no longer appropriate, may be determined by applying and using similar expense data from similar projects already implemented or being implemented worldwide, or by making estimates to determine such expenses in line with international practices.

Article 57. Effect

1. This Law takes effect on March 1, 2026, except Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of this Article.

2. Article 48 of this Law takes effect on the date of passage of this Law.

3. Article 56 of this Law takes effect on the date of passage of this Law through February 28, 2026, except Clause 4 of this Article.

4. Regulations relating to the adjustment of the national marine-space plan and the national land-use plan for the 2021-2030 period specified in Article 56 of this Law take effect on the date of passage of this Law until the adjustments to these master plans are approved, but no later than June 30, 2026.

5. The Government’s Resolution No. 66.2/2025/NQ-CP of August 28, 2025, on the resolution of difficulties and obstacles relating to adjustments to national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans in the course of reorganisation of administrative units and the organisation of the two-tier local administration pending the promulgation of the (revised) Planning Law, ceases to be effective on the date of passage of this Law.

6. Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH15 ceases to be effective on the effective date of this Law, except relevant provisions of Article 58 of this Law.

Article 58. Transitional provisions

1. For master plans and adjustments to master plans already decided or approved in accordance with law before December 10, 2025:

a/ National-level master plans, regional plans and provincial master plans for the 2021-2030 period, and adjustments thereto that are decided or approved before the effective date of this Law may continue to be implemented until the end of the planning period or until they are replaced in accordance with law;

b/ Urban and rural master plans, technical and specialised master plans, and adjustments thereto that are approved before the effective date of this Law may continue to be implemented until the end of the planning period or until they are replaced in accordance with law.

2. For national-level master plans, regional master plans and provincial master plans for the 2021-2030 period, and adjustments thereto that are formulated before December 10, 2025, but have not yet been approved:

a/ Master plans and adjustments thereto that are formulated and appraised under Article 54 of Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH14 before December 10, 2025, but have not yet been decided or approved, or adjustments to master plans that are formulated under Article 54a of Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH14 but have not yet been decided or approved shall be approved under Article 56 of this Law;

b/ Adjustments to master plans that are formulated under Article 54 of Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH14 before December 10, 2025, but have not yet been appraised, decided or approved; and master plans that currently undergo adjustment under the Government’s Resolution No. 66.2/2025/NQ-CP but have not yet been appraised or approved may continue to be formulated, appraised and approved under Article 56 of this Law.

3. Technical and specialised master plans specified in ordinal numbers 3, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 18, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 31 of Appendix II to Planning Law No. 21/2017/QH14 that are formulated or adjusted before December 10, 2025, but have not yet been approved may continue to be formulated and appraised in accordance with relevant laws before the effective date of this Law, and shall be approved as follows:

a/ Master plans and adjustments thereto that are formulated and appraised first shall be approved first. Upon the approval of a master plan or adjustments to a master plan, if there are conflicts with another relevant master plan, the determination of the master plan that needs to be adjusted and the master plan that will be implemented must adhere to the principles specified in Article 6 of this Law;

b/ Ministers shall approve master plans and adjustments to master plans that fall within the approval competence of the Prime Minister as prescribed by relevant laws that are in effect before this Law takes effect;

c/ Ministers and chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall approve master plans and master plan adjustments that fall within their approval competence as prescribed by relevant laws that are in effect before this Law takes effect.

4. The formulation of urban and rural master plans and adjustments thereto shall be carried out concurrently with the adjustment of provincial master plans for the 2021-2030 period; master plans that are formulated and appraised first shall be approved first. Urban and rural master plans that are inconsistent with provincial master plans shall be adjusted to conform to provincial master plans.

5. Plans on implementation of national-level master plans, regional master plans, provincial master plans, and technical and specialised master plans (if any) promulgated before the effective date of this Law may continue to be implemented until the end of their validity period or until the adjustments thereto are approved in accordance with this Law.

This Law was passed on December 10, 2025, by the 15^th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at its 10^th session.-

Chairperson of the National Assembly
TRAN THANH MAN

APPENDIX

LIST OF SECTORAL MASTER PLANS AND DETAILED SECTORAL MASTER PLANS

(To Planning Law No. 112/2025/QH15)

Section I

SECTORAL MASTER PLANS

Section 2

DETAILED SECTORAL MASTER PLANS