Policies take effect since November

Under Decree 103/2017/ND-CP, dated September 12, 2017, the Government encouraged individuals and organizations, both at home and abroad, to establish social support institutions, in order to care for and provide social assistance to those in demand across the Vietnamese territory.

Individuals and organizations investing in social support establishments will enjoy the socialization stimulation policies in accordance with the law, as stipulated in the Government’s Decree No. 103/2017/ND-CP in regards to the establishment, organization, operation, dissolution and management of social support facilities.

There are seven types of social assistance establishments, including: (1) Social protection institution taking care of the elderly people; (2) Social protection institution taking care of children in special circumstances; (3) Social protection institution taking care of people with disabilities; (4) Social protection institution nursing and rehabilitating people with mental disorders; (5) General social protection institution taking care of those under social protection or those in need of social assistance; (6) Social working center providing advice, urgent care or other necessary support for those in need of social assistance; (7) Other social assistance establishments in line with the law.

New regulations on wine businesses

Decree 105/2017/ND-CP, dated September 14, 2017 took effect since November 1, 2017. It stipulates regulations on wine business including wine production, import, distribution, wholesale, retail sale, and sale.

Wine business is listed among conditional business lines. Accordingly, organizations and individuals producing industrial or home-made wine for business purposes; wine wholesalers, retailers are obliged to get business licenses. Organizations and individuals which provide home-made wine for businesses must have licenses on industrial wine production and register at the communal-level People’s Committees.

New fines for disaster preparedness infringements

Decree 104/2017/ND-CP, dated September 14, 2017 on sanctioning of administrative violations in prevention and control of natural disasters; operation and protection of irrigation works; and dikes took effect since November 1, 2017. 

The maximum penalties ranged from VND 50 million to VND 100 million on infringements of administrative procedures on natural disaster prevention and exploitation and protection of irrigation works. 

Safety regulations on chemical production and business

Decree 113/2017/ND-CP was introduced on October 9, 2017, specifying and providing guidelines for implementation of certain articles of the Law on Chemicals.

It shall take effect on November 25, 2017, comprising lists of chemicals subject to regulatory control under the Chemical Law and specified detailed conditions on chemical manufacturers and traders.

The Law provides regulations on chemical handling, safety in chemical handling, right and obligations of organizations and individuals engaged in chemical handling, and state management of chemical handling. Decree No. 113/2017/ND-CP is one of many decrees and circulars supporting the implementation of the Chemicals Law and also the most important one for industrial chemicals.

Assessment of language proficiency 

Circular 23/2017/BGDDT of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgates regulations on assessment of language proficiency according to Viet Nam’s language proficiency framework. 

The Circular shall come into force since November 15, 2017. Accordingly, paper or computer-based tests will consist of listening, reading, and writing skills. Speaking skill will be tested directly or on computers./.  

By Kim Anh