First Environmental Tax, Securities laws enacted

President Nguyen Minh Triet promulgated Vietnam's first Environmental Tax Law as well as new Insurance Business and Securities Laws on Dec. 15.
President Nguyen Minh Triet promulgated Vietnam's first EnvironmentalTax Law as well as new Insurance Business and Securities Laws on Dec.15.

He also proclaimed the Resolution governing Agricultural Land-use Tax Exemption and Reduction.

The National Assembly approved all the new legislations at its 8th session which ended last month.

The Environmental Tax will become effective on January 1, 2011 andmakes products made from oil and gas, coal and thehydro-chloro-fluro-carbons, HCFCs, used in refrigeration liable for tax.

These include plastic bags, pesticides,agricultural-produce preservatives, warehouse sanitisers and chemicalsto kill termites.

The tax is necessary to help protect the environment, explained Deputy Finance Minister Do Hoang Anh Tuan.

Economic growth and urban development have damaged the environment andthe tax will raise public awareness about the need to protect it;enhance State management, endorse Vietnam's international commitment andincrease the public's contribution, he said.

Thepresident's office said the Insurance Business Law has been revised tomeet the country's commitment to World Trade Organisation membership;harmonise relevant bills and improve State management.

The amended law defines a broader classification of insurance products and insurance bidding.

It also regulates the supervision of insurance providers from start-up.

The legislation is intended to strengthen the payment capacity ofinsurance providers and makes it compulsory for them to invest in theestablishment of fund for protecting the insured.

The law takes effect on July 1 next year.

The revised securities law makes it compulsory for public companies tolist shares on the stock market within a year of their Initial PublicOffering.

It is intended to limit over-the-countermarket sales; create equality of securities exchanges; enhance the Statemanagement and accord with international regulations.

The law also extends the regulations governing the management ofpublic companies; the organisation of the stock market and its linkswith other stock markets; securities and fund management companies,private securities offerings and the dissemination of marketinformation.

The Resolution governing AgriculturalLand-use Tax Exemption and Reduction allows tax exemptions for land forresearch and experimental production; arable land used for at least oneyearly rice crop; land for salt production; and land the State allocatesto impoverished households and for agricultural production.

The land the State assigns to the armed forces; economic andsocio-political organisations and other agencies for agriculturalproduction will br subject to a tax reduction of 50 percent.

Unused agricultural land not used for production or leases will be forfeit or attract 100 percent of the tax.

The resolution will take effect from January to December 2020./.

See more

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

Party members disciplined for wrongdoings

The Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat on July 11 announced disciplinary measures against three incumbent and former officials for serious violations of the Party's regulations and the State's laws while performing their duties.

At the gathering in Ho Chi Minh City to mark the Bastille Day of France. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City gathering marks Bastille Day of France

HCM City, as Vietnam’s vibrant economic and cultural hub, has played a pivotal role in fostering cooperation between the two countries. French businesses, as well as educational, health care, heritage conservation, and urban development organisations have maintained an active and visible presence in the city.

Vietnam–China 75-year ties: People-to-people exchange lays foundation for sustainable future

Vietnam–China 75-year ties: People-to-people exchange lays foundation for sustainable future

People-to-people exchange has long served as a vital bridge between Vietnam and China, forming a strong social foundation for building trust, fostering cooperation, and maintaining peace. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025, the two Parties and Governments have jointly designated the year as the “Year of Vietnam-China Humanistic Exchange,” reflecting a shared strategic vision to promote sustainable bilateral relations rooted in public engagement.

Politburo Member, Permanent Member of the Lao Party Secretariat, and Vice President Bounthong Chitmany (right) receives Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee Nguyen Tuong Lam in Vientiane on July 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos boost youth cooperation, education

The Lao Vice President asked the Central Committees of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) and the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) to continue enhancing coordination to effectively implement their 2022–2027 cooperation agreement, especially in youth exchanges and education of younger generations about the countries’ traditional ties.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh (L) holds talks with French Senate Vice President Loic Hervé. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam eyes deeper comprehensive strategic partnership with France

National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh held talks with French Senate Vice President Loic Hervé and French NA Vice-President Nadège Abomangoli, met with Anne Le Hénanff, Chairwoman of the France – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group (FVFG) in the French NA, and Amélia Lakrafi, General Delegate of the APF.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and Vietnamese and international female diplomats at the meeting in Hanoi on July 10, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

PM meets with Vietnamese, international female diplomats

Welcoming female diplomats at the meeting, PM Pham Minh Chinh wished them good health and continued contributions to the nations and to global diplomacy so as to keep promoting peace, cooperation, and development, advocating multilateralism, and promoting international solidarity.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with Yorrys Raweyai, Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of Indonesia, in Hanoi on July 10, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman receives Deputy Speaker of Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council

Based on their long-standing ties, shared interests, common viewpoints, as well as ASEAN membership, deepening the Vietnam-Indonesia relationship will not only serve the interests of the two peoples but also contribute to a united, strong, and cohesive ASEAN, and to peace, stability, and development in the region and beyond, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man said.