Nine laws will come into force on July 1 after being passed by theNational Assembly, aiming to streamline Vietnam's policies and offersupport to those who need it most in the wake of ongoing economicdifficulties.
Under new tax breaks, pensioners and social welfare beneficiaries are exempt from paying income tax (PIT).
There is also relief for low-income earners, with the threshold forpaying income tax rising to 9 million VND (428.5 USD) from the previous 4million VND (190 USD), while the limit for their dependent jumps to 3.6million VND (171 USD) from 1.6 million VND (76 USD).
Theamendment of the law is also a response to the nation's programme ofadministrative reforms to enable taxpayers to exercise their duty.
In the event that the consumer price index (CPI) exceeds 20 percent,the government will ask the National Assembly Standing Committee toadjust the sum given to the dependent to make it relevant to theeconomic situation.
The other laws include:
- Capital Law
Under the law, which has 4 Chapters and 27 Articles, the PrimeMinister is given authority to ratify the city's construction planningand the spatial planning. The approved spatial planning will then serveas the core for construction, development and management of the City.
In addition, the law also regulates a number of measures toreduce inner-city population density in a bid to create a new image forVietnam's capital.
Technical infrastructure development is oneof the top priorities for the city. As a result, Hanoi will enjoyspecial treatment in terms of budget and other resources.
KhueVan Cac (the Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature) - the ancientgate at the Temperature of Literature is chosen as the city's officialsymbol.
The National Assembly will directly oversee implementation of the Capital Law.
- Admin punishment
With 12 Chapters and 142 Articles, the law's main objective is toensure fairness, objectivity, transparency and accountability for anyindividual or organisation.
Under the law, for violationscommitted by an organisation and an individual, the former will have topay double the fine of the latter.
For a minor (aged under 14 years old) who violates the law, they will receive a reprimand instead of punishment.
However, for minors aged 14 to under 16, if they commit anadministrative violation intentionally, they will be treated as anadult.
- Law on Energy
One of theamendments to the law this time is the special treatment given to thedevelopment of rural energy in relation to development levels of theenergy market.
The government will subsidise domesticelectricity tariffs for people living in rural areas, mountainousregions, border areas and islands as well as social beneficiaries'households.
The Prime Minister will be tasked with deciding the retail electricity tariff based on the market price proposed by EVN.
- Tax management law
The law has 120 Articles, aiming to address two key objectives ofovercoming bottlenecks in the previous law during implementation andsimplifying administrative procedures to make life easier for taxpayers.
Compared with the previous law, the new law containsprovisions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of taxmanagement.
Changes to the law focus on three main areas:reform of administrative procedures; modernisation of the sector andimprovement of work efficiency to avoid losses on budget collection andreduce tax debts.
- National reserves law
All changes in the new law aim to make it relevant to the country'scurrent condition and meet the set objectives so the state canproactively respond to emergency cases as they arise, including naturaldisasters, national defence and security.
The law also specifies clearly what goods or items must be reserved and in what quantity.
- Law on lawyers
A highlight in the revised law aims to assist lawyers' in the contextof ongoing administrative reforms, as well as judiciary reform andinternational integration.
As from now, the training courserequired to become a lawyer will extend to 12 months from the previoussix months. However, lawyers' probation period will be reduced to 12months from 18 months.
While practicing professionally, lawyerswill have to attend regularly refresher courses to improve theirknowledge and uphold ethics.
- Law on co-operatives
The law has nine Chapters and 64 Articles, which all emphasise thatco-operatives are economic collective entities. They are jointly ownedby all members. A co-operative must have at least seven members and theyall have equal rights.
The law stipulates that theco-operative's assets which derive from government support,presents/gifts or accumulation during the co-operative operation will bethe common assets of all members.
- Law on publishing
The law has six Chapters and 54 Articles, reflecting the government'sfinancial support in capital construction and the application oftechnology in publishing activities, particularly for electronicpublications.
Construction of the electronic database is tofacilitate the ability to search, retrieve, manage and store electronicpublications.-VNA