6 outstanding new policies taking effect from May 2019

1. Roadmap for applying emission standards to automobiles

The Prime Minister issued Decision 16/2019/QD-TTg stipulating the roadmap for applying emission standards to vehicles in traffic and imported used vehicles on March 28, 2019.

Accordingly, the roadmap for applying emission standards for cars participating in traffic:

- Cars with spark ignition engines and cars with compression ignition engines participating in traffic manufactured before 1999 will continue to apply Level 1;

- Cars with spark ignition engines and cars with compression ignition engines participating in traffic manufactured from 1999 to the end of 2008 apply Level 2 from January 1, 2021;

- Cars with spark ignition engines and cars with compression ignition engines participating in traffic manufactured after 2008 will apply Level 2 from January 1, 2020.

The decision takes effect from May 15, 2019.

2. Only cars with less than 16 seats can be imported through 5 border gates.

Circular 06/2019/TT-BCT stipulates that passenger cars with less than 16 seats can only be imported into Vietnam through seaport gates:

Quang Ninh (Cai Lan), Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

Circular 06 does not apply to the following cases:

- Import and temporary import for re-export of subjects enjoying preferential and exemption rights shall comply with separate regulations of the Government and the Prime Minister;

- Serving national defense and security purposes according to plans approved by the Prime Minister; individual purposes according to decisions of the Prime Minister;

- Transit with countries sharing borders and transshipment business.

The Circular takes effect from May 8, 2019.

3. Support up to 100% of tuition fees for business administration training courses

The Ministry of Planning and Investment issued Circular 05/2019/TT-BKHĐT guiding support for human resource development for small and medium enterprises.

Accordingly, the State budget will support 100% of tuition fees for business start-up and business administration training courses for the following subjects: Students of small and medium-sized enterprises headquartered in localities with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions; students of small and medium-sized enterprises owned by women.

If unable to attend in-person training, students can participate in online training programs through mass media.

Employees or managers of small and medium enterprises will be provided with accounts to participate in learning at the Online Training System on the Web platform or on smart mobile devices.

The Circular takes effect from May 12, 2019.

4. Replacechange the formula for calculating high school graduation scores in 2019

Circular 03/2019/TT-BGDDT amends and supplements the Regulations on National High School Examination and High School Graduation Recognition issued together with Circular 04/2017/TT-BGDDT

Accordingly, the formula for calculating high school graduation scores in 2019 (DXTN) is as follows:

- For high school education:

Average score = [{(Total score of 4 exams + Total incentive points (if any)) /4} x 7 + {(Average score of the whole year of grade 12) x 3}] /10 + Priority points (if any).

- For GDTX:

Total score of 3 exams = [{(Total score of 3 exams) / 3 + (Total bonus score (if any)) / 4} x

7 + {(Average score of the whole year of grade 12) x 3}] /10 + Priority points (if any).

Circulareffective from May 3, 2019.

5. Bonus points for candidates with vocational secondary school diploma

Circular 03/2019/TT-BGDĐT amending the National High School Examination Regulations clearly states that high school students and continuing education students with vocational certificates and vocational secondary school diplomas during their high school years will receive priority points when considering high school graduation:

- Add 2 points if classified as good with Vocational Certificate, excellent and good with intermediate diploma

- Add 1.5 points if ranked good with Vocational Certificate, good and average with intermediate degree.

- Add 1 point for average rating.

The Circular takes effect from May 3, 2019.

6. First graders learn skills to prevent abuse.

According to the newly issued List of Minimum Teaching Equipment for Grade 1 in Circular 05/2019/TT-BGDDT, it is required to have a set of pictures on preventing abuse, helping students develop the ability to explore and discover knowledge through observation and application in real life.

The set includes 2 illustrated pictures about preventing abuse:

- 01 illustration of rules for protecting the bodies of boys and girls must have the text“Remember! Do not let anyone touch or handle the body covered by underwear. Unless the student needs to see a doctor.”.

- 01 illustration of 03 steps to prevent abuse through images such as running away to escape a dangerous situation or telling relatives… about what happened to you.

The Circular takes effect from May 21, 2019.