Key policies that came into effect in February 2024

New road usage fee rates

The government issued Decree No. 90/2023/ND-CP regulating the rates, collection methods, exemptions, management, and use of road usage fees, which clearly specifies the road usage fee rates for each type of vehicle. Decree 90/2023/ND-CP came into effect on February 1, 2024.

Accordingly, the road usage fee for passenger vehicles with fewer than 10 seats registered under the name of an individual or household business is 130,000 VND/month. Passenger vehicles with fewer than 10 seats (excluding vehicles specified in point 1 of the Decree); trucks and specialized vehicles with a total weight under 4,000 kg; public passenger transport buses (including buses transporting students, workers, and those receiving subsidies like buses); cargo vehicles and four-wheeled motor vehicles carrying passengers are subject to a fee of 180,000 VND/month. Trucks and specialized vehicles with a total weight from 19,000 kg to under 27,000 kg; and tractor-trailers with a curb weight plus the permitted towing weight from 19,000 kg to under 27,000 kg are subject to a fee of 720,000 VND/month…

Trucks and specialized vehicles with a total weight of 27,000 kg or more; tractor-trailers with a curb weight plus the permitted towed weight from 27,000 kg to less than 40,000 kg are subject to a fee of 1,040 VND/month. Tractor-trailers with a curb weight plus the permitted towed weight of 40,000 kg or more are subject to a fee of 1,430 VND/month...

The decree stipulates that the monthly fee for the second year (from the 13th to the 24th month after vehicle inspection and fee payment) is 92% of the monthly fee as specified in the regulations. The monthly fee for the third year (from the 25th to the 36th month after vehicle inspection and fee payment) is 85% of the monthly fee as specified in the regulations.

The decree stipulates that, for vehicles undergoing their first inspection, the road usage fee is calculated from the date the vehicle is issued its inspection certificate. For vehicles that have been modified, had their function changed, or whose ownership has been transferred from an organization to an individual (and vice versa), the fee is calculated from the date of the function change or ownership change as indicated on the new vehicle registration certificate. Road usage fees are calculated annually, monthly, or according to the vehicle's inspection cycle. The inspection unit issues a road usage fee payment sticker corresponding to the payment period.

Conditions for copying and photographing Vietnamese currency.

According to Decree 87/2023/ND-CP, agencies, organizations, and individuals performing the copying or photographing of Vietnamese currency from February 2, 2024, must meet one of the following conditions or standards:

Therefore, photographing a portion of the image or pattern of Vietnamese banknotes should not exceed 1/3 of the front or back side of the banknote;

Please take a picture of one side of a Vietnamese banknote with the length and width dimensions (for paper money) or diameter (for metal coins) less than 75% or more than 150% of the dimensions of a genuine banknote of the same denomination;

Please take photos of both sides of a Vietnamese banknote, ensuring the length and width for paper money, and the diameter for metal coins are less than 50% or more than 200% of the size of a genuine banknote of the same denomination;

So, take photos and convert them into digital versions to upload to the internet, with a maximum resolution not exceeding 72dpi and a size equivalent to real banknotes of the same denomination.

Educational institutions have the option to choose their own textbooks.

From February 12, 2024, the Ministry of Education and Training officially granted educational institutions (formerly provincial People's Committees) the authority to choose textbooks, as stipulated in Circular 27/2023/TT-BGDĐT.

Article 4 of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulates that the textbook selection council of an educational institution shall be established by the principal of the educational institution or the director of the Continuing Education Center, the director of the Vocational Education and Continuing Education Center, or the head of the educational institution.

Each educational institution establishes a textbook selection committee.

The selection of textbooks is based on the following principles: Textbooks are selected from the list of textbooks approved by the Minister of Education and Training for stable use in educational institutions.

Each grade level selects one textbook for each subject and educational activity conducted at the educational institution. The textbook selection process ensures democracy, objectivity, openness, transparency, and serves the best interests of the students.

The criteria for selecting textbooks are suitability to the socio-economic characteristics of the locality and suitability to the teaching and learning conditions at the educational institution.

Remove grading from junior high school diplomas.

The new regulations for recognizing junior high school graduation, issued in Circular 31/2023/TT-BGDĐT, officially came into effect on February 15, 2024.

Accordingly, the conditions for graduating from junior high school have several new points, such as: Junior high school students who miss more than 45 classes are still eligible to graduate. Previously, to graduate from junior high school, students were not allowed to miss more than 45 classes in the 9th grade (a combination of one absence and multiple absences).

The classification of junior high school graduation grades has been abolished. Previously, students' graduation results were classified as excellent, good, or average based on their conduct and academic performance.

The junior high school graduation examination is held twice a year. According to Article 3 of Circular 31, educational institutions implementing the junior high school general education program may hold graduation examinations a maximum of twice a year for students who have completed grade 9.

The first graduation assessment is conducted immediately after the end of the school year. The second graduation assessment (if any) is conducted before the start of the new school year.

Previously, educational institutions implementing the lower secondary education program were only allowed to have their graduation assessed once a year.

These regulations will be applied from the 2024-2025 school year.

New regulations regarding personal identification documents for air travel.

Circular No. 42/2023/TT-BGTVT of the Ministry of Transport amends and supplements some provisions regarding personal identification documents for air travel from February 15, 2024.

Passengers checking in for international flights must present one of the following documents: a passport, travel document, or other document valid for entry and exit as prescribed by law, such as a separate visa, permanent residence card, temporary residence card, or citizen identification card (if Vietnam and the relevant country have signed an international treaty or agreement allowing citizens of the signatory countries to use citizen identification cards instead of passports in each other's territories)... (documents valid for entry and exit as prescribed by law).

In cases where children do not have their own passports, their full name, date of birth, and photograph are recorded and affixed to the passport of their legal representative, including: biological father, biological mother, adoptive father, adoptive mother, or guardian.

Passengers aged 14 and above must present one of the following legally valid documents or electronic data when checking in for domestic flights:

For foreign nationals: Passport (with the most recent entry stamp) or other valid international travel document (with the most recent entry stamp) and relevant documents proving residence in Vietnam (visa, permanent residence card, temporary residence card, APEC business travel card) except in cases of visa exemption; diplomatic identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and representative offices of international organizations; driver's license for cars and motorcycles; airport security control card with long-term validity; identification card of Vietnamese airlines; passenger's Level 2 electronic identity verification account (new regulations).

In the event of a passenger losing their passport, they must have an official letter from the diplomatic or consular agency of the passenger's country of nationality, or a letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs (with confirmation from the local police where the passenger lost their passport) confirming the passenger's identity and the loss of their passport, with a photograph and official seal affixed. The official letter or confirmation is valid for 30 days from the date of confirmation.

For passengers of Vietnamese nationality, one of the following documents must be presented: Passport or travel document, separate visa, permanent residence card, temporary residence card, national identity card, citizen identification card; identification or certification from the People's Police or People's Army; National Assembly representative card; Party member card; journalist card; driver's license for cars or motorcycles; card of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee; airport security control card with long-term validity; identification card of Vietnamese airlines; passenger's Level 2 electronic identification account; personal identification certificate issued by the police; certificate from a competent authority certifying that the passenger has just completed serving a prison sentence.

Passengers of Vietnamese nationality aged 14 to over 14 years old, staying for no more than 20 days, may use the same types of travel documents as passengers under 14 years old.