Many new policies came into effect in December 2015.

(Baonghean.vn) - From December 1st, 2015, a series of new policies came into effect, such as the tuition fee collection mechanism, new regulations on passport renewal, and the ability to borrow up to 80% of the contract value for purchasing social housing...

New regulations on tuition fee collection mechanisms.

According to Decree No. 86/2015/ND-CP(See the decree.Decree No. 86/2015/ND-CPAccording to the Government's Decree dated October 2, 2015, on the mechanism for collecting and managing tuition fees for educational institutions within the national education system and policies on tuition fee exemption and reduction, and support for learning costs from the 2015-2016 school year to the 2020-2021 school year, effective from December 1, 2015, tuition fees for mass education programs at public preschool and general education levels for the 2015-2016 school year range from 60,000 to 300,000 VND/month/student in urban areas; from 30,000 to 120,000 VND/month/student in rural areas; and from 8,000 to 60,000 VND/month/student in mountainous areas.

Candidates complete the enrollment procedures at Vinh University.

From the 2016-2017 academic year onwards, tuition fees for mass education programs at public preschool and primary and secondary schools will be adjusted according to the average annual increase in the consumer price index as announced by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Special financial supervision is required when state-owned enterprises show signs of financial instability.

Effective from December 1, 2015, Decree No. 87/2015/ND-CP (See the DecreeDecree No. 87/2015/ND-CP)The regulations dated October 6, 2015, on the supervision of state capital investment in enterprises; financial supervision, performance evaluation, and disclosure of financial information of state-owned enterprises and enterprises with state capital stipulate that state-owned enterprises may be subject to special financial supervision when there are signs of financial insecurity: 1- For enterprises currently in the planned loss phase, with losses incurred in the reporting year exceeding 30% of the planned loss approved by the competent authority; 2- For enterprises after the planned loss phase, with losses incurred in the reporting year exceeding 30% or more of the owner's investment capital or cumulative losses exceeding 50% of the owner's investment capital; and with a debt-to-equity ratio exceeding the safe level as prescribed by law on the management and use of state capital invested in production and business in enterprises and regulations of the owner's representative agency (if any). having a debt repayment capacity ratio of less than 0.5.

State-owned enterprises are not allowed to invest in real estate or banking.

According to Decree No. 91/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 91/2015/ND-CP)According to the Decree dated October 13, 2015, on state capital investment in enterprises and the management and use of capital and assets in enterprises, effective from December 1, 2015, state-owned enterprises are prohibited from contributing capital or investing in the real estate sector (except for state-owned enterprises whose main business is real estate as stipulated in the Law on Real Estate Business), and are prohibited from contributing capital or purchasing shares in banks, insurance companies, securities companies, venture capital funds, securities investment funds, or securities investment companies, except in special cases as decided by the Prime Minister.

Criteria for identifying defense and security enterprises

Decree 93/2015/ND-CPSee the DecreeDecree No. 93/2015/ND-CP)The regulations dated October 15, 2015, on the organization, management, and operation of defense and security enterprises, effective from December 1, 2015, stipulate that enterprises identified as defense and security enterprises must meet three conditions: 1- Be a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security; 2- Have a sector, field of activity, or geographical area directly serving national defense and security; 3- Be assigned by competent authorities to produce and supply defense and security products and services, or to perform defense and security tasks stably and regularly using state resources or enterprise resources in accordance with the investment and establishment objectives of the enterprise.

New regulations on passport renewal

According to Decree 94/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 94/2015/ND-CP)On October 16, 2015, amendments and supplements were made to several articles of Decree No. 136/2007/ND-CP dated August 17, 2007, on the exit and entry of Vietnamese citizens, effective from December 1, 2015. Diplomatic passports and official passports are valid for no more than 5 years from the date of issuance. Diplomatic passports and official passports with less than 1 year remaining validity (6 months according to Decree 65/2012/ND-CP) may be extended once, for a maximum of 3 years; upon expiration, a new passport must be applied for.

Ordinary passports are valid for no more than 10 years from the date of issue and cannot be renewed. A valid ordinary passport can be reissued; a new passport must be applied for upon expiration.

Regulations detailing certain provisions of the Petroleum Law

Effective from December 1, 2015, Decree No. 95/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 95/2015/ND-CP)The Law dated October 16, 2015, provides detailed regulations on several articles of the Petroleum Law dated July 6, 1993; the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Petroleum Law dated June 9, 2000; and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Petroleum Law dated June 3, 2008, concerning activities related to basic investigation; bidding for oil and gas exploration and exploitation projects; exploration, development, and exploitation of oil and gas (including processing, collection, storage, and transportation of oil and gas within the exploitation area to the point of delivery and oil and gas service activities);...

Encouraging the establishment of social enterprises

According to Decree 96/2015/ND-CP(See the DecreeDecree No. 96/2015/ND-CP)According to the regulations dated October 19, 2015, detailing certain provisions of the Enterprise Law, effective from December 8, 2015, the State encourages and facilitates the establishment of social enterprises by organizations and individuals, with operational goals aimed at solving social and environmental problems for the benefit of the community.

Management and leadership in enterprises where the State holds 100% of the charter capital.

Decree No. 97/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 97/2015/ND-CP)The regulation dated October 19, 2015, on the management of individuals holding titles and positions in enterprises that are wholly state-owned limited liability companies, came into effect on December 5, 2015.

This Decree regulates the authority to decide, appraise; concurrent duties; evaluation and training; planning; appointment, reappointment; resignation, dismissal, transfer, rotation; commendation, disciplinary action; termination of employment, retirement and record management for persons holding titles and positions in enterprises that are one-member limited liability companies with 100% state-owned capital.

Authorities are enforcing measures against developers who fail to hand over apartment building maintenance fees.

Decree 99/2015/ND-CPSee the DecreeDecree No. 99/2015/ND-CP)On October 20, 2015, regulations detailing and guiding the implementation of certain articles of the Housing Law, effective from December 10, 2015, stipulated that if the investor fails to hand over the maintenance fund for the common areas of the apartment building within the prescribed time limit, the provincial People's Committee is responsible for issuing a decision to forcibly recover the maintenance fund and hand it over to the Management Board. This decision must be sent to the investor, the Management Board, and the credit institution where the investor has an account.

Buyers of social housing can borrow up to 80% of the contract value.

According to Decree 100/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 100/2015/ND-CP)According to the regulations dated October 20, 2015, on the development and management of social housing, effective from December 10, 2015, in the case of purchasing, renting, or lease-purchasing social housing, the maximum loan amount is 80% of the contract value; in the case of new construction or renovation and repair of housing, the maximum loan amount is 70% of the estimated cost or loan plan and does not exceed 70% of the value of the collateral securing the loan.

2 cases where the State invests in renovating and rebuilding apartment buildings.

According to Decree 101/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 101/2015/ND-CP)According to the Decree dated October 20, 2015, on the renovation and reconstruction of apartment buildings, effective from December 10, 2015, the State will invest in the renovation and reconstruction of apartment buildings in two cases:

1. If an apartment building is subject to demolition for renovation and reconstruction, but the prescribed time limit has expired and the owners have not selected a real estate business to carry out the demolition and reconstruction, the State shall enforce the demolition and directly invest in the renovation and reconstruction of that apartment building using the capital stipulated in Clause 3, Article 36 of the Housing Law.

2. The State implements the build-transfer (BT) contract model with investors to undertake the reconstruction of old apartment buildings on the same land area or at a different location to serve the resettlement needs of apartment owners whose buildings are subject to demolition for renovation and reconstruction.

Strictly regulate the prices of non-aviation services.

Effective from December 12, 2015, Decree No. 102/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 102/2015/ND-CP)The regulations dated October 20, 2015, on the management and operation of airports stipulate that the provision of non-aviation services at airports must ensure reasonable prices and meet service needs. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam will supervise the organization and provision of non-aviation services; inspect the factors forming the price, and, if necessary, regulate the price or price range...

Conditions for salary increase for police officers before retirement.

According to Decree 103/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 103/2015/ND-CP)According to the regulations dated October 20, 2015, detailing and implementing certain articles of the Law on the People's Public Security Force, effective from December 6, 2015, People's Public Security officers, upon retirement, if they have been promoted to a higher rank or salary grade for at least two-thirds of the required period, and during the period of receiving their current rank or salary grade, have not violated discipline and have been evaluated as having completed their duties or better, are entitled to a one-grade salary increase.

Clearly define the authority of the Environmental Police.

According to Decree 105/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 105/2015/ND-CP)The regulations dated October 20, 2015, detailing the implementation of several articles of the Ordinance on Environmental Police, effective from December 5, 2015, stipulate that environmental police are tasked with advising and directing the prevention and fight against crimes and administrative violations related to the environment, resources, and food safety; and are authorized to apply operational and professional measures to organize the prevention and fight against crimes and administrative violations related to the environment, resources, and food safety...

Managing representatives in state-owned enterprises holding over 50% of charter capital.

Effective from December 10, 2015, Decree 106/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 106/2015/ND-CP)The regulation dated October 23, 2015, on the management of state-owned capital representatives holding management positions in enterprises where the State holds more than 50% of the charter capital, stipulates the delegation of decision-making authority; concurrent positions, number; evaluation; appointment, reappointment, dismissal; rewards, disciplinary actions; nomination for election, dismissal, appointment; resignation, retirement; and record management for state-owned capital representatives holding management positions in enterprises where the State holds more than 50% of the charter capital.

Amend regulations on civil servant staffing management.

Effective from December 15, 2015, Decree No. 110/2015/ND-CPSee the DecreeDecree No. 110/2015/ND-CP)On October 29, 2015, Decree No. 21/2010/ND-CP dated March 8, 2010, of the Government on the management of civil servant staffing was amended and supplemented. Specifically, Decree 110/2015/ND-CP adjusted several regulations regarding the responsibilities for managing civil servant staffing.

The outstanding loan balance for investment in Hanoi City shall not exceed 150%.

Decree 112/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 112/2015/ND-CP)On November 3, 2015, Article 5 of Government Decree No. 123/2004/ND-CP dated May 18, 2004, stipulating some specific financial and budgetary mechanisms for Hanoi Capital City, was amended and supplemented, effective from December 20, 2015.

Accordingly, the total outstanding debt from all mobilized capital sources for investment in projects and works under the city's budget investment tasks shall not exceed 150% of the total capital investment in basic construction of the city budget as approved annually by the City People's Council. This special budget mechanism was implemented during the 2015 and 2016 budget years. From January 1, 2017, it will be implemented according to the provisions of the 2015 State Budget Law.

Specific regulations apply to export processing zones and export processing enterprises.

Effective from December 25, 2015, Decree No. 114/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 114/2015/ND-CP)On November 9, 2015, Decree 114/2015/ND-CP amended and supplemented Article 21 of Government Decree No. 29/2008/ND-CP dated March 14, 2008, regulating industrial parks, export processing zones, and economic zones, which had been amended and supplemented by Decree No. 164/2013/ND-CP dated November 12, 2013. Specifically, Decree 114/2015/ND-CP amended and supplemented the specific regulations applicable to export processing zones and export processing enterprises.

Regulations detailing and guiding the implementation of the Investment Law

DecreeDecree No. 118/2015/ND-CP(See Decree)Decree No. 118/2015/ND-CP)The Decree dated November 12, 2015, detailing and guiding the implementation of several articles of the Investment Law, effective from December 27, 2015, specifies and guides the implementation of several articles of the Investment Law regarding the application, control, and publication of investment and business conditions; investment guarantee measures; investment incentives; implementation of investment projects; investment procedures; and state management of investment activities.

Policies regarding civilian workers on the front lines.

According to Decision No. 49/2015/QD-TTg(See Decision)49/2015/QD-TTg)According to the Prime Minister's Decree dated October 14, 2015, on certain regimes and policies for civilian laborers participating in the resistance war against France and the US, the war to protect the Fatherland, and international missions, the one-time allowance is determined based on the actual time spent directly participating in the civilian labor force (in cases where the time spent participating in different periods or with interruptions is added together). Specifically: Less than 1 year, the allowance is 2,000,000 VND; from 1 year to less than 2 years, the allowance is 2,700,000 VND; from 2 years or more, the allowance is 3,500,000 VND. This regulation takes effect from December 1, 2015.

Thuy Linh (Compiled)