Knowledge Center

1. Amending Laws concerning banking operations On 24 August 2026, the National Assembly adopted the Law No. 23/2026/QH16 (“Law 23/2026”) amending the Law on State Bank of Vietnam (the SBV Law), the Law on Anti-Money Laundering (the AML Law), and the Law on Credit Institutions (the LCI). Law 23/2026 takes effect from 1 December 2026. Amending the SBV Law and the LCI Law 23/2026 adds Article 31a to the SBV Law which states that all […]

1. Classification of State owned enterprises On 5 August 2026, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 40/2026/QD-TTg (“Decision 40”) stipulating criteria for classification of enterprises to restructure State capital in State-owned enterprises and enterprises with State capital. Decision 40 became effective on 5 August 2026. Decision 40 sets out classification criteria that form the basis for developing State capital arrangement and restructuring plans in enterprises, including whether to maintain the existing State ownership ratio or […]

On 23 August 2026, the National Assembly of Vietnam adopted the Law on Petroleum (the “New Law”), which will take effect on 1 March 2027 and replace Law No. 12/2022/QH15 on Petroleum (the “2022 Petroleum Law”). The New Law represents a targeted recalibration of Vietnam’s petroleum regulatory framework rather than a significant restructuring. It is built around five policy pillars approved under Resolution No. 81/NQ-CP of the Government dated 3 April 2026: simplifying administrative procedures […]

I. INTRODUCTION An effective dispute resolution mechanism is a critical factor for investors when choosing an investment destination. In Vietnam, however, the traditional court system has revealed several shortcomings—particularly in cases involving foreign investors. Lengthy proceedings, procedural rigidity, and inconsistent outcomes have undermined confidence in the system and, by extension, the investment climate. Recognizing these challenges, the Vietnamese Government has introduced a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s legal infrastructure and enhancing its […]

Greater Investment Funding Flexibility – VIFC Capital Flows Framework The State Bank of Vietnam has issued Circular No. 38/2026/TT-NHNN (“Circular 38”), replacing Circular No. 06/2019/TT-NHNN (“Circular 06”) with effect from 18 August 2026. Circular 38 is more than a technical update.  While preserving the familiar framework for investment capital accounts, capital contributions, acquisition payments and profit repatriation, Circular 38 modernizes that framework in several important respects. Most notably, the new Circular: integrates investments from the […]