Regulations and Policies
As an entrepreneur, you need to have more knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies than the average person. All businesses need to obey state regulations and policies, which means accessing and keeping up to date with all laws that apply to your business.
In Vietnam, central and local government agencies are aware of the importance of technology and innovation for business development. In recent years, the government has developed policies and regulations that support businesses like yours to be more competitive and sustainable.
Some of the laws and regulations you will need to understand:
- Registering or incorporating your business;
- Naming and trademarks;
- Permits and licences;
- Taxes and collecting sales tax;
- Regulations for employees;
- Workplace health and safety;
- Industry- or sector-specific policies;
- Local or city practices; and
- Other topics, depending on your situation.
Your local business association will have specific information on laws, regulations, and policies for your local business sector. Take the time to carefully research and plan any new enterprise in compliance with all the laws and regulations that might apply to your business. The decisions you make early on can set you up for success, but mistakes or oversights could create serious problems later.
Laws, regulations, and policies can change. You need to stay current with those changes to maintain a viable business. A business association, sector specific publications, or a good internet search can help you and your enterprise stay in compliance and stay in business.
Government Regulations and Policies
Central Government
Science and technology
Are you in the science and technology sector? Vietnam continues to develop favourable policies for investment in the areas of science, technology, and business development.
You can search the laws of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam online by keyword.
The Law of Science and Technology no. 29/2013/QH13
Issued by the 13th National Assembly, the fifth meeting 18/6/2013
Download text of the law
Small and medium enterprise support
This law outlines the principles, policies, and resources to support small and medium enterprises. It also details the roles and responsibilities of individuals, agencies, and organizations. This law aimed to improve competitiveness capacity of the country’s SMEs between the years of 2015 and 2016.
The Law of Small and Medium Enterprise Support No. 04/2017/QH14
Issued by the 14th National Assembly, the third meeting 12/6/2017
Download text of the law
Local Government
Each local government also develops economic plans, regulations, and policies specific to that area. As a business owner, it is important to know which of these regulations and policies apply to your business, and whether there are favourable programs to support your new projects. For example, you can search for favourable policies for high-tech investment support in the Da Nang high-tech zone. Or, if you are in the service sector, you might want to know how your business idea fits the policy direction of your community.
Da Nang
Investment support to the high-tech zone
Da Nang People’s Committee 13/11/2013
Download text of the law
The plan to implement the project on “Developing the service sector in Da Nang City until 2015, vision toward 2020”
Da Nang People’s Committee 05/4/2012
Download text of the law
Ha Noi
Approval of support for Ha Noi innovation, IT enterprise incubator
Ha Noi People’s Committee 07/11/2016
Download text of the law
Plan for enterprise development in Ha Noi in 2017
Ha Noi People’s Committee 31/3/2017
Download text of the law
Ho Chi Minh City
SME program supporting innovation, improvement of competitiveness, and international integration capacity between 2016 and 2020 in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee 15/8/2016
Download text of the law
Plan to improve the ecosystem of startups in high-tech, e-commerce, information technology, and service ecosystems with high added value
Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee Issuance date: 27/3/2017
Download text of the law
Intellectual Property
Any new product idea that successfully attracts customers will face competition from other companies making similar products. This can push the original producers out of the market. This is the most important reason for you to use the intellectual property (IP) law system to protect your innovative products. IP may be protected through:
- Patents;
- Industrial design; and
- Trademarks.
Registering a Patent, Industrial Design, or Trademark with the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam
Register an industrial design
Register a trademark
Regulations on Intellectual Property
● Intellectual property law of 2015
● You can compare the 2015 law with the intellectual property law of 2009 that it updates
● Decree no. 103/2006/NĐ-CP covers the implementation of some articles of intellectual property law on industrial ownership
● Decree no. 122/2010/NĐ-CP adjusts and adds some articles to Decree no. 103/2006/NĐ-CP
● Article no. 01/2007/TT-BKHCN sets out guidance on Decree no. 103/2006/NĐ-CP
● Circular no. 18/2011/TT-BKHCN adjusts and adds some IP regulations of Circular no. 01/2007/TT-BKHCN
● Article no. 263/2017/TT-BTC regulates the collection rate, the collection and payment mechanisms, and the industrial ownership fees for management and usage of IP
Examples of IP Protection
If you are an inventor, you need to understand IP laws and the laws around technology transfer and patents. How have other entrepreneurs protected their IP? Read about these real IP cases.
● How Vinamit won a trademark dispute lawsuit and reclaimed its trademark
● A dishwasher inventor who learned the hard way
● How Apple's lawsuit victory is changing IP rights in China
● Changing your address can put your intellectual property in jeopardy
● A noodle package and intellectual property
● This story of watches from Switzerland can teach you to build and protect local brands
● How to protect your global brand through an internet domain name
● The importance of branding your real estate project
● How lack of evidence can impede compensation and damages from the courts