New policy effective from January 2024

From 1/1/2024, VAT reduction of 2%

The Government issued Decree 94/2023/ND-CP dated December 28, 2023, stipulating the policy of reducing value added tax according to Resolution No. 110/2023/QH15 dated November 29, 2023 of the National Assembly.

Business establishments calculating value added tax according to the deduction method shall apply a value added tax rate of 8% to prescribed goods and services.

Business establishments (including business households and individual businesses) calculating value added tax according to the percentage method on revenue are entitled to a 20% reduction in the percentage rate for calculating value added tax when issuing invoices for goods and services eligible for reduced value added tax.

This Decree takes effect from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.

Amending regulations on declaration, collection and payment of fees and charges

Decree 82/2023/ND-CP dated November 28, 2023 amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 120/2016/ND-CP dated August 23, 2016 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Fees and Charges.

In which, amend and supplement the name of Article and Clauses 1, 2 and 3 of Article 3 as follows:

Article 3. Declaration, collection, payment of fees, charges and fee settlement

Fee and charge payers shall declare and pay fees and charges monthly, quarterly, annually or upon each occurrence; pay fees and charges to the collection organization or the State Treasury in the following forms: Direct payment in cash or through credit institutions, service organizations and other forms as prescribed by law.

Based on the nature and characteristics of each fee and charge, the competent state agency shall specify the form of payment, declaration period, and payment of fees and charges accordingly.

From January 15, 2024, new regulations on private issuance of Government bonds will be implemented.

The Government issued Decree No. 83/2023/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 95/2018/ND-CP dated June 30, 2018 on issuance, registration, depository, listing and trading of Government debt instruments on the stock market.

In which, Decree No. 83/2023/ND-CP amends and supplements Article 17 on Private issuance of Government bonds as follows:

Private issuance is a method of directly selling government bonds to each buyer or selecting a commercial bank or foreign bank branch as a distribution and payment agent for government bonds (distribution agent) to the buyer.

The State Treasury develops a plan to issue government bonds in a private manner and reports to the Ministry of Finance for approval. The private issuance plan includes the following basic contents: Bond purchasers; Expected issuance volume; Bond term; Expected interest rate; Expected issuance time; Expected form of private issuance (State Treasury issues directly or selects a distribution agent).

The Ministry of Finance approves the plan to issue private government bonds according to the above provisions.

Based on the private issuance plan approved by the Ministry of Finance, the State Treasury organizes the implementation. In case of selecting a distribution agent, the selection and signing of a contract with the distribution agent shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions: Conditions for becoming a distribution agent and the process of selecting a distribution agent.

New regulations on criteria framework for awarding cultural families

Effective from January 30, 2024, Decree 86/2023/ND-CP dated December 7, 2023 stipulates the framework of standards and procedures, procedures, and records for considering the award of the titles "Cultural Family", "Cultural Village, Residential Group", "Typical Commune, Ward, and Town".

In particular, regarding the framework of criteria for considering the title of cultural family, the Decree clearly states that to be considered for the title of cultural family, the family must meet the following criteria:

1- Be a good example in implementing the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws:

- Family members comply with Party policies and legal regulations.

- Practice civilized lifestyle in weddings, funerals and festivals according to regulations.

- Ensure security and order, fire prevention and fighting.

- Ensure noise regulations, do not affect the community according to environmental laws.

2- Actively participate in emulation movements in labor, production, study, security protection, order and social safety of the locality:

- Participate in activities to protect historical and cultural relics, scenic spots, natural landscapes and the local environment.

- Participate in charity and humanitarian movements; show gratitude; encourage learning and talent and build learning families.

- Participate in community activities at your place of residence.

- Actively participate in economic, cultural and social development movements organized by the locality.

- People of working age are actively working and have a legitimate income.

- Children of school age are allowed to go to school.

3- A prosperous, progressive, happy, civilized family; often united, supportive, and helping in the community:

- Implement well the Code of Conduct in the family.

- Implement well population, marriage and family policies.

- Well implement the goals of gender equality, prevention and control of domestic violence/gender-based violence.

- Households have toilets, bathrooms, water storage facilities/similar types that are hygienic.

- Support and help people in the community when in difficulty or distress.

Confirmation of residence information is valid for 1 year from the date of issue.

Circular 66/2023/TT-BCA amends and supplements Article 17 confirming information on residence of Circular No. 55/2021/TT-BCA.

Accordingly, citizens can request the residence registration agency nationwide, regardless of their place of residence, to confirm their residence information by requesting directly at the headquarters of the residence registration agency or requesting via the public service portal, VNeID application or other online public services as prescribed by law.

The content of confirmation of information on residence includes information on current residence, previous residences, time of residence at each residence, form of residence registration and other information on residence available in the Residence Database and National Population Database.

Confirmation of residence information is valid for 1 year from the date of issue (Previously, the confirmation of residence information issued by the police of the commune or ward was valid for 30 days).

Circular 66/2023/TT-BCA takes effect from January 1, 2024.

New regulations on military service medical examination

Circular No. 105/2023/TT-BQP of the Ministry of National Defense dated December 6, 2023, regulating health standards and health examinations for subjects under the management of the Ministry of National Defense, effective from January 1, 2024.

Military service health examination is conducted by the district-level Military Service Health Examination Council.

Health check content:

+ Vision examination; clinical examination according to specialties: Eyes, ears, nose and throat, maxillofacial, internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, surgery, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology (for women).

+ Paraclinical examination: Blood count; blood type (ABO); liver function (AST, ALT); kidney function (Ure, Creatinine); blood sugar; hepatitis virus (HBsAg); hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV); HIV; complete urine (10 parameters; general abdominal ultrasound; electrocardiogram; chest X-ray; urine test for drugs. The Chairman of the Council will prescribe other tests according to professional requirements to conclude the health accurately.

Organize health check-ups according to the above contents in 2 rounds: Physical examination, clinical and paraclinical examination, HIV and drug screening.

During the physical and clinical examination, if the citizen does not meet one of the prescribed health standards, the Council member will directly consult with the Council Chairman to decide to stop the examination.

Only conduct blood and urine tests; HIV and drug tests for citizens who meet health standards after physical examination, clinical examination, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, and chest X-ray.

Material support, spiritual encouragement for prestigious people

Decision No. 28/2023/QD-TTg dated November 23, 2023 of the Prime Minister amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decision No. 12/2018/QD-TTg dated March 6, 2018 of the Prime Minister on criteria for selecting and recognizing prestigious people and policies for prestigious people among ethnic minorities.

In which the Decision amends points a, b, c, clause 2, Article 5 as follows:

Regarding material support, spiritual encouragement, visits, and gift giving on the occasion of Lunar New Year, Tet or traditional festivals of ethnic minorities in the province or centrally-run city (hereinafter referred to as the province) as selected by the locality. The maximum expenditure is VND 500,000/person/time and no more than 2 times/year;

Reputable people who are sick and seek medical treatment, with confirmation from a State medical examination and treatment facility, are visited and supported no more than once per person per year. Maximum expenditure is: VND 3,000,000 per person per year when receiving medical treatment at central-level facilities and equivalent; VND 1,500,000 per person per year when receiving medical treatment at provincial-level facilities and equivalent; VND 800,000 per person per year when receiving medical treatment at district-level facilities and equivalent; VND 500,000 per person per year when receiving medical treatment at commune-level facilities and equivalent;

Visit and support prestigious households facing sudden difficulties due to incidents, natural disasters, and fires as confirmed by the local authorities. Maximum expenditure is 2,000,000 VND/household/year.

Decision No. 28/2023/QD-TTg takes effect from January 15, 2024.