Corporate bonds

The Government issued Decree No. 163/2018/ND-CP dated on December 4, 2018 regulating the issuance of corporate bonds in replacement of the Decree No. 90/2011/ND-CP dated December 14, 2011.

The Decree aims to create favorable conditions for enterprises to raise capital through issuing bonds and to develop the corporate bond market in an open and transparent manner.

The Decree came into effect on February 1, 2019.

E-transactions in financial operations

Decree No. 165/2018/ND-CP dated December 24, 2018 on e-transactions in financial operation took effect on February 10, 2019.

Under the Decree, agencies, organizations and individuals participating in e-transaction in financial operations must comply with the principles enshrined in Article 5 of the Law on E-Transactions, and provisions of specialized laws and relevant legal provisions.

The Decree stipulates e-dossiers shall fully meet the requirements of State management and in accordance with specialized law provisions. The form and legal validity of e-documents shall comply with the Law on E-Transactions.

Restriction of underground water exploitation

The Government issued Decree No. 167/2018/ND-CP on December 26, 2018 regulating the restriction of underground water exploitation.

The Decree came into force on February 10, 2019.

Use of remote sensing data

Decree No. 03/2019/ND-CP, issued by the Government on January 4, 2019, specified regulations on supply, exploitation and use of remote sensing data, including information and images.

The Decree took effect on February 20, 2019.

Lending for offshore investment

The State Bank of Viet Nam issued Circular No.36/2018/TT-NHNN regulating lending operations by commercial banks, credit organizations and foreign bank branches to customers for offshore investment.

The volume of loans should  be agreed between lenders and customers (investors) but shall not exceed 70% of the customers' total offshore investment capital.

The Circular came into effect on February 15, 2019, replacing the central bank’s previous Circular No. 10/2006/TT-NHNN dated on December 21, 2006.

Identification of age in criminal proceedings

According to Joint Circular No. 06/2018/TTLT-VKSNDTC-TANDTC-BCA-BTP-BLĐTBXH identification of age of defendants and victims aged below 18 shall be conducted on the basis of papers, including Birth Certificate, Identity Card, Passport Number.

The Circular took effect on February 5, 2019./.