Upcoming ASEAN Economic Community From The Perspective Of A Non ASEAN

Establishment of ASEAN Economic Community

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) originates from the ASEAN Vision 2020, which was adopted in 1997 on the 30th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, made up of Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (ASEAN). With a population of more than 600 million and a nominal GDP of about $2.31 trillion, ASEAN is a strong economic community in Asia and also a driver of global growth.

The AEC is the realisation of the end goal of economic integration as espoused in the Vision 2020, which is based on a convergence of interests of ASEAN member countries to deepen and broaden economic integration through existing and new initiatives with clear timelines. AEC will have to envisage the key characteristics: (i) a single market and production base, (ii) a highly competitive economic region, (iii) a region of equitable economic development, and (iv) a region fully integrated into the global economy. By end of 2015, the AEC will be already started to realize those goals of regional economic integration and to create a single market and production base for the region by 2020.

Vietnam - A Future International Competitor in Wind Energy?

Potential of Wind Energy Industry in Vietnam

Vietnam has a significant potential for wind energy with an average wind speed of more than 6m/s, surpassing that of all neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. With more than 3,000 km coastline and plenty of islands, the total potential of wind energy in Vietnam is estimated to be as high as 713,000 MW – 510,000 MW on land and 203,000 MW in islands. In comparison, this is 200 times more than the production volume of the largest hydropower plant, Son La (Vietnam), in Southeast Asia and 10 times larger than the projected total capacity of the electricity industry in 2020.

New PPP laws in Vietnam:moving closer towards bankable projects?

Overview on Public – Private Partnership (“PPP”) Laws in Vietnam

Vietnam’s infrastructure development has struggled to keep up with continued economic and population growth. According to the statistics, Vietnam needs about US$170 billion for infrastructure investment in the period from 2011 to 2020 while the State budget is constrained, capital sources from state budget and official development assistance (“ODA”) are estimated to meet only a half of the identified requirements.

In this situation, PPP is the most appropriate mechanism for Vietnam. In practice, other countries have successfully implemented partnership between the public and private sector. Put it simply, the idea is that the public sector has the ‘users’ (or customers) and land and can provide other incentives, such as tax breaks while the private sector can bring in technology, capital, and efficiency through experience.

Regulatory framework on food safety testing

i.          General regulatory framework on food safety

The Law on the Quality of Products and Goods No. 05/2007/QH12 dated 21 November 2007 (“QPG Law”) and Law on Food Safety 55/2010/QH12 dated 17 June 2010 (“FS Law”), together with their guiding regulations, are the legal documents primarily regulating food safety matters in Vietnam.

The QPG Law (effective as of 1 July 2008) regulates the responsibilities of manufacturers/ traders for the quality of their products and provides for the Ministry of Science and Technology’s overall responsibility for State management of the quality of goods, including foods. The FS Law (effective as of 1 July 2011), specifies the responsibilities to the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) for the safety of food; and describes the rights and obligations of organizations and individuals in respect of food safety, conditions to ensure food safety and doing business in food, advertising, labeling food etc.

Disaster of Domestic Arbitration Verdict Annulment in Vietnam – How to avoid?

Enforcement Of Domestic Arbitral Awards In Vietnam

Recently, the media of Vietnam paid much attention to Vinalines case, the largest shipping corporation in Vietnam who lost an arbitration case brought to the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC). However, Vinalines then asked the court in Hanoi, Vietnam for annulment of VIAC’s verdict. Under the VIAC verdict, Vinalines has to pay VND 62.5bn to the South Korean SK E&C to compensate for its’ breach of a harbor construction contract with SK E&C at Van Phong transit port, Khanh Hoa province. Vinalines did accept this verdict but later on submitted a request to the Hanoi People’s Court for this verdict’s annulment. Meanwhile Vinalines also asked for the intervention and support of the relevant ministries.

Investing in big motorcycle industry in Vietnam

Key notes: Generally speaking, there are more and more foreign motorbike manufacturers flock to Vietnam in the context that the driving license policy in this country has been loosened and the Vietnamese nationals now have more opportunities to possess large capacity motorbikes.

I.              Trading right

After the WTO accession in 2007, Vietnam opened the market for importing the big motorcycle (175cc+), officially entitled to import as from June 2007.

As of 1 January 2009, foreign invested companies engaging in distribution services will be permitted to engage in the commission agents', wholesale and retail business of tractors; motor vehicles; cars and motorcycles.

Thus, there is no limitation to the foreign investor on the market access. However, the establishment of outlets for retail services (beyond the first one) shall be allowed on the basis of an Economic Needs Test (ENT).

Exemption Of Work Permit By Internal Corporate Transfer

Under the applicable labor laws of Vietnam, in order to work in this country, the foreign nationals must, besides satisfying with other conditions, obtain a work permit issued by the competent authority in Vietnam. Having a work permit is likely to be the biggest hindrance to the foreign nationals. However, the foreign nationals must avoid the need for work permit through the exemption case: internal transfer within an enterprise.

According to Decree No. 102/2013/ND-CP of the Government dated 5 September 2013 implementing the Labour Code on foreigners working in Vietnam, foreigner internally transferring within an enterprise means a manager, executive director, expert or technician of a foreign enterprise which has established a commercial presence within the territory of Vietnam who temporarily transfers internally within the enterprise to the commercial presence within the territory of Vietnam and who was recruited [or employed] by the foreign enterprise at least twelve (12) months prior to such transfer. The foreign nationals who are subject to this definition will be exempted from work permit.

New foundations for real estate deals

New foundations for real estate deals - Vietnam Investment Review

The recent National Assembly session passed the Law on Enterprise, Law on Investment, Law on Residential Housing and Law on Real Estate Business. These new laws contain provisions which help to create a more transparent, consistent and conducive legal environment for domestic and foreign real estate investors alike.

These provisions should help revitalise the real estate market by paving the way for investment and mergers and acquisitions. David Lim, managing partner at Zicolaw Vietnam outlines the main provisions in the new laws.

The real estate sector has been an attractive investment field. However, it is also a challenging sector due to restrictions and complicated rules imposed on investors and real estate transactions. It is important to understand the new provisions in laws to take advantage of the investment opportunities provided. 

From now, 05 year visa will be granted for the foreign investors in Vietnam

With the enforcement of the Law on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 47/2014/QH13 dated 16 June 2013 by the National Assembly of Vietnam (“Law No. 47/2014”), as from 01 January 2015, the foreign nationals who have the business investment in Vietnam may be granted a 05 year visa.  Previously, the foreign nationals were only allowed to obtain one year visas and three years residency cards.

Under the Law No. 47/2014, the foreign investors in Vietnam who are eligible will be issued a visa named “ĐT” which has the duration of maximum 05 years. A temporary residence card will be accordingly considered for issuance to those who have got this type of visa. The Law No. 47/2014 also allows the foreigners that are parents, spouse, children under 18 years of age of the foreigners issued with a ĐT visa to receive the same treatment.

In order to be considered as the foreign investor in Vietnam, the foreign nationals must qualify for the definition of foreign investor under the Law on Investment in Vietnam and also obtain an investment certificate for their business investment in this country.

Engaging in securities service business in Vietnam

According to the commitments made to the World Trade Organization (WTO) during its 2007 accession, Vietnam only allow the foreign investor to enter into Vietnamese market in respect to the service under the list up which Vietnam committed to open. In the case of not subject to the list, Vietnam has the right to decide to allow a foreign investor to access the market or not on the basis of case by case. That is subject to the approval of the Prime Minister or the managing Ministries depending on the investment capital scale, type of service.

At present, Vietnam did commit on opening up securities service sector under the WTO commitments, accordingly, after 5 years from the date of accession (i.e. January 11th 2007), the foreign investor is allowed to engage in securities service business with establishment of 100% foreign invested capital enterprises and for some limited services, the branches of foreign securities services suppliers shall be permitted. Therefore, the foreign investor from a WTO member country generally speaking, can freely acquire minority/majority shares in domestic enterprises; establish a wholly – owned subsidiary or a branch in Vietnam.

How does the appeal process work in Vietnam?

Under the Penal Proceeding Code of Vietnam, the appeal process will be applied when the first-instance judgments or decisions in such cases are appealed or protested against before they become legally valid.

Under the applicable regulations, the entitled persons, e.g. defendants, victims and their lawful representatives, civil plaintiffs, civil defendants and their lawful representatives, etc… will be entitled to appeal while the procuracy bodies shall have the right to protest against first-instance judgments or decisions.

In case of appeal or protest, the appellants or protestants must send their written appeals to the courts within fifteen days after the date of pronouncement of judgments and the competent court of appeal must open appellate court sessions within sixty days for provincial-level court; within ninety days for Supreme People’s Court after receiving the case files. The appellants must send their written appeals to the courts within fifteen days after the date of pronouncement of judgments. The late appeals may be accepted if plausible reasons can be given that are reviewed and decided by the trial panel of the court of appeal.