Legal Updates & Publications

On 18 May 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Resolution No. 66.18/2026/NQ-CP (Resolution 66.18), introducing multiple administrative simplification and decentralisation measures across sectors, including the merger control framework. The Resolution is intended to operate as a temporary transitional framework rather than a permanent standalone regime. 

We would like to bring to your attention a recent appellate court judgement that has important implications for transactions involving the transfer of land-use rights (LURs) to foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) in Vietnam.

On 30 April 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree No. 142/2026/ND-CP (Decree 142) detailing a number of articles and measures for implementing the Law on Artificial Intelligence (Law on AI), which took effect from 1 May 2026. 

We are pleased to share our Vietnam Insurance M&A Guide which provides a practical overview of the legal and regulatory framework governing mergers, acquisitions, investments, and strategic partnerships in the healthcare sector in Vietnam.

On 31 March 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 96/2026/ND-CP (Decree 96), which serves as the main guiding document for the Law on Investment 2025. 

We are pleased to share our Vietnam Healthcare M&A Guide which provides a practical overview of the legal and regulatory framework governing mergers, acquisitions, investments, and strategic partnerships in the healthcare sector in Vietnam.

On 31 March 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 103/2026/ND-CP on outbound investment (Decree 103), which took effect on 3 April 2026. This Decree replaces Chapter VI on outbound investment under Decree No. 31/2021/ND-CP of the Government dated 26 March 2021 providing detailed guidance for the implementation of the Law on Investment (Decree 31).

On 25 February 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, H.E. Bui Thanh Son signed Decision 330/QD-TTg (Decision 330) approving the plan to implement the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the Apostille Convention). This reform marks a critical milestone in Vietnam’s commitment to streamlining cross-border administrative procedures and enhancing the investment climate for foreign enterprises.

On 12 March 2026, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular No. 20/2026/TT-BTC (Circular 20), providing detailed guidance on certain provisions of Law No. 67/2025/QH15 on Corporate Income Tax (the Law on CIT) and Decree No. 320/2025/ND-CP (Decree 320). Circular 20 took effect on 12 March 2026 and applies from the 2025 tax period onwards. It replaces key legacy CIT guidance, including Circular No. 78/2014/TT-BTC (Circular 78) and Circular No. 96/2015/TT-BTC (Circular 96), and repeals specified CIT-related provisions of certain earlier instruments. 

Frasers Law Company brings you a legal update of National Assembly Resolution No. 253/2025/QH15 which introduces an adjustment to the Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8) and which was passed on 11 December 2025 and which will become effective on 1st March 2026 (Resolution 253). 

The Law on Insurance Business 2022 (Law on Insurance Business), which was adopted on 16 June 2022 and came into effect on 01 January 2023, provides a clear legal framework for insurance business in Vietnam, promoting a healthy and competitive environment. On 10 December 2025, the National Assembly promulgated Law No. 139/2025/QH15, amending and supplementing a number of provisions of the Law on Insurance Business (Amendment Law), with the purpose of further perfecting the legal framework for insurance business activities. The Amendment Law came into effect on 01 January 2026. In this legal update, we will highlight notable provisions of the Amendment Law. 

On 11 December 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed Law No. 142/2025/QH15 on Recovery and Bankruptcy (the Law on Bankruptcy 2025), marking a significant overhaul of the country's insolvency framework. The new legislation, which will take effect from 1 March 2026, repeals and replaces Law No. 51/2014/QH13 on Bankruptcy (the Law on Bankruptcy 2014).

On 11 December 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam officially passed the Law on Investment No. 143/2025/QH15 (the Law on Investment 2025), which will replace the Law on Investment No. 61/2020/QH14 (the Law on Investment 2020). The new law introduces fundamental shifts in Vietnam’s foreign direct investment (FDI) regime, aiming to streamline the entry process for foreign investors while tightening state management.
 

Explore our latest legal guides for practical insights into navigating transactions and doing business in Vietnam.

Vietnam Business Guide

Mergers & Acquisitions Guide  

Power Investment Guide 

Frasers Banking & Finance Guide

Vietnam’s Insurance Sector Legal & Investment Guide 

Arbitration Guide 

We are pleased to share the first edition of our Vietnam’s Insurance Sector Legal & Investment Guide, offering a detailed and practical overview of the legal and regulatory framework of the insurance market in Vietnam.

On 31 December 2025, Decree No. 356/2025/ND-CP guiding the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Law (Decree 356) was officially issued by the Government. Decree 356 came into effect on 1 January 2026 and replaces Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP dated 17 April 2023 of the Government on personal data protection (Decree 13), thereby contributing to the effective implementation of the Personal Data Protection Law and ensuring consistency across the legal framework on personal data protection. In this Legal Update, we present notable provisions of Decree 356 and compare them with those of Decree 13, thereby highlighting key changes and their potential implications for businesses.