Legal updates that matter to Investors – What’s new in 2025?

THE LAM LAW LLC – Your legal need, Our Mission was honored to attend the Conference on Legal Updates in the Financial Sector, co-hosted by VIAC and ITPC on 30 July 2025. The event provided valuable insight into regulatory reforms shaping the future of Vietnam’s financial and investment landscape.

🎯 Below are key legal highlights & must-know changes for businesses and investors:

1. LAW ON SECURITIES – KEY AMENDMENTS
🔸 Expanded definition of professional investors – now includes foreign entities.
🔸 Flexible public offerings – exemptions to the 70% sale threshold for existing shareholders.
🔸 Stricter bond rules – credit rating, debt ratio, investor classification now required.
🔸 New power to suspend/cancel private placements with investor refund & compensation.
🔸 Clarified market manipulation acts – more enforceable compliance boundaries.

 2. TAX POLICY REFORMS IN 2025
🔹 VAT
✔️ Allow VAT refund for expansion projects and 5%-rate industries
✔️ E-commerce services now taxed at 10% VAT (↑ from 5%)
✔️ ESOP & invoice issuance rules streamlined for businesses
🔹 Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
✔️ Real estate profits/losses now inter-offsettable
✔️ New CIT brackets for SMEs based on total revenue
✔️ Tax incentives focused on technology & innovation, not location-based
✔️ Capital transfer by foreign entities taxed at 2% on sale price
🔹 Special Consumption Tax
✔️ Sugary drinks taxed from 2027 (8%) and 2028 (10%)
✔️ Mixed tax on tobacco (75% ad valorem + per-unit charge)

3. LEGAL ARCHITECTURE FOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE (IFC)
📌 Enacted via Resolution 222/2024/QH15, applicable in HCMC & Da Nang
✅ Corporate Income Tax:
• 10% for 30 years + 4-year exemption + 9-year 50% reduction (for priority sectors)
✅ Personal Income Tax:
• 100% PIT exemption for experts, investors, and share/capital transfer income until 2030
✅ Foreign Exchange & Banking:
• Use of foreign currency allowed
• 100% foreign-owned banks may apply home-country standards for accounting and risk
✅ Employment & Immigration:
• No work permits for qualified foreigners
• Visa & residence cards up to 10 years for foreign experts & families
• Unlimited quota for foreign staff
✅ Land use:
• Up to 70-year leases for major investment projects
✅ Dispute resolution:
• Dedicated commercial & investment arbitration/mediation mechanisms under IFC framework – reinforcing investor confidence.

📎 Pls find full Conference materials

📌 Source: VIAC & ITPC Conference Materials

💡 At THE LAM LAW LLC – Your legal need, Our Mission, we support businesses in navigating these updates, adapting compliance frameworks, and leveraging new opportunities – especially as Vietnam sets course toward becoming a regional financial hub.


THE LAM LAW LLC
🏢Indochina Park Tower, # 4 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Str, Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
📞Tel: +84 (0)28 710 58 222 – 6288 3798 – Hotline: +84 (0) 97 309 77 77
Email: info@thelamlawllc.com

 

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