Starting in April 2025, several key economic policies will take effect in Vietnam, including pilot commercial housing projects, public investment capital allocation, sustainable business support funding, and more.

Pilot implementation of commercial housing projects

On November 30, 2024, the National Assembly passed Resolution No. 171/2024/QH15, allowing for pilot implementation of commercial housing projects through agreements on land-use rights or existing land holdings. This resolution takes effect on April 1, 2025.

A notable point under Clause 3, Article 3 of the resolution is that real estate businesses may receive land-use rights and convert the purpose of agricultural land for pilot project development, provided that the provincial People’s Council gives approval.

Projects must meet strict conditions. The land plot must align with the district-level land-use planning, construction planning, or urban development planning. It must also conform to the local housing development plan that has been approved.

Investors must strictly comply with regulations related to land, housing, real estate business, investment, and all relevant legal provisions.

New regulations on public investment capital allocation for 2026–2030

Resolution No. 70/2025/UBTVQH15, issued by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee, outlines the principles, criteria, and limits for allocating state budget public investment capital for the 2026–2030 period. This resolution takes effect on April 1, 2025.

It prioritizes funding in the following order: urgent projects, national target programs, nationally significant projects, repayment of advance capital, and settlement of construction debt. Projects using ODA, concessional foreign loans, and public-private partnerships (PPP) are also prioritized.

This order is designed to enhance investment efficiency and avoid delays, scattered investment, or lack of focus.

The resolution also specifies allocation criteria and budget levels for central, local, domestic, and foreign-sourced capital during this period.

Mountainous, border, and island regions will be prioritized to reduce developmental disparities.

For the 2026–2030 period, up to 30% of the central government’s budget may be allocated as targeted supplementary funding for localities. This allocation will be based on sectors and areas, excluding capital for national target programs and concessional loans from foreign donors.

Regulations on managing funds for sustainable private sector development

Circular No. 09/2025/TT-BTC, issued by the Ministry of Finance and effective April 20, 2025, provides guidance on managing and using state budget funds for the 2022–2025 support program for sustainable private sector enterprises.

The circular outlines eligible expenses to develop a sustainable business ecosystem. These include compiling instructional materials, connecting enterprises with credit institutions and investors, sharing best practices, raising awareness, and developing a network of expert consultants to support small and medium enterprises.

New regulation on digital signature certificate verification system fees

Circular No. 13/2025/TT-BTC from the Ministry of Finance - effective April 10, 2025 - regulates the collection, payment, management, and use of fees for maintaining digital signature certificate verification systems.

Fee payers are licensed trust service providers. For digital signature certification licenses still valid under the Law on Electronic Transactions No. 51/2005/QH11, license holders are still obligated to pay fees.

The fee for public digital signature certification services is VND 3,000/month (approx. USD 0.12) per digital certificate issued to organizations or businesses. The fee for timestamping and data message certification services is VND 4.2 million/month (approx. USD 170) per certificate issued to trust service providers.

Fees are calculated from the month the certificate becomes effective to the month before expiration, suspension, or revocation.

New policy on labor, salary, remuneration, and bonuses in state-owned enterprises

Decree No. 44/2025/ND-CP, regulating labor, wages, remuneration, and bonuses in state-owned enterprises, takes effect on April 15, 2025.

It mandates transparent, fair compensation reflecting employee and executive contributions.

Wage funds will be determined using two methods: average salary levels or a stable wage rate, depending on whether the enterprise has operated for a minimum required period. Each company can flexibly choose the method best suited to its operational context and may even apply separate models for different sectors if indicators are separable.

Hanh Nguyen