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More policies come into force today, benefiting people

VGP – Since January 1, 2010, more new regulations regarding people’s life will come into effect.

January 01, 2010 10:16 AM GMT+7

Since January 1, 2010, people are issued with new health insurance cards
1. Higher health insurance contribution

Since January 1, 2010, when patients with health insurance enjoy medical services at their registered clinics, the health Insurance Fund will pay:
- 100% of costs (officers, non-commissioned officers, those deserving the credit for the revolutionary cause; under-6-year-old children);
- 95% of costs (beneficiaries of retirement wage, invalidity pension, and monthly social allowance, members of poor households;  and ethnic minority people residing in disadvantaged areas);
- 80% of costs (others).

The Government’s Decree 62/2009/NĐ-CP instructing the enforcement of the Health Insurance Law stipulates that, since January 1, 2010, the contribution to health insurance will be 4.5% of salary, wage, retirement pension, or invalidity allowance, and 3% of students’ living wages.

The State budget will offer subsidiaries equivalent to at least 50% of the contributions of poor students and 30% from those who are not poor.

Also in 2010, the Việt Nam Social Insurance will issue new health insurance cards.

All cards issued before January 1, 2010 and still valid in 2010 can be used until the holders leave hospital.

2. By-region living wages raised

Under the Government’s Decrees 97/2009/NĐ-CP and 98/2009/NĐ-CP, laborers’ living wages will be categorized into four different groups of regions having different living standards.

Accordingly, the by-region living wages paid for unskilled laborers working in normal conditions in domestic enterprises will be VND 980,000; 880,000; 810,000; and 730,000 per month and in FDI enterprises: VND 1,340,000; 1,190,000; 1,040,000; and 1,000,000.

The new monthly wages are VND 80,000-180,000 higher than the current one.

3. Interest rate subsidies for medium and long-term loans

The Government decided to provide interest rate subsidies of 2% per year in 2010 for medium and long-term Vietnamese currency loans taken from commercial banks in order to serve agriculture-forestry; fisheries; processing industry; science-technology; purchase and trading in agro-forestry products, marine products and salt.

The decision aims to promote both growth recovery, economic restructuring, and macro-economic stability.

Activities to purchase and trade in agro-products are provided with the interest rate subsidies of 2% per year in 2010

4. Stock income tax imposed, import-export tariffs cut

Since the first day of 2010, about 730,000 accounts of securities investors will bear personal income tax. Accordingly, individual stock transferrers can pay the full tax rate of 20%. Otherwise, they can pay the tax rate of 0.1% imposed on the value of each stock transfer.

Under its WTO commitment, Việt Nam will cut 1,654 tariff lines in 2010

To realize its WTO commitment, Việt Nam will cut down 1,654 tariff lines. Particularly, the WTO-stipulated ceiling tax rates will be applied for such goods with highest import turnover as petroleum, automobiles, spare parts, machinery, and steel.

The new tariff also combines 64 tax rates into 40 ones.

Smoking at indoor public sites can be fined VND 50,000-100,000
5. No smoking at indoor public sites

Since January 1, 2010, the PM’s Decision 1315/2009/QĐ-TTg imposes a strict ban on smoking in classrooms, kindergartens, clinics, libraries, cinemas, theaters, culture houses, production workshops and indoor working places, and means of public transport.

Punishments include warnings and pecuniary penalty of VND 50,000-100,000.

6. Civil servants pay compensation for their wrongdoings

The Law on State compensation stipulates that individuals and organizations suffering material and spiritual damages caused by civil servants in administrative and judicial activities have right to ask for State compensation. For the first time, a Vietnamese law clearly defines 11 illegal acts of civil servants, for which the State compensation are required.

Civil servants who commit intentional wrongdoings are forced to pay a part of the compensation.

7. Capital punishment abrogated for some offences

The Law to revise and supplement some articles of the Penal Code adds new regulations regarding economic and environment crimes while abrogating capital punishment imposed on eight offences, namely Rape; Fraudulently misappropriating citizens’ private property; Smuggling; Forging currencies, concealing or circulating forged currencies, counterfeit stamps, tickets or papers used in distribution; Organization of illegal use of drug substances; Forcible takeover of aircraft or ships; Offering bribe; and Destroying weapons or military equipment.

8. Urban planning schemes need public comments


So far, there are 743 urban areas of all kinds, over 160 concentrated industrial parks, and 28 border-gate economic zones throughout Việt Nam.

The urban development in Việt Nam still faces some challenges, such as land management and use, environment pollution, and poor transport.

The Law on Urban Planning stipulates that planners, when making urban planning schemes, must collect opinions of all stakeholders and these schemes must be publicized within 30 days since their approval.

9. Unemployment insurance paid for laborers

Officially applied since January 1, 2010, unemployment insurance is compulsory to laborers and enterprises. Through this kind of insurance, laborers can receive allowance in case of unemployment and will have chances for vocational training, job consultancy and health insurance. 

Accordingly, laborers shall contribute 1% of their monthly salary, employers 1% of their wage fund and the State budget 1%.

Unemployment pension for laborers is 60% of their average monthly wage paid during six months before they become unemployed. They can enjoy the pension for a period of time equivalent to their contributions to unemployment insurance.

By Hồng Hạnh