CAPITAL CONDITIONS IN AIR TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS

Air transportation is the conditional business line and conducted by air transportation enterprises. Air transportation business includes air transportation activity, advertising, marketing and sale of air transportation products on the market for the purpose of making profit.

Therefore, trading in this business line is subject to strict rules of law. The conditional business lines in the field of civil aviation are detailed in Decree 92/2016/ND-CP dated July 1st 2016.

Accordingly, in the field of air transportation, business must meet capital requirements as follows:

The minimum capital requirement to establish and maintain air transportation business:

• Operating up to 10 aircrafts: 700 billion VND for enterprises engaging in international air transportation; 300 billion VND for enterprises only engaging in domestic air transportation;
• Operating between 11 and 30 aircrafts: 1,000 billion VND for enterprises engaging in international air transportation; 600 billion VND for enterprises only engaging in domestic air transportation;
• Operating more than 30 aircrafts: 1,300 billion VND for enterprises engaging in international air transportation; 700 billion VND for enterprises only engaging in domestic air transportation;

The minimum capital requirements to establish and maintain general air transportation business: 100 billion VND.

Air transportation business that has foreign investment must meet the following conditions:

• The foreign parties take up less than 30% of charter capital;
• Must have at least one Vietnam individual or legal entity hold the largest part of the charter capital. In case Vietnam legal entity has foreign investment capital, the foreign capital share should not exceed 49% of the charter capital of the legal entity.

The transfer of share and capital contribution of air transportation business without foreign investment to foreign investor shall be made only after 02 years from the date of issuance of the air transportation business license.

Enterprises have to send the share and capital transfer proposal to foreign investor to Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, which includes: The transferee, transfer condition, the number of transferring shares and capital contribution; Development plans for aircraft teams, business plan, development strategies referred to in Paragraph 1, Article 9 of the Decree 92/2016/ND-CP (if any).

Within 05 working days from the date of receiving the proposal from business, Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam will report to the Ministry of Transportation the appraisal results.

Within 05 working days from the date of receiving the appraisal result report of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, the Ministry of Transportation will consider approval or disapproval and clearly state the reasons.

ANT Lawyers is a Vietnamese law firm in Vietnam with English speaking lawyers whom understand the laws of Vietnam within the business and the local culture context.

The firm has been advising and representing foreign companies and individual clients interested in either doing business, or needing legal services or representation in Vietnam who are seeking reasonable and competitive solutions without compromising on service quality.

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Decree 118/2015/ND-CP Guiding the Investment Law 2014

Decree 118/2015/ND-CP was issued on November 12th 2015 by the Government. It takes effect from December 27th 2015 clearly regulates some regulations of the Law on Investment on the application, control, publish investment business condition; measures to ensuring investment, investment incentives, investment procedures, operational implementation of investment projects and state management of investment projects.

Regarding investment conditions in Vietnam:

– In terms of the business investment sectors, investors may invest in conditional business lines when they meet the conditions of license, practicing certificate, certified professional liability insurance or other forms of required documents under the provisions of the covered agreements that Vietnam has signed or specific regulations of the law of Vietnam.

– In addition, investors also have to meet other conditions such as charter capital (for a certain number of business lines); forms of investment; scope of investment activities; Vietnam partners to join the investment execution.

– The form of investment for foreign investor:

+ Establish economic organization.

+ Capital contribution or share purchase.

+ Business cooperation contract.

+ Receive transfer of investment project.

– Foreign investors when investing in Vietnam in addition to meeting conditions like investor Vietnam, they will have to meet other specific conditions. Particularly for investors that have both Vietnam and foreign citizenships, they will be able to choose to apply the conditions for foreign investor or Vietnam investor.

On the issue of investment incentives, investors will receive incentives from the State in the following cases:

– Projects under the business lines of investment incentives.

– Investing in areas with difficult economic conditions.

– Project with capital from 6000 billion VND and will be disbursed within a period of 3 years.

– Investing in projects in rural areas and use more than 500 employees.

– Investment project in the fields of science and technology.

– For investment projects in Section 3 and 4 above will be entitled to preferential investment projects in areas with difficult economic conditions. The cases that projects simultaneously under both Section 1 and 2 above shall also enjoy incentives according to investment project in areas with difficult economic conditions.

Distinguishes 3 types of projects:

– The investment project that is not subject to the investment policy decision.

– The investment project under the jurisdiction on investment policy decision of the provincial People’s Committee.

– The project that is not subject to the granting of investment certificate.

In particular, for the project’s land that is granted, lease or allow the transfer of land use purposes by the State, it is necessary to deposit to ensure the investment. The deposit rate will be 3%, 2% or 1% depending on the scale of capital is 300 billion VND or above. Depends on the enjoyed incentives that the amount of deposit will be reduced according to different rate (the typical reduction rate is 25% or 50%).

Regarding the transfer of investment project:

Investor is allowed to transfer part or the whole of their investment project to other investor under the provisions of the law on investment (paragraph 1, article 45). In case when the transfer of projects generates income, investors must comply with the relevant tax obligations.

In addition, the Decree 118/2015 also provides details about:

– The procedures for the adjustment of investment projects in the case of division, separation, merger and transformation of economic organization (Article 38);

– The procedures for the termination of investment projects (Articles 41, 42);

– The investment procedures in the form of capital contribution, share purchase and capital contribution of foreign investors.

Decree 118/2015/ND-CP takes effect from December 27th 2015.

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• Infrastructure and Project
• Civil Matter

ANT Lawyers is a Vietnamese law firm in Vietnam with English speaking lawyers whom understand the laws of Vietnam within the business and the local culture context.

The firm has been advising and representing foreign companies and individual clients interested in either doing business, or needing legal services or representation in Vietnam who are seeking reasonable and competitive solutions without compromising on service quality.

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WHAT FOREIGN INVESTORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAXES IN VIETNAM

Foreign investors whom set-up company in Vietnam always face challenges to understand the tax system in Vietnam. The below briefly explains type of taxes in Vietnam for regular enterprises. In special cases, foreign enterprises are suggested to consult with tax lawyers in Vietnam before establishment and during the operation to ensure compliance

Major taxes which enterprises including both local and foreigners are subject to are corporate income tax, import and export taxes, and value added tax, and their employees are subject to personal income tax. Other taxes might be applicable depending on nature of business, such as natural resource tax, special consumption tax, and foreign contractor tax.

Corporate income tax (CIT) is governed under Vietnam Law on Corporate Income Tax. CIT is calculated by multiplying assessable income with the CIT rate. Assessable income is the difference between sales revenue and deductable expenses. In general, CIT tax rate in Vietnam is currently 22% and will be reduced to 20% starting Jan 1st, 2016.

Export and Import tax are governed under Vietnam Law on Export tax and Import tax. Export of finished goods is encouraged and export tax is 0%. Import tax will be as import tax tariff published by the government unless exempted for reasons of import to process for export, import to create fixed assets other other cases as the laws regulated.

Value added tax (VAT) is governed under Vietnam Law on Value added tax, applicable to goods and services sold in Vietnam. VAT is calculated by multiplying taxable price and VAT rate. The most common VAT rate is 10%. The rate level of 5% and 0% are applicable in certain cases.

Personal income tax (PIT) is governed under Vietnam Law on Personal income tax. Tax payers are resident, which taxable income includes income generated both inside and outside of Vietnam; and non non-resident, which taxable income includes income generated from Vietnam, regardless of the place where it is paid or received.

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HOW TO PREPARE AND FILE A LAWSUIT IN VIETNAM?

If two parties have a dispute over a commercial matter in Vietnam, they should try to resolve disputes through negotiation, or mediation before considering to file a lawsuit against the other at a court in Vietnam.

To implement their right to sue, the plaintiff must prepare and submit the claim at the competent court in Vietnam.  The dispute lawyers in Vietnam with experience and understanding the litigation process should be invited at the early stage to advise, represent and prepare to defend the client.  The claim filing should include the petition and the supporting documents.  The petition is the most important legal document for the court to review and resolve the claim of the plaintiff, as such it should be carefully prepared to meet the requirements of the form, authority, and further contain information about the plaintiff, defendant, summary of the case and the request of the plaintiff.

The contents of the petition must be presented in full, brief, clear, and in logic.  The plaintiff should provide all documents, and evidence to prove the merit of the claim including contract, purchase order, separate terms and conditions, appendixes (if any), minutes of meetings of negotiations, invoices, delivery proof, legal status of plaintiff and defendant, documents to determine the legal status of the representative of the plaintiff such as appointment decision, power of attorney.  In order for the document issued in foreign country to be valid in Vietnam, the documents presented have to be original or notarized, legalized and authenticated copy and translated into Vietnamese in accordance with Vietnam laws.

When the claim has been filed at the competent court in Vietnam provided all conditions of acceptance are met, the court will notify the plaintiff or its representative know the court fees. When the applicant advance the court fee, the case will be recorded and brought into the process for settlement.

At the trial preparation process, the case will be assigned to a judge whom after studying would request parties to present additional necessary papers and documents relating to the case.  Parties or their representative would then be requested to meet the judge to provide further information or testimony or attend reconciliation.  If the disputing parties resolve disputes with each other, the court will make a record to acknowledge the successful reconciliation and issue the decision to recognize the agreement of the parties. Where reconciliation fails, the court records that and shall issue the decision to bring the case to trial.

Disagreements or disputes arise when parties can not agree on issues related to contract provisions, expected outcome or performance starndards…There are cases when the dispute is over a debt obligations matters which a debt recovery law firm could assist at an early stage to manage the collection process pre litigations including negotitions and managing expectations of both sides.    

ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam will be available to assist the clients when required to handle dispute matters out of court, at court or through arbitration in Vietnam.  

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HOW PATENT ATTORNEY IN VIETNAM COULD HELP?

At ANT Lawyers, we provide Patent attorneys in Vietnamwith specialized qualifications necessary for representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all matters and procedures relating to patent law and practice in Vietnam.

The inventors may obtain a patent in Vietnam without the assistance of a patent lawyer if they wish. However, this is almost full of risks. Ignoring the complexity of filing the registration application, the primary concern is whether an inexperienced inventor can write an application which satisfies rules as the requirement of Vietnam Intellectual Property law.

It can be said that Vietnam intellectual property law and procedure on patent registration are complex. That’s why valuable legal rights can easily be lost if the patent application and prosecution of that application are not handled carefully and precisely by one skilled in such matters. Companies that file lots of patent applications use patent attorneys for a reason that you almost certainly will get a better patent if it is done by a patent attorney.

If the inventor does not work with a patent attorney, some of dangers may occur in registering patent in Vietnam as following:

• Failure in providing enough file for patent registration;
• Making inaccurate statement such as incorrect description;
• Wasting time because the documents is not valid;
• Loss of patent right because of other patents;
• Loss of capability on exploiting economic from patent right;

With the above – mentioned risks, patent registration in Vietnam with the assistance of the patent attorney seem to be an effective way to ensure the client’s right.  The patent attorney in Vietnam may help clients obtain patent quickly. The inventor also save time to focus on their core specialization if they use patent filing service.

The patent attorney assist clients as following:

• Advise about the procedure for registration prior submitting application;
• Compile all forms related to patent registration procedure;
• Prepare for registration dossier and conduct the registration;
• Subscribe to the application already filed and report to clients on the status of the application;
• Inform, advise and handle mission or refusal of Patent Agency;
• Get Patent and hand over to clients after receiving patent from patent Agency;
• Consult clients about the use of the invention, rights and obligations related to invention after successful registration.

All things become easy, convenient and safe if you get the assistance from a patent attorney in patent registration.

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ADDING FOREIGN SUBJECTS TO OWN RESIDENT HOUSES IN VIETNAM

The Draft Law on House (amended) has currently taken lots of attentions of not only investors but residents. One of the significant amendments is provision on house ownership of foreign organizations, individuals.

According to Articles 161, 162, 163 of Draft Law, there are 3 cases that the foreigners may own resident houses in Vietnam as following:

1. Foreign organizations, individuals invest the construct resident houses according to projects for sale, lease, hire-purchase sale.
2. Foreign owned enterprises, branches, representative offices of the enterprises without business in real estate, foreign investment funds and branches of foreign banks permitted to operate in Vietnam are entitled to buy, donate, inherit the commercial houses in projects of resident housesdevelopment, new urban areas, tourism real estate.
3. Foreign individuals who are allowed to enter Vietnam, not belong to incentive rights, diplomatic or consular immunity.

However, subjects at section 2 and 3 are eligible to own houses in maximum term of 70 years, from the issuance date and can extend according to laws at that moment. They are not allowed to buy and own social houses, just buy and own commercial houses. They are also eligible to own unlimited number of commercial houses in commercial resident house development projects, new urban area or tourism real estate. These new provisions will become important points for real estate market in Vietnam. Especially, the foreign individuals are allowed to enter Vietnam, entitled to buy and own resident houses in Vietnam. It’s expected to make a big change in real estate in Vietnam when the new Law on House (amended) is adopted. ANT Lawyers,your lawyers in Vietnam.

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HOW TO DECLARE VAT FOR FOREIGN CONTRACTORS IN VIETNAM

Foreign Contractors are subject to tax for their income in Vietnam. On February 11, 2015, the Ministry of Finance signed the Decision No. 274/QD-BTC on publishing amendments and supplements of administrative procedures in the tax management under the Ministry of Finance’s authority.

Declare Tax for Foreign Contractors in Vietnam

Under this Decision, procedures of declaring tax for foreign contractors, foreign sub-contractors paying value added tax according to the direct method on value added tax, paying enterprise tax based on percentage of revenue for business operations and other incomes shall be amended and replaced. Specifically, foreign contractor, foreign sub-contractor shall prepare one dossier including tax declaration (according to the Form), copies of the Contract for Contractor/Sub-Contractor certified by the tax payer (for the first tax declaration of Contract for Contractor); Copy of Business License or Profession license certified by the tax payer and send to the Department of Taxation. Of which, tax declaration shall be made in each arising tax duty. Deadline for submitting the tax declaration document is no later than the tenth day since the day of arising tax duty. In the event that Vietnamese party pays for foreign contract many times in the month, it can be declared by month instead of making declarations for each time. Deadline for submitting the tax declaration document is no later than the twentieth day of the next month since the month of arising tax duty. This Decision takes effect on October 01, 2014.

For advise or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawers.vn, or call +84 8 3520 2779.  To learn more about us, please visit www.antlawyers.vn 

ANT Lawyers is a Vietnam law firm with international standards, recognized by IFLR1000 on Financial and Corporate practice. We are an exclusive Vietnam member of Prae Legal, the global law firm network covering more than 150 jurisdictions. The firm provides a range of legal services as following to multinational and domestic clients.

Read More

HOW PATENT ATTORNEY IN VIETNAM COULD HELP?

At ANT Lawyers, we provide Patent attorneys in Vietnam with specialized qualifications necessary for representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all matters and procedures relating to patent law and practice in Vietnam.

The inventors may obtain a patent in Vietnam without the assistance of a patent lawyer if they wish. However, this is almost full of risks. Ignoring the complexity of filing the registration application, the primary concern is whether an inexperienced inventor can write an application which satisfies rules as the requirement of Vietnam Intellectual Property law.

It can be said that Vietnam intellectual property law and procedure on patent registration are complex. That’s why valuable legal rights can easily be lost if the patent application and prosecution of that application are not handled carefully and precisely by one skilled in such matters. Companies that file lots of patent applications use patent attorneys for a reason that you almost certainly will get a better patent if it is done by a patent attorney.

If the inventor does not work with a patent attorney, some of dangers may occur in registering patent in Vietnam as following:

• Failure in providing enough file for patent registration;
• Making inaccurate statement such as incorrect description;
• Wasting time because the documents is not valid;
• Loss of patent right because of other patents;
• Loss of capability on exploiting economic from patent right;

With the above – mentioned risks, patent registration in Vietnam with the assistance of the patent attorney seem to be an effective way to ensure the client’s right.  The patent attorney in Vietnam may help clients obtain patent quickly. The inventor also save time to focus on their core specialization if they use patent filing service.

The patent attorney assist clients as following:

• Advise about the procedure for registration prior submitting application;
• Compile all forms related to patent registration procedure;
• Prepare for registration dossier and conduct the registration;
• Subscribe to the application already filed and report to clients on the status of the application;
• Inform, advise and handle mission or refusal of Patent Agency;
• Get Patent and hand over to clients after receiving patent from patent Agency;
• Consult clients about the use of the invention, rights and obligations related to invention after successful registration.

All things become easy, convenient and safe if you get the assistance from a patent attorney in patent registration.

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SIMPLIFYING THE PROCEDURE FOR FOREIGNER TO RESIDE IN VIETNAM

For foreigners wishing to come to Vietnam to work and reside temporarily, they need to either set-up a company in Vietnam or work for others. The owner of the company does not need a work permit but still need to apply for temporary residence card.

Simplifying the procedure for foreigner to reside in Vietnam

However, the foreign employee will need the employer to sponsor the work permit in Vietnam before applying for temporary residence card. A recent draft law on entry, exit and residence of foreigner in Vietnam has been proposed with some changes. The draft regulates many open provisions on entry-exit procedure, temporary and permanent residence conditions for foreigner to reside in Vietnam. ANT Lawyers always follows the new updates about administrative procedures in Vietnam to provide our client with the best service.

The new draft law details conditions for granting the temporary residence card for foreigners working in Vietnam, rising term of this card from 3 year to 5 year. The foreigners’ category expands to scientists and specialists residing in Vietnam for the purpose of attracting international talents, the foreigners who don’t have any type of document proving nationality, and have resided in Vietnam before the year 2000. The foreigners holding temporary residence card must change card per periodically 10 years at the issuing offices. The draft law does not allow the foreigners to change the entry purpose, but allows them to supplement the purpose of belonging persons in some specific cases such as in term of diplomatic representative offices, consulate, international representative office of United Nations and students at universities, colleges, schools.

For more information or requirement of legal services to obtain temporary residence card in Vietnam, we could assist. 

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JUDICIAL RECORD CARD IN VIETNAM

Judicial record card in Vietnam Procedures to obtain judicial record card (criminal record/ police check) in Vietnam is regulated in the Law no. 28/2009/QH12  of National Assembly of Vietnam on Judicial Record.

JUDICIAL RECORD CARD

Judicial record card means a card issued by an agency managing the judicial record database and valid to prove whether or not an individual has a previous criminal conviction, is banned from holding certain posts, establishing or managing enterprises or cooperatives in case enterprises or cooperatives have been declared bankrupt by court.

Judicial record cards include: judicial record card No. 1, which shall be issued to Vietnamese citizens and foreigners who resided or are currently residing in Vietnam; and judicial record card No. 2, which shall be issued at the request of individuals who want to know their judicial records.

To obtain judicial record card No.1, the requesters who is Vietnamese citizens must apply at provincial-level Justice Departments in localities where they permanently reside or at the provincial-level Justice Department in the locality where the requester temporarily resides (in case they have no place of permanent residence) or at the provincial-level Justice Department in the locality where he/she resided before his/her departure (in case the requesters are residing overseas). The foreigners residing in Vietnam shall apply at provincial-level Justice Departments in localities where they reside or at the National Center for Judicial Records (in case they have left Vietnam).

Documents required include:

i) declaration requesting the issuance of judicial record cards;

ii) a copy of the identity card or passport of the person requested to be issued a judicial record card;

iii) a copy of the household registration book or certificate of permanent or temporary residence of the person requested to be issued a judicial record card.

In case of requesting the issuance of card No.1, individuals may authorize other persons to carry out procedures for requesting the issuance of judicial record cards.

Procedures for issuance of judicial record cards No. 2 to individuals comply with the provisions for card No.1. However, individuals who request the issuance of a judicial record card No. 2, may not authorize others to carry out procedures for such request.

During the process of applying for the Criminal Record, the applicant might have to work with the police agencies; the Court: in case there are not sufficient evidence at the police agencies to conclude that the applicant has no criminal records or the content of the applicant’s criminal records is not clear; People’s Committee of communes, wards and townships; agencies, organizations and agencies related proceedings: in case of coordination to verify the conditions of having his/her conviction automatically written off.

Let ANT Lawyers help your business in Vietnam.

For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call +84 8 3520 2779.  To learn more about us, please visit www.antlawyers.vn.  ANT Lawyers has law offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Da Nang City.

ANT Lawyers is a Vietnam law firm with international standards, recognized by Legal500, IFLR1000.  We are an exclusive Vietnam member of Prae Legal, the global law firm network covering more than 150 jurisdictions.  The firm provides a range of legal services as following to multinational and domestic clients.

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REPORT THE DEMAND TO USE FOREIGN WORKERS IN VIETNAM

In order to manage the usage of foreign workers in Vietnam, the Vietnam state authority has requested employers to provide explanation for such need to use foreign workers.

This will be the preliminary procedure before applying for work permit in Vietnam then temporary residence card in Vietnam for foreigners.  The report of demand to use of foreign workers has to meet the following requirements:

Demand to use foreign workers: The employer (except contractors) is responsible for determining the demand to use foreign employees for each position that the Vietnamese employee has not met the requirement and submit written explanation. In case the employer is a contractor, in the bidding documents, it is required to declare the number, qualifications, professional competence and experience of foreign workers mobilized to implement bidding packages.

Recipient: Chairman of People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central authority (hereinafter referred to as the provincial People’s Committee) where the employer is headquartered.

Periodic notification period: Every year, the employer (except contractor) is responsible for determining the demand to use foreign employees for explanation.

The period of notice for the first time: Before at least 30 days from the date the employer (except contractor) plans to recruit foreign employees, the employer must report explanations as provided in Paragraph 1 Article 4 of Decree No. 102/2013 / ND-CP on the demand to use foreign workers, including work position, number, qualifications, experience, salary, working hours and submit directly to the Department of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and cities under central authority (hereinafter referred to as the Department of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs) where the employer is headquartered.

The period of notice the adjustment: The employer whom is approved to use foreign employees, that have changes in the demand for foreign workers, has to directly submit the report explaining the adjustment and supplementation at least 30 days before the expected day for new recruitment, additional recruitment or recruitment to replace foreign workers with the Department of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs where the employer is headquartered.

ANT Lawyers will be available to assist the clients when required dealing with the employment matters for foreign workers in Vietnam.

For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call +84 8 3520 2779.  To learn more about us, please visit www.antlawyers.vn.  

ANT Lawyers is a Vietnam law firm with international standards, recognized by IFLR1000 on Financial and Corporate practice.  We are an exclusive Vietnam member of Prae Legal, the global law firm network covering more than 150 jurisdictions.  The firm provides a range of legal services as following to multinational and domestic clients.

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