VietNamNet Bridge – A string of new policies on electric grid safety, industrial promotion funding, import of automobiles and motorcycles and management of overseas students in Viet Nam will take effect in April 2014.

Tough punishment on power grid safety infringements

Under Decree 14/2014/ND-CP, dated February 26, 2014, detailing implementation measures of the Electricity Law on power grid safety, prohibited acts in the work, including stealing or removing stay wires, earthly cables, equipment and facilities of electrical grid; climbing onto electric post, entering transformer stations or safety zone of electrical works when not tasked.

Infringements also cover using high-voltage power grid works for other purposes without reaching agreement with units managing those works and flying kites or other flying objects which may cause damage to high-voltage power grid works near high-voltage power grid works.

The new decree also requests operators of high voltage electricity transmission systems to regularly inspect protective corridors and ask violators to stop illegal operation.  

More assistance for industrial complexes

According to Joint Circular 26/2014/TTLT-BTC-BCT on the use and management of the national and local industry promotion funding, industrial complexes will get a maximum aid funding of 30% but less than VND 1,500 million each.  

Costs of building technical performance models cover: buying machineries and equipment, completing documents on production and technological processes with a maximum aid funding of VND500 million a model.

Import of used automobiles and motorcycles

Circular 20/2014/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance regulates the import of automobiles and motorcycles under the mode of movable assets of Vietnamese citizens residing abroad with registration for permanent residence.

Beneficiaries are Vietnamese citizens residing abroad and having valid foreign passports or papers in place of foreign passports.

Automobiles and motorcycles will be imported under the mode of movable assets if they are ensured to have been registered for circulation in the country of residence or the countries where overseas Vietnamese citizens went to work (different from the country of residence) for at least six months and have run at least 10,000 km by the time arriving at Vietnamese ports.

 After completing registration procedures for permanent residence in Vietnam, vehicles imported by overseas Vietnamese will be exempt from import duty but liable to taxes and fees.

The Circular took effect since April 1, 2014.

Protective equipment for laborers

Circular 04/2014/TT-BLDTBXH guiding implementation of regulations on personal protective equipment will come into force on April 15, 2014.

The Circular guides the implementation of regulations on personal protective equipment; list of personal protective equipment for those working in occupations and works in contact with harmful, dangerous elements.

Personal protective equipment include: Head protective devices; eye and face protective devices; hearing protective devices; respiratory protective devices; hand and foot protective devices; body protective devices; protective devices to prevent fall; protective devices to preventing electric shock, electromagnetic field; protective devices preventing drowning; and other devices ensuring occupational safety and health.

Management of foreign learners

The regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training on management of foreign students in Viet Nam will take effect on April 11, 2014.

Foreign students are required to register and update their personal information in a database athttp://lhsnn.vied.vn within 30 days after their registration in the country.

Foreign students, including those studying at all educational institutions, are required to update their information annually or when there are any changes.

They have to meeting conditions on knowledge, health, age and profile, the students are required to own degrees which are equivalent to educational levels in Viet Nam, as well as acquire equivalent Vietnamese proficiency.

Regulations on age are in accordance with agreements signed between Viet Nam and other countries, territories and international organizations. Age limitations are not applied to other self-paying and sponsored students.

Source: VGP