VietNamNet Bridge - The ratio of taxes and fees to GDP every Vietnamese has to bear is 1.4-3 times higher than in other regional countries.  

VietNamNet Bridge - A wind power generator is one of 30 products related to climate change adaptation which may receive support from the World Bank.

VietNamNet Bridge - While economists see signs of an economic recovery, businesses continue to be pessimistic as sales remained lower than expected during the April holiday.

The Ministry of Finance’s warning about the lack of VND32 trillion for state budget expenditures this year has raised concerns among businesses, as the ministry could try to raise domestic taxes and fees to ease the deficit.

The finance ministry (MoF) has increased the export duty on gold jewellery of more than 95 per cent purity from zero to two per cent. 

 The European Commission has laid out plans to clamp down on so-called sweetheart tax deals between governments and multinationals.

The General Department of Customs (GDC) says it does not how to tax a so-called “strange vehicle”, a motorhome, because several government agencies have been unable to classify it properly.

The business environment in Vietnam is expected to be more open in 2015 with a number of new policies that will take effect.

VietNamNet Bridge – Importing coal is clearly a must for Vietnam but the country is still unclear about the best way to do it.

Along with the worldwide success of Flappy Bird, a 100 percent Vietnamese-created game, and new policies set up by watchdog agencies in 2014, the industry is set to develop strongly in 2015.

VietNamNet Bridge – The carbonated beverage market, which is controlled by the two giants Pepsico and Coca-Cola, may be remapped with the appearance of a newcomer.

 Japanese firm buys $9 million stake in Vinatex; Top 50 business leaders honoured; Vietnamese exporters expand US market share; Industrial production goes up in 10 months; Business climate for Vietnam’s manufacturing sector improved: HSBC

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has proposed to absolve tax payments for businesses that have had financial difficulties over the last five years. The total amount could reach VND4.8 trillion.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed the Government halve value-added tax and exempt or cut corporate income tax by 50% for enterprises joining a planned tourism promotion program

 VietNamNet Bridge – A 10 per cent tax on the online gaming industry recently proposed by the Ministry of Finance aims to address the connection between the increase in gaming addiction and game-related crimes

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Finance’s attempt to impose the 10 percent luxury tax on carbonated soft drinks is facing strong outcries from foreign manufacturers, who believe that the tax is unfair and aimed at them.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCMC Department of Tax will open investigations into incomes of 20 celebrities in the entertainment sector in order to collect personal income tax for last year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Toyota Vietnam complains that it loses thousands of dollars worth of profits from the imported two luxurious models Lexus RX 350 and ES 350 because of the unreasonable mechanism on taxable price determination.

Though a new decree stipulating the punishments on the violations of the e-commerce law has been released, lawyers and analysts still argue about if Facebook would be fined if it does not register its operation to the watchdog agency.

According to the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, there are 818 operational travel firms put under the department’s management which can meet the requirements.