Vietnam’s New CIT Exemptions: Clarification on Eligibility for FDI Enterprises
Vietnam’s Resolution 198/2025/QH15 and Decree 20/2026/NĐ-CP introduced a 3-year corporate income tax (CIT) exemption for newly established SMEs to strengthen the domestic private sector. However, recent guidance from the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department confirms that enterprises with foreign investment capital are not eligible, even if they meet SME criteria.
Geopolitical Resilience and Structural Advantage: Why Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia Stand Out for Global Investors
Amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global supply chains, Southeast Asia is increasingly attracting international capital. This article examines how Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia each play a distinct role in the regional investment ecosystem, from manufacturing scale to financial structuring and fiscal competitiveness, and why investors are increasingly structuring operations across these three markets.
Vietnam Adopts the Apostille Convention: Simplifying Cross-Border Document Authentication
Vietnam’s adoption of the Hague Apostille Convention, effective September 2026, will simplify the authentication of foreign public documents used in Vietnam. The new system replaces the traditional multi-step consular legalization process with a single Apostille certification. This reform is expected to reduce processing time, lower administrative costs, and streamline cross-border transactions for businesses operating internationally.
Transfer Pricing Inspections in Vietnam: High-Risk Indicators and Common Violations
Transfer pricing inspections have become a key focus of the Vietnamese tax authorities as multinational group structures and cross-border transactions become more common. Enterprises engaging in related-party transactions are required to comply with Vietnam’s transfer pricing regulations, including disclosure obligations and the preparation of supporting documentation under Decree 20/2025/ND-CP.
Vietnamese tax authorities increasingly apply risk-based screening methods to identify companies that may warrant closer examination. Certain financial patterns and transaction structures (such as persistent losses, significant related-party payments abroad, or unusually low profitability compared with industry peers) may trigger transfer pricing audits.
Vietnam’s Personal Income Tax Law 2025: Impact on Vietnamese Taxpayers in 2026
Vietnam’s Personal Income Tax Law 2025 marks a major reform to the country’s PIT framework, taking effect from 2026. Key changes include increased personal and dependent deductions, simplified progressive tax brackets, expanded tax exemptions, new taxable income categories and targeted incentives for high-tech personnel, startups and green economy activities. This article outlines the practical impacts for employees, individual taxpayers and businesses operating in Vietnam, and highlights compliance considerations ahead of implementation.
Vietnam Year-End 2025 Tax Compliance: Key CIT, PIT and VAT Requirements and Deadlines
Vietnam’s 2025 year-end tax finalisation is a transitional compliance year following major legislative changes to the Corporate Income Tax regime. This guide outlines key deadlines for Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT) and VAT filings, required forms and submission requirements, penalty exposure and practical considerations for companies and income-paying organisations operating in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s New Corporate Income Tax Rules: Key Changes Under Decree 320
Decree 320/2025/ND-CP provides detailed guidance on Vietnam’s new Corporate Income Tax Law from December 2025. This article outlines key changes affecting taxable income, loss offsetting, real estate transfers, capital transfers, incentives, and compliance obligations for enterprises operating in Vietnam.
Invoice Issuance Timing in Vietnam: 2026 Rules and Penalty Framework Explained
Incorrect invoice issuance timing remains one of the most common tax compliance risks for businesses operating in Vietnam. While often unintentional, errors frequently arise from confusion between payment timing, revenue recognition, and statutory invoicing requirements.
This publication explains Vietnam’s core invoice issuance principles under Decree 123/2020/ND-CP and its amendments, together with the significantly revised administrative penalty framework introduced by Decree 310/2025/ND-CP, effective from 16 January 2026.
Vietnam’s Most Common Tax Risks: The Six Errors That Lead to Back Taxes and Penalties
In Vietnam’s increasingly data-driven tax environment, even minor compliance gaps can lead to significant back taxes, penalties, and audit exposure. Tax authorities now routinely cross-check e-invoices, supplier data, VAT filings, and financial statements, making previously overlooked errors far more visible.
This article outlines the six most common tax risks faced by enterprises in Vietnam — explaining how they arise, when they are typically identified during inspections or audits, the financial and legal consequences, and practical steps businesses can take to mitigate exposure. From non-deductible expenses and invalid VAT invoices to invoice timing errors and data mismatches, understanding these risks is essential for strengthening internal controls and maintaining audit readiness.
Vietnam Labour Compliance: Essential Internal HR Documents
Vietnam’s amended Investment Law allows foreign investors to establish economic organisations prior to obtaining an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC), subject to applicable market access conditions. This reform is designed to streamline market entry, shorten licensing timelines, and enhance administrative efficiency for foreign investment procedures.