Ten laws take effect in 2016

Law on Social Insurance (revised)

The revised Law on Social Insurance aims to improve social insurance regimes and policies and ensure quality in the payment of social insurance premiums and enjoyment of social insurance benefits.

It is noteworthy that employees may obtain information on their payment of social insurance premiums from employers every six months. Employees may request employers and social insurance agencies to provide information on payment of social insurance premiums and enjoyment of social benefits.

Law on Citizen Identification

The Law on Citizen Identification is expected to lay the legal foundation for the allocation of a personal identity number to each citizen and ensure the process is implemented meticulously and in a way that helps manage society.

Law on Civil Status

The Law is designed to ensure the legal frameworks on civil status, family records and citizen identity are harmonized.

It will also avoid overlaps in State management of ministries and agencies, thus preventing wastefulness and guaranteeing user-friendliness.

Law on Special Consumption Tax (revised)

The Law raises special consumption tax on cigarettes and cigars from the current 65% to 70% from January 1, 2016 and to 75% from January 1, 2019.

Tax rate for drinks with an alcoholic volume less than 20% shall be 30% from January 1, 2016 and increased to 35% since January 1, 2018.

For drinks with alcoholic volume of at least 20%, the tax rate shall be increased by 5% to 55% from January 1, 2016 and 65% from January 1, 2018.

Law on Military Service (revised)

The Law stipulates 24-month military service terms of non-commissioned officers and solders in peacetime.

In peacetime, male citizens in the age group of between full eighteen years and full twenty-seven years may be call up.

Other Laws coming into effect since 2016 include the Law on Organization of Local Governments, Law on Organization of the Government (revised), Law on State Audit (revised), Law on Viet Nam Fatherland Front, and Law on Organization of the National Assembly (revised).