LAW

ON AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN ARTICLES OF 10 LAWS RELATED TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND BUSINESS CONDITIONS IN THE FIELDS OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as amended by Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

The National Assembly promulgates the Law on amendments to certain articles of 10 laws related to administrative procedures and business conditions in the fields of agriculture and environment, including the Law on Crop Production No. 31/2018/QH14, as amended by Law No. 146/2025/QH15; the Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine No. 41/2013/QH13, as amended by Law No. 35/2018/QH14 and Law No. 146/2025/QH15; the Law on Animal Husbandry No. 32/2018/QH14, as amended by Law No. 146/2025/QH15; the Law on Veterinary Medicine No. 79/2015/QH13, as amended by Law No. 21/2017/QH14 and Law No. 146/2025/QH15; the Law on Fisheries No. 18/2017/QH14, as amended by Law No. 31/2024/QH15, Law No. 43/2024/QH15 and Law No. 146/2025/QH15; the Law on Geology and Minerals No. 54/2024/QH15, as amended by Law No. 147/2025/QH15; the Law on Water Resources No. 28/2023/QH15, as amended by Law No. 84/2025/QH15, Law No. 116/2025/QH15 and Law No. 146/2025/QH15; the Law on Irrigation No. 08/2017/QH14, as amended by Law No. 35/2018/QH14, Law No. 59/2020/QH14, Law No. 72/2020/QH14, Law No. 16/2023/QH15, Law No. 28/2023/QH15, Law No. 54/2024/QH15 and Law No. 146/2025/QH15; the Law on Hydrometeorology No. 90/2015/QH13, as amended by Law No. 35/2018/QH14, Law No. 64/2020/QH14 and Law No. 146/2025/QH15; and the Law on Dikes No. 79/2006/QH11, as amended by Law No. 15/2008/QH12, Law No. 35/2018/QH14, Law No. 60/2020/QH14, Law No. 18/2023/QH15, Law No. 47/2024/QH15, Law No. 84/2025/QH15 and Law No. 146/2025/QH15.

Article 1. Amend certain articles of the Law on Crop Production

1. Amend Clause 3 of Article 9 to read as follows:

“3. Production of plant varieties without meeting production conditions; fertilizer production without meeting production conditions or without having been issued a certificate of eligibility for fertilizer production.”.

2. Amend Article 17 to read as follows:

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1. Organizations and individuals shall make self-declarations for circulation of plant varieties and be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the self-declared information.

2. The Minister of Agriculture and Environment shall elaborate on self-declaration for circulation of plant varieties.”.

3. Add Clauses 8 and 9 after Clause 7 of Article 19 as follows:

“8. Testing for value for cultivation and use shall comply with national standards; where no national standard is available, it shall comply with internal standards.

9. Distinctness, uniformity and stability testing shall comply with national standards; where no national standard is available, it shall comply with guidelines published by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants or a member of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants or a country cooperating with Vietnam on plant variety protection, or guidelines issued by the regulatory agency for plant variety protection.”.

4. Amend Point a of Clause 2 of Article 34 to read as follows:

“a) Comply with the regulations on testing for value for cultivation and use; regulations on distinctness, uniformity and stability testing of plant varieties;”.

5. Amend Clause 2 of Article 36 to read as follows:

“2. A decision on recognition of fertilizer for circulation in Vietnam shall be valid for 10 years and may be renewed for 10 years each time.”.

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7. Annul certain articles, clauses and points and remove certain phrases as follows:

a) Annul Article 21; Clause 2 of Article 22; Clause 1 of Article 31; Point b of Clause 2 of Article 37; Article 42; Article 46; Point a of Clause 2 of Article 51;

b) Remove the phrase “, buôn bán” (“, trading”) from the title of Article 22 and Clause 1 of Article 35;

c) Remove the phrase “và buôn bán” (“and trading”) from the title of Section 4 of Chapter II and the title of Section 2 of Chapter III.

Article 2. Amend certain articles of the Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine

1. Amend Clause 3 of Article 51 to read as follows:

“3. A plant protection product registration certificate shall be valid for 10 years and may be renewed multiple times.”.

2. Amend Clause 4 of Article 52 to read as follows:

“4. A renewed plant protection product registration certificate shall be valid for 10 years.”.

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“Article 66. Validity periods of certificates of eligibility for production of plant protection products and certificates of eligibility for trading in plant protection products

A certificate of eligibility for production of plant protection products shall be valid for five years, a certificate of eligibility for trading in plant protection products shall have no expiry date.”.

4. Amend Clause 3 of Article 67 to read as follows:

“3. The President of the province-level People's Committee shall organize the state quality inspection of imported plant protection products specified in Clause 1 and Point b of Clause 2 of this Article in accordance with the law on quality of products and goods. Where a plant protection product is a fumigant, the manufacturer's certificate of quality shall be equivalent to a certificate of conformity.”.

5. Annul certain articles and points and remove a phrase as follows:

a) Annul Article 23 and Point a of Clause 2 of Article 24;

b) Remove the phrase “cấp lại,” (“reissuance,”) from Clause 2 of Article 63.

Article 3. Amend certain articles of the Law on Animal Husbandry

1. Amend Clause 2 of Article 15 to read as follows:

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2. Amend Clause 4 of Article 20 to read as follows:

“4. Organizations and individuals importing breeding males, semen and livestock embryos shall:

a) Declare applicable standards in accordance with the law on animal husbandry before using them for breeding or placing them on the market; be responsible for the origin, provenance, records and pedigree, and the authenticity of declared information on the performance and quality traits of imported lines and breeds;

b) For breeding males of new livestock lines or breeds, conduct testing in accordance with Article 26 of this Law before using them for breeding or placing them on the market.”.

3. Amend Clause 3 of Article 26 to read as follows:

“3. Organizations and individuals seeking recognition of new livestock lines or breeds shall conduct testing in accordance with the regulations on testing of livestock lines and breeds.”.

4. Amend Article 33 to read as follows:

“Article 33. Declaration and modification of animal feed product information

1. Except for animal feed products specified in Article 36 of this Law, organizations and individuals producing or trading in animal feed products shall self-declare and modify information on such products on the web portal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Producing and trading organizations and individuals shall be responsible for the quality and safety of declared animal feed products.

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5. Amend Article 39 to read as follows:

“Article 39. Issuance and revocation of certificates of eligibility for animal feed production

1. The President of the province-level People's Committee shall issue and revoke certificates of eligibility for animal feed production for animal feed production facilities within its jurisdiction. Where an importing country has different requirements, the authority to issue and revoke certificates of eligibility for animal feed production for animal feed production facilities shall be prescribed by the Government.

2. A certificate of eligibility for animal feed production shall be revoked in any of the following cases:

a) The certificate of eligibility for animal feed production is erased or tampered with;

b) The facility no longer meets the conditions specified in Clause 1 of Article 38 of this Law;

c) The facility commits another violation for which the law requires revocation of the certificate of eligibility for animal feed production;

d) The animal feed production facility fails to comply with the requirements for supervision of continued compliance with production conditions imposed by the authority competent to issue the certificate of eligibility for animal feed production;

dd) At the request of the organization or individual issued with the certificate of eligibility for animal feed production.

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6. Amend Article 58 to read as follows:

“Article 58. Issuance and revocation of certificates of eligibility for livestock farming applicable to large-scale livestock farms

1. The President of the province-level People's Committee shall issue and revoke certificates of eligibility for livestock farming.

2. A certificate of eligibility for livestock farming shall be revoked in any of the following cases:

a) The certificate of eligibility for livestock farming is erased or tampered with;

b) The livestock farm no longer meets the conditions specified in Article 55 of this Law;

c) The livestock farm commits another violation for which the law requires revocation of the certificate of eligibility for livestock farming;

d) The livestock farm fails to comply with the requirements for supervision of continued compliance with livestock farming conditions imposed by the authority competent to issue the certificate of eligibility for livestock farming;

dd) At the request of the organization or individual issued with the certificate of eligibility for livestock farming.

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7. Annul certain articles, clauses and points and remove certain words and phrases as follows:

a) Annul Article 27; Point a of Clause 2 of Article 31; Clause 3 of Article 37; Article 40; Clause 2 of Article 41; Point a of Clause 2 of Article 49; Point a of Clause 2 of Article 51;

b) Remove the word “điều kiện” (“conditions”) from Point dd of Clause 2 of Article 49;

c) Remove the phrase “cấp lại,” (“reissuance,”) from Point g of Clause 1 of Article 80.

Article 4. Amend certain articles of the Law on Veterinary Medicine

1. Amend Clause 2 of Article 41 to read as follows:

“2. Responsibilities for conducting quarantine are prescribed as follows:

a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall conduct quarantine and issue quarantine certificates in accordance with the law of Vietnam and the requirements of the importing country or consignment owner, except for the case specified in Point b of this Clause;

b) The President of the province-level People's Committee shall conduct quarantine and issue quarantine certificates for imported terrestrial animals participating in fairs, exhibitions, sports competitions or art performances; and imported terrestrial animal products participating in fairs or exhibitions, in accordance with the law of Vietnam and the requirements of the importing country or consignment owner.”.

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“1. Quarantine registration shall be carried out as follows:

a) Organizations and individuals shall register quarantine with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment when importing animals or animal products included in the List of terrestrial animals and animal products subject to quarantine;

b) In case of import of terrestrial animals for participation in fairs, exhibitions, sports competitions or art performances; or terrestrial animal products for participation in fairs or exhibitions, organizations and individuals shall register quarantine with the President of the province-level People's Committee.

2. After receiving the quarantine registration of an organization or individual, based on the disease situation, disease surveillance management system and veterinary hygiene surveillance of the exporting country, the competent authority shall proceed as follows:

a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall provide written guidance to relevant organizations and individuals on conducting quarantine of imported animals and animal products.

Where animals or animal products originate from a country or territory registering for import into Vietnam for the first time or from a country or territory at high risk of disease, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall conduct a risk analysis in accordance with Article 43 of this Law;

b) The President of the province-level People's Committee shall provide written guidance to relevant organizations and individuals on conducting quarantine of terrestrial animals imported for participation in fairs, exhibitions, sports competitions or art performances; and terrestrial animal products imported for participation in fairs or exhibitions.

3. Quarantine declaration shall be carried out as follows:

a) Before animals or animal products arrive at the border gate of import, organizations and individuals shall make a quarantine declaration to the central veterinary specialized authority;

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3. Amend Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 47 to read as follows:

“1. For imported animals, the authority conducting quarantine as specified in Clause 3 of Article 46 of this Law shall conduct quarantine as follows:

a) Inspect the quarantine declaration dossier and the animal health status; if the quarantine dossier is valid and the animals show no signs of dangerous diseases, provide confirmation for completion of procedures and transfer the animals to a quarantine facility or quarantine site;

b) Supervise animals at the quarantine facility or quarantine site; the quarantine monitoring period shall be appropriate to each animal species and each disease subject to inspection but shall not exceed 45 days from the date quarantine begins;

c) Collect samples for testing for animal diseases and apply mandatory disease prevention measures to animals as prescribed;

d) Issue import quarantine certificates for animals meeting veterinary hygiene requirements and notify the veterinary specialized authority at the destination;

dd) Provide guidance to the consignment owner on cleaning, disinfection and decontamination measures.

2. For imported animal products, the authority conducting quarantine specified in Clause 3 of Article 46 of this Law shall conduct quarantine as follows:

a) Inspect the quarantine declaration dossier and the actual condition of the goods; if requirements are met, collect samples for testing of veterinary hygiene parameters as prescribed;

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c) Provide guidance to the consignment owner on cleaning, disinfection and decontamination measures.”.

4. Add Clause 1a after Clause 1 of Article 56 as follows:

“1a. Responsibilities for conducting quarantine are prescribed as follows:

a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall conduct quarantine and issue quarantine certificates for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products for export that are not intended for use as food, except for the case specified in Point b of this Clause;

b) The President of the province-level People's Committee shall conduct quarantine and issue quarantine certificates for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products for export that are not intended for use as food and that accompany passengers or are sent by post.”.

5. Amend Article 58 to read as follows:

“Article 58. Quarantine of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products imported, temporarily imported for re-export, temporarily exported for re-import, transferred to another border checkpoint, placed in bonded warehouses or transiting through the territory of Vietnam; aquatic animals participating in fairs, exhibitions, sports competitions or art performances; aquatic animal products participating in fairs or exhibitions; transportation of aquatic animal diagnostic specimens

1. Quarantine of imported aquatic animals and aquatic animal products shall be conducted in accordance with Article 44, Point a of Clause 1, Point a of Clause 2 and Point a of Clause 3 of Article 46, and Article 47 of this Law.

2. Quarantine of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products temporarily imported for re-export, temporarily exported for re-import, transferred to another border checkpoint, placed in bonded warehouses or transiting through the territory of Vietnam; aquatic animals participating in fairs, exhibitions, sports competitions or art performances; and aquatic animal products participating in fairs or exhibitions shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 49, 50 and 51 of this Law.

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6. Amend Article 96 to read as follows:

“Article 96. Issuance, reissuance, renewal and revocation of certificates of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products

1. The President of the province-level People's Committee shall issue, reissue, renew and revoke certificates of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products, except for the case specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall issue, reissue, renew and revoke a certificate of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products where the importing country or importing enterprise requires the provision of a certificate of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products issued by a central competent authority as a condition for export. Such certificate shall be valid for a veterinary medicinal product manufacturing facility producing products for domestic consumption and export.

The certificate of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products issued to a veterinary medicinal product manufacturing facility by the President of the province-level People's Committee shall cease to be in force where the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issues a certificate of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products to such facility at the request of the importing country or importing enterprise.

3. A certificate of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products shall be revoked in any of the following cases:

a) The certificate of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products is erased, altered or tampered with;

b) The facility no longer manufactures veterinary medicinal products;

c) Another violation is committed for which the law requires revocation of the certificate of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products;

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4. The Government shall prescribe the issuance, reissuance, renewal and revocation of certificates of eligibility for manufacture of veterinary medicinal products.”.

7. Amend Clause 1 of Article 101 to read as follows:

“1. Veterinary medicinal products shall undergo testing and meet quality requirements before registration for circulation in Vietnam, and such testing shall be conducted at a recognized or designated veterinary medicinal product testing facility.”.

Article 5. Annul certain articles and clauses and remove certain phrases from the Law on Fisheries

1. Annul Clause 2 of Article 28; Article 33; Clause 2 of Article 35; Article 63 and Article 64.

2. Remove the phrase “chi tiết khoản 2 Điều này và” (“elaborate on Clause 2 of this Article and”) from Clause 4 of Article 28.

3. Remove the phrase “, mua bán, nhập khẩu” (“, trading in and importing”) from Point d of Clause 2 of Article 31.

4. Remove the phrase “chi tiết điều kiện cơ sở mua bán, nhập khẩu thức ăn thủy sản, sản phẩm xử lý môi trường nuôi trồng thủy sản;” (“elaborate on the conditions applicable to establishments trading in and importing aquaculture feed and aquaculture environmental treatment products;”) from Clause 5 of Article 34.

5. Remove the phrase “khoản 2 và” (“Clause 2 and”) from Clause 6 of Article 35.

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1. Amend Clause 3 of Article 26 to read as follows:

“3. Where mineral exploration or extraction is required in an area prohibited from mineral activities or an area temporarily prohibited from mineral activities, including minerals for which the authority to issue mineral exploration licenses or mineral extraction licenses rests with the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 1 of Article 108 of this Law, the President of the province-level People's Committee shall consider and grant approval before an application for a mineral exploration license or mineral extraction license is prepared.

Where the area for which approval for mineral exploration or extraction in an area prohibited from mineral activities or an area temporarily prohibited from mineral activities is sought is a maritime area located outside the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities, or a maritime area for which the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities have not yet been determined, the authority to process such matter shall be prescribed by the Government.”.

2. Amend Clause 4 of Article 33 to read as follows:

“4. The President of the province-level People's Committee where the investment project is located shall consider and approve the assessment of the extent of impacts on minerals subject to reservation as specified in Clause 3 of this Article.”.

3. Amend Point c of Clause 4 of Article 44 to read as follows:

“c) Where an organization or individual has completed the entire volume of exploration work under a mineral exploration scheme but the mineral exploration license has expired and additional exploration work is required by a competent regulatory agency, including a license issued by another competent authority or person before this Law comes into force and a license falling under the authority of the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 1 of Article 108 of this Law, the organization or individual shall report to and obtain approval from the President of the province-level People's Committee before carrying out such work.

For a mineral exploration license covering an area located within two or more province-level administrative divisions, the authority to process the matter shall rest with the President of the province-level People's Committee where the largest proportion of the mineral exploration area specified in the mineral exploration license is located. The President of the province-level People's Committee processing the administrative procedure shall consult the President of the province-level People's Committee where part of the mineral exploration area specified in the mineral exploration license is located.

For a mineral exploration license covering a maritime area located outside the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities, or a maritime area for which the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities have not yet been determined, the authority to process the matter shall be prescribed by the Government;”.

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“b) Comply with the activities specified in the mineral exploration license.

Where exploration exceeds the exploration depth prescribed by the Government, a technological sample or trial mining pit is added, or the exploration method is adjusted or the volume of exploration work is reduced, including under a license issued by another competent authority or person before this Law comes into force or a license falling under the authority of the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 1 of Article 108 of this Law, the organization or individual shall report and obtain written approval from the President of the province-level People's Committee competent under Point c of Clause 4 of Article 44 of this Law before carrying out such work.

Where mineral exploration is conducted in a maritime area located outside the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities or a maritime area for which the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities have not yet been determined, a report shall be submitted to the authority or person competent to process the matter as prescribed by the Government;”.

5. Amend Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 51 to read as follows:

“1. The National Mineral Reserve Assessment Council shall recognize mineral exploration and additional exploration results in the following cases:

a) Group I minerals, except for the case specified in Point a of Clause 2 of this Article;

b) Minerals in a maritime area located outside the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities; or a maritime area for which the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities have not yet been determined.

2. The President of the province-level People's Committee shall recognize mineral exploration and additional exploration results in the following cases:

a) Group I minerals in an area containing scattered and small-scale minerals that has been delineated and announced by a competent authority or person;

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6. Amend Point e of Clause 2 of Article 59 to read as follows:

“e) Where additional exploration is conducted to upgrade principal mineral resources or reserves or determine associated mineral reserves, if any, including under a license issued by another competent authority or person before this Law comes into force or a license falling under the authority of the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 1 of Article 108 of this Law, the organization or individual shall prepare an additional exploration scheme and submit it to the President of the province-level People's Committee for consideration and written approval before implementation, and report to the competent authority or person for recognition of the additional exploration results.

For a mineral extraction license covering an area located within two or more province-level administrative divisions, the authority to process the matter shall rest with the President of the province-level People's Committee where the largest proportion of the mineral extraction area specified in the mineral extraction license is located.

Where mineral extraction is conducted in a maritime area located outside the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities or a maritime area for which the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities have not yet been determined, a report shall be submitted to the authority or person competent to process the matter as prescribed by the Government;”.

7. Amend certain clauses of Article 83 as follows:

a) Amend Clauses 1 and 2 to read as follows:

“1. Organizations and individuals engaged in mineral extraction as specified in Clause 1 of Article 82 of this Law shall prepare an application for appraisal and approval of a mine closure scheme, including for a mineral mine for which an extraction license was issued by another competent authority or person before this Law comes into force or a mineral mine for which the authority to issue an extraction license rests with the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 1 of Article 108 of this Law, and submit it to the authority receiving applications for administrative procedure processing of the province-level People's Committee for appraisal and approval before conducting mine closure activities.

2. Based on the appraisal results of the application specified in Clause 1 of this Article, the President of the province-level People's Committee shall approve the mine closure scheme or amendment thereof.”;

b) Amend Clauses 6 and 7 and add Clauses 6a and 6b after Clause 6 as follows:

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6a. For a mineral extraction license covering an area located within two or more province-level administrative divisions, including a license issued by another competent authority or person before this Law comes into force and a license falling under the authority of the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 1 of Article 108 of this Law, the authority to approve a mine closure scheme, amend an approved mine closure scheme, or approve a mine closure plan shall rest with the President of the province-level People's Committee where the largest proportion of the mineral extraction area specified in the mineral extraction license is located. The President of the province-level People's Committee processing the administrative procedure shall consult the President of the province-level People's Committee where part of the area covered by the application for approval of a mine closure scheme, amendment of an approved mine closure scheme, or approval of a mine closure plan is located.

6b. For a mineral extraction license covering a maritime area located outside the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities, or a maritime area for which the maritime administrative boundaries of provinces and cities have not yet been determined, including a license issued by another competent authority or person before this Law comes into force and a license falling under the authority of the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 1 of Article 108 of this Law, the authority to process the matter shall be prescribed by the Government.

7. The Government shall elaborate on Clauses 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 6a and 6b of this Article; and prescribe applications and procedures for appraisal, approval and amendment of mine closure schemes and approval of mine closure plans.”.

8. Amend Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 84 to read as follows:

“1. Organizations and individuals engaged in mineral extraction as specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 82 of this Law shall carry out mine closure after the mine closure scheme has been approved or the mine closure plan has been approved by the competent authority or person.

In the case of extraction of Group IV minerals, organizations and individuals engaged in mineral extraction shall carry out mine closure and report the results thereof to the President of the province-level People's Committee.

2. Where a license ceases to be in force as specified in Point d of Clause 2 of Article 66 or Point d of Clause 2 of Article 71 of this Law, or where an organization or individual engaged in mineral extraction is unable to carry out mine closure, the authority or person competent to approve a mine closure scheme or mine closure plan as specified in Article 83 of this Law shall select a qualified entity to prepare and carry out the mine closure in accordance with the law on bidding and other relevant laws.”.

9. Amend certain clauses and points of Article 108 as follows:

a) Amend Point a of Clause 1 to read as follows:

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b) Amend Clause 3 to read as follows:

“3. Except for the case specified in Point b of Clause 2 of Article 111 of this Law where an organization or individual chooses to follow the procedures and authority prescribed by the law in force at the time the application is received and Clause 4 of this Article, the authority to reissue, renew, amend, revoke, approve the return of, or replace licenses and approve the transfer of mineral exploration and extraction rights, including licenses issued by another competent authority or person before this Law comes into force, shall be as follows:

a) The Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals shall reissue, renew, amend, revoke, approve the return of, and replace mineral extraction licenses and approve the transfer of mineral extraction rights in the cases specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

In case of transfer of rare earth mineral extraction rights, the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals shall decide after obtaining the opinion of the Prime Minister;

b) The President of the province-level People's Committee shall reissue, renew, amend, revoke, approve the return of, and replace mineral extraction licenses and approve the transfer of mineral extraction rights for Group II minerals, Group III minerals, and Group I minerals in areas containing scattered and small-scale minerals delineated and announced by the Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals as specified in Clause 2 of this Article; renew, amend, revoke and approve the return of mineral extraction licenses for Group IV minerals; and renew, amend, revoke, approve the return of, and approve the transfer of mineral extraction rights for salvage mineral extraction licenses;

c) The Minister of the Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals shall revoke mineral exploration licenses in the cases specified in Clause 1 of this Article. The President of the province-level People's Committee shall revoke mineral exploration licenses in the cases specified in Clause 2 of this Article and revoke mineral exploration licenses covering areas located within two or more province-level administrative divisions that fall under his or her licensing authority;

d) The President of the province-level People's Committee shall reissue, renew, amend and approve the return of mineral exploration licenses and approve the transfer of mineral exploration rights in the cases specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

In case of transfer of rare earth mineral exploration rights, the President of the province-level People's Committee shall decide after obtaining the opinion of the Prime Minister;

dd) Where an area for which reissuance, renewal, amendment or approval of the return of a mineral exploration or extraction license, or approval of the transfer of mineral exploration rights or mineral extraction rights specified in Points b and d of this Clause is sought is located within two or more province-level administrative divisions, the authority to process the matter shall rest with the President of the province-level People's Committee where the largest proportion of the mineral exploration or extraction area is located. The President of the province-level People's Committee processing the administrative procedure shall consult the Presidents of the People's Committees of the provinces and cities where part of the mineral exploration or extraction area specified in the mineral exploration or extraction license is located;

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10. Replace certain phrases in the following clauses and points:

a) Replace the phrase “khoản 1 và khoản 2 Điều 53 của Luật này” (“Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 53 of this Law”) with the phrase “các khoản 1, 1a và 2 Điều 53 của Luật này” (“Clauses 1, 1a and 2 of Article 53 of this Law”) in Clause 1a of Article 55;

b) Replace the phrase “Bộ Nông nghiệp và Môi trường” (“Ministry of Agriculture and Environment”) with the phrase “Bộ được giao làm đầu mối giúp Chính phủ quản lý nhà nước về địa chất và khoáng sản” (“Ministry assigned to act as the focal point in assisting the Government in regulatory management of geology and minerals”) in Clause 4 of Article 10; Point c of Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 14; Points c and d of Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 20; Clause 1 of Article 29; Clause 2 of Article 31; Point b of Clause 1, Clauses 5, 6 and 7 of Article 33; Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 34; Point d of Clause 1 of Article 41; Clause 4 of Article 42; Point b of Clause 1 of Article 43; Clause 6 of Article 44; Clause 3 of Article 45; Clause 6 of Article 47; Clause 2 of Article 49; Clause 6 of Article 50; Point b of Clause 1 of Article 55; Clause 3 of Article 57; Clause 4 of Article 59; Clause 2 of Article 63; Clause 6 of Article 64; Clause 3 of Article 69; Point g of Clause 2 and Clause 4 of Article 70; Clause 6 of Article 73; Clause 3 of Article 74; Point c of Clause 2 of Article 76; Clause 5 of Article 82; Clause 2 of Article 85b; Clauses 1, 2 and 3 of Article 85d; Point b of Clause 2 of Article 88; Clause 4 of Article 89; Clause 5 of Article 90; Clause 2 of Article 93; Point a of Clause 1 and Clause 5 of Article 96; Clause 3 of Article 100; Clause 2 of Article 101; Clause 1 of Article 106; Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 107; Clause 1, Point b of Clause 2 and Clause 4 of Article 108.

Article 7. Amend certain articles of the Law on Water Resources

1. Amend Article 37 to read as follows:

“Article 37. Inter-basin water transfer

1. A project involving water transfer activities that have major impacts on socio-economic development activities, the environment and the lives of the People shall be notified to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and relevant province-level People's Committees before the competent regulatory agency approves the investment policy for the project or issues the investment decision for the project, and shall meet the following requirements:

a) Be consistent with water resources planning, provincial planning and other relevant planning; be consistent with local socio-economic development plans and those of sectors related to the extraction and use of water resources in river basins; and be consistent with the capacity of the water source from which water is transferred and the water use demands of the river basin from which water is transferred and the receiving basin;

b) Measures shall be adopted to mitigate the impacts of water transfer on water extraction and use, maintenance of flows, flood prevention and control, erosion of riverbeds, banks and floodplains, saltwater intrusion, and socio-economic and environmental conditions, particularly during the dry season in downstream sections of rivers and streams from which water is transferred and those receiving water below the water transfer works; where damage is caused, compensation shall be paid and responsibility shall be borne in accordance with law.

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2. Amend certain clauses and points of Article 38 as follows:

a) Amend Point a of Clause 7 to read as follows:

“a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall take charge and cooperate with Ministries, ministerial agencies, province-level People's Committees and relevant organizations in developing and amending inter-reservoir operating procedures for river basins and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval, except for the case specified in Clause 9a of this Article.

Where a Ministry, ministerial agency, province-level People's Committee or organization managing and operating a dam or reservoir proposes an amendment to inter-reservoir operating procedures, it shall develop an amendment plan and submit it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for consideration, synthesis of the proposals and consultation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Construction, Ministries, ministerial agencies, province-level People's Committees and relevant organizations before submission to the Prime Minister for approval, except for the case specified in Clause 9a of this Article;”;

b) Amend Point a of Clause 8 to read as follows:

“a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall organize the development or amendment of real-time inter-reservoir operating procedures and submit them to the Prime Minister for approval, except for the case specified in Clause 9a of this Article.

Where a Ministry, ministerial agency, province-level People's Committee or organization managing and operating a dam or reservoir proposes an amendment to real-time inter-reservoir operating procedures, it shall develop an amendment plan and submit it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for consideration, synthesis of the proposals and consultation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Construction, Ministries, ministerial agencies, province-level People's Committees and relevant organizations before submission to the Prime Minister for approval, except for the case specified in Clause 9a of this Article;”;

c) Amend Clause 9a to read as follows:

“9a. Where an inter-reservoir operating procedure is partially amended without fundamentally changing its operating principles, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall approve the amendment after consulting the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Construction, Ministries, ministerial agencies, province-level People's Committees and relevant organizations and shall report the implementation results to the Prime Minister.”.

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a) Annul Point e of Clause 1 of Article 42; Clause 2 of Article 70;

b) Remove the phrase “, cấp lại” (“, reissuance”) from Clause 6 of Article 31 and Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 53;

c) Remove the phrase “có đủ điều kiện, năng lực” (“meeting the eligibility and capacity requirements”) from Clause 7 of Article 50;

d) Remove the phrase “, tạm dừng” (“, suspension”) from Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 53.

Article 8. Remove a phrase from certain articles of the Law on Irrigation

Remove the phrase “cấp lại,” (“reissuance,”) from Clause 3 of Article 44 and Point h of Clause 1 of Article 57.

Article 9. Amend certain articles of the Law on Hydrometeorology

1. Amend Clause 10 of Article 8 to read as follows:

“10. Conducting weather modification without notifying the plan or contrary to the plan notified to the competent regulatory agency.”.

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“4. Weather modification may only be conducted in accordance with a plan notified to the competent regulatory agency and made publicly available to the local community in the directly affected area before implementation. The competent regulatory agency shall receive the notification and monitor and supervise the implementation of the plan in accordance with law.”.

3. Amend Article 44 to read as follows:

“Article 44. Development of weather modification plans and supervision of implementation

1. An agency or organization wishing to conduct weather modification shall develop a weather modification plan containing the following particulars:

a) Name of the agency or organization participating in weather modification;

b) Purpose of weather modification as specified in Article 42 of this Law;

c) Area where weather modification is expected to be conducted;

d) Expected period for conducting weather modification;

dd) Weather modification measures;

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2. After developing the weather modification plan specified in Clause 1 of this Article, an agency or organization wishing to conduct weather modification shall consult the local community in the directly affected area, incorporate the comments received and finalize the plan before implementation.

3. Before conducting weather modification, the agency or organization wishing to conduct weather modification shall notify the weather modification plan to the receiving authority specified in Clause 4 of this Article and make information on the plan publicly available to the local community in the directly affected area.

4. The authority competent to receive notification of a weather modification plan shall take charge of monitoring and supervising compliance with the law on weather modification activities within its competence; handle violations or request a competent authority to handle violations in accordance with law, specifically as follows:

a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall receive notification where weather modification covers two or more provinces or centrally-affiliated cities;

b) The province-level People's Committee shall receive notification where weather modification is conducted within the administrative boundaries of one province or centrally-affiliated city.

5. Where the particulars of a weather modification plan change, the agency or organization specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall provide notification and make information publicly available in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article.

6. The competent authority specified in Clause 4 of this Article shall send the received notification of the weather modification plan to agencies cooperating in monitoring and supervision, specifically as follows:

a) Where weather modification covers two or more provinces or centrally-affiliated cities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall send the received plan to the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Science and Technology, and People's Committees of provinces and cities containing directly affected areas for cooperation in monitoring and supervising weather modification activities as prescribed;

b) Where weather modification is conducted within the administrative boundaries of one province or centrally-affiliated city, the province-level People's Committee shall send the received plan to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Science and Technology for cooperation in monitoring and supervising weather modification activities as prescribed.

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4. Amend Clause 12 of Article 51 to read as follows:

“12. Organize the monitoring and supervision of the implementation of weather modification plans within its competence.”.

5. Amend Point i1 of Clause 1 of Article 53 to read as follows:

“i1) Organize the monitoring and supervision of the implementation of weather modification plans within its competence;”.

Article 10. Amend Clause 4 of Article 26 of the Law on Dikes

Amend Clause 4 of Article 26 to read as follows:

“4. The province-level People's Committee shall direct the preparation of a construction investment project containing requirements for ensuring flood discharge and dike safety as specified in Clause 3 of this Article; the President of the province-level People's Committee shall approve the requirements for ensuring flood discharge and dike safety of the construction investment project specified in this Clause.”.

Article 11. Entry into force

This Law comes into force as of January 1, 2027.

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1. Documents, licenses and certificates resulting from the processing of administrative procedures that were issued by competent authorities or persons before this Law comes into force and remain in force or have not reached the end of their term may continue to be applied and used for the period specified in such documents, licenses and certificates, except for the cases specified in Clauses 4, 5 and 6 of this Article.

Where an organization or individual wishes to amend, supplement, reissue, renew or otherwise adjust a document, license or certificate, it shall submit a written request to the regulatory agency or competent person prescribed by this Law for processing.

2. Where an application from an organization or individual was received by a regulatory agency or competent person for processing of an administrative procedure before this Law comes into force but no result has been issued, the application shall continue to be processed in accordance with the law in force at the time of receipt.

3. Where a document, license or certificate issued in paper form before May 18, 2026 remains in force or has not reached the end of its term but is lost, torn or damaged, the organization or individual may request the competent authority or person to issue a copy from the master register in accordance with law.

4. A plant protection product registration certificate issued before May 18, 2026 that remains in force or has not reached the end of its term shall have its validity period extended for an additional five years from the expiry date stated in the certificate.

5. A decision on recognition of fertilizer for circulation in Vietnam issued before May 18, 2026 that remains in force or has not reached the end of its term shall have its validity period extended for an additional five years from the expiry date stated in the recognition decision.

6. A certificate of eligibility for trading in plant protection products issued before May 18, 2026 that remains in force or has not reached the end of its term may continue to be applied and used without a time limit.

This Law was adopted by the 16th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at its First Extraordinary Session on August 24, 2026.

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PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY




Tran Thanh Man