New regulations in force in early February 2017 (Part 2)

5. Issuance of electronic visas to foreigners from February 01, 2017

This issue is specified in Resolution No. 30/2016/QH14 on pilot issuance of electronic visas to foreigners entering Vietnam.

According to the document, a foreigner entering Vietnam will be granted an electronic visa if he/she:

- has a passport and is not suspended from entry.

- is a citizen of a country that:

+ has diplomatic relations with Vietnam;

+ is appropriate for Vietnam’s effective socio-economic development and diplomatic policies;

+ does not prejudice Vietnam’s national defense and social safety.

The applicant for an electronic visa shall transfer the fee through a bank account, which will not be refunded in case of rejection.

The electronic visa is a single entry visa and has effect for not more than 30 days.

The government will publish the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for electronic visas and the list of border checkpoints through which electronic visas may be used.

6. Maximum fine of VND 10 million for transporting cargo without covering

This is the new fine level specified in Decree No. 155/2016/NĐ-CP on penalties for administrative violations related to environmental safety.

According to the Decree, the fine for transport of materials or cargo in a manner that pollutes the environment is sharply increased. To be specific:
 
- A fine of from VND 7 million to VND 10 million shall be imposed for operating a vehicle carrying materials or cargo without covering or that are dropped on public roads.

- A fine of from VND 10 million to VND 15 million shall be imposed for failure to use a suitable equipment or vehicle to transport materials or cargo that result in their spillage.

7. Duties and entitlements of chief inspectors of communes

Decree No. 159/2016/NĐ-CP providing guidelines for the Law on Inspection regarding organization and operation of the people’s boards of inspectors is promulgated on November 29, 2016.

According to the Decree, the chief inspector of a commune has the following duties and entitlements:

- Convene, preside over meetings and conventions; preside over supervisions and verifications within the competence of the board of inspectors.

- Assign tasks to members of the board of inspectors.

- Represent the board of inspector in the relationship with the Standing Committee of Vietnamese Fatherland Front, the President of the People’s Committee and Standing Committee of the People’s Council of the same commune and relevant organizations.

- Be invited to meetings of the People’s Council and the People’s Committee of the same commune if related to the supervision or verification tasks of the board of inspectors;

- Attend meetings of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committee of the same commune if related to the organization and operation of the board of inspectors.

8. Standards of intramural speakers and disseminators

According to Decision 52/2016/QĐ-TTg on intramural circulation of information, an intramural speaker or disseminator must:

- have good moral qualities, strong ideological stance and creditability; not serving disciplinary decision from reprimand or heavier.

- be able to communicate; proficient in Vietnamese language or local ethnic language.

- Be conversant with the field in which he/she is in charge of disseminating.

- has worked in the field in which he/she is in charge of disseminating for at least 3 consecutive years.

Apart from the aforementioned standards, a competent authority may specify standards of speakers and disseminators that are appropriate for their dissemination tasks.