04 most noticeable policies coming into force as of April 15, 2018

1. Increase in loan outstanding balance of a microfinance institution

This is the most noticeable content of the Circular No. 03/2018/TT-NHNN providing for licensing for, organization and operation of microfinance institutions.

According to the Circular,

- Total outstanding balance of a microfinance client shall not exceed VND 50 million. The microfinance institution is required to maintain the ratio of at least 90% between the total outstanding balance on loans provided for microfinance clients and its total outstanding balance.

- Total outstanding balance of a client other than microfinance clients shall not exceed VND 100 million.

Apart from these regulations, every microfinance institution is required to provide loans in VND for clients who must use borrowed funds to generate income and improve their living conditions.

2. New regulations on signboards of gaming centers

On March 01, 2018, the Government promulgated the Decree No. 27/2018/ND-CP on amendments to the Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP on management, provision and use of Internet services and cyber information.

According to the Decree, every point of public electronic gaming services must hang the signboard “Điểm cung cấp dịch vụ trò chơi điện tử công cộng” (“Point of public electronic gaming services”) which must specify sufficient information about its name, address, telephone number and registration number.

The signboard of a point of public electronic gaming services must:
 
- have the phrase “Đại lý Internet" (“Internet service agency”) if it also provides Internet services; or

- have the phrase “Điểm truy nhập Internet công cộng” (“Public internet access point”) if it also acts as the enterprise’s public internet access point.

3. Compulsory facilities of gym and fitness centers

According to the Circular No. 10/2018/TT-BVHTTDL providing for facilities, equipment and personnel training of gym and fitness centers, a gym and fitness center must satisfy the following requirements:

- Area of an exercise room must be at least 60m2;

- The distance between the ceiling and the floor shall not be smaller than 2.8m. The room space must be well-ventilated;

- Exercise equipment must be at least 10 - 30cm away from each other;

- It must maintain the minimum recommended illuminance of 150 lux;

- The sound system must be efficiently operated;

- It must have toilet, changing room and storage cubbies and be equipped with first-aid kits meeting standards of the Ministry of Health;

- Center rules and regulations must include primary contents such as work hours, eligible and ineligible members, advised safety precautions and measures.

4. Forms used in imposition of penalties on administrative violations against maritime regulations

On February 22, 2018, the Ministry of Transport promulgated the Circular No. 08/2018/TT-BGTVT on promulgation of forms used when imposing penalties on administrative violations against maritime regulations, including:

- 15 forms of decision (from form 01 to form 15);

- 08 forms of records of violations (from form 01 to form 08).

Competent authorities, as the case may be, may add lines to each form so as to ensure the sufficient presentation of necessary information concerning administrative penalties.

Detailed contents of each form are available at the Appendix enclosed with the Circular No. 08.

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