Vietnam enacts wide‑range legal reforms in postal, telecom, labor and urban planning

The Vietnamese National Assembly and government agencies advanced several legislative proposals in July. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly approved amendments to the Postal Law that clarify the relationship between postal services and e‑commerce, introduce co‑inspection rights for package receipt and tighten controls to prevent illegal shipments. A draft law on science and technology aims to cut dozens of administrative procedures and business conditions across frequency, telecom and electronic transaction regulations.

New decrees impose heavy penalties: up to VND 75 million for violations of labour and social‑security rules, and up to VND 50 million for non‑primary SIM usage under the telecom penalty framework. Hanoi will, from 17 July, charge bus fares based on travel distance for 24 routes, using a base fare of VND 3,000 plus VND 450 per kilometre. AI traffic cameras recorded over 10,600 road‑safety violations in June, with more than 4,000 vehicles fined multiple times. Draft urban‑development legislation would give Ho Chi Minh City expanded authority to streamline administrative procedures, while a government decree sets criteria for pilot cultural‑heritage urban zones. The criminal procedure code is also being revised to modernise the justice system. ABS CEO Nguyen Quang Đạt warned that asset classes, including gold, are experiencing unprecedented volatility, urging investors to adjust portfolios accordingly.