# Vietnam petroleum regulation and fuel price trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-petroleum-regulation-reforms > Updated: 2026-10-21T14:32:00.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 9. Vietnam is advancing regulatory reforms to its petroleum sector, focusing on price deregulation and tax relief. Under Resolution 43/2026/NQ-CP, the government has extended preferential import taxes, environmental protection taxes, and VAT exemptions for petroleum and aviation fuel through December 31, 2026, to stabilize the domestic market. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is proposing a new decree to transition from state-announced periodic base prices to a market-driven mechanism. Under this proposal, wholesale and distribution enterprises would be granted autonomy to determine retail prices using a regulated formula that accounts for purchase costs, business expenses, and profit margins. To prevent market manipulation, businesses must publicly announce new prices at least 30 minutes before implementation. In response to the draft decree, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has submitted recommendations. VCCI suggested that price formulas should serve as a basis for monitoring rather than a tool for imposing costs, noting that detailed analysis requirements could increase the compliance burden for smaller enterprises. VCCI also recommended clarifying price regulations for remote areas to reflect actual costs and proposed removing the mandate for wholesalers to own at least 40 retail outlets, suggesting a focus on supply capacity through ownership, co-ownership, or long-term leases instead. In a shift from previous rising trends, major petroleum companies including PVOIL, Petrolimex, and Thalexim have begun proactively reducing fuel prices below government-regulated rates. PVOIL has implemented a reduction of 350 VND per liter across its network through October 22, 2026, while Petrolimex is applying minimum price reductions through October 29. Experts suggest these moves demonstrate corporate responsibility and coincide with ongoing discussions regarding new decrees that could grant enterprises greater pricing autonomy. ## Claims - Standard business costs will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). (disputed by 3 sources) - The Ministry of Industry and Trade will review and announce standard business costs every three years based on audited reports. (disputed by 2 sources) - The Ministry of Industry and Trade is seeking opinions on a draft decree to replace existing petroleum business decrees. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Wholesale and independent distributors will have the authority to decide and declare their own retail prices. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Under the draft decree, the State will no longer announce periodic base prices for petroleum. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The proposed retail price formula is: purchase price + sourcing costs + standard business costs + profit + taxes. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Traders must declare prices within one working day and connect data directly to state management agencies. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Vietnamese government has extended petroleum tax reductions until the end of 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Traders in remote areas may set prices up to 2% higher than announced prices to cover additional costs. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-21: Vietnam to draft new decree on petroleum business by November 2026 Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade has been directed to finalize a new petroleum business decree by November 10, 2026, focusing on market restructuring and price stability. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-to-draft-new-decree-on-petroleum-business-by-november-2026 ### 2026-10-20: Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes regulatory reforms Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade is proposing reforms to deregulate alcohol licensing and modernize petroleum pricing and distribution mechanisms. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-ministry-of-industry-and-trade-proposes-regulatory-reforms ### 2026-10-17: Vietnamese fuel companies reduce gasoline and diesel prices Major Vietnamese fuel companies like PVOIL and Petrolimex are reducing gasoline and diesel prices by 300-350 VND per liter, offering relief to consumers and businesses. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnamese-fuel-companies-reduce-gasoline-and-diesel-prices ### 2026-10-16: VCCI proposes reforms to Vietnam petroleum business regulations VCCI has proposed reforms to Vietnam's petroleum business decree, suggesting more flexible pricing mechanisms and removing the requirement for wholesalers to own at least 40 retail outlets. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vcci-proposes-reforms-to-vietnam-petroleum-business-regulations ### 2026-10-13: Vietnam proposes new petroleum pricing and stabilization rules Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes letting fuel enterprises set their own prices with a 30-minute advance notice requirement and plans to phase out the price stabilization fund by 2027. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-ministry-of-industry-and-trade-proposes-new-petroleum-pricing-mechanism ### 2026-10-09: Vietnam fuel prices rise amid fuel stabilization fund mismanagement Vietnam's fuel prices have risen for six consecutive periods amid reports of significant mismanagement and misappropriation of the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund by major petroleum enterprises. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-fuel-prices-rise-amid-fuel-stabilization-fund-mismanagement ### 2026-10-06: Vietnam considers market-based fuel pricing mechanism Vietnam is considering a new decree that would allow petroleum businesses to set their own retail prices based on market costs rather than state-mandated price ceilings. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-considers-market-based-fuel-pricing-mechanism ### 2026-09-30: Vietnam extends fuel tax cuts and proposes petroleum price deregulation Vietnam is extending petroleum tax exemptions through 2026 and proposing a new decree to allow businesses to self-determine retail fuel prices under state oversight. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-proposes-market-driven-petroleum-pricing-mechanism ### 2026-09-28: Vietnam proposes centralizing petroleum price stabilization fund Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes centralizing the petroleum price stabilization fund into a single State Treasury account managed by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry and Trade. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-proposes-centralizing-petroleum-price-stabilization-fund --- Cite as: Vietnam petroleum regulation and fuel price trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-petroleum-regulation-reforms