Incentives and investment support

In order to attract foreign investment into Vietnam, the Government of Vietnam offers many policies to encourage and support investors when investing in some special trades, industries or localities. By incentives and investment support, the state proactively restructures the economy in each field and region to sustainably develop economic sectors. Investment incentives and supports are the provisions of the Investment Law, and are further stipulated in specialized legal documents.

Vietnam has a roadmap to adjust the corporate income tax from 32% (1997) to 25% (2009) and most recently 22% (2014) and now 20% (from January 1, 2016). The State allows the application of enterprise income tax rates lower than ordinary tax rates with a definite term or the whole duration of investment project implementation; exemption or reduction of enterprise income tax for enterprises newly established from investment projects in geographical areas with exceptionally difficult socio-economic conditions, economic zones and hi-tech parks; Activities in the field of education - training, vocational training, health care, culture ... in order to attract and create conditions for investors to pay attention to these fields.

In addition, the Law on Investment, the Law on Export Tax and Import Tax also provide a policy of import duty exemption for imported goods to create fixed assets; materials, supplies and components for executing investment projects; investment projects with official development assistance (ODA). The agreements on import and export tax incentives within ASEAN countries, the WTO have helped investors reduce Input costs, high competitiveness in the domestic market as well as internationally.

In addition, exemption, reduction of land rent, land use fee, land use tax is also one of the incentives for investors if they has an investment project in the special fields which are encouraged to invest in extremely difficult socio-economic areas; projects of using land to build apartment buildings for workers in industrial zones; projects using land to build student dormitories with money from the state budget, projects using land for construction of public works for business purposes (socialization) in the field of education, health, culture, gymnastics, sports, science - technology, ...

The geographical areas and sectors eligible for investment incentives show the Government's goal of economic development to focus on attracting foreign direct investment into the areas where Vietnam needs to develop. The corporate income tax rate and Vietnam's preferential policies are considered quite attractive compared to other countries in the region. Recognizing the importance of encouraging investment, Vietnam has been issuing regulatory documents to create a useful legal corridor and in line with international practice in creating highly competitive investment environment.

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