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Vietnam’s Resolution 66.18: Temporary Streamlining of Administrative Procedures and Business Conditions

2026.08.13

Introduction 
 
On May 18, 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Resolution No. 66.18/2026/NQ-CP (Resolution 66.18), prescribing the delegation of jurisdiction, reduction, and simplification of administrative procedures and business conditions across a wide range of regulated sectors.  Resolution 66.18 forms part of a broader government program to reduce regulatory burdens, modernize state management, and create a more favorable, competitive business environment in Vietnam. 
 
Resolution 66.18 is grounded in the Law on Government Organization (Law No. 63/2025/QH15) and National Assembly Resolution No. 206/2025/QH15.  It is a temporary measure, effective from July 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, with certain provisions taking effect as early as May 20, 2026.  During its effective period, it prevails over inconsistent regulations on administrative procedures and business conditions, subject to limited exceptions for subsequently enacted higher-level or corresponding legislative documents. 
 
This alert summarizes the key features of Resolution 66.18 and highlights its practical implications for businesses operating in or investing into Vietnam, with particular attention to sectors regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and to merger control filings. 
 
 
1.  Broad Government Program to Delegate and Simplify Procedures 
 
Resolution 66.18 introduces a cross-sector framework to reduce administrative burdens and streamline regulatory procedures.  Key measures include: 
 
<ul>
	<li>Delegation of authority: transferring certain administrative functions to local authorities or other designated bodies;</li>
	<li>Simplified procedures: reducing procedural requirements and business conditions in specified regulated activities; and</li>
	<li>Streamlined administration: expanding single-window and inter-agency processing and facilitating procedures regardless of administrative boundaries.</li>
</ul>
 
The specific reforms are set out in separate appendices covering 11 ministerial sectors, including industry and trade, finance, construction, health, and science and technology.  The scope and effect of the reforms therefore vary depending on the relevant sector and procedure. 
 
 
2.  Shift Toward Local Autonomy and Post-Inspection Management 
 
A central theme of Resolution 66.18 is the shift from pre-inspection (front-loaded approval) to post-inspection (ongoing supervision) models of regulatory management.  Under this approach, businesses may commence or continue activities without obtaining prior approval in designated areas, subject to compliance verification after the fact. 
 
This mirrors the broader policy direction reflected in Vietnam’s new Law on Investment (effective March 2026, see our previous alert: <a href="https://www.jipyong.com/en/board/jipyongNews_post.php?seq=7494">Vietnam’s New Investment Law 2026</a>), which similarly seeks to reduce front-loaded approvals and strengthen decentralized decision-making.  Resolution 66.18 takes this further by requiring relevant ministers and agencies to implement management measures suitable for the shift from pre-inspection to post-inspection, and by directing provincial People’s Committees to organize implementation and allocate resources at the local level. 
 
The practical effect is that certain regulatory steps, such as licensing requirements, certificates of eligibility, and prior state approvals, are temporarily suspended or delegated to lower-level authorities or state-owned enterprises, pending review and potential permanent amendment. 
 
 
3.  Practical Impact for MOIT-Regulated Sectors and M&A Transactions 
 
Resolution 66.18 introduces a number of significant changes for sectors under the jurisdiction of MOIT.  These changes are of direct relevance to businesses and investors in the energy, petroleum, trade, and M&A sectors. 
 
Merger Control Filing Thresholds 
 
Resolution 66.18 doubles the thresholds triggering mandatory merger control filings for economic concentration transactions under the competition laws.  The revised thresholds, effective until February 28, 2027, are as follows: 
 
<table class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse:collapse; border:1pt solid #bbbbbb">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-top:2pt solid #cc0000; background-color:#f2f2f2; border-left:none; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; text-align:center; padding:3px 15px;" valign="middle">Merger Control Threshold</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-top:2pt solid #cc0000; background-color:#f2f2f2; border-left:none; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; text-align:center; padding:3px 15px;" valign="middle">Previous Threshold</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #bbbbbb; border-top:2pt solid #cc0000; background-color:#f2f2f2; border-left:none; border-right:1pt solid #bbbbbb; text-align:center; padding:3px 15px;" valign="middle">Resolution 66.18 Threshold</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">Total asset value in Vietnam</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">VND 3,000 billion</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">VND 6,000 billion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">Total turnover in Vietnam</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">VND 3,000 billion</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">VND 6,000 billion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">Transaction value</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">VND 1,000 billion</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">VND 2,000 billion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">Combined market share</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">20%</td>
			<td style="border-width:medium 1pt 1pt; border-style:none solid solid; border-color:currentcolor rgb(187, 187, 187) rgb(187, 187, 187); padding:3px 15px; text-align:center;">20% (unchanged)</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
 
The doubling of these thresholds means that a number of transactions that would previously have required a mandatory filing with the Vietnam Competition Commission will no longer trigger that obligation during the effective period.  This is particularly relevant for mid-market M&A transactions, joint ventures, and private equity investments where the combined asset or revenue figures of the parties fall within the VND 3,000–6,000 billion range.  The combined market share threshold remains unchanged at 20%. 
 
Upstream Oil and Gas Approvals 
 
Resolution 66.18 streamlines certain approval procedures for upstream petroleum activities.  Competent State authorities are no longer required to approve contractor selection plans, contractor appointment results, extensions of the term of petroleum contracts, and transfers of rights and obligations under petroleum contracts.  Instead, Vietnam National Industry-Energy Group (PetroVietnam) is authorized to evaluate and grant such approvals in accordance with its internal governance and decision-making procedures, within the scope of the tasks and powers of the Prime Minister and MOIT. 
 
LNG and LPG Business Conditions 
 
The Resolution temporarily removes various statutory business conditions applicable to LNG and LPG activities, including import, export, trading, retail distribution, bottling, cylinder manufacturing and repair, and storage leasing.  It also removes the requirement to obtain certificates of eligibility for such businesses previously required under Decree 87/2018/ND-CP. 
 
Petroleum Distribution, Alcohol, Trade, and Tobacco 
 
Under Resolution 66.18, together with Resolution 19/2026/NQ-CP (Resolution 19), business conditions for petroleum distributors are substantially relaxed, and business conditions for petroleum storage/receiving terminal leasing and petroleum transportation services are temporarily removed.  Statutory business conditions for alcohol production, distribution, wholesale, and retail activities are suspended.  Licensing conditions and approval criteria for trade activities of foreign-invested enterprises are simplified.  Various licensing conditions applicable to the tobacco sector are also temporarily abolished. 
 
 
4.  Transitional Rules and Effective Period 
 
Resolution 66.18 contains detailed transitional provisions governing the treatment of pending applications: 
 
<ul>
	<li>Simplified procedures: Applications received or postmarked before the effective date of the Resolution are processed under the prior law.</li>
	<li>Reduced/removed procedures: Applications for procedures that have been reduced or removed, if received or postmarked before the effective date, are suspended and returned to the applicant upon request.</li>
	<li>Existing documents: Valid documents (licenses, certificates, approvals) issued under prior law continue in force until their stated expiration date.</li>
</ul>
 
The Resolution generally takes effect from July 1, 2026 and expires on February 28, 2027, with certain provisions effective as early as May 20, 2026.  During its effective period, the Resolution prevails over inconsistent regulations on administrative procedures and business conditions.  However, where a subsequent higher-level or corresponding legislative document is approved/issued and takes effect before February 28, 2027, the corresponding provision of the Resolution ceases to be effective. 
 
The Resolution also requires relevant ministers and agencies to provide guidance on implementing documents, with Appendix II matters to be addressed in legislative documents that take effect before March 1, 2027. 
 
 
5.  Implementation and Monitoring Points 
 
Resolution 66.18 assigns implementation responsibilities across multiple levels of government: 
 
<ul>
	<li>Ministers and heads of agencies are required to publish administrative procedures on the National Public Service Portal, continue to review and propose further simplification, and advise on or promulgate legislative documents implementing Appendix II.</li>
	<li>Provincial People’s Committees must organize local implementation, allocate resources, and report on progress.</li>
	<li>The Ministry of Justice is charged with monitoring, urging, and inspecting implementation of the Resolution.</li>
</ul>
 
Businesses should note that, while the Resolution provides a temporary framework, permanent implementing amendments are expected to follow.  The Government has signaled its intention to evaluate which simplifications should be made permanent, and further legislative developments are anticipated before the Resolution’s expiration. 
 
 
Conclusion 
 
Resolution 66.18 represents a significant adjustment to Vietnam’s administrative and regulatory framework, affecting multiple sectors and ministries.  Its impact is particularly relevant to MOIT-regulated industries and M&A transactions, where the merger control thresholds may affect filing requirements. 
 
Given the Resolution’s limited effective period through February 28, 2027, businesses and investors should:  
 
<ul>
	<li>Review the sector-specific appendices applicable to their activities;</li>
	<li>Monitor subsequent implementing documents and guidance from relevant ministries;</li>
	<li>Assess whether pending or planned transactions are affected by the revised merger control thresholds;</li>
	<li>Consider the interaction between Resolution 66.18 and applicable sector-specific regulations, particularly during the transition period; and</li>
	<li>Seek professional advice and the competent authority's interpretation of the Resolution and sector-specific regulations, particularly during the transitional period.</li>
</ul>
 
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