VIETNAM Law and Practice Contributed by: Thang Nguyen, Minh Nguyen and Nguyet Le, ACSV Legal
Impact of Global Developments Vietnam’s tariff regime continues to evolve in response to global economic developments. Recent disruptions to global supply chains, ris - ing raw material costs, and escalating interna - tional trade tensions have prompted adjustments in tariff schedules and greater reliance on trade defence mechanisms. Notably, the imposition of a 46% tariff by the United States on certain Vietnamese exports in 2025 highlights the vul - nerability of Vietnam’s export-driven economy to external shocks. At the same time, ongoing negotiations for new FTAs and the implemen - tation of existing agreements continue to drive Vietnam’s broader trend toward further tariff reductions and deeper global economic inte - gration. In summary, Vietnam’s tariff regime is charac - terised by widespread trade liberalisation bal - anced by the targeted protection of key domes - tic industries. While the country’s network of FTAs promotes openness and competitiveness, its strategic use of higher tariffs and trade rem - edies demonstrates a nuanced approach to safeguarding national economic interests amid an increasingly volatile global environment.
• Total assets or sales/purchases in Vietnam ≥ VND3,000 billion (USD120 million). • Transaction value ≥ VND1,000 billion (USD40 million). • Combined market share ≥ 20% in the relevant market. The same thresholds apply to offshore transac - tions. Higher thresholds apply to credit institu - The aforementioned economic concentration may only be implemented after the VCC’s con - firmation has been obtained, stating that the economic concentration is not prohibited under the Competition Law. Certain economic con - centrations, though not prohibited, can only be performed and maintained where relevant condi - tions are satisfied as stipulated in the confirma - tion of the VCC. 6.3 Cartels Under the regulations of Vietnamese compe - tition law, there are several agreements that restrict competition and therefore risk illegality. To determine whether an agreement is legal, it is important to look at the relevant contents of the agreement, the relevant market of the par - ties to the agreement, the trade life cycle of the parties’ products and services, and/or the level of restrictive effect on competition assessed by the VCC. Such agreements are absolutely prohibited if they: • prevent, restrain and disallow other enter - prises from entering the market or developing business; • abolish from the market enterprises other than the parties of the agreements; or tions, insurers, and securities firms. 6.2 Merger Control Procedure
6. Competition Law 6.1 Merger Control Notification
Vietnam’s Competition Law regulates economic concentration, including mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, and joint ventures. Such trans - actions are prohibited if they cause or may cause significant anti-competitive effects. Enterprises must notify the Vietnam Competi - tion Commission (VCC) if any of the following thresholds are met.
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