Coming into force from July this year, the 2017 Law on Public Debt Management (the Law) is expected to improve and tighten the management of public debts.

Composed of 108 articles arranged in 12 chapters, the Law on Forestry (the Law), which was passed in November last year, regulates the management, protection, development and exploitation of forests, along with the processing and trade of forest products.

Compared to its predecessor enacted in 2009, the Law contains numerous new provisions consistent with the 2013 Constitution and relevant codes and laws promulgated in 2015 such as the Civil Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Civil Procedure Code, Law on Administrative Procedures, and Law on Custody and Temporary Detention.

Coming into force on January 1 this year, the Law on Foreign Trade Management (the Law), which was passed last June, mainly regulates the state management of foreign trade, including measures to manage and direct international purchase and sale of goods.

The Law on Irrigation, which was passed in June this year, is expected to complement the law on water resources management.

Coming into force from July next year, the 2017 Railway Law, passed by the National Assembly in June, prescribes railway infrastructure planning, investment, construction, protection, management, maintenance and development. It also stipulates railway industry and railway business.

The revised Law on Technology Transfer, which was passed in June, is expected to create a solid legal basis to promote technology transfer, technology innovation, commercialization of scientific research and technological development results, and application of latest science and technology advances.

The Law on Support for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises, which is the first of its kind in Vietnam, will enter into force on January 1 next year.

Consisting of 10 chapters and 73 articles, the Law on Organization of Criminal Investigation Bodies regulates the system of investigating agencies in Vietnam and clearly defines their tasks and powers.

With 73 articles arranged in 11 chapters, the Law on Enforcement of Custody and Temporary Detention regulates the principles, order and procedures for enforcement of custody and temporary detention.