The Law on Topography and Cartography, which is the first of its kind in Vietnam, can be seen as a legal framework for the development of the topography and cartography sector in the country.

The Law on Denunciations, which will come into force on January 1 next year, aims to further facilitate the people’s exercise of their right to denunciation and better protect whistleblowers.

Effective in January this year, the 2017 Law on Legal Aid regulates the provision of “pro bono” legal services to disadvantaged people and policy beneficiaries as one of the policies to guarantee human rights and citizens’ rights. The Law replaces its predecessor enacted in 2006.

The Planning Law, which was passed in last November, marks an institutional transformation aimed at synchronizing and unifying the current planning regulations.

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.