The President’s Office announced seven laws, a resolution and an ordinance, which were adopted at the 11th session of the 13th National Assembly, at a news conference held in Hanoi on April 29.
The new Press Law consists of six chapters with 61 articles, including 32 new ones. It will take effect on January 1, 2017.
It dedicates the second chapter with four articles detailing the freedom of press and citizens’ freedom of expression on the media.
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| The press conference, held by the President's Office on April 29, announces newly adopted laws. __ Photo: giaoduc.net.vn |
It clarifies the responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and those in charge of providing information to the media. It also covers the rights of agencies, organizations and authorized individuals to refuse to supply information to the press; and the revelation and protection of information sources, among other things.
The new Children Law regulates 25 groups of rights and obligations of children. The seven-chapter and 106-article law will be effective on June 1, 2017.
With five chapters and 37 articles, the Law on Access to Information specifies Article 25 of the 2013 Constitution with the aim of ensuring the people's right to access information.
Those who have lost civil act capacity or have cognitive or behavioral control impairment, and those under 18 years of age can gain access to information through their representatives or guardians. Foreigners can ask for information directly relating to their rights and obligations, the law says.
The law specifies that citizens can freely access information that is publicized by state agencies and can ask state agencies to supply information that they need. It also classifies information that can or cannot be accessed by citizens.
The Pharmacy Law, with 14 chapters and 116 articles, regulates the priority production of pharmaceutical medicines available in the country, along with the development of medicinal plant farms, and the protection of the genes of rare medicinal plants.
It clarifies the principle of managing medicine prices in accordance with market rules, saying that the State will have to intervene when prices of essential drugs fluctuate abnormally and affect the country’s socio-economic stability. The law will take effect on January 1, 2017.
The Law on amendments and supplementations to a number of articles of the Law on Value-Added Tax, the Law on Excise Tax, and the Law on Tax Administration will become effective on July 1, 2016. It supplements a regulation saying services for the elderly are exempt from value-added tax.
With 22 articles, the revised Law on Import Duty and Export Duty will come into effect on July 1, 2016. It aims to renovate export-import tariffs in line with market mechanisms in an open and transparent manner, develop tax instruments to combat smuggling and trade fraud and improve the business environment.
The Law on Conclusion of, Accession to and Implementation of Treaties has 10 chapters and 84 articles and will take effect on July 1, 2016.
The resolution ratifying the diplomatic note on visa agreement between Vietnam and the US aims to make it easier for investment and trade activities and tourism of Americans in Vietnam.
