Legal framework for business households needed

It is necessary to complete a legal framework for business households so as to promote their development and contributions to the economy, experts have said.


legal framework for business households needed hinh 0
Handicraft products made at a business household in Ninh Binh Province

Business households are estimated to total around 5 million and play a significant role in the Vietnamese economy, contributing 30 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and creating 10 million jobs.

As the Government of Vietnam set a target of having 1 million firms by 2020, 1.5 million by 2025 and 2 million by 2030, business households are identified as a major force for the country to achieve this goal.

However, there is a lack of legal framework for their operation and for promoting their development.

Under the established enterprise law, Vietnam now has about 700,000 firms while business households are not regulated as enterprises.

Mixed opinions were raised over whether business households should be recognised as a type of enterprise and included in the Law on Enterprise which was being amended. Some said that a separate legal framework should be developed for business households.

Nguyen Thi Cuc, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Tax Consultancy Association, said that business households should not be included in the regulations of the Law on Enterprise. “A separate legal framework for business households could be a better option to promote their development,” Cuc said, adding on the other side, policies to encourage business households to change into enterprise were also required.

Policies should be flexible to allow business households to choose the appropriate models for their operation, experts said.

Truong Thanh Duc, director of law firm Basico, said that forcing business households to operate as small or macro-sized enterprises would sound unreasonable.

Phan Duc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), said that it was important to develop a legal framework which could create impetus for the development of the business households.

Hieu cited a survey finding of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) that around 18 percent of existing firms developed from business households, adding that this was a natural process.

“We should not talk about how to transform business households into enterprises. Instead, it is better to figure out a way to treat business households fairly with other types of enterprises and give them a chance for development,” Hieu said.

Hieu said that a draft framework for business households would be made public for comments.

According to VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc, business households in Vietnam had not received adequate attention despite their significant role in the economy. Loc said that it was critical to remove barriers for them to develop, adding that business households would be the grounds for the development of Vietnam’s business community.  

Under a draft resolution by the National Assembly which the Ministry of Finance recently made public for comments, the ministry proposed tax exemptions for two years after first reporting taxable income for firms which transform from business households.

This aimed to encourage business households to transform into enterprises.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam enters investment grade credit rating category for first time

Vietnam enters investment grade credit rating category for first time

Vietnam has maintained robust growth, outperforming other Southeast Asian economies. Its ongoing government reforms aimed at streamlining the state apparatus, promoting the private sector, improving the institutional framework and developing capital markets will strengthen the country’s growth potential and economic resilience.

Vietnam, Laos seek to expand room for trade, investment cooperation

Vietnam, Laos seek to expand room for trade, investment cooperation

Vietnam and Laos aim to boost bilateral trade in 2026 towards the milestone of 10 billion USD by 2030, a target said to be challenging but feasible as both Governments work to remove trade barriers, improve border-trade mechanisms, and strengthen transport and logistics connectivity.

Vietnam's national brand value jumps 45% to over 462 bln USD

Vietnam's national brand value jumps 45% to over 462 bln USD

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Luong Hoang Thai outlined Vietnam's National Brand Programme 's achievements, the role of business community and plans for brand development in a press interview ahead of the 10th Vietnam National Brand Product recognition ceremony on October 16.

Vietnam revises scheme to improve sovereign credit rating by 2030

Vietnam revises scheme to improve sovereign credit rating by 2030

Under the decision, Vietnam aims to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, while building a competitive and effective governance system and a dynamic economy driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Vietnam posts GDP growth of 9.95% in Q3

Vietnam posts GDP growth of 9.95% in Q3

In the first nine months, Vietnam's GDP was estimated to increase 9.01% from the same period last year. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries grew 4.02%, contributing 5.35% to overall gross value added growth; industry and construction rose 11.21%, contributing 49.62%; and services expanded 8.69%, contributing 45.03%.

Vietnam sees 149,700 new businesses in nine months

Vietnam sees 149,700 new businesses in nine months

Vietnam recorded nearly 149,700 newly established enterprises in the first nine months of 2026, up 3.2% year-on-year, with total registered capital rising 32.7% to over 1.88 quadrillion VND (71.6 billion USD).

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 40 in the GII; raise total social investment in R&D to at least 2% of GDP, with non-State funding accounting for over 60%; increase international scientific publications by an average of 10% annually; and raise the number of patent applications and granted patents by an average of 16-18% annually.

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Experts from the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences noted the quality of recent growth as the high growth rate has been recorded against an increasingly higher comparative base.

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam's Halal exports remain modest at around 900 million USD a year, accounting for less than 1% of the global market. Most exports are still raw agricultural and seafood products. Only around 1,000–1,300 Vietnamese businesses obtained or maintained Halal certification during 2024–2026.

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Under a decision of the municipal People’s Committee on establishing an inter-agency working group, departments and agencies are responsible for identifying facilities subject to greenhouse gas inventories, developing emissions-reduction plans and studying projects capable of generating carbon credits.

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached 478.5 million USD in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at 3.3 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%.

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Vietnam is seen as a potential market, with considerable room for growth in real estate, particularly commercial property, compared with some regional markets. Strong Vietnam-Russia ties and opportunities to establish foreign-invested enterprises are also considered favourable for Russian investors.

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

For 2021-2030, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed bringing forward the investment in a parallel taxiway system and a connecting taxiway north of Runway No. 2 at Phu Quoc International Airport, in order to connect with the aircraft maintenance and repair facility (hangar) planned for the northern area of ​​the airport.