In the context of increasingly deepened economic cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea, the need to clarify and improve policies has become more pressing than ever. Creating an open and direct dialogue between regulatory authorities and the business community is therefore essential.
I. The Dialogue Conference between the Ministry of Finance and Korean Enterprises on Tax and Customs Policies 2025.
In line with the “Regulation on Dialogue with Taxpayers and Customs Declarants”, the Dialogue Conference between the Ministry of Finance and Korean Enterprises on Tax and Customs Policies 2025 was held in the afternoon of September 30, 2025, at the General Department of Taxation’s Hall in Hanoi. UNI is honored to attend the conference and listened to Korean bussinesses’ questions and answers from the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Taxation.
Presiding Board of the Dialogue Conference between the Ministry of Finance and Korean Enterprises on Tax and Customs Policies 2025.
The dialogue was attended by senior leaders from the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Taxation, and the Department of Customs of Vietnam, along with the Ambassador of South Korea to Vietnam, the Chairman of KCCI, the Chief Representative of KOTRA, and the Chairman of KOCHAM.
Mr. Choi Young Sam – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam delivered his remarks.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Cao Anh Tuan, delivered the opening speech at the conference.
Throughout the event, two key topics were discussed, including: (1) Updates on preferential policies for Korean enterprises investing in Vietnam, and (2) A live Q&A session to resolve specific concerns related to tax policies, fees, charges, and customs procedures.
Notably, during the Q&A session of the conference, representatives from 09 Korean companies raised 18 issues, including 10 matters related to taxation, 7 matters related to customs, and 01 matter related to the foreign investment support fund. All of these issues received direct attention and responses from leaders of units under the Ministry of Finance.
Below is the Q&A content from the conference, compiled and recorded by UNI during the event. We invite you to follow along.
II. Contents of the dialogue between the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Department and enterprises:
Question: Regarding VAT refund for on-the-spot import and export declarations arising before 2025/07/01
Response:
There are currently no regulations that allow the application of retrospectives to VAT refunds
For on-the-spot import and export declarations arising before 2025/07/01 – according to Articles 9 and 17 of Circular 219/2013/TT-BTC, one of the conditions for tax refund is “customs declaration of on-the-spot exports and imports for which customs procedures have been completed”.
However, if the Customs authority determines that the enterprise opens the declaration in contravention of the provisions of Point c, Clause 1, Article 35 of Decree No. 08/2015/ND-CP (i.e. does not meet the condition of “no presence in Vietnam”), the tax authority will not handle the tax refund
The Tax Department is coordinating with Customs to determine the validity of declarations declared by enterprises themselves before 2025/07/01 and will only deal with valid declarations.
Images of business representatives raising questions to the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Department at the conference yesterday afternoon (September 30, 2025)
Question: The VAT refund in case the tax refund period arises from May to July 2025 and falls within the intersection between the old and new regulations. Request for guidance on handling
Response:
According to Article 58 of the Law on Promulgation of Legislative Documents:
“1. Legislative documents shall be applied from the time they take effect.
- Legislative documents shall apply to acts and events occurring at the time such documents are in effect. Where a legislative document provides for retroactive effect, such provision shall apply.”
Accordingly:
- Refund period of May – June 2025: Circular 25/2018/TT-BTC shall apply.
- Refund period of July 2025: Circular 69/2025/TT-BTC shall apply.
Question: The company’s head office is in Đong Nai, while its factory is in Vung Tau. Currently, the investment certificate only specifies the head office address in Đồng Nai and does not indicate the Vũng Tàu branch; therefore, the tax authority has not granted a VAT refund.
Response:
According to Article 30 of Decree 181/2025/ND-CP: “In case the business establishment is the owner of the investment project to establish a new economic organization or assign the project management board or branch to directly implement and manage the investment project, the newly established economic organization, the project management board, branches shall be entitled to deduction and refund of value-added tax for investment projects.”
Thus, based on the above provisions, VAT can be deducted and refunded with branches in Vung Tau. Request the company to contact the Tax Department of Ho Chi Minh City again for settlement.
Images of business representatives raising questions to the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Department at the conference yesterday afternoon (September 30, 2025)
Question: The company is currently engaged in the production of Polypropylene (PP). The company has proposed increasing the import duty rate on this product above 0% in order to protect domestic production.
Response:
According to Decree No. 199/2025/NĐ-CP, effective from July 8, 2025, the Government has adjusted the preferential import duty rate on Polypropylene (HS code 3902) from 0% to 3%.
Question: On the ban of electronic cigarettes
Response:
On November 30, 2024, the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15, prohibiting electronic cigarettes. Subsequently, on January 2, 2025, the General Department of Customs issued Official Letter No. 1717/TCHQ-GSQL to suspend customs procedures for electronic cigarettes.
Considering the difficulties faced by enterprises, the Government issued Resolution No. 29, allowing the continued import, production, and export of electronic cigarettes for overseas markets (not for domestic consumption in Vietnam).
According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance, 18 projects have been licensed to produce electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Meanwhile, statistics from the Customs Department show that 8 enterprises are currently engaged in the production and export of such products.
Images of business representatives raising questions to the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Department at the conference yesterday afternoon (September 30, 2025)
Question: Prior to the issuance of Decree No. 17/2022/NĐ-CP (before January 31, 2022), there were no clear regulations on penalties for failure to declare chemicals. Therefore, it was proposed that no penalties be imposed for undeclared chemicals before January 31, 2022.
Response:
Failure to declare chemicals in customs procedures constitutes a violation of customs law.
- For declarations dated from January 31, 2022 onward: penalties shall be applied in accordance with Article 18 of Decree No. 128/2020/NĐ-CP.
- For declarations prior to January 31, 2022: penalties shall be applied in accordance with Decree No. 17/2022/NĐ-CP. In cases of repeated violations, penalties shall be imposed for each declaration.
Question: Request to expedite the processing of APA (Advance Pricing Agreement) applications
Response:
Following the restructuring of the Tax sector, the general policy is to accelerate the review and processing of APA applications.
Currently, the processing of bilateral and multilateral APA applications still requires Government approval. However, under Decree No. 122/2025/NĐ-CP (effective from July 1, 2025), the Government has delegated authority to the Ministry of Finance to directly handle such applications, thereby shortening the processing time.
In parallel, the Ministry of Finance is urgently amending the Law on Tax Administration, including provisions related to the use of databases. The amendment focuses on standardizing and utilizing databases on enterprises with related-party transactions, ensuring consistency with international practices in the handling of APA applications.
Question: Request for clarification on non-deductible expenses due to violations of specialized legal regulations
Response:
On June 14, 2025, the Government promulgated the new Law on Corporate Income Tax, effective from October 1, 2025. Accordingly, non-deductible expenses in determining taxable income are specified in Clause 2, Article 9 of this Law.
This issue has also been detailed in the draft Decree guiding the Law on Corporate Income Tax
III. Conclusion and Reflections on the Conference
The overall view of the conference at the General Department of Taxation yesterday afternoon (September 30, 2025)
The dialogue conference between the Ministry of Finance and Korean enterprises concluded with clear commitments, successfully addressing many issues related to taxation and customs. UNI was honored to participate, directly listening to the key concerns and responses from the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Taxation.
With deep professional expertise, UNI Consulting Co., Ltd is committed to continuously updating the latest tax and customs regulations and policies, thereby supporting Korean enterprises in particular and all businesses operating in Vietnam in general to clearly understand and effectively apply the new regulations.
Contact us right now to receive quotation and consultation:
📞 Contact UNI Customs Consulting for free consultation:
📧 Email: uni@eximuni.com
📱 Hotline: +(84) 908-535-898 (Vietnamese) | +(84) 902-927-767 (Korean)