THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Legislature X, 7th Session

LAW ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN VIETNAM

In order to expand economic co-operation with foreign countries, to serve the work of industrialization [and] (2) modernization, [and] to develop the national economy on the basis of efficient exploitation and use of the country resources;
Based on the 1992 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;
This Law sets forth provisions on foreign direct investment in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
 

NOTES:
1. Background: The Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam was originally adopted on December 29, 1987 by the National Assembly, Legislature VIII,during its 2nd Session (the "1987 FIL"). The 1987 FIL was revised twice on June 30, 1990 and December 23, 1992 respectively. On November 12, 1996 theNational Assembly of Vietnam repealed the 1987 FIL in its entirety and adopted its replacement anew ("the 1996 FIL"). The 1996 FIL was amended on June 9, 2000 by the National Assembly under Law No. 18/2000/QH10 ("the 2000Amendments"). The title of the Law remains unchanged. In this translation,the 2000 Amendments are incorporated into the main body of the 1996 LIF for purposes of convenience.

2. Added words and footnotes: Because Vietnamese and English have very different grammatical structures and because each language possesses its own unique legal and cultural tradition, it is impossible in some instances to have a "perfect" word for word English translation of a Vietnamese legal document. With this in mind, we have taken the liberty of adding words and phrases in this translation where appropriate as to (i) facilitatered ability and understanding, and (ii) conform with the English language convention in a manner consistent with the meaning of the original Vietnamese text. Added words are placed in square brackets for easy identification.Furthermore, footnotes and annotations are also added so as to (i) render commentaries on the choice of words and legal terminology in this translation, and give cross-references to related or equivalent legal concepts and terms adopted by common law, and (ii) make notes on legal issues and ambiguous expressions found in the original Vietnamese text of this Law during the course of translation.

Punctuation: In the original Vietnamese text of this Law, the drafters often use commas and semicolons instead of writing clearly the words "or", "and" or"and/or". In Vietnamese, the comma and semicolon may be conjunctive ordis junctive. Therefore, the meaning of certain provisions in the original text of this document appears ambiguous. Throughout this translation, commas and semicolons are translated as "and", "or" or "and/or" according to the context. Words added in place of commas and semicolons are placed in square brackets for easy identification.

Source: Vietnam ministry of planning and investment-MPI (MPI website)