On 11 December 2025, at the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly, the National Assembly passed the Amended Law on Investment 2025, which shall take effect from 1 March 2026. The Law continues to refine the legal framework on investment in line with the policy of selective investment attraction, while ensuring national interests in the new development phase.

The year 2025 marks a series of significant changes in the legal regime governing the Industry and Trade sector, imposing higher compliance requirements on enterprises. This article provides an overall, up-to-date, and easy-to-understand overview of the current legal framework, enabling businesses to proactively adapt and minimize risks in their operations.

A retail petroleum station is a key link that directly serves consumers; therefore, it must meet strict legal, technical, fire-safety, and environmental requirements. Under Decree No. 83/2014/NĐ-CP as amended by Decree No. 95/2021/NĐ-CP, a station may only operate after the Department of Industry and Trade issues a Certificate of Eligibility for Retail Petroleum Stations, once all of the following conditions are fully satisfied:

According to statistics from many localities, tens of thousands of enterprises are sanctioned every year for violations of regulations in the Industry and Trade sector. These violations occur in both large and small businesses and span numerous industries such as alcohol, tobacco, petroleum, gas, electricity, commercial infrastructure, promotions, e-commerce, and others. In general, the most common violations stem from a lack of understanding of legal requirements, failure t

In a context where Industry and Trade regulations are increasingly tightened and penalties continue to rise, establishing a comprehensive compliance system not only helps businesses avoid legal risks but also creates a sustainable competitive advantage. Below are four practical solution groups that enterprises should implement immediately in 2026.

Pursuant to Decree No. 83/2014/ND-CP, as amended by Decree No. 95/2021/ND-CP, any trader wishing to operate in the capacity of a petroleum wholesale distributor (general agent) must simultaneously satisfy stringent legal, infrastructure, transportation, and distribution system requirements. Once these conditions are fully met, the enterprise will be granted a Certificate of Eligibility to act as a petroleum wholesale distributor by the competent state authority.

Pursuant to Decree No. 83/2014/NĐ-CP, as amended by Decree No. 95/2021/NĐ-CP, a trader wishing to become a retail fuel agent must fully satisfy legal conditions relating to the enterprise, facilities, and personnel capacity. Once all conditions are met, the enterprise will be granted a Certificate of eligibility to act as a retail fuel agent by the Department of Industry and Trade.

Petroleum blending is an important technical activity in the petroleum supply chain, aimed at producing gasoline and oil products that meet technical standards before being marketed. This is a conditional business activity subject to strict state management under Decree No. 83/2014/ND-CP, as amended by Decree No. 95/2021/ND-CP.

Pursuant to Decree No. 83/2014/NĐ-CP, as amended by Decree No. 95/2021/NĐ-CP, a trader wishing to operate as a fuel retail franchisee (fuel franchise trader) must fully satisfy the legal conditions regarding business registration, retail facilities, and personnel. This is a specific form of distribution whereby the fuel retail franchisee operates within the system of a key fuel trader (import–export/wholesale trader) or a fuel distributor.

Pursuant to Decree No. 83/2014/ND-CP and Decree No. 95/2021/ND-CP, a trader wishing to operate as a petroleum distribution trader (an intermediate distribution tier between a petroleum wholesaler/importer and retail agents/stations) must fully satisfy the following conditions. Upon meeting all of them, the enterprise will be granted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade a Certificate of Eligibility for Petroleum Distribution.