On 12 March 2026, EuroCham Vietnam, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI), and American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham) held a working meeting with the Department of Employment (Ministry of Home Affairs) and relevant departments to address practical challenges arising from the implementation of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP on foreign employees working in Viet Nam.
During the meeting, we raised four main issues, including: (1) Health Examination Certificates; (2) Intra-company transfers; (3) Workers employed in multiple locations; and (4) Occupational classification codes and fields of work.
Health Examination Certificates
Regarding the Health Examination Certificate, the Department of Employment acknowledged the concerns raised by the business community and confirmed that the matter has been reported to the Deputy Prime Minister for consideration in the upcoming amendment process. The Department will also coordinate with the Ministry of Health to explore appropriate solutions for enterprises.
Intra-company transfers
For intra-company transfers, the Department clarified that, pursuant to Decree No. 320 detailing the Law on Corporate Income Tax, expenses related to employees under intra-company transfer arrangements may be specified in the assignment document issued by the foreign parent company. The Department will also issue further guidance to the provincial Departments of Home Affairs to ensure consistent and smooth implementation.
Workers employed in multiple locations
Regarding workers employed in multiple locations, the Department explained that in line with ongoing administrative reform and decentralisation, work permit procedures have been fully delegated to local authorities. As a result, implementation may vary across provinces, depending on the competent authority, which may be the provincial Department of Home Affairs, the Management Board of Industrial Parks, or in some cases the Provincial People’s Committee. The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently developing an administrative procedure information system under Decree No. 367 to improve consistency and address difficulties faced by enterprises.
Occupational classification codes and fields of work
Regarding occupational classification codes and fields of work, the Department noted that occupational classification systems differ across countries. Viet Nam currently applies the Vietnam Standard Classification of Occupations under Decision No. 34/2020/QĐ-TTg, with classifications generally applied at the third level.
The Department acknowledged comments from foreign chambers and will consider possible adjustments to allow greater flexibility, potentially extending classification to the fifth level while remaining within the national occupational classification framework.
What this means for businesses
The working session was an efficient platform to voice business concerns on work permit directly to policy makers. With the Department of Employment reaffirming its commitment to accompanying the business community and with concrete actions already taken, implementation of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP on foreign employees working in Vietnam should gradually integrate business insights and see improvements.
EuroCham Vietnam, together with the foreign business community will continue accompanying the Vietnamese government in facilitating a sustainable and competitive environment for investment and business operation in the country.
Our sincere thanks to all participants for their valuable inputs:
Ministry of Home Affairs:
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyen – Deputy Director, Department of Employment
- Representatives from the Department of International Cooperation, the Department of Legal Affairs, the Department of Wages, and officers from the Department of Employment.
EuroCham Vietnam:
- Ms. Nguyen Cam Van, Head of Office Hanoi cum External Relations Manager
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen – Chair of Human Resources & Training Sector Committee, EuroCham
- Mr. Laurent Quistrebert – Vice-Chair of Human Resources & Training Sector Committee, EuroCham
- Ms. Tris Dao – Senior Immigration Advisory Lead, Resident Vietnam, HR&T SC Member
- Ms. Dang Duc Giang – Director, Immigration National Lead, KPMG TAX & ADVISORY LIMITED, HR&T SC Member
Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI):
- Mr. Onoue Ryo, On half of Head of JCCI Labour Committee
- Mr. Yoshida Susumu, JCCI General Secretary
- Ms. Dao Thi Thu Huyen, Assistant general manager of HR Division cum Manager of PR Department
- Mr Ryuichiro Koike, Assistant to General Manager, Honda Viet Nam
American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham):
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, Senior Specialist of HR Committee
- Ms. Pham Cam Tu, Vice-Chair of HR Committee
