LAW

AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO CERTAIN ARTICLES OF LAW ON HANDLING OF ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATIONS

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

The National Assembly enacts the Law on Amendments and Supplements to certain Articles of the Law on Handling of Administrative Violations No.15/2012/QH13 that has already been amended and supplemented by the Law No. 54/2014/QH13 and the Law No. 18/2017/QH14.

Article 1. Amendments and supplements to certain Articles of the Law on Handling of Administrative Violations

1. Amending and supplementing clause 5 of Article 2 as follows:

“5. Recidivism means the act of repeating a violation by an individual or organization against which an administrative sanction decision has been imposed before the period of being considered that such decision is not enforced yet expires; the act of repeating a violation by an individual against which an administrative action has been imposed before the period of being considered that such action is not enforced yet expires.”.

2. Amending and supplementing point d of clause 1 of Article 3 as follows:

“d) Imposing administrative penalties only when there is any administrative violation prescribed by laws.

An administrative violation shall be sanctioned only once.

If multiple persons commit an administrative violation, each of them shall be sanctioned for such violation.

If a person commits multiple administrative violations or commits administrative violation(s) in multiple times, he/she shall be sanctioned for each violation, except when the act of committing administrative violation(s) is regulated as an aggravating circumstance by the Government;”.

3. Amending and supplementing Article 4 as follows:

“Article 4. Authority to regulate the sanctioning of administrative violations and regimes for enforcement of administrative actions

1. Pursuant to regulations laid down herein, the Government shall adopt the following regulations:

a) Acts of administrative violations; acts of administrative violations that has ended and acts of administrative violations in progress; sanctioning forms, penalty rates, remedial or mitigation measures for each administrative violation; sanctioned violators; authority to impose penalties, fines specific to titles and authority to issue administrative penalty notices; enforcement of administrative sanctions, remedial or mitigation measures applied in respective areas of state management;

b) Regimes for enforcement of administrative actions.

2. Forms used in handling of administrative violations shall conform to the Government's regulations.

3. Pursuant to the provisions of this Law, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee shall have authority to regulate the sanctioning of administrative violations arising from state audit activities and sanctions for the act of obstructing legal proceedings”.

4. Amending and supplementing certain points of clause 1 and clause 2 of Article 6 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing point a of clause 1 as follows:

“a) The limitation period for imposition of an administrative penalty shall be 01 year, except in the following cases:

The limitation period for imposition of sanctions against administrative violations arising from the following sectors and activities: accounting; invoices; fees and charges; insurance business; price management; securities; intellectual property; construction; fishery; forestry; investigation, planning, exploration, extraction and use of water resources; oil and gas and other mining activities; environmental protection; atomic energy; management and development of houses and offices; land; levees; press; publishing; commodity production, export, import and trading; manufacturing and trading of banned and counterfeit goods; foreign worker management, the statute of limitations for sanctioning administrative violations, shall be 02 years.

The limitation period for imposition of sanctions against administrative violations arising from taxes shall be subject to laws on tax administration;";

b) Amending and supplementing point a and b of clause 2 as follows:

“a) The limitation period for enforcement of compulsory behavioral programs at communes, wards or townships shall be 01 year starting from the date on which an individual commits any violation specified in clause 1 of Article 90; 06 months starting from the date on which an individual commits any violation specified in clause 2 of Article 90; 06 months starting from the date on which an individual last commits one of the acts of violation specified in clauses 3, 4 and 6 of Article 90; 03 months starting from the date on which an individual last commits any violation specified in clause 5 of Article 90 of this Law;

“b) The limitation period for the compulsory sending of violators to reform schools shall be 01 year starting from the date on which an individual commits any violation specified in clause 1 and 2 of Article 92; 06 months starting from the date on which an individual commits any violation specified in clause 3 and 4 of Article 92 herein;”;

c) Adding point dd to clause 2 below point d as follows:

“dd) Within the limitation periods specified in point a, b, c and d of this clause, if a violating person deliberately evades or militates against enforcement of administrative sanction measures, limitation periods shall be reset, starting from the time of abandonment of acts of evading or militating against penalties.”.

5. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 12 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing clause 6 as follows:

“6. Identifying administrative violations incorrectly; adopting sanctioning forms, rates, and remedial or mitigation measures in an incorrect and incomplete manner with respect to administrative violations.”;

b) Adding clause 8a placed after clause 8 as follows:

 “8a. Failing to monitor, urge, inspect and take charge of enforcing the execution of sanction decisions or remedial or mitigation measures.”.

6. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 17 as follows:

a) Adding point dd to clause 2 below point d as follows:

“dd) Regulating reporting regimes and forms used for collection of statistical data regarding sanctioning of administrative violations.”;

b) Amending and supplementing clause 4 as follows:

“4. Within the scope of their duties and powers, the Supreme People's Court and the State Audit shall carry out the provisions of clause 2 of this Article, and annually send reports to the Ministry of Justice on the sanctioning of administrative violations arising within their remit; shall direct People's Courts at all levels, State Audit’s subordinate agencies to report and provide information on the sanctioning of administrative violations.”;

c) Amending and supplementing clause 6 as follows:

“6. Host entities in charge of persons having authority to sanction administrative violations, People's Courts accorded authority to decide the enforcement of administrative actions, entities enforcing sanction decisions and decisions on enforcement of sanction decisions, and entities enforcing decisions on enforcement of administrative actions, shall be responsible for providing updated information and sanctioning results under their jurisdiction and within their remit to the Database. country on handling of administrative violations to the National Sanction Database.”.

7. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 18 as follows:

“3. Within the scope of their duties and powers, Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Presidents of People's Committees at all levels, heads of agencies and units in charge of persons have authority to sanction administrative violations shall be responsible for detecting any defect contained in decisions regarding the sanctioning of administrative violations issued by themselves or their subordinates, and promptly correcting, revising, supplementing or abolishing them, or promulgating new ones under their jurisdiction.

The Government shall elaborate on this clause.”.

8. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 21 as follows:

“3. A main sanction must be imposed, or one or multiple supplementary sanctions enclosed may be imposed, for each administrative violation.  

Supplementary sanctions may accompany main sanctions, except the cases specified in clause 2 of Article 65 herein.”.

9. Amending and supplementing clause 3 and clause 4 of Article 23 as follows:

“3. Based on types of acts, fine brackets or penalty amounts specified in the Government's Decrees and specific local socio-economic management requirements, People's Councils of centrally-affiliated cities shall have the right to decide fine brackets or specific penalty amounts for violations in the domains specified in Clause 1 of this Article but not exceeding the maximum penalty amounts for the respective fields specified in Article 24 of the Law.

4. The specific penalty amount for an act of administrative violation is the average of amounts within the fine bracket imposed for that act; if there is any extenuating circumstance, the penalty amount may be reduced but not lower than the minimum limit of the fine bracket; if there is any aggravating circumstance, the penalty amount may be increased, but not exceeding the maximum limit of the fine bracket.

The Government shall elaborate on this clause.”.

10. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 24 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing clause 1 as follows:

“1. The maximum penalty amounts imposed upon individuals for their acts falling within the scope of state management shall be subject to the following regulations:

a) A fine of up to VND 30,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising in such sectors as marriage and family; gender equality; domestic violence; archives; beliefs and religions; emulation and rewards; judicial administration; population; environmental sanitation; statistics; foreign affairs;

b) A fine of up to VND 40,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising in such sectors as public order, security and social safety; obstruction of proceedings; enforcement of civil judgements; bankruptcy of enterprises and cooperatives; electronic transactions; post;

c) A fine of up to VND 50,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising in such sectors as firefighting and fire protection; rescue; judicial support; preventive health care; HIV/AIDS prevention and control; culture; sports; tourism; science and technology management; technology transfer; child protection and care; social protection and relief; natural disaster prevention and control; plant protection and quarantine; management and conservation of genetic resources (except animal genetic resources); cultivation (except fertilizers); veterinary medicine; accounting; independent audit; fees and charges; public asset management; invoices; national reserves; chemicals; hydrometeorology; measuring and mapping; enterprise registration; state audit;

d) A fine of up to VND 75,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising in such sectors as ciphering; national border management and protection; national defense and security; labor; education; vocational education; road traffic; railway traffic; inland waterway traffic; health insurance; social insurance; unemployment insurance; prevention and control of social evils;

dd) A fine of up to VND 100,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising in such sectors as levees; medical examination and treatment; cosmetics; pharmaceuticals, medical equipment; animal husbandry; fertilizers; advertisement; betting and games with prizes; management of overseas labor; maritime transportation; civil aviation operations; traffic works management and protection; information technology; telecommunications; radio frequencies; cybersecurity; information security; publishing; printing; commerce; customs, tax procedures; lottery business; insurance business; thrift and anti-extravagance practice; control of explosive materials; electricity;

e) A fine of up to VND 150,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising in such sectors as price management; quarrying, production and trading of construction materials; technical infrastructure project management; management and development of residential houses and offices; bidding; investment;

g) A fine of up to VND 200,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising from the production and trading of banned commodities, counterfeit products; protection of consumer’s rights;

h) A fine of up to VND 250,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising from investigation, planning, exploration, abstraction, use of water resources; irrigation; intellectual property; press;

i) A fine of up to VND 500,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising from construction; forestry; land; real property business;

k) A fine of up to VND 1,000,000,000 shall be imposed for any act arising from management of waters, islands and continental shelf of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; management of nuclear and radioactive substances, atomic energy; currency, precious metals, gemstones, banking, credit; oil, gas and other mineral activities; environmental protection; seafood.”;

b) Amending and supplementing clause 3 as follows:

“3. The maximum penalty amounts in such sectors as taxation; measuring; food safety; quality of products and goods; stocks; competition, shall be subject to the provisions of equivalent laws”.

11. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 25 as follows:

“3. The time limit for forfeiture of the rights to use licenses, practicing certificates or business suspension specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall be between 1 month and 24 months, starting from the effective dates of sanction decisions. Persons accorded authority to impose penalties shall have the custody of licenses or practicing certificates during time limits for forfeiture of the rights to use licenses or practicing certificates.

The time limit for forfeiture of the rights to use licenses, practicing certificates, or suspension of specific activities imposed as a penalty for an act of administrative violation is the average of total time length of the time frame for such forfeiture or suspension of penalty for that act; if there is any extenuating circumstance, the time limit for such forfeiture or suspension may be reduced, but not lower than the minimum limit of the time frame for such forfeiture or suspension; if there is any aggravating circumstance, the time limit for such forfeiture or suspension may be increased, but not exceeding the maximum limit of the time frame for such forfeiture or suspension.

The Government shall elaborate on this clause.”.

12. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 39 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 2 as follows:

“2. Heads of company-level Mobile Police units, Station Heads and Team Leaders supervising the persons defined in Clause 1 of this Article shall have the following rights:”;

b) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 3 as follows:

“3. Commune-level Police Chiefs, Heads of Police Posts, Heads of Police Stations at border gates, export processing zones, Heads of International Airport Police, Majors of Mobile Police Battalions, and Captains of Squadrons shall have the following rights:”;

c) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 4 as follows:

“4. District-level Police Chiefs; the Head of the Professional Division of the Internal Political Security Department; the Head of the Professional Division of the Police Department for Administration of Social Order; the Head of the Professional Division of the Traffic Police Department; the Head of the Professional Division of the Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue; the Head of the Professional Division of the Department of Cybersecurity, Hi-Tech Crime Prevention and Control; the Head of the Professional Division of the Immigration Department; the Chief of provincial Police Departments, including:     Directors of Internal Political Security Divisions; Chiefs of Police Divisions for Administration of Social Order; Chiefs of Investigation Police Divisions for Economic Order Crimes;  Chiefs of Investigation Police Divisions for Corruption, Economic and Smuggling Crimes; Chiefs of Investigation Police Divisions for Drug Crimes; Chiefs of Traffic Police Divisions; Chiefs of Road and Railway Traffic Police Divisions; Chiefs of Road Traffic Police Divisions; Chiefs of Waterway Police Divisions; Chiefs of Mobile Police Divisions; Directors of Security Guard Divisions; Directors of Criminal Judgment Execution and Judicial Assistance Divisions; Chiefs of Police Divisions for Prevention and Control of Environmental Crimes; Chiefs of Firefighting, Prevention and Rescue Police Divisions; Directors of Cyber​security, Hi-Tech Crime Prevention and Control Divisions; Directors of Immigration Divisions; Directors of Economic Security Divisions; Directors of External Security Divisions; Colonels of Mobile Police Regiments; Captains of Squadrons, shall have the following rights:”;  

d) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 5 as follows:

“5. Directors of provincial Police Departments shall be vested with the following powers:”;

dd) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 6 as follows:

“6. Director of the Internal Political Security Department; Director of the Economic Security Department; Director of the Police Department for Social Order Administration; Director of the Investigation Police Department for Social Order Crimes; Director of the Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Economic and Smuggling Crimes; Director of the Investigation Police Department for Drug Crimes; Director of the Traffic Police Department; Director of the Firefighting, Prevention and Rescue Police Department; Director of the Police Department for Prevention and Control of Environmental Crimes; Director of the Cybersecurity, Hi-tech Crimes Prevention and Control Department; Director of the Internal Security Department; Director of the Police Department for Management of Retention and Execution of Criminal Judgements at Community, and Commander of the Mobile Police, shall have the following rights:”.      

13. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 40 as follows:

a) Adding clause 2a placed after clause 2 as follows:

 “2a. The leaders of Task Force Teams for drug and crime prevention and control which are put under the control of Task Force Commissions shall have the following rights:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine equaling up to 10% of a maximum penalty amount for an act arising in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein, but not exceeding VND 10,000,000;

c) Confiscating any exhibit or equipment involved in commission of administrative violations if its value is not 02 times as high as the penalty amount specified in point b of this clause;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, c and dd of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof.”;

b) Amending and supplementing clause 3, and adding clause 3a placed underneath clause 3 as follows:

“3. Commanding Officers of Border Guard Posts, Captains of Naval Border Guard Flotillas, Commanders of the Border Guard Commands at port border gates shall have the following rights:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine equaling up to 20% of a maximum penalty amount for an act arising in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein, but not exceeding VND 25,000,000;

c) Confiscating any exhibit or equipment involved in commission of administrative violations if its value is not 02 times as high as the penalty amount specified in point b of this clause;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, c, d, dd and k of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof.

3a. Leaders of Task Force Commissions for Drug and Crime Prevention and Control as an affiliate of the Department of Drug and Crime Prevention and Control under the control of the Command of Border Guards shall have the following rights:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine equaling up to 50% of a maximum penalty amount for an act arising in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein, but not exceeding VND 100.000.000;

c) Confiscating any exhibit or equipment involved in commission of administrative violations if its value is not 02 times as high as the penalty amount specified in point b of this clause;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, c, d, dd, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof”;

c) Amending and supplementing clause 4 as follows:

“4. Chief Commander of provincial-level Border Guards; Captains of Naval Border Guard Squadrons, and Director of the Department of Drug and Crime Prevention and Control affiliated to the Command of Border Guards, shall be vested with the following powers:  

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing the maximum fine in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein;

c) Forfeiting the rights to use certificates, practicing certificates or suspend business within a specified duration;

d) Confiscating any exhibit or means involved in commission of administrative violation;

dd) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, c, d, dd, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof.”.

14. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 41 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 5 as follows:

“5. Captains of Naval Border Guard Squadrons; Heads of Reconnaissance Commissions; Heads of Task Force Commissions for Drug Crime Prevention and Control under the control of the Command of Coast Guard of Vietnam shall have the following rights:”;

b) Amending and supplementing clause 6 of Article 41 as follows:

“6. Regional Commands of Coast Guard and Director of the Department of Operations and Legislation under the control of the Command of Coast Guard of Vietnam shall have the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine equaling up to 50% of a maximum penalty amount for an act arising in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein, but not exceeding VND 100,000,000;

c) Forfeiting the rights to use certificates, practicing certificates within a specified duration;

d) Confiscating any exhibit or means involved in commission of administrative violation;

dd) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, c, d, dd and k of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof.”;

c) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 7 as follows:

“7. The Commander of Coast Guard of Vietnam shall have the following powers:”.

15. Amending and supplementing Article 42 as follows:

“Article 42. Authority delegated to customs authorities

Customs authorities' powers to impose penalties for false declarations resulting in any lack of payable tax amounts or any increase in exemption, reduction, refund or non-collection amounts; acts of tax evasion; commercial banks' failure to fulfill their responsibilities to transfer money to pay taxpayers' tax debts from taxpayers' accounts to state budget accounts at the request of tax collection agencies, shall be subject to the Law on Tax Administration. Customs authorities’ powers to sanction other administrative violations are regulated as follows:

1. Customs officers on duty shall be vested with the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 500,000;

2. Team Leaders, Group Leaders of Customs Sub-departments; Leaders of Groups in Control Teams affiliated to provincial, inter-provincial or municipal Customs Departments; Leaders of Teams in Post-clearance Inspection Sub-departments, shall be vested with the following powers: 

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 5,000,000;

3. Directors of Customs Subdepartments; Directors of Post-clearance Inspection Subdepartments; Leaders of Control Teams of provincial, inter-provincial or municipal Customs Departments; Leaders of Criminal Investigation Teams; Leaders of Smuggling Control Teams; Captains of Maritime Control Flotillas; Leaders of Anti-smuggling, Counterfeit Product Control and Intellectual Property Teams affiliated to the Smuggling Investigation and Prevention Department; Directors of Post-clearance Inspection Sub-departments as an affiliate of the Post-clearance Inspection Department, shall be vested with the following powers: 

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 25,000,000;

c) Confiscating any exhibit or equipment involved in commission of administrative violations if its value is not 02 times as high as the penalty amount specified in point b of this clause;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point d, dd, g, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof;

4. Director of the Smuggling Investigation and Prevention Department, Director of the Post-clearance Inspection Department, a subsidiary of the General Department of Customs, and Directors of the provincial, inter-provincial or centrally-affiliated city Customs Departments, shall be vested with the following powers: 

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 50,000,000;

c) Forfeiting the rights to use certificates, practicing certificates or suspend business within a specified duration;

d) Confiscating any exhibit or means involved in commission of administrative violation;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point d, dd, g, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof;

5. Director of the General Department of Customs shall be accorded the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing the maximum fine in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein;

c) Seizing any material object or equipment involved in commission of administrative violation;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point d, dd, g, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 hereof.”.

16. Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 4 of Article 43 as follows:

“4. Directors of Forest Protection Sub-departments; Directors of Regional Forest Protection Sub-Departments, and Leaders of Task Force Teams for Forest Protection affiliated to the Forest Protection Department, shall be accorded the following powers:”.

17. Adding Article 43a placed underneath Article 43 as follows:

“Article 43a. Powers of Fisheries Resources Surveillance forces

1. Fisheries resources surveillance officers on duty shall be vested with the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 2,000,000;

c) Confiscating any exhibit or equipment involved in administrative violations if its value is not 02 times as high as the penalty amount specified in point b of this clause.

2. Heads of Fisheries Resources Surveillance Stations affiliated to Regional Fisheries Resources Surveillance Sub-departments shall have the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 10,000,000;

c) Confiscating any exhibit or equipment involved in commission of administrative violations if its value is not 02 times as high as the penalty amount specified in point b of this clause;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, b and i of clause 1 of Article 28 herein.

3. Directors of Fisheries Resources Surveillance Sub-departments shall have the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 100,000,000;

c) Seizing any material object or equipment involved in commission of administrative violation;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, b, d, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 herein.

4. Director of the Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department shall have the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing the maximum fine in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein;

c) Forfeiting the rights to use certificates, practicing certificates or suspend business within a specified duration;

d) Confiscating any exhibit or means involved in commission of administrative violation;

d) Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point a, b, d, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 herein.”.

18. Adding the first part in front of clause 1 of Article 44 as follows:

“Customs authorities' powers to impose penalties for false declarations resulting in any lack of payable tax amounts or any increase in exemption, reduction, refund or non-collection amounts; acts of tax evasion; commercial banks' failure to fulfill their responsibilities to transfer money to pay taxpayers' tax debts from taxpayers' accounts to state budget accounts at the request of tax authorities, shall be subject to the Law on Tax Administration. Customs authorities’ powers to sanction other administrative violations are regulated as follows".

19. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 45 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 2 as follows:

“2. Leaders of Market Surveillance Teams and Heads of Professional Divisions under the control of the Departments of Market Surveillance Operations shall be vested with the following powers:”;

b) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 3 as follows:

“3. Directors of provincial-level Market Surveillance Departments and Directors of the Departments of Market Surveillance Operations shall be vested with the following powers:”;

c) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 4 as follows:

“4. General Director of the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance shall be accorded the following powers:

20. Adding Article 45a placed below Article 45 as follows:

“Article 45a. Authority of the National Competition Committee

The exercise of sanctioning authority by the National Competition Commission against acts of anti-competitive agreement, abuse of the dominant market position, abuse of the monopoly position, economic centralization, and unhealthy competition shall be subject to regulations laid down in the Competition Law. Chairperson of the National Competition Committee shall be accorded the following powers to sanction other administrative violations:

1. Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

2. Imposing the maximum fine in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein;

3. Forfeiting the rights to use certificates, practicing certificates or suspend business within a specified duration;

4. Confiscating any exhibit or means involved in commission of administrative violations;

5. Applying mitigation measures or relief stipulated in point d, dd, g, i and k of clause 1 of Article 28 herein.”.

21. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 46 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 2 as follows:

“2. Chief Inspectors of Departments; Chief Inspector of Vietnam Aviation Administration; Chief Inspector of Vietnam Maritime Administration; Chief Inspector of the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety; Chief Inspector of the State Securities Commission; Chief Inspector of national defence activities of military zones; Chief Inspector of Ciphering activities of the Government’s Ciphering Committee; Directors of Regional Animal Health Sub-Departments, Directors of Regional Animal Quarantine Sub-Departments under the Department of Animal Health; Directors of Regional Plant Quarantine Sub-Departments under Plant Protection Department; Director of the Sub-Department for Agro-forestry and Fishery Quality Control of the Central Coast, Director of the Sub-Department for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Quality Control of the South under the control of the Agro-Forestry and Fishery Quality Control Department; Directors of Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Departments, Directors of Population and Family Planning Sub-Departments under the control of the Departments of Health; Directors of Sub-Departments for crop production, plant protection, livestock, animal health, fishery, quality control of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, irrigation, levees, natural disaster prevention and control, forestry, rural development under the control of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Directors of Sub-departments of Standards, Metrology and Quality under the control of the Departments of Science and Technology; Director of the Sub-Department of Product and Commodity Quality Control of the Central Coast, Director of the Sub-Department of Product and Commodity Quality Control of the South under the control of the Department of Product and Commodity Quality Control; Directors of Regional Centers for Radio Frequency, Directors of Provincial Social Insurance; equivalent titles of agencies assigned to perform the specialized inspection duties whose sanctioning authority is delegated by the Government, shall have the following powers:”;

b) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 3 as follows:

“3. Director of Statistics Offices, Directors of provincial State Treasuries, Directors of Departments of Product and Commodity Quality Control under the control of the General Department of Standards, Metrology and Quality; equivalent titles of agencies assigned to perform the specialized inspection functions whose sanctioning authority is delegated by the Government shall have the following powers:”;

c) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 4 as follows:

“4. Chief Inspectors of ministries, ministry-level agencies, Director General of Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, Director General of Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, Director of General Department of Vocational Education, Director of General Department of Water Resources, Director of General Department of Forestry, Director of General Department of Fisheries, Vietnam Department of Geology and Minerals, General Director of Vietnam Environment Administration, Director of General Department of Land Administration, Director of General Department of Population and Family Planning, General Director of the State Treasury, Chairman of State Securities Commission, Head of the Government Cipher Committee, Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Director of Chemical Department, Director of Industrial Safety and Environment Technical Department, Director of Electricity Regulatory Authority , Director of Trade Promotion Department, Director of Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, Director of Vietnam Railway Administration, Director of Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration, Director of Vietnam Maritime Administration, Director of Vietnam Aviation Department, Director of the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Director of Department of Animal Health, Director of Department of Plant Protection, Director of Crop Production Department, Director of Livestock Production Department, Director of Department of Agro-Forestry and Fishery Quality Control, Director of Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development, Director of Department of Insurance Supervision and Management, Director of the Radio Frequency Department, Director of Telecommunications Department, Director of Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, Director of Authority of Press, Director of Department of Publishing, Printing and Issuing, Director of Drug Administration Department, Director of Medical Examination and Treatment Administration, Director of Health Environment Management Agency, Director of Department of Preventive Medicine, Director of Department of Food Safety, Director of Department of Judicial Support, Director of Department of Civil Status, Nationality and Authentication, Director of Overseas Labor Administration, Director of Department of Labor Safety, General Director of Vietnam Social Security; equivalent titles of agencies assigned to perform specialized inspection duties whose sanctioning authority is regulated by the Government, shall have the following rights:

d) Amending and supplementing clause 5 as follows:

“5. Leaders of specialized inspection teams at the ministerial level, Leaders of specialized inspection teams established under the decisions of the General Director of Vietnam Social Security shall be vested with sanctioning authority as prescribed in clause 3 of this Article.

Leaders of specialized inspection teams at the departmental level and Leaders of the specialized inspection teams of agencies who are authorized by the Government to perform the functions of specialize inspection shall be accorded authority to impose penalties as provided in clause 2 of this Article.”. 

22. Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 2 of Article 47 as follows:

“2. Directors of Maritime Administrations, Directors of Airports Authorities, Directors of Inland Waterway Port Authorities shall have the following rights:”.

23. Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 4 of Article 48 as follows:

“4. Presiding Judges of provincial People's Courts, Chief Justices of Military Courts of military zones and the equivalent, and specialized Chief Judges of High People's Courts shall have the following jurisdiction:”.

24. Adding Article 48a placed below Article 48 as follows:

“Article 48a. The State Audit’s authority

1. Leaders of auditor teams shall have the following rights:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing a fine of up to VND 30,000,000;

c) Applying relief and mitigative measures stipulated in clause 1 of Article 28 herein.

2. Chief Auditors shall have the following powers:

a) Imposing penalties in the form of cautions;

b) Imposing the maximum fine in the equivalent sector prescribed in Article 24 herein;

c) Applying relief and mitigative measures stipulated in clause 1 of Article 28 herein”.

25. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 49 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 5 of Article 49 as follows:

“5. The Director of the General Department of Civil Judgment Execution, the Director of the Judgment Execution Department of the Ministry of National Defense shall have the following powers:”;

b) Abolishing Article 3.

26. Amending and supplementing the first part of clause 4 of Article 52 as follows:

“4. In case an administrative violation case involves multiple acts of violation, the authority to sanction an administrative violation shall be determined according to the following principles:”.

27. Amending and supplementing Article 53 as follows:

“Article 53. Changes in names, duties and powers of titles of sanctioning authority 

1. In case names of titles of sanctioning authority specified in this Law are changed, but duties or powers of these titles remain unchanged, sanctioning authority of such titles shall be kept unchanged. 

2. In case duties or powers of titles of sanctioning authority are changed, sanctioning authority of such titles shall be subject to the Government’s decisions after obtaining consent from the the Standing committee of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee.”. 

28. Amending and supplementing Article 54 as follows:

“Article 54. Delegation of sanctioning authority

1. Persons authorized to sanction administrative violations as per Article 38; Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Article 39; Clauses 2, 2a, 3, 3a and 4 Article 40; Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Article 41; Clauses 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Article 42; Clauses 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Article 43; Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of Article 43a; Clauses 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Article 44; Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of Article 45; Article 45a; Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of Article 46; Article 47; Clauses 3 and 4, Article 48; Clause 2, Article 48a; Clauses 2, 4 and 5 of Article 49; Article 51 of this Law, may assign deputies to exercise the authority to sanction administrative violations.

2. The delegation of the authority to sanction administrative violations must be frequent or depend on specific cases, and must take place at the same time as the delegation of the authority to enforce injunction and guarantee fulfillment of obligations to address administrative violations under Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Article 119 of this Law. The delegation of authority must be documented in decisions under which the scope, details of delegated authority and term of delegated authority must be clarified.

3. Deputies authorized to sanction administrative violations must be accountable to their heads and before laws for the exercise of their delegated authority. The authorized person shall not be entitled to re-delegate their authority to any other person.

4. The Government shall elaborate on this Article.”

29. Amending and supplementing Article 58 as follows:

“Article 58. Making records of administrative violations

1. When detecting acts of administrative violations under their respective management, competent persons on duty must promptly make written records of administrative violations, except for cases in which violations arising from failure to make such records are sanctioned as prescribed in clause 1 of Article 56 herein.

If an administrative violation occurs aboard aircraft, a seagoing vessel or train, the pilot in command, vessel captain or trainmaster shall make a record of that administrative violation and immediately issue it over to the person authorized to sanction administrative violations whenever that aircraft, seagoing vessel or train arrives at the airport, terminal or train station.

2. An administrative violation record must be made at the scene of that violation. If an administrative violation record is made at the office of the person authorized to make administrative violation records or at other places, the reasons for this must be clearly stated in the record.

3. An administrative violation record must contain the following main information:

a) Recording time and venue;

b) Information about the record maker, violating person or entity, individuals or entities involved;

c) Time and location when and where the violation occurs; case or violation description;

d) Testimony of the violator or representative of the violating entity, the witness, the victim or representative of the organization suffering loss or damage;

dd) Injunction and guarantee measures;

e) Rights and duration of explanation.

4. A administrative violation record must be made into at least 2 copies and signed by the record maker and the violator or the representative of the violating organization, unless the record is made under the provisions of Clause 7 of this Article.

In case the violator or the representative of the violating organization does not sign the record, the record must bear the signature of the representative of the local authority of the commune where the violation occurs, or of at least 01 witness certifying the violating person or organization has not signed the record; In case there is no signature of the representative of the commune-level local authority or the witness, the reasons for this must be clearly stated in the record.

5. Completed administrative violation records must be issued to violating individuals or organizations, each of them receive 01 copy; In case of administrative violations not falling under the sanctioning competence of the record makers, the records and other related documents must be transferred to persons having sanctioning authority within 24 hours from the date of making such records, except for cases where administrative violation records are made aboard airplanes, ships or trains.

6. In case any administrative violation record contains errors or does not fully and accurately show the details specified in clauses 3 and 4 of this Article, facts of the administrative violation cases must be verified according to regulations defined in Article 59 of this Law as a basis for issuing sanction decisions. The verification of facts of the administrative violation case shall be documented in a verification report. The verification report serves as a document attached to the administrative violation record and needs to be kept in the sanctioning file.

7. Administrative violation records can be made and sent electronically in case agencies in charge of persons having sanctioning authority, violating individuals or organizations satisfy infrastructure, technical and information requirements.

8. Administrative violation records must be made in compliance with this Law’s regulations on the contents, representation formats, and procedures prescribed hereunder and shall serve as a basis to issue administrative sanction decisions, except for cases where administrative sanctions are not made under clause 1 of Article 56 and clause 2 of Article 63 of this Law, and otherwise prescribed by the Law on Tax Administration.

9. The Government shall elaborate on this Article.”.

30. Amending and supplementing Article 61 as follows:

“Article 61. Explanations

1. If administrative violations are sanctioned under the legislation in the form of deprivation of the rights to use licenses or practice certificates for a definite term or suspension of business operations for a definite term, or imposition of the maximum limit of the fine bracket which starts from VND 15,000,000 or more upon a violating individual, or which starts from VND 30,000,000 or more upon a violating organization, violating individuals or organizations shall have the rights to give explanations directly or in writing to persons according authority to sanction administrative violations. Persons having sanctioning authority shall be responsible to take into consideration explanations of individuals, organizations committing administrative violations before making sanction decisions, unless these violating individuals and organizations do not need to give such explanations.

2. In case of explanations given in writing, violating individuals or organizations must send written explanations to persons having authority to sanction administrative violations within 05 working days from the issue date of administrative violation records.

Where a violation case involves many complicated facts, persons having sanctioning authority can extend the aforesaid duration for submission of written explanations to no more than 05 working days at the request of the violating individual or organization. The extension approved by the person having sanctioning authority must be documented.

Violating individuals, organizations can, by themselves, or authorize their legal representatives to, give written explanations.

3. In case of explanations given directly, violating individuals or organizations must send written requests for permission to give direct explanations to persons having authority to sanction administrative violations within 02 working days from the issue date of administrative violation records.

The person having sanctioning authority must notify in writing the violator of the time and place of the meeting session for direct explanation within 05 working days of receipt of the violator’s request.

The person having sanctioning authority holds a direct explanation session and is responsible for presenting legal bases, details and evidences related to the sanctioned administrative violation, sanctioning forms, and expected remedial or relief measures. The violating person, organization or their legal representative shall have the right to participate in that explanatory meeting session and give their opinions and evidence to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

The direct explanatory meeting session must be documented in the minutes signed by relevant parties; if the minutes consist of many pages, the involved parties must sign on each page of the minutes. The minutes must be kept in the administrative sanction file and the violating individual, organization or their legal representative must keep 01 copy.

4. In case individuals, organizations committing administrative violations do not request explanations, but then do so before expiration of the time limit specified in clause 2 or clause 3 of this Article, the persons having authority to sanction administrative violations shall be responsible to consider the explanations of the violating individuals or organizations.

5. The Government shall elaborate on this Article.”.

31. Amending and supplementing clause 1 and clause 2 of Article 63 as follows:

“1. For legal matters or cases that are accepted and settled by criminal procedure-conducting agencies which then issue the decisions not to institute criminal proceedings, the decisions to cancel the decisions to institute criminal proceedings, the decisions to terminate the investigation or dismiss the case against the accused, the decisions to grant exemption from criminal liability according to judgements,  if the acts involved in such matters or cases show any sign of administrative violation, they must transfer all of the stated decisions, enclosing relevant documents, exhibits and means of commission of the violation (if any) and the written requests for imposition of administrative penalties to the persons having sanctioning authority within the duration of 03 working days from the effective dates of these decisions.

2. Sanctioning administrative violations must be based on information shown in documents and records of administrative violations sent by agencies specified in clause 1 of this Article. Where it is necessary to further verify involved facts to have a basis to issue sanction decisions, persons having sanctioning authority may make records of verification of facts involved in administrative violation cases or matters under the provisions of Article 59 herein.”.

32. Amending and supplementing Article 64 as follows:

“Article 64. Detecting administrative violations by using technical and professional means and equipment

1. Authorities and persons having authority to sanction administrative violations, individuals and organizations assigned to manage professional technical means and equipment may use professional, technical means and equipment to detect violations related to traffic order, safety, environmental protection, fire prevention, rescue, salvage, drug prevention and control, alcohol and beer harm prevention and control as well as other areas regulated by the Government after obtaining the consent from the National Assembly’s Standing Committee.

2. The management, utilization and regulation of the list of technical and professional means and equipment must conform to the following requirements and conditions:

a) Respecting citizens' rights of freedom, honor, dignity, privacy, and other legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations;

b) Strictly complying with regulatory procedures and rules for use of technical and professional means and equipment;

c) Findings obtained by using professional technical devices and equipment must be recorded in writing and can only be used for administrative sanction purposes;

d) Technical and professional means and equipment must satisfy technical standards and regulations and must have been inspected, calibrated and tested in accordance with laws; technical regulations and standards must be maintained during use and at intervals between verification, calibration and testing engagements.

3. The use and preservation of findings obtained by using professional technical means and equipment must satisfy the following requirements and conditions:

a) Findings obtained by using professional technical equipment and means are photos, images, printed slips, measurement indicators, data stored in the memories of professional technical equipment or means in accordance with this Law;

b) Findings obtained by using professional technical means and equipment are used for administrative sanction purposes only on condition that they meet requirements and conditions prescribed in clause 2 of this Article;

c) Whenever receiving findings obtained by using professional technical means, equipment, the persons having authority to sanction administrative violations must quickly identify organizations and individuals committing administrative violations and send them written notices.

Whenever receiving findings obtained by using professional technical means, equipment, the persons having authority to sanction administrative violations must quickly identify organizations and individuals committing administrative violations and send them written notices;

d) Findings obtained by using professional technical devices and equipment must be properly deposited and stored in files of administrative sanctions.

4. State authorities shall have jurisdiction to use professional technical means, equipment and other professional measures to identify information and data collected from technical means and equipment provided by violating individuals or organizations to detect any administrative violations.

5. The Government shall provide for the management, use of professional, technical means and equipment; persons or entities entitled to professional technical equipment and means; the list of professional, technical means and equipment used to detect administrative violations; and the use and preservation of findings obtained by using professional technical means and equipment; the process for collecting and using data obtained by using technical means and equipment provided by violating individuals or organizations”.

33. Amending and supplementing clause 2 of Article 65 as follows:

“2. As for administrative violations specified at points a, b, c and d of clause 1 of this Article, though competent persons do not issue administrative sanction decisions, they have to issue decisions to confiscate material evidence and means used for commission of administrative violations in the event that such material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations are classified as those banned from storage or circulation, or those subject to a penalty imposed in a form of confiscation and remedial or relief measures prescribed by laws.

Each decision must clearly state the reasons for not issuing sanction decisions; exhibits and means used for commission of administrative violations which are confiscated; remedial or relief measures to be applied, responsibilities and duration of implementation of such measures.

Confiscation or forfeiture of exhibits and means used for commission of administrative violations, and implementation of remedial or relief measures, shall not be deemed as being subject to administrative sanctions.

34. Amending and supplementing Article 66 as follows:

“Article 66. Limitation periods for issuance of administrative sanction decisions

1. Limitation periods for issuance of administrative sanction decisions shall be regulated as follows:

a) For the cases or matters not covered by points b and c of this clause, the limitation period for issuing a sanction decision shall be 07 working days from the date of making a written record of administrative violation; For cases or matters where files thereof must be transferred to persons having sanctioning authority, the limitation period for issuing a sanction decision shall be 10 working days from the date of making a written record of administrative violation, except as prescribed in clause 3 of Article 63 of this Law;

b) As for cases and matters in which individuals or organizations request explanations or verification of relevant facts and details specified in Article 59 herein, the limitation period for issuance of a sanction decision shall be 1 month from the date of making and issuing an administrative violation record;

c) As for cases and matters covered by point b of this clause, if they are extremely serious, involve complicated facts and details, need more time to carry out further verification and collection of evidence, the limitation period for issuance of a sanction decision shall be 02 months from the date of making and issuing an administrative violation record.

2. If persons having authority to sanction administrative violations, involved individuals and organizations defer issuing sanction decisions after expiry of the limitation period through their fault, they shall be sanctioned under laws".

35. Amending and supplementing clause 2 and clause 3 of Article 71 as follows:

“2. In case an administrative violation occurs at a district but the violating individual resides or the violating organization is located at another district, causing distance challenges, and the violating individual or organization is unable to execute the sanction decision at the sanctioning place, the sanction decision shall be referred to the same-level authority governing the place where the violating individual resides, or where the organization is located, to take charge of execution of that decision; if there is no same-level authority governing such places, the sanction decision shall be transferred to the district-level People's Committee for enforcement purposes.

3. Authorities governing persons who already issue sanction decisions for the cases specified in clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall be responsible for transferring all original documents and records related to authorities receiving sanction decisions for the purpose of enforcement thereof in accordance with this Law. Temporarily forfeit or confiscated material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations (if any) shall be transferred to authorities receiving sanction decisions for enforcement purposes, except material evidences which are live animals, plants; goods or items which are perishable or difficult to preserve according to the provisions of laws and several other types of property regulated by the Government.

Violating individuals or organizations must be liable for costs and expenses incurred from transfer of documents, exhibits, material evidence or means used for commission of administrative violations.”:

36. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 74 as follows:

“1. The limitation period for execution of a sanction decision is 1 year from the date of issuance of the decision. After expiry, execution of such decision shall not be needed any more, except if the sanction decision prescribes a penalty imposed in a form of confiscation of administrative violation material evidence and means, and remedial or relief measures.”.

37. Amending and supplementing Article 76 as follows:

“Article 76. Adjournment of execution or enforcement of sanction decisions

1. Adjournment of execution or enforcement of sanction decisions shall be required if the following conditions are fully met: 

a) The violating individual is fined 2,000,000 VND or more, or the violating organization is fined 100,000,000 VND or more;

b) The violating individual is facing economic difficulties due to natural disasters, calamities, fires, epidemics, dangerous diseases or accidents; the violating organization is facing special or unexpected economic difficulties caused by natural disasters, disasters, fires or epidemics.

In case the violating individual is facing economic difficulties due to natural disaster, calamity, fire, epidemic, fatal disease or accident, the certification of the People's Committee of the commune where he/she resides or the organization where he/she is learning or working shall be required; if the violating individual faces economic difficulties due to fatal disease or accident, the certification granted by a medical establishment at the district or higher level shall be required.

In case the violating organization is facing economic difficulties due to natural disaster, catastrophe, fire or epidemic, the certification of the People's Committee of the commune, the Management Board of industrial parks, export processing zones or hi-tech zones, economic zones, or the directly supervisory tax authority or the directly superior authority shall be required.

2. Violating individuals and organizations must send written requests for postponement of execution of sanction decisions, enclosing written certifications of competent authorities or organizations according to clause 1 of this Article to persons who have issued sanction decisions within the limitation period specified in clause 2 of Article 68 herein. Within 05 working days of receipt of these requests, persons already issuing sanction decisions shall consider issuing decisions on adjournment of these sanction decisions.

The term of adjournment of execution or enforcement of sanction decisions shall not be longer than 03 months from the date of issuance of adjournment decisions.

3. Violating individuals or organizations granted permission to adjourn the execution of sanction decisions may take back their document, exhibits or means used for commission of administrative violations which are temporarily seized under the provisions of clause 6 of Article 125 herein."..

38. Amending and supplementing Article 77 as follows:

“Article 77. Fine reduction or exemption

1. The reduction in a part of the fine specified in a sanctioning decision against the violating individual and organization that have already obtained permission for adjournment of execution of the sanction decision according to the provisions of Article 76 of this Law shall be granted if the following regulations are met:

a) The violating individual continues to be in a difficult economic situation caused by natural disaster, conflagration, calamity, accident, and obtains certification from the People's Committee of the commune where he/she are residing, or the organization where he/she is studying or working is located;

b) The violating organization is facing economic difficulties due to natural disaster, catastrophe, fire or epidemic, and obtains the certification of the People's Committee of commune, Management Board of industrial parks, export processing zones or hi-tech zones, economic zones, or the directly supervisory tax authority or the directly superior authority.

2. The violating individual may be granted an exemption from the remaining fine stated in the sanction decision due to his/her incapability of enforcing or executing the sanction decision if one of the following situations occurs:

a) Despite being granted the reduction in a part of the fine prescribed in clause 1 of this Article, he/she continues to be in a difficult economic situation caused by natural disaster, conflagration, calamity, epidemic, fatal disease or accident, and obtains the certification from the People's Committee of the commune where he/she is residing, or the organization where he/she is studying or working;

b) He/she already pays the fine in the first or second installment in case of being permitted to make installment payment of the fine under the provisions of Article 79 herein, but is still facing special or unexpected economic difficulties due to natural disaster, calamity, fire, epidemic, fatal disease or accident, and obtains the certification of the People's Committee of the commune where he/she is residing, or the organization where he/she is learning or working; if he/she faces unexpected economic difficulties due to fatal disease or accident, the certification granted by a medical establishment at the district or higher level shall be further required.

3. The violating organization shall be exempt from payment of the residual amount of fine stated in the sanction decision when they fully meet the following conditions:

a) They have been granted a reduction in a part of the fine prescribed in clause 1 of this Article or have already paid the fine for the first or second installment if they are entitled to installment payment of the fine under the provisions of Article 79 herein; 

b) Supplementary penalties and relief or remedial measures stated in sanction decisions have been completely executed;

c) The violating organization continues to face economic difficulties due to natural disaster, catastrophe, fire or epidemic, and obtains the certification of the People's Committee of commune, Management Board of industrial parks, export processing zones or hi-tech zones, economic zones, or the directly supervisory tax authority or the directly superior authority.

4. The violating individual may be granted an exemption from payment of the remaining fine stated in the sanction decision due to his/her incapability of enforcing or executing the sanction decision if one of the following situations occurs:

a) Despite being granted the adjournment of the fine charge decision as prescribed in Article 76 of this Law, he/she continues to be in a difficult economic situation caused by natural disaster, calamity, fire, epidemic, fatal disease or accident, and obtains the certification from the People's Committee of the commune where he/she is residing, or the organization where he/she is studying or working;

b) He/she is already fined at least VND 2,000,000 and is facing special or unexpected economic difficulties due to natural disaster, calamity, fire, epidemic, fatal disease or accident, and obtains the certification of the People's Committee of the commune where he/she is residing, or the organization where he/she is learning or working; if he/she faces unexpected economic difficulties due to fatal disease or accident, the certification granted by a medical establishment at the district or higher level shall be further required.

5. The violating organization shall be exempt from payment of the entirety of the fine stated in the sanction decision if the following conditions are fully met:

a) Adjournment of execution or enforcement of the fine charge decision prescribed under Article 76 herein has been granted;

b) Supplementary penalties and relief or remedial measures stated in sanction decisions have been completely executed;

c) The violating organization continues to face economic difficulties due to natural disaster, catastrophe, fire or epidemic, and obtains the certification of the People's Committee of commune, Management Board of industrial parks, export processing zones or hi-tech zones, economic zones, or the directly supervisory tax authority or the directly superior authority.

6. Violating individuals and organizations must file written petitions for the fine reduction or exemption, enclosing the certification of the competent authority, as prescribed in clause 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article to persons issuing sanction decisions. Within the duration of 05 working days of receipt of these petitions, the persons issuing sanction decisions must consider issuing reduction or exemption decisions, and notify these decisions to petitioners; in case of refusal to grant the reduction or exemption, clear reasons for that refusal must be stated.

7. Persons or organizations granted fine reduction or exemption may claim back their documents, exhibits or means held in the temporary custody according to the provisions of clause 6 of Article 125 in this Law.”.

39. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 78 as follows:

“1. During the period of execution of the sanction decision specified in clause 2 of Article 68 or clause 2 of Article 79 of this Law, sanctioned individuals and organizations must pay fines at the State Treasury or into the State Treasury's account specified in each sanction decision, except if the fine has already been paid under the provisions of clause 2 of this Article. Upon expiry of the above period, they shall be forced to execute the sanction decision and, for each day exceeding the period, the violating individual or organization must pay an additional amount accounting for 0.05% of the total outstanding fine.”.

40. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 79 as follows:

“1. Installment payment of fines may be permitted if the following conditions are fully met: 

a) The violating individual is fined at least VND 15,000,000 while the violating organization is fined at least VND 150,000,000 VND;

b) The violator faces special economic difficulties and files a petition for the installment payment of the fine. The violating individual's petition needs to be certified by the People's Committee of the commune where he/she is residing or the organization where he/she is learning and working. The written petition needs to obtain the certification that the violator is facing special economic difficulties from the People's Committee at the commune level, the Management Board of industrial parks, export processing zones or hi-tech zones, economic zones, or the directly supervisory tax authority or the directly superior authority.”.

41. Amending and supplementing clause 5 of Article 80 as follows:

“5. In case of discovering licenses or practicing certificates being issued ultra vires, or containing illegal information, persons having sanctioning authority must take temporary custody of them and promptly issue revocation decisions within their remit; in case of not falling under their authority of revocation, they shall be temporarily seized and, within 02 working days from the date of discovery, such licenses or practicing certificates must be transferred to regulatory authorities or persons issuing them to be further processed according to the provisions of the laws, and notify this to the violating individuals or organizations.”.

42. Adding clause 3 placed underneath clause 2 of Article 81 as follows:

“3. Any exhibit or means involved in commission of administrative violations of which decisions on revocation or withdrawal have already been issued shall be handled under laws on management and use of public property.”.

43. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 86 as follows:

“1. Enforcement of execution of sanction decisions shall be needed in the following cases:

a) The individual or organization subject to the sanction decision fails to voluntarily execute that decision as provided in Article 73 herein;

b) The individual or organization subject to the sanction decision fails to voluntarily repaying expenses incurred from implementation of relief or mitigation measures prescribed in clause 5 of Article 85 herein to authorities carrying out such measures.”.

44. Amending and supplementing Article 87 as follows:

“Article 87. Authority to issue enforcement decisions

1. The following persons accorded the authority to issue enforcement decisions:

a) President of People’s Committee at any level;

b) Sheriff of Police Station, Sheriff of district-level Police, Director of provincial-level Police, Director of the Economic Security Department, Director of the Police Department for Social Order Administration, Director of the Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Economic and Smuggling Crimes, Director of the Investigation Police Department for Drug Crimes, Director of the Traffic Police Department, Director of the Firefighting, Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Director of the Police Department for Prevention and Control of Environmental Crimes, Director of the Cybersecurity, Hi-tech Crimes Prevention and Control Department, Director of the Internal Political Security Department, Director of the Police Department for Management of Retention and Execution of Criminal Judgements at Community, and Commander of the Mobile Police;     

c) Commanding Officer of Border Guard Post, Commanders of the Border Guard Command at port border gate, Chief Commander of provincial-level Border Guard, Captains of Naval Border Guard Squadrons; Heads of Task Force Commissions for Drug and Crime Prevention and Control, Director of the Department of Drug and Crime Prevention and Control; Regional Commands of Coast Guard, the Command of Coast Guard of Vietnam;

d) Director of Customs Subdepartment; Director of Post-clearance Inspection Subdepartment; Leader of Control Team of provincial, inter-provincial or municipal Customs Department; Leader of Criminal Investigation Team; Leader of Smuggling Control Team; Captain of Maritime Control Flotilla; Leader of Anti-smuggling, Counterfeit Product Control and Intellectual Property Team affiliated to the Smuggling Investigation and Prevention Department; Director of Post-clearance Inspection Sub-department as an affiliate of the Post-clearance Inspection Department, Director of the Smuggling Investigation and Prevention Department, and the Director of the General Department of Customs; 

dd) Head of Forest Protection Station, Director of Forest Protection Sub-Department, Director of Regional Forest Protection Sub-department, Director of Forest Protection Department;

e) Director of Fisheries Resources Surveillance Sub-department, Director of Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department;

g) Director of Taxation Sub-department, Director of Taxation Department, Director of General Department of Taxation;

h) Director of provincial-level Market Surveillance Department and Director of Department of Market Surveillance Operations affiliated to Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance;

i) Chairperson of National Competition Committee;

k) Titles of authority prescribed in clause 2, 3 and 4 of Article 46 herein;

l) Director of Maritime Administration, Director of Airports Authority, Director of Inland Waterway Port Authority;

m) Presiding Judge of district-level People's Court, Presiding Judge of provincial-level People's Court, Presiding Judge of regional People's Court, Chief Justice of Military Court of military zones and the equivalent, specialized Chief Judge of High People's Court; Director of Civil Judgment Execution Sub-Department, Director of Civil Judgment Execution Department, Head of Judgment Execution Division of the military zone, Director of General Department of Civil Judgment Execution, Director of Judgment Execution Department of the Ministry of National Defence;

n) Chief Auditor;

o) Heads of diplomatic missions, consular offices and other authorities vested with the authority assigned as consular officials of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in foreign countries.

2. Persons having authority to enforce the execution that are prescribed in clause 1 of this Article may delegate authority to their deputies.  The delegation of authority must be documented in decisions under which the scope, details of delegated authority and term of delegated authority must be clarified.  Authorized deputies must be accountable to their heads and before laws for the exercise of their delegated authority. The authorized person shall not be entitled to re-delegate their authority to any other person.

3. Persons having sanctioning authority of authorities receiving and organizing the implementation of sanctioning decisions that are prescribed in Article 71 herein shall issue decisions on enforcement of execution thereof, or request their superiors to issue decisions on enforcement of execution of sanction decisions.”.

45. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 88 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing clause 1 as follows:

“1. Within the duration of 02 working days from the date of issuance of decisions on enforcement of execution of sanction decisions, persons issuing such decisions must send these decisions to the obliged persons or entities, law enforcement entities, organizations and persons or entities involved.

Persons issuing enforcement decisions must organize the enforcement of execution of sanction decisions under their and their subordinate’s jurisdiction.

Sending enforcement decisions to individuals and organizations concerned must conform to regulations laid down in Article 70 herein.

Enforcement decisions must be executed promptly when obliged individuals or organizations receive enforcement decisions.”;

b) Adding clause 2a placed after clause 2 as follows:

 “2a. The limitation period for execution of an enforcement decision starts from the date of issuance of that enforcement decision and ends on the time of invalidation of sanction decisions prescribed in clause 1 of Article 74 herein; after expiry of the aforesaid period, that enforcement decision shall not be executed, except if the sanction decision prescribes the imposition of a penalty in a form of confiscation of administrative violation material evidence and mean, and application of remedial or relief measures.”;

c) Amending and supplementing point c of clause 3 as follows:

“c) Credit institutions, State Treasuries, foreign bank branches where obliged individuals and organizations open their accounts shall provide information on conditions for execution of sanction decisions of the obliged individuals or organizations within 02 working days of receipt of the written requests from persons having enforcement authority; block the account balance amount equivalent to the amount that the obliged person or organization must pay or freeze the entire amount available in the account in case the balance of the deposit account is less than the amount that the obliged individual and organization must pay; take away the amount from the account to pay the outstanding amount at the request of persons having authority to issue enforcement decisions. Within 05 working days prior to the aforesaid transfer activity, credit institutions, State Treasuries or foreign bank branches shall notify the violated individuals or organizations of such transfer; Such mandatory transfer does not need the consent given by the violated individuals or organizations.

The Government shall elaborate on this point.”.

46. Amending and supplementing Article 90 as follows:

“Article 90. Violators subject to the sanction of receiving mandatory educational services at communities, wards or towns

1. Persons aged between 12 years and under 14 years who commit acts suspected to be very serious intentional crimes defined in the Penal Code.

2. Persons aged between 14 years and under 16 years who commit acts suspected to be serious intentional crimes defined in the Penal Code.

3. Persons aged between 14 years and under 16 years who have been administratively sanctioned twice, and on whom an administrative violation record is issued at the third attempt within 06 months, for one of the acts of causing public disorder, property theft, gambling, fraud or illegal racing.

4. Persons aged between 16 years and under 18 years who have been administratively sanctioned twice, and on whom a administrative violation record is issued at the third attempt within 06 months, for one of the acts, such as offending the dignity and honor of other persons; injuring or harming the health of other persons; illegally seizing, destroying or intentionally damaging the property of other persons; causing public disorder; property theft; gambling; fraud; illegal racing, which are not treated as crimes.

5. Persons aged 14 years or older who have been administratively sanctioned twice, and on whom a administrative violation record is issued at the third attempt within 06 months, for the act of illegally using narcotic substances.

6. Persons aged 18 years or older who have been administratively sanctioned twice, and on whom a administrative violation record is issued at the third attempt within 06 months, for one of the acts, such as offending the dignity and honor of other persons; injuring or harming the health of other persons; illegally seizing, destroying or intentionally damaging the property of other persons; causing public disorder; property theft; gambling; fraud; illegal racing; mistreating or torturing grandparents, parents, spouses, children, grandchildren or fosterers, which are not treated as crimes.

7. Persons defined in clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and persons aged between 14 years and under 18 years specified in clause 1 of this Article, who do not have stable residences shall be referred to social protection establishments or child support establishments to put them under control and have them educated during the period of implementation of the measure of rendering compulsory educational services at communes, wards or towns.

If a person aged 18 years or older that is covered by clause 5 of this Article does not have a stable residence, he/she shall be referred to the People's Committee of the commune where he/she is found illegally using narcotics at the third attempt to put him/her under control.”.

47. Amending and supplementing Article 92 as follows:

“Article 92. Violators subject to the sanction of being compulsorily sent to reform schools

1. Persons aged between 12 years and under 14 years who commit acts suspected to be extremely serious crimes defined in the Penal Code.

2. Persons aged between 14 years and under 16 years who commit acts suspected to be very or extremely serious crimes defined in the Penal Code, except for those crimes prescribed in clause 2 of Article 12 in the Penal Code.

3. Persons aged between 14 years and under 16 years who commit one of the acts prescribed in clause 2 and 3 of Article 90 herein, and are already subject to the sanction of receiving compulsory educational services at communes, wards or towns before.

4. Persons aged between 16 years and under 18 years who commit one of the acts prescribed in clause 4 of Article 90 herein which are not crimes, and are already subject to the sanction of receiving compulsory educational services at communes, wards or towns before.

5. Exemption from the sanction of being compulsorily sent to reform schools shall be granted in the following cases:

a) Persons are incapable of fulfilling administrative liabilities;

b) Pregnant persons obtaining health certificates from healthcare establishments at the district or higher level;

c) Women or persons, by themselves, taking care of children under 36 months of age, who are certified by the People's Committees of the communes where they are residing.”.

48. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 94 as follows:

“1. Violators subject to the sanction of being compulsorily sent to educational establishments, including:

a) Persons aged 18 years or older who have been administratively sanctioned twice, and on whom a administrative violation record is issued at the third attempt within 06 months, for one of the acts prescribed in clause 6 of Article 90 herein which is not a crime, and do not have stable residences;

b) Persons aged 18 years or older who commit one of the acts prescribed in clause 6 of Article 90 herein which is not crimes, and are already subject to the sanction of receiving compulsory educational services at communes, wards or towns before.”.

49. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 96 as follows:

“1. Drug addicts aged 18 years or older who fall within the case in which they are subject to the sanction of being sent to compulsory detoxification establishments according to the provisions of the Law on Drug Prevention and Control.”.

50. Amending and supplementing clause 4 of Article 97 as follows:

“4. Authorities making written requests specified in clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall take responsibility for the legality of request documentation. After completely preparing request documentation, authorities making such documentation must notify persons affected by requests for application of the sanction or their legal representatives of the making of such documentation in writing; for minors, they must also notify their parents or guardians of the making of such documentation. These persons shall have the right to read the documentation and keep record of necessary information within 03 working days of receipt of such notification.”.

51. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 98 as follows:

“1. Within 01 working day after expiry of the time limit for reading request documentation specified in clause 4 of Article 97 of this Law, authorities making request documentation that are prescribed in clause 1 and 2 of Article 97  herein shall send such documentation to Presidents of commune-level People's Committees.

Within 07 working days of receipt of the documentation, Presidents of commune-level People's Committees shall organize and preside over consultation meetings attended by heads of the commune-level Police, judicial – civil records officers, representatives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and a number of related socio-political organizations and social organizations at the same level, or representatives of grassroots-level residents. Persons affected by requests for application of the sanction of receiving compulsory educational services at communes, wards or towns, their legal representatives, parents and guardians of the minors must be invited to these meetings and have the rights to express their opinions on application of the sanction.”.

52. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 99 as follows:

“3. Authorities making written requests specified in clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall take responsibility for the legality of request documentation. After completely preparing request documentation, authorities making such documentation must notify persons affected by requests for application of the sanction, their parents or their legal representatives of the making of such documentation. These persons shall have the right to read the documentation and keep record of necessary information within 03 working days of receipt of such notification.”.

53. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 100 as follows:

“1. Within 01 working day after expiry of the time limit for reading request documentation specified in clause 3 of Article 99 of this Law, Presidents of commune-level People’s Committees shall send such documentation to Chiefs of district-level Police. Within 02 working days of receipt of the documentation, Chiefs of the district-level Police can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the district-level People's Courts to apply the sanction of sending violators to reformatory schools. If the documentation is incomplete, the Chief of the district-level Police shall give it back to authorities making such documentation; the time limit for provision of additional documents to make it complete shall be 02 working days of receipt of the returned documentation. Within 02 working days of receipt of the updated documentation, Chiefs of the district-level Police can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the district-level People's Courts to apply the sanction of sending violators to reformatory schools.

Within 01 working days after expiry of the time limit for reading request documentation prescribed in clause 3 of Article 99 herein, in the event of falling into the situation prescribed in clause 2 of Article 99 herein, Chiefs of the district-level Police, Directors of provincial Police Departments can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the People's Courts of the districts where persons affected by requests for application of the sanction commit violations to seek their judgement on application of the sanction of sending violators to reformatory schools.”.

54. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 101 as follows:

“3. Authorities making written requests specified in clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall take responsibility for the legality of request documentation. After completely preparing request documentation, authorities making such documentation must notify persons affected by requests for application of the sanction or their legal representatives of the making of such documentation. These persons shall have the right to read the documentation and keep record of necessary information within 03 working days of receipt of such notification.”.

55. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 102 as follows:

“1. Within 01 working day after expiry of the time limit for reading request documentation specified in clause 3 of Article 101 of this Law, or from the date on which Directors of compulsory detoxification centers make new violation records stipulated in clause 3 of Article 118 herein, Presidents of commune-level People’s Committees or Directors of compulsory detoxification centers must send such documentation to Chiefs of district-level Police. Within 02 working days of receipt of the documentation, Chiefs of the district-level Police can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the district-level People's Courts to apply the sanction of sending violators to reformatory schools. If the documentation is incomplete, the Chief of the district-level Police shall give it back to authorities making such documentation; the time limit for provision of additional documents to make it complete shall be 02 working days of receipt of the returned documentation. Within 02 working days of receipt of the updated documentation, Chiefs of the district-level Police can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the district-level People's Courts to apply the sanction of sending violators to reformatory schools.

Within 01 working days after expiry of the time limit for reading request documentation prescribed in clause 3 of Article 101 herein, in the event of falling into the situation prescribed in clause 2 of Article 101 herein, Chiefs of the district-level Police, Directors of provincial Police Departments can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the People's Courts of the districts where persons affected by requests for application of the sanction commit violations to seek their judgement on application of the sanction of sending violators to compulsory educational establishments.”.

56. Amending and supplementing Article 103 as follows:

“Article 103. Preparation of request documentation for application of the sanction of sending violators to compulsory detoxification centers

1. The preparation of request documentation for the application of the sanction of sending drug addicts to compulsory detoxification centers under Article 96 herein shall be subject to the following regulations:

a) For drug addicts having stable residences, the Presidents of the People's Committees of communes where such persons are residing shall prepare request documentation for the application of the sanction of sending them to compulsory detoxification centers;

b) For drug addicts not having stable residences, the Presidents of the People's Committees of communes where such persons breach laws shall prepare request documentation for the application of the sanction of sending them to compulsory detoxification centers;

c) With regard to drug addicts involved in cases of breach of laws that are directly detected, investigated and entertained or accepted by the district- or provincial-level Police, if they are classified as those compulsorily sent to detoxification centers as defined in Article 96 of this Law, police agencies currently accepting the handling of these cases shall verify, collect documents and prepare request documentation for application of the sanction of sending them to compulsory detoxification centers;

d) Request documentation includes violation records; résumé; written documents proving the current state of drug addiction; reports of drug addicts or their legal representatives and other relevant documents or records;

dd) Commune-level Police shall be responsible for assisting Chairmen of the People's Committees at the same level to collect documents and prepare request documentation as specified at points a, b and d of clause 1 of this Article.

2. Authorities making written request documentation specified in clauses 1 of this Article shall take responsibility for the legality of the request documentation. After completely preparing request documentation, authorities making such documentation must notify persons affected by requests for application of the sanction of being sent to compulsory detoxification centers, or their legal representatives, of the making of such documentation. These persons shall have the right to read the documentation and keep record of necessary information within 03 working days of receipt of such notification.”.

57. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 104 as follows:

“1. Within 01 working day after expiration of the time limit for reading the request documentation, the provincial-level Police shall send such documentation to the Heads of the Divisions of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of the districts where the persons affected by the request for application of the sanction commit violations; the district-level Police and the Chairpersons of the commune-level People's Committees shall send the documentation to the Heads of the district-level Divisions of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. Within 02 working days of receipt of the documentation, Heads of the district-level Divisions of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the district-level People's Courts to decide on applying the sanction of sending violators to compulsory detoxification centers. If the documentation is incomplete, Heads of the district-level Divisions of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall give it back to authorities making such documentation so that they update submitted documentation; the time limit for completion of the updated documentation shall be 02 working days of receipt of the returned documentation. Within 02 working days of receipt of the updated documentation, Heads of the district-level Divisions of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs can decide to transfer such request documentation to petition the district-level People's Courts to decide on applying the sanction of sending violators to compulsory detoxification centers”.

58. Amending and supplementing Article 107 as follows:

“Article 107. Sending decisions on application of the sanction of sending violators to reform schools, sending violators to compulsory educational establishments and sending violators to compulsory detoxification centers for execution purposes

Within 03 days from the effective date of a administrative sanction decision, the People's Court that has issued the decision must send the decision to the obliged person, the authority that already sends the written request for the application of the administrative sanction, or the Police agency at the same level (if the provincial Police prepares the request documentation), the People's Committee of the commune where that person is residing and other relevant authorities to make it executed as legally prescribed; in case of the decision on application of the sanction of sending violators to reform schools,  it shall be sent to parents or the legal representative of the violator.”.

59. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 110 as follows:

“1. Within 05 days of receipt of the decision to send violators to reform schools, the decision to send violators to compulsory educational establishments, or the decision to send violators to compulsory detoxification centers, agencies receiving the decision on application of administrative sanctions specified in Article 107 of this Law shall organize the execution as follows:

a) The district-level Police shall send the obliged person to the reformatory school or compulsory educational establishment;

b) The Division of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall collaborate with the district-level Police in sending the obliged person to the compulsory detoxification center.”.

60. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 118 as follows:

“3. At the phase of tapering off narcotics and health recovery, if persons who are serving sanction decisions at compulsory detoxification centers commit violations specified in clause 1 of Article 94 of this Law, they shall be subject to the sanction of being sent to compulsory educational establishments.

Directors of compulsory detoxification centers shall prepare request documentation for sending them to compulsory education establishments on the basis of existing documents and new violation records and send such documentation to the Heads of the Police of the districts where compulsory detoxification centers are located.

Procedures for consideration of approval of the application of the sanction of sending them to compulsory education establishments shall be subject to regulations laid down herein.".

61. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 122 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing clause 1 as follows:

“1. The administrative sanction imposed in the detention form shall only be applied in the following cases:  

a) It is necessary to immediately stop or militate against acts of disturbance of public order or injuring other persons;

b) It is necessary to deter and prevent acts of smuggling and illegal cross-border transportation of goods;

c) The detention is a way to ensure the execution of the sanction of sending violators to reform schools, sending violators to compulsory educational establishments and sending violators to compulsory detoxification centers;

d) Persons committing acts of domestic violence violate contact prohibition decisions according to the provisions of laws on domestic violence prevention and control;

dd) It is necessary to define the current state of addiction to narcotics of persons illegally using narcotics.”;

b) Amending and supplementing clause 3 as follows:

“3. The administrative detention duration shall not exceed 12 hours; where necessary, the detention duration may be extended but not exceeding 24 hours from the start time of detention; in case of the detention of administrative violators at border areas or remote, isolated mountainous areas or islands, the detention duration shall start from the time the violators are escorted to detention facilities.

In case of the sanction of detention imposed to assess the drug addiction state as prescribed at point dd of clause 4 of this Article, the detention duration may be longer but not exceeding 05 days from the detention start time.

Persons detained aboard aircraft or seagoing vessels must be immediately transferred to competent authorities promptly after aircraft arrive at the airport or seagoing vessels arrive at the port.”;

c) Amending and supplementing clause 5 as follows:

“5. Administrative detention facilities must be administrative detention houses or rooms located at the offices of the agencies or units where the persons having authority to issue detention decisions are serving. If there is none of administrative detention houses or rooms, the detention may take place at on-call duty rooms or other rooms at workplace, but must conform to general regulations.

Agencies performing the functions of preventing and controlling acts of violation that regularly have to temporarily detain administrative violators should arrange, design and build separate administrative detention houses or rooms for minors, women or foreigners, and must assign specialized officers to assume management and protection duties.

For cases of detention of the persons regulated at point dd of clause 1 of this Article, detention places must be detention areas located at compulsory detoxification centers of provinces or centrally run cities, detention houses or booths.

For aircraft, ships or trains already leaving airports, ports, stations or terminals, depending on the specific conditions and types of violators, the commanders, captains or masters can decide detention places and assign people to carry out detention activities.”.

62. Amending and supplementing Article 123 as follows:

“Article 123. Administrative detention authority

1. In case of falling in the case prescribed in clause 1 of Article 122 herein, the following persons shall have the rights to issue administrative detention decisions:

a) President of commune-level People’s Committee;

b) Head of ward police, Head of police of the commune or town that has organized the elite police force in accordance with the Law on People's Public Security; Head of International Airport Police; Head of Border gate Police;

c) Head of District-level Police; Head of Professional Division of Traffic Police Department; Head of the Professional Division of Immigration Department; Head of Professional Division of Police Department for Administration of Social Order; Head of Professional Division of the Department of Cybersecurity, Hi-Tech Crime Prevention and Control;  Head of Professional Division of the Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue; Head of Professional Division of Drug Crime Investigation Police Department; Head of Division of provincial Police, including:     Chief of Police Division for Administration of Social Order; Chief of Investigation Police Division for Corruption, Economic and Smuggling Crimes; Chief of Investigation Police Division for Drug Crimes; Chief of Traffic Police Division; Chief of Road – Rail Traffic Police; Chief of Road Traffic Police Division; Chief of Waterway Police Division; Chief of Mobile Police Division; Director of Security Guard Division;  Director of Criminal Judgment Execution and Judicial Assistance Police Division; Chief of Police Division for Prevention and Control of Environmental Crimes; Chief of Police Division for Firefighting, Prevention and Rescue; Director of Immigration Division; Director of Economic Security Division; Director of External Security Division;  

d) Head of Mobile Police unit at the company or higher level;

dd) Head of Forest Protection Station; Head of Mobile Forest Protection, Forest Firefighting and Prevention Team; Director of Forest Protection Sub-Department, Director of Regional Forest Protection Sub-department, Head of Fisheries Resources Surveillance Station of Regional Sub-department of Fisheries Resources Surveillance; Director of Regional Sub-department of Fisheries Resources Surveillance; Director of Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department;

e) Director of Customs Subdepartment; Leader of Control Team of Customs Department; Leader of Criminal Investigation Team; Leader of Smuggling Control Team; Captain of Maritime Control Flotilla subordinate to the Smuggling Investigation and Prevention Department; 

g) Leader of Market Surveillance Team; Head of Professional Division under the control of the Department of Market Surveillance Operations;

h) Commanding Officer of Border Guard Post; Commander of the Border Guard Command at port border gate; Captain of Naval Border Guard Flotilla; Captain of Naval Border Guard Squadron; Head of Task Force Commission for Drug and Crime Prevention and Control; Chief Commander of provincial Border Guard;

i) Captain of Coast Guard Flotilla; Captain of Coast Guard Squadron; Regional Command of the Coast Guard; Head of Reconnaissance Commission; Head of Task Force Commission for Drug Crime Prevention and Control;

k) Aircraft commander, vessel captain, train master aboard aircraft, seagoing vessels or trains leaving airports, ports or terminals;

l) Presiding judge of the Court.

2. Persons having detention authority that are referred to in point a through i of clause 1 of this Article may delegate the administrative detention authority to their deputies during their absence.  The delegation of authority must be documented in decisions under which the scope, details of delegated authority and term of delegated authority must be clarified.  Authorized deputies must be accountable to their heads and before laws for the exercise of their delegated authority. The authorized person shall not be entitled to re-delegate their authority to any other person.”.

63. Amending and supplementing point b of clause 1 of Article 124 as follows:

“b) Sending or returning the violators specified in clause 1 of Article 111, or clause 2 of Article 112, failing to voluntarily comply after necessary conditions for postponement or temporary suspension of the sanctions no longer exist, and the violators specified in clause 2 of Article 132 of this Law, to reformatory schools, compulsory educational establishments or compulsory detoxification centers.”.

64. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 125 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing clauses 3, 4 and 5, and adding clause 5a, 5b and 5c placed underneath clause 5 of Article 125 as follows:

“3. Persons having authority to apply the sanction of confiscating material evidence or means used for commission of administrative violations prescribed in Chapter II of Part Two of this Law shall have authority to issue decisions on temporary impoundment of material evidence and means of commission of administrative violations, licenses or practicing certificates. Temporary impoundment authority shall not vary, depending on values of material objects or means used for commission of administrative violations.

4. If there is any ground prescribed in clause 1 of this Article, temporary impoundment of material evidence or means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses or practicing certificates shall be carried out as follows:

a) Persons having authority to make administrative violation records are handling cases or matters of making records of temporary impoundment of material evidence and means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses and practice certificates as prescribed in clause 9 of this Article;

b) Within 24 hours from the time when the record is made, the record maker must report to the person having temporary impoundment authority on the temporarily impounded material evidence, means, license or practicing certificate to seek his/her temporary impoundment of which 1 copy must be issued to the violating person and the representative of the violating organization.

In case the temporary impoundment decision is not issued, material evidence and means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses and practicing certificates must be immediately returned.

In cases where material evidence is a perishable good, the custodian must immediately report them to the direct supervisor for further actions; if they are left damaged or lost, he/she must pay compensation according to the provisions of laws.

5. The person making the temporary impoundment record, the person issuing the temporary impoundment decision shall be responsible for taking care of material evidence and means used for commission of administrative violation, license or practicing certificate. In case the material evidence, means used for commission of administrative violation, license or practicing certificate is lost, illegally sold, swapped or damaged, short of components or replaced, the temporary impoundment decision maker shall have the burden of paying compensation and shall be sanctioned under laws.

5a. In the course of the temporary impoundment, the record maker and the person having temporary impoundment authority must seal the temporarily impounded material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations, excluding:

a) Live animals and plants;

b) Goods or articles that are perishable or difficult to be stored under laws.

5b. In order to attach security seal on the temporarily impounded material evidence and/or means used for administrative violations, such sealing activity must be witnessed by the violator; if the violator is absent, the sealing must be witnessed by the representative of the violator’s family, the violating organization’s representative or the representative of the commune-level authority, or by at least 01 person.

5c. The temporary impoundment record or the decision on temporary impoundment of material evidence and means used for commission of administrative violations, license or practicing certificate may be made, issued or sent electronically.";

b) Amending and supplementing clause 8, 9, 10 and adding clause 11 placed below clause 10 as follows:

“8. The period for temporary impoundment of material evidence and means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses or practicing certificates shall not exceed 07 working days from the commencement date; if any case or matter requires the transfer of relevant documents and records to persons having sanctioning authority, the period for temporary impoundment shall not be longer than 10 working days from the commencement date.

The period for temporary impoundment may be extended in the cases prescribed in point b of clause 1 of Article 66 herein, but not exceeding 01 month from the commencement date. In the cases subject to regulations laid down in point c of clause 1 of Article 66 herein, THE period for temporary impoundment may continue to obtain extension, but not exceeding 02 month from the commencement date.

The period for temporary impoundment of material evidence or means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses or practicing certificates shall start from the date on which they are temporarily impounded in reality.

The period for temporary impoundment of material evidence and means of commission of administrative violations, licenses or practicing certificates shall not longer than the limitation period for issue of administrative sanction decisions under the provisions of Article 66 herein.  In cases where the temporary impoundment is needed as a way to securing performance of obligations to execute sanction decisions as provided in point c of clause 1 of this Article, the period for temporary impoundment shall expire after completely executing sanction decisions.

The person having the temporary impoundment authority must issue decisions on temporary impoundment or extension of the period for the temporary impoundment of material evidence and means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses or practicing certificates.

9. The record of temporary impoundment of material evidence or means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses or practicing certificates must clarify names, quantity, categories, current state thereof, must be signed by the person carrying out the temporary impoundment, the violator or the violating organization's representative; in cases where there is none of the violator’s signatures, the signature of at least one witness is required. This record shall be made into 02 copies, each of which is sent to the violating person or the violating organization’s representative.

10. For means of transport committing administrative violations to the extent of being temporarily impounded to guarantee the execution of sanction decisions, if violating organizations or individuals have clear addresses, storage facilities or the financial capability to provide bail amounts, they may still keep them under the management of the competent state agencies.

11. The Government shall elaborate on this Article.”.

65. Amending and supplementing several clauses of Article 126 as follows:

a) Amending and supplementing clause 1 as follows:

“1. Persons issuing temporary impoundment decisions must handle temporarily impounded material evidence, means used for commission of administrative violations, licenses or practice certificates according to the measures stated in sanction decisions, or return them to individuals and organizations in case of not being subject to the sanction of confiscation of temporarily impounded material evidence, means or deprivation of the rights to use licenses or practicing certificates.

For material evidence or means temporarily impounded due to being appropriated or illegally used for commission of administrative violations, and subject to the sanction of confiscation, they shall be returned to lawful owners, custodians or users; violating individuals and organizations must pay an amount equivalent to the value of material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations into the state budget. In case legitimate owners, custodians or users intentionally let violators use material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations as prescribed in Article 26 of this Law, material evidence and/or means shall be seized by the state budget.

If material evidence and/or means subject to the sanction of being confiscated are secured by the collateral provided as the registered guarantee in accordance with the civil legislation, the obligee may claim back these material evidence and means or amounts equivalent to the value of the guaranteed obligations; violating individuals and organizations must pay amounts equivalent to the values of material evidences and/or means used for commission of administrative violations into the state budget.”;

b) Amending and supplementing clause 4; adding clause 4a and clause 4b underneath clause 4 as follows:

“4. Upon expiration of the period for the temporary impoundment of material evidence or means which are temporarily seized according to the provisions of points a and b of clause 1 of Article 125 herein, if legitimate violators, owners, custodians or users do not come to claim them without any sound reasons, they shall be disposed of as follows:

a) In case legitimate violators, owners, custodians or users of material evidence and/or means are identified, persons issuing temporary impoundment decisions must notify them twice. The first notification must be issued within 03 working days from the expiration of the time limit for the temporary impoundment thereof. The second notification must be issued within 07 working days from the date of issue of the first notification. After the period of 01 month from the second notification date, if legitimate violators, owners, custodians or users do not come to claim them, within 05 working days, competent persons must issue decisions to seize material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations;

b) In case legitimate violators, owners, custodians or users of material evidence and/or means are unidentifiable, persons issuing temporary impoundment decisions must make two attempts in notifying this via central or local mass media at localities where they are temporarily impounded. The first notification must be issued within 03 working days from the expiration of the time limit for the temporary impoundment thereof. The second notification must be issued within 07 working days from the date of issue of the first notification. After the period of 01 year from the second notification date, if legitimate violators, owners, custodians or users do not come to claim them, within 05 working days, competent persons must issue decisions to seize material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations.

4a. For material evidence and/or means used for administrative violations which are temporarily impounded according to the provisions of point c of clause 1 of Article 125 herein, if individuals or organizations that are sanctioned for administrative violations fail to execute sanction decisions upon expiration of the time limit for execution of sanction decisions, within 05 working days after the expiration of the time limit for execution of sanction decisions, the persons having temporary impoundment authority must transfer material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violations to persons having authority to enforce the execution of sanctioning decisions to decide on the distraint or auction thereof in accordance with laws to assure the execution of sanction decisions.

4b. Upon the expiration of the temporary impoundment period of licenses or practicing certificates, or the limitation period for execution of sanction decisions, if violators do not come to claim them back without sound reasons, within 10 working days after the expiration of the temporary impoundment period or the limitation period for execution of sanctioning decisions, persons having temporary impoundment authority must transfer them to the agencies that have issued those kinds of papers to proceed to carry out revocation procedures in accordance with laws, and inform violators.”;

c) Amending and supplementing clause 6 as follows:

“6. Narcotic substances and objects banned from possession or circulation, the sanction of confiscation or destruction shall be subject to regulations of this Law.”.

66. Amending and supplementing Article 131 as follows:

“Article 131. Managing and supervising persons affected by requests for application of administrative sanctions in the course of carrying out the procedures for application of administrative sanctions

1. For persons affected by requests for application of the sanction of being sent to reformatories compulsory education establishments or compulsory detoxification centers, if they have stable residences, competent agencies or persons having authority shall prepare documents on decisions to put them under their family’s supervision during the period of implementation of the procedures for consideration of issue of decisions on application of administrative sanctions.

2. If they do not have stable residences, or have stable residences but their family objects to supervising them,  the supervision during the period of implementation of the procedures for consideration of issue of decisions on application of the sanction of sending them to reformatories, compulsory education establishments or compulsory detoxification centers shall be subject to the following regulations:

a) Competent authorities and persons prepare documents on decisions to put persons affected by requests for application of the sanction of being sent to compulsory detoxification centers under the supervision of centers or establishments receiving social evils or compulsory detoxification centers of provinces or centrally-run cities;

b) Competent authorities or persons shall prepare documents on decisions to put persons affected by requests for application of the sanction of being sent to reformatories, compulsory education establishments, or those committing acts of violations under the supervision of commune-level People’s Committees.

3. The term of management and supervision shall start from the time of preparation of request documents and end on the time of moving violators to execute the administrative sanctions according to decisions of Courts.

The period of supervision and management of violators prescribed in point a of clause 2 of this Article at centers or establishments shall be subtracted from the time limit for application of administrative sanctions.

4. Each decision to put a violator under the supervision of his/her family or the relevant authority or organization must clearly state: the date of issue of the decision; the full name and title of the decision maker; the full name, date of birth, place of residence of the assigned supervisory person, or the name and address of the assigned supervisory agency or organization; the full name, date of birth, and place of residence of the supervised person; reasons, term and responsibilities of the supervised person, responsibilities of the supervisory person or agency or organization, and responsibilities of the People's Committee of the commune where the violator is residing; the signature of the person issuing the decision to assign the supervision tasks, and must be immediately sent to the family or the agency or organization assigned the supervision tasks, the supervised person to have it executed.

5. During the supervision period, the family, agency or organization assigned to perform supervision tasks shall assume the following responsibilities:

a) Do not let supervised persons continue to perform law-breaking acts.

b) Supervised persons must be present at the time of issue of decisions to send them to reform schools, compulsory educational establishments or compulsory detoxification centers;

c) Promptly reporting to authorities or persons issuing decisions to assign the supervision tasks in case where supervised persons take flight or perform law-breaking acts.

6. During the supervision period, supervised persons shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Strictly complying with regulations of laws on temporary residence or absence. When leaving communes, wards or townships for other localities, other families, agencies or organizations assigned to perform supervision tasks must be notified of the address and duration of temporary residence;

b) They must turn up at the office of authorities or persons having authority to make documents related to their case upon request.

7. During the supervision period, authorities or persons having authority to issue supervision decisions shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Informing families, authorities or organizations assigned to manage, supervise the supervised persons, and the supervised persons of their rights and obligations during the supervision period;

b) Applying measures to support families, agencies and organizations assigned to perform the tasks of supervising and managing the supervised persons;

c) When being notified of the supervised person’s taking flight, running away or committing violation, the agency or person having authority to issue the decision to assign supervision tasks must promptly take measures according to their competence, or notify this to the competent agency to seek their action according to the provisions of laws.

8. The Government shall elaborate on this Article.”.

67. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 132 as follows:

“3. In case where a person obtaining a decision to send him/her to a reformatory as specified in clause 1 of this Article is 18 years old at the time of his/her being successfully found, and if all necessary conditions for forcing him/her to be subject to the sanction of being sent to a compulsory education establishment exist, the district-level Police of the place where request documentation is made shall file a request to the district-level People’s Court to seek their judgement on application of the sanction of sending him/her to a compulsory educational establishment.

In case where a person that is executing a decision to send him/her to a reformatory as specified in clause 2 of this Article is 18 years old at the time of his/her being successfully found, and if all necessary conditions for forcing him/her to be subject to the sanction of being sent to a compulsory education establishment exist, the principal of the reformatory shall file a request to the district-level People’s Court of the place where that reformatory is located to seek their judgement on application of the sanction of sending him/her to a compulsory educational establishment.”.

68. Amending and supplementing clause 3 of Article 134 as follows:

“3. The application of a sanction type and the decision on the sanction amount against minors committing administrative violations must conform to the principle that these sanctions must be lighter than those imposed on the adults committing the same administrative violations.

In case a person aged between 14 years and under 16 years commits an administrative violation, the fine shall not be applied.

In case where a person aged between 16 years and under 18 years that commits an administrative violation is subject to a fine, the fine amount must not a half as much as that applicable to an adult; in case where he/she must pay an amount equivalent to the value of material evidence and/or means used in the commission of administrative violation into the state budget according to the provisions of Clause 1 of Article 126 of this Law, the amount of payment into the state budget must be a half as much as the value of material evidence and/or means used for commission of administrative violation. If he/she does not have money to pay the fine or is unable to take remedial or mitigation measures, his/her parent or guardian shall have the burden to do so instead;".

69. Adding clause 3 placed underneath clause 2 of Article 138 as follows:

“3. Community-based education.”.

70. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 140 as follows:

“1. Home-based management is an alternative to an administrative sanction applicable to minors defined in clauses 3 and 4 and persons aged between 14 years and under 18 years who illegally use narcotic substances specified in clause 5 of Article 90 herein when the following conditions are fully satisfied:

a) They have voluntarily reported, and sincerely apologized for their acts of violation;

b) There is favorable living environment for application of this sanction;

c) Their parents or guardians are eligible to perform the tasks of management and voluntarily assume home-based management responsibilities.”.

71. Adding Article 140a placed below Article 140 in the Chapter II of the Part V as follows:

“Article 140a. Community-based education

1. Community-based education is an alternative to an administrative sanction applicable to persons aged between 12 years and under 14 years who are defined in clause 1 of Article 92 of this Law if they have stable residences, are studying at educational institutions and their parents and guardians make written commitments regarding management and education of their children or protected persons.

2. According to regulations laid down in clause 1 of this Article, the People’s Court shall decide on the community-based education sentence.

3. The effective period of the community-based education sentence shall vary from 06 months to 24 months.

4. Within 03 working days from the effective date of the community-based education sentence, the People's Court where the decision on such sentence has been made must send the decision to the minor’s parent or guardian and the People's Committee of the commune where that person is residing or the child support facility or the social protection establishment to request them to cooperate in implementation or supervision of the compliance.

Minors subject to community-based education sentences may attend school or participate in other learning or vocational training programs; participate in counseling and community-based life skill development programs.”.

72. Adding several words or phrases at several articles as follows:

a) Adding the phrase “,community-based education measure/sanction/sentence” in front of the phrase “and home-based management measure/sanction/sentence” in clause 4 of Article 2;

b) Adding the phrase “,organization(s)” behind the word “individual” at point c of clause 1 of Article 6 and clause 4 of Article 62;

c) Adding the phrase “the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the State Auditor General," in front of the phrase" Presidents of the People's Committees at all levels" in the first paragraph of clause 2 of Article 18;

d) Adding the phrase “, means” behind the word “material evidence/physical exhibit” in Article 60;

dd) Adding the phrase "and the full name and title of the legal representative" in front of the phrase "of the violating organization" at point dd of clause 1 of Article 68;

e) Adding the phrase ", the Director of the provincial Police" behind the "Head of district-level Police " at point b of clause 2 of Article 100 and point b of clause 2 of Article 102.

73. Replacing several words or phrases at several articles, clauses or points as follows:

a)  Replacing “dismantling” by “wrecking” at the point b of clause 1 of Article 28 and Article 30;

b) Replacing the phrase “VND 50,000,000” by the phrase “VND 100,000,000” at point b of clause 2 of Article 38 and point b of clause 5 of Article 39;

c) Replacing the phrase “forest and forest product management” by “forestry” at point b of clause 5 of Article 43;

d) Replacing the phrase “VND 25,000,000” by the phrase “VND 50,000,000” at point b of clause 2 of Article 47;

dd) Replacing the phrase “24 hours” by the phrase “48 hours” at clause 3 of Article 60;

e) Replacing the phrase "procedure conducting authorities" with the phrase "authorities having procedure-conducting jurisdiction" in clauses 1, 2 and 3 of Article 62;

g) Replacing the word "hospital" with the phrase "medical/healthcare establishments at the district or higher level" at point d of clause 2 of Article 94, and point b of clause 2 of Article 96, and point a of clause 1 and point a, point c of clause 2 of Article 111;

h) Replacing the phrase “03 days” by the phrase “02 working days” at clause 2 of Article 98;

i) Replacing the phrase "02 witnesses" with the phrase "at least 01 witness" in clause 4 of Article 128 and clause 3 of Article 129;

k) Replacing the phrase "having a value not exceeding the fine amount specified at point b of this clause" with the phrase "having a value not 2 times as much as the fine amount specified at point b of this clause" at point c of clause 3; point d of clause 4 of Article 39; point c of clause 4 and point c of clause 5 Article 41, Point c Clause 2, Point c Clause 3 and Point c Clause 4 Article 43, Point c Clause 3 Article 44, Point c Clause 2 Article 45, Point c Clause 1, Point d Clause 2 and Point d Clause 3 Article 46, Point c Clause 1 Article 47, Point c Clause 1, Point c Clause 2 and Point c Clause 3 Article 48, Point c Clause 2 Article 49.

k) Replacing the phrase "having a value not exceeding the fine amount specified at point b of this clause" with the phrase "having a value not 2 times as much as the fine amount specified at point b of this clause" at point c of clause 1 of Article 38.

74. Deleting several phrases at several articles, clauses or points as follows:

a) Deleting the phrase “06 months,” at clause 3 and point c of clause 5 of Article 17;

b) Deleting the phrase “Disposal of exhibits or means used for commission of administrative violations that are confiscated shall be subject to regulations laid down in Article 82 of this Law.” at Article 26;

c) Deleting the phrase “having a value not exceeding the fine amount specified at point b of this clause" at point d of clause 2 of Article 38, point d of clause 5 of Article 39, point c of clause 4 of Article 44, point c of clause 3 of Article 45, point d of clause 2 of Article 47, point c of clause 4 of Article 49;

d) Deleting the phrase “used for” at point c of clause 4 of Article 48;

a) Deleting the phrase “clause 5 and clause 9” at clause 3 of Article 60.

75. Abolishing Article 50, 82 and 142.

Article 2. Amending and supplementing clause 1 of Article 163 of the Law on Execution of Civil Judgments No. 26/2008/QH12 which is amended and supplemented under Law No. 64/2014/QH13 and Law No. 23/2018/QH14

Adding point dd below point d of clause 1 of Article 163 as follows:

“dd) Heads of agencies enforcing civil judgements under the control of the Ministry of Justice; Heads of agencies managing the execution of judgements under the control of the Ministry of National Defence.".

Article 3. Entry into force

This Law shall take effect as of January 1, 2022.

This Law is passed in the 10th plenary session of the XIVth National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam held on November 13, 2020.

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