Regulations on land reclamation, conversion of forest land use, and the use of English certificates in the high school graduation exam are some of the notable policies that came into effect in April.
Two provisions of the 2024 Land Law have come into effect.
The amended Land Law will take effect from January 1, 2025; however, two provisions, Articles 190 and 248, will be applied earlier, from April 1.
Article 190 regulates land reclamation activities. Accordingly, the State encourages organizations and individuals to use capital, techniques, and technology to reclaim land from the sea; and has policies to support and provide incentives for investors in land reclamation in accordance with the law.
Land reclamation must ensure national defense, security, sovereignty , sovereign rights, jurisdiction, and national interests at sea; and comply with relevant laws and international treaties. This activity is based on a thorough assessment of economic, social, and environmental factors, ensuring sustainable development and biodiversity.
The National Assembly and the Prime Minister approve and decide on the investment policy for land reclamation projects in areas protected as historical and cultural relics, scenic spots; natural heritage sites; national parks, nature reserves, species and habitat conservation areas; marine conservation areas, fisheries resource protection areas, fishing ports, storm shelter areas; seaports, waters in front of wharves, turning areas, anchorage areas; and areas planned for national defense and security purposes.
Land reclamation project in Ha Long, Quang Ninh . Photo: Le Tan
Article 248 of the amended Land Law supplements several provisions of the 2017 Forestry Law. One of the important provisions is that "natural forests shall not be converted to other uses, except for nationally important projects; projects serving national defense and security; and other urgent projects approved by the Government."
This content has been amended to read: "No conversion of natural forest land to other uses is permitted, except for nationally important projects; projects serving national defense and security; and other urgent projects as defined by the Government."
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, this amendment aims to remove barriers in the implementation of policies related to the authority to change the purpose of forest land use, forest allocation plans, and forest leasing.
Five additional certificates will count towards the 10-point English score in the graduation exam.
According to a circular effective from April 22nd, the Ministry of Education and Training has amended several provisions of the high school graduation exam regulations, expanding the list of recognized English certificates. Accordingly, in addition to TOEFL ITP 450 points, TOEFL iBT 45 points, and IELTS 4.0 as in previous years, candidates will receive 10 points and be exempt from the English exam if they possess one of the following certificates: B1 Preliminary, B1 Business Preliminary, B1 Linguaskill; Aptis ESOL B1; Pearson English International Certificate (PEIC) level 2; TOEIC 4 skills (Listening and Reading 275, Speaking and Writing 120); or a level 3 certificate according to the 6-level foreign language proficiency framework used in Vietnam (VSTEP).
For the remaining five foreign languages—Russian, French, Chinese, German, and Japanese—the certificates required for exemption from the exam are similar to last year.
This year's graduation exam regulations more clearly define the responsibilities of independent candidates, prohibited items in the examination room, and independent question-setting areas... in order to minimize cheating.
The Ministry of Education and Training plans to hold the 2024 high school graduation exam at the end of June.
Students taking the 2023 high school graduation exam at Trung Vuong High School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran
National standards for fire prevention and firefighting equipment.
Circular 56/2023 of the Ministry of Public Security, promulgating the National Technical Standard on Firefighting Equipment, came into effect on April 1st.
Accordingly, fire fighting equipment must be declared and registered in accordance with the list in this Regulation; managed, preserved, maintained, and inspected according to standards, legal regulations, or manufacturer's instructions.
Firefighting equipment includes: fire hoses, handheld water nozzles, hydrants, connectors, and portable fire extinguishers.
"Outstanding Worker" will not be considered for employees who have been employed for less than 6 months.
Circular 1/2024 of the Ministry of Interior, which stipulates measures for implementing the Law on Emulation and Commendation, takes effect from April 15th. This document stipulates that individuals participating in combat, serving in combat, or performing courageous acts to save people or state or public property, resulting in injuries requiring treatment and rehabilitation as determined by a district-level or equivalent medical facility, will have their treatment and rehabilitation time counted towards the consideration for the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier".
Individuals sent to participate in short-term training courses of less than one year, who comply well with the regulations of the training institution, will have their study time counted towards their working time at the agency, organization, or unit for the purpose of being considered for the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier".
The circular also clarifies that these two titles will not be awarded to individuals who have been recruited for less than 6 months.
Healthcare workers are periodically rotated to different positions after 2-5 years.
Circular 01/2024 of the Ministry of Health, effective from April 15th, stipulates the list and periodic rotation schedule for civil servants who do not hold leadership or management positions in units under the Ministry of Health.
The list of job positions subject to periodic rotation includes: Receiving, processing, and submitting applications to competent authorities for decision-making; issuing new, reissuing, adjusting, revoking, and extending licenses, registrations, certificates, confirmations, and application receipt numbers; and issuing lists, programs, and documents related to state management in the field of health.
The periodic rotation period for job positions ranges from 2 to 5 years, depending on the specifics of each position.
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