Transport businesses at the North Bus Station in Vinh City ( Nghe An province). Photo courtesy of Ta Chuyen/VNA.

Adding cases where a transport business unit has its license revoked.

The government issued Decree No. 41/2024/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of decrees related to the management of road transport activities, driver training services, and driver testing services.

Compared to Decree 10/2020/ND-CP, the newly issued Decree 41/2024/ND-CP has added a case where a transport business unit's business license can be revoked indefinitely.

Accordingly, a transport company will have its license revoked if it fails to conduct all types of transport business as specified in its business license for a period of 6 months or more from the date of issuance of the business license, or ceases to conduct all types of transport business as specified in its business license for a continuous period of 6 months or more; or fails to comply with inspection and audit decisions regarding compliance with regulations on business and conditions for road transport by competent authorities.

Furthermore, if 30% or more of the unit's vehicles are penalized for violations, have their license plates or badges revoked, or have their permits and license plates confiscated within a one-month period, the business license will be revoked indefinitely.

Decree No. 41/2024/ND-CP takes effect from June 1, 2024.

Amend the loan conditions of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Fund.

The Government issued Decree 45/2024/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 39/2019/ND-CP dated May 10, 2019 on the organization and operation of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Fund.

Regarding the principles of direct lending by the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Fund (the Fund), Article 15 of Decree No. 39/2019/ND-CP stipulates: The Fund's lending activities shall be carried out according to agreements between the Fund and small and medium-sized enterprises, in accordance with the provisions of this Decree; Small and medium-sized enterprises borrowing capital from the Fund must ensure that the borrowed capital is used for the intended purpose, and that the principal and interest are repaid in full and on time as agreed with the Fund; The currency for lending and repayment is Vietnamese Dong.

In addition to the three principles above, Decree 45/2024/ND-CP adds another principle: Enterprises that have already borrowed capital from the Fund may be considered for loans for new production and business projects or plans from the Fund's capital if the enterprise has fully repaid the principal and interest on the loan on time.

This principle aims to limit a business from borrowing funds for multiple projects or business plans simultaneously. At the same time, after the business has repaid all its loans, there will be sufficient grounds to assess the results, effectiveness, capacity, and actual need for further support.

In addition, Decree 45/2024/ND-CP also amends and supplements Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 16 regarding loan conditions.

The right to collect fees for the use of road infrastructure assets can be transferred for a maximum of 10 years.

The government issued Decree No. 44/2024/ND-CP regulating the management, use, and exploitation of road transport infrastructure assets.

Specifically, Decree 44/2024/ND-CP stipulates that the transfer of the right to collect road infrastructure usage fees is the transfer by the State of the right to collect road usage fees to an organization under contract in exchange for a corresponding sum of money. The scope of assets for which the right to collect usage fees is transferred includes road infrastructure assets or a part of road infrastructure assets subject to road usage fees as prescribed by law (excluding road usage fees collected through vehicle tolls as prescribed by law on fees and charges).

The transfer of the right to collect fees for the use of road infrastructure assets does not apply to: Road infrastructure assets related to national defense and security; road infrastructure assets falling under the cases specified in Clause 1, Article 16 of Decree 44/2024/ND-CP.

The term for transferring the right to collect fees for the use of road infrastructure assets is specifically determined in each transfer contract, but is a maximum of 10 years, in accordance with each asset (or part of an asset) of road infrastructure approved by the competent authority or person as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 14 of Decree 44/2024/ND-CP in the Decision approving the Project for transferring the right to collect fees for the use of assets.

5 criteria for awarding the title of "Outstanding Artisan" in the field of fine arts and crafts.

The Government issued Decree No. 43/2024/ND-CP dated April 19, 2024, detailing the awarding of the titles "People's Artisan" and "Outstanding Artisan" in the field of handicraft arts.

The Decree, effective June 6, 2024, specifies the subjects, standards, procedures, and activities for awarding the titles of "People's Artisan" and "Outstanding Artisan" in the field of handicraft arts.

According to the Decree, the title "People's Artisan" in the field of fine arts and crafts is awarded to individuals who have already been awarded the title "Outstanding Artisan" in the field of fine arts and crafts and meet the following standards: 1. Loyalty to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; good compliance with the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and the regulations, rules, and procedures of agencies, organizations, and localities; 2. Having continuously worked in the field of fine arts and crafts for 20 years or more; 3. Possessing good moral character, being exemplary in life; dedicated and devoted to the profession; admired and respected by colleagues and the people; being a typical representative of the cause of protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage in the field of fine arts and crafts nationwide; 4. Possessing exceptionally outstanding knowledge and skills.

The decree stipulates that the Councils for awarding the titles of "People's Artisan" and "Outstanding Artisan" are established at each level (Provincial Council; Ministry-level Specialized Council; State-level Council), for each awarding period, and the Councils dissolve themselves after completing their nhiệm vụ.

The Council for awarding the titles of "People's Artisan" and "Outstanding Artisan" is responsible for organizing the awarding process in accordance with regulations; publicly disclosing the list of individuals nominated for the award and the selection results through the media; completing the award dossiers and submitting them to the competent Council; and considering and resolving any requests related to the awarding process.

The awarding council operates on the principles of democracy, transparency, and secret ballot.

Protecting and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage.

The Government issued Decree No. 39/2024/ND-CP stipulating measures for managing, protecting, and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage in UNESCO Lists and the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

According to the Decree, the principles in managing, protecting, and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage are to ensure that intangible cultural heritage is practiced in a way that guides people and communities towards positive cultural values; preserves identity; aims for comprehensive social development; ensures community and social safety; protects the environment; and ensures respect for cultural diversity, the role of the community as the subject, and the unique characteristics of ethnic groups and regions. Intangible cultural heritage of different communities is respected equally.

Furthermore, priority should be given to protecting intangible cultural heritage at risk of being lost or forgotten, the heritage of ethnic communities living in mountainous areas, remote regions, border areas, islands, and ethnic groups facing difficulties and unique characteristics, as well as heritage of value to the entire community and society; prioritizing the decision-making rights of the community for the long-term and continuous existence and practice of the heritage, in accordance with the meaning and function of the heritage, and in compliance with Vietnamese law on cultural heritage and international documents to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Decree No. 39/2024/ND-CP takes effect from June 1, 2024.

According to baotintuc.vn