[Vietnam Biz – Part 13] CIT Law 2025 Amendments on preferential tax policies for the manufacturing sector: What are the changes and who is eligible? (Part 5)

Preparation and required documentation for new manufacturing projects to qualify for preferential treatment

With the amendment to the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Law coming into effect on 1 October 2025, new manufacturing projects will be required to undertake more comprehensive and multifaceted preparations than ever before in order to qualify for CIT incentives. Simply being located in an industrial park will no longer automatically make a project eligible. Instead, greater emphasis will be placed on proving individual requirements such as investment scale, technological level, industrial classification, and regional characteristics.

This section provides a detailed explanation of the required documentation and the preparatory process necessary to qualify for preferential treatment under the amended rules. Let us review the specific preparation steps and key points of attention at each stage in a systematic manner.

5.1. Preparation and submission of the investment plan

The first step in applying for preferential treatment for a new project is the preparation of an investment plan that clearly outlines the overall business concept. This document must include detailed information on the business activities, project duration, investment amount, funding methods, and future growth prospects.

Under the new CIT Law, it is no longer sufficient to provide location information alone. Authorities will place significant importance on both quantitative and qualitative details, such as the specific technologies and equipment being invested in and the industrial sector to which the project belongs. As the investment plan serves as the primary basis for determining eligibility for preferential treatment, it is essential to have it reviewed by professionals in advance. Prior to submission, the contents should be carefully checked to ensure there are no errors or omissions.

• ・Detailed descriptions of business activities and investment amounts are mandatory
• ・Clearly specify technologies, equipment, and industrial sectors
• ・Review by professionals is strongly recommended
• ・Reconfirm accuracy and completeness before submission

5.2. Preparation of supporting documents for technology and industrial classification

A key feature of the revised preferential tax regime is that eligibility is determined based on industrial sector and technological level. Accordingly, it is essential to prepare documentation proving that the project falls under priority industries such as “high-tech” or “green industries.”

Typical examples include specifications for production equipment, technical certification documents, and official government certifications. By assembling these documents, projects can apply for incentives based on substantive content rather than location in an industrial park alone. In some cases, original documents, along with officially translated or certified copies, may be required, so early preparation is advisable.

• ・Proof of qualification as a high-tech or green industry is required
• ・Prepare equipment specifications and technical certifications
• ・Originals and officially translated or certified copies may be necessary
• ・Carefully review documents to ensure alignment with the application content

5.3. Preparation of supporting documents for regional and investment scale requirements

Following the CIT Law amendment, the project’s location and investment scale are critical criteria for determining eligibility for preferential treatment. Official documentation is required to demonstrate that the project is located in a region with special economic conditions or that it constitutes a large-scale investment exceeding a specified threshold.

Examples include regional designation notices issued by local authorities, bank-issued fund certification letters, investment contracts, and detailed financing plans. As the accuracy and completeness of these documents form the foundation of the application, third-party verification can be highly effective. Adequate preparation is essential to avoid any ambiguity.

• ・Certificates proving regional designation or special economic conditions are required
• ・Investment contracts and detailed financing plans must be prepared
• ・Obtain bank-issued fund certification documents
• ・Ensure accuracy through third-party review

5.4. Eligibility assessment by professional advisors

Applying the new preferential tax regime requires a thorough understanding of the latest legal interpretations and administrative guidance. Therefore, once the investment plan and supporting documents are prepared, it is recommended to seek an eligibility assessment from tax and legal professionals.

Based on the amended legislation, professionals will conduct a multifaceted evaluation and identify any deficiencies or potential risks. As detailed requirements may be further clarified or revised through future decrees or administrative guidance, leveraging expert advice as a final pre-submission check can help minimize the risks of ineligibility or documentation deficiencies.

5.5. Accurate document management for submission to authorities

All documents prepared through the above steps must be managed rigorously to prevent submission errors or loss. It is essential to create a comprehensive list covering submission destinations, deadlines, required number of copies, and distinctions between originals and copies, and to manage progress accordingly.

In addition, a robust digitization and backup system should be established to ensure prompt responses to any post-submission requests for additional materials or corrections. By implementing such a document management framework, a smooth review and approval process can be achieved. Future investment strategies and practical considerations should also be examined based on these preparatory measures.

• ・Maintain a consolidated list of submission destinations, deadlines, copies, and originals/copies
• ・Ensure rapid response to requests for additional materials or revisions
• ・Reduce risk of loss through digitization and backup systems
• ・A well-structured management system facilitates smoother review and approval