Vietnamese lawmakers called for clearer controls on concealed investment ownership and stronger tests for state support during a November 2 plenary debate on amendments to the Investment Law. VnExpress, Bao Chinh Phu and the Finance Ministry’s portal reported concerns spanning illegal financing, regulatory overlap and the effectiveness of incentives.
Ownership and overlapping procedures
Lawmaker Nguyen Trung Kien proposed transparency requirements for beneficial owners, sources of funds and investment purposes. He described arrangements involving nominees, divided ownership stakes and transfers through multiple parties as potential ways to conceal control. His comments were recommendations for the draft legislation.
Hoang Minh Hieu questioned the instability created by frequent amendments and the overlap with specialised laws. VietnamPlus reported his proposal to distinguish matters requiring advance investment scrutiny from procedures governed by land, environmental and construction rules. Trinh Ngoc Phuong similarly stressed that special investment procedures, investor selection and land allocation are separate legal questions.
Assessing the outcome of support
Bao Chinh Phu cited Nguyen Thi Viet Nga’s argument that documented training expenditure does not by itself demonstrate promised worker skills. She called for defined outputs, verification dates and responsible authorities, with recovery of support matched to separable obligations where appropriate.
Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan said the drafting agency would develop measurable, outcome based support and supervision of investor commitments. The ministry’s account also reported his proposal for annual state audits and periodic inspections of the Investment Support Fund.
The next step is revision of the bill following legislators’ comments. VnExpress reported a planned November 20 vote and a proposed March 31, 2027 effective date if adopted. Those dates and mechanisms remain part of the legislative process rather than enacted requirements.