LookAtVietnam – A smoking ban on public sites and the abolition of the death penalty for eight crimes are among new regulations that will take effect as of January 1, 2010.

A smoking ban on public sites and the abolition of the death penalty for eight crimes are among new regulations that will take effect as of January 1, 2010.

Other legislation includes raising the minimum salary, collecting personal income tax from securities traders and issuing new health insurance cards.

According to the amended penal code, eight crimes will no longer be potential capital crimes - rape, swindling to appropriate assets of others, counterfeiting cash, false bonds, using drugs, hijacking aircrafts and ships, bribery and damaging weapons and military equipment.

In the health sector, many changes will be brought in from January 1, 2010. Current health insurance cards will be replaced by new design ones. During the time taken to change the cards, patients can still use the old ones.

Smoking at public sites will be banned as of the same day. However, many are already saying this ban is unfeasible because there are not enough staff available to supervise public site. According to new regulations, smokers at public sites will have to pay a fine of between 50,000 and100,000 dong.

The increase in minimum salary in the New Year is good news for workers. The new minimum salary will be divided into four regions. The region 1 (local enterprises) will receive 980,000 dong per month, region 2 880,000 per month, region 3 810,000 per month and region 3 730,000 dong per month. Thus, workers will earn an additional increase of between 80,000 and 180,000 dong per month.

As of January 1, 2010, securities investors will have to pay personal income tax at the rate of 0.1 percent of the total value of transaction.

VietNamNet/Tien Phong