E-SIGNATURES IN BANKING SECTOR FOR CORPORATE CUSTOMERS

Most banks in Vietnam provide internet banking services to its customers via a web-based platform (the E-platform) which enables bank customers to create, authorise and dispatch instructions (E-Documents) to the bank electronically. Usually, an E-platform provides users with authentication tools including customer ID, user IDs, passwords and one-time password (the OTP) to get access to the E-platform. 

Offshore indirect investment by Vietnamese companies

Under Decree 135/2015 effective from 15 February 2016, a local company can invest in shares, bonds and other securities issued offshore of Vietnam (Offshore Indirect Investment) via an entrustment agreement (hợp đồng ủy thác đầu tư) with a licensed fund management company, securities company or commercial bank (Local Managers) if:

  • the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) designates investment in offshore securities investment funds includingOffshore Fund as a permitted type of offshore indirect investment;
  • the entrusted amount is within the annual limits for overall offshore indirect investment approved by the Prime Minister;
  • the local company satisfies certain conditions (see below); and
  • the Local Manager satisfies certain conditions (see below).

VALIDITY OF A CONTRACT DENOMINATED IN US$ AND SETTLED IN VND (Updated)

In June 2015, the first instance court decides that a contract in the territory of Vietnam that is denominated in US$ but settled in VND is not invalid. In December 2015, according to newspaper report, the appeal court has revoked a decision of the first instance court and held such a contract invalid in its entirety. This is a surprise development and may cause concern to many business transactions in Vietnam which have relied on a more relax view of the court earlier.