From 15 January 2018, Decree 8/2018 has simplified the conditions for obtaining a licence to import petrol for domestic distribution under Decree 83/2014 as below:

Old Regulations – Decree 83/2014	New Regulations – Decree 8/2014	Notes
Being established lawfully, having registered for petrol and oil trading as specified in its enterprise registration certificate	Being established lawfully.	The change is not material. Without the amendment, under the enterprise registration, the petrol importer still needs to register for petrol and oil trading.
Having a special-use wharf in Vietnam’s international port system, which is capable of receiving oil tankers or other petrol and oil transport vehicles with a tonnage of at least 7,000 tons under its ownership or co-ownership or on a lease for at least five years.	No change same as old regulations.
Having a depot with a minimum capacity of 15,000 cubic meters to receive petrol and oil from oil tankers and special-use transport vehicles, which are under its ownership or co-ownership or on a lease for at least five years.	No change same as old regulations.
Three years after being granted a petrol and oil import or export license, the trader must own or co-own with a capital contribution of at least 51% the depot system, which is capable of meeting at least one-third of the trader’s reserve demand.	Not applicable	Traders no longer have to bear the burden of ownership of such depot.
Having vehicles for domestic petrol and oil transport under its ownership or co-ownership or on a lease for at least five years from a petrol and oil service provider.	No change same as old regulations.
Two years after being granted a petrol and oil import or export license, the trader shall own or co-own with a capital contribution of at least 51% vehicles for domestic petrol and oil transport with a total load capacity of at least 3,000 m3.	Not applicable	Traders no longer have to bear the burden of owning vehicles.
Having a petrol and oil distribution system: At least 10 petrol and oil retail stations under its ownership or co-ownership and at least forty 40 petrol and oil general agents or retail agents in its distribution system.	No change same as old regulations.	Petrol distribution system includes retail stations and agent system which comprises of general agents, retail agents and retail franchisees. The wording of Decree 83/2014 suggests that a petrol importer must have a distribution network of at least 50 petrol stations.
Every year after being granted a petrol and oil import or export license, the trader shall own or co-own at least four petrol and oil retail stations until its distribution system has at least 100 petrol and oil retail stations.	Not applicable.	Trader is not required to expand its network annually.
Being in accordance with the master plan on petrol and oil importers and exporters	Master plan on petrol and oil importers and exporters is removed.	Traders are no longer subject to master plan on petrol and oil importers and exporters

This post is contributed in parts by Dinh Thi Khanh Linh, an intern at Venture North Law.

Vietnam Business Law