Four policies impacting citizens take effect from August

Vietnam is implementing several new policies starting August that will directly affect citizens' daily lives. These changes span traffic safety, land administration, court proceedings, and digital citizen rights, signaling a shift in regulatory focus across various sectors.

A significant update concerns traffic safety, particularly for children. According to Decree 238/2026, amending Decree 168/2024, stricter rules will be enforced for child safety in vehicles. From August 15th, drivers face warnings for transporting children under 10 years old and shorter than 1.35 meters without proper safety devices, excluding commercial passenger vehicles. More notably, carrying such children in the front seat (unless it's the only seat) will incur fines ranging from 800,000 to 1 million Vietnamese dong, aiming to enhance child protection during travel.

In land management, Decree 281/2026 introduces a new approach to administrative penalties. Previously, couples jointly owning land might face individual penalties or be treated as an organization. Now, under the amended Decree 123/2024, married couples with a shared land title will be penalized as a single individual for violations. This unified approach simplifies the application of administrative sanctions for joint property owners.

Courtroom procedures are also set for stricter oversight with Circular 12/2026 from the Supreme People's Court. Effective August 1st, individuals attending court sessions must obtain permission from the presiding judge before bringing electronic devices like phones, tablets, or smartwatches capable of recording. Recording audio is permitted throughout the trial, but video recording is restricted to the opening and sentencing phases. All recording activities involving the court must have the judge's explicit consent.

Finally, to encourage digital transformation, Resolution 66.22/2026 offers incentives for citizens using the VNeID app at level 2. These benefits, effective August 15th, aim to promote the adoption of digital identification and services among the Vietnamese population.