The new Press Law consists of six chapters with a total 61 articles, including 32 new ones. It will take effect from January 1, 2017. The old law was promulgated in 1989. — Illustrative image/ Photo giaoduc.net.vn

Viet Nam News -HÀ NỘI — The President’s Office announced seven laws, one resolution and an ordinance, which were adopted at the 11th session of the 13th National Assembly at a news conference held in Hà Nội yesterday.

The new Press Law consists of six chapters with a total 61 articles, including 32 new ones. It will take effect from January 1, 2017. The old law was promulgated in 1989.

It dedicates the second chapter with four articles detailing the freedom of press and citizens’ freedom of expression on the media.

It clarifies the responsibilities of agencies, organisations, and those in charge of providing information to the media. It also covers the rights of agencies, organisations and authorised individuals to refuse to supply information to the press; and the revealing and protection of sources, among other things.

The new Children Law, built on the 2004 Children Law, regulates 25 groups of rights and obligations of children. The seven-chapter 106-article law will be effective from June 1, 2017. June 1 is annually observed as International Children’s Day.

With five chapters and 37 articles, the Law on Access to Information specifies Article 25 of the 2013 Constitution with the aim of ensuring people the right to access information.

Those who are unable to maintain their civil capacity, have awareness or behavioural control impairments, and those under 18 years of age can gain access to information through their representatives. Foreigners can ask for information that directly relates to their rights and obligations, the law says.

The law specifies that citizens can freely access information that is publicised by State agencies and can ask State agencies to supply information that they need. It also, however, classifies information that can or cannot be accessed by citizens.

The Pharmacy Law, with 14 chapters and 116 articles, regulates the priority production of pharmaceutical medicines available in the country, along with the development of medicinal plant farms, and the protection of the genes of rare medicinal plants.

It clarifies the principle of managing medicine prices in accordance with market rules, saying that the State will have to intervene when prices of essential drugs fluctuate abnormally and affect the country’s socio-economic stability. The law will take effect from January 1, 2017.

The Law on amendments and supplements to some articles of the Law on Value Added Tax, the Law on Special Consumption Tax, and the Law on Tax Management will be put in place on July 1, 2016. It supplements a regulation saying services for the elderly are exempt from value added tax.

With 22 articles, the revised Law on Export-Import Tariffs will come into effect on July 1, 2016. It aims to renovate export-import tariffs in line with market mechanisms in an open and transparent manner, develop tax instruments to combat smuggling, trade fraud and improve the business environment.

The Law on Signing, Joining and Implementing International Treaties has 10 chapters and 84 articles and will take effect from July 1, 2016.

The resolution ratifying the diplomatic note on the visa agreement between Việt Nam and the US aims to make it easier for investment and trade activities and tourism of Americans in Việt Nam.

The Ordinance on Market Management consisting of eight chapters and 46 articles will take effect from September 1, 2016, and looks to make market management activities transparent and in line with other laws in a bid to spur a healthy business and investment environment. — VNS