Vietnam's government has proposed tiered tax and land incentives for very large tourism projects, along with pilot zones that could operate around the clock. The measures are part of a draft National Assembly resolution on special tourism policies that has not yet been approved, VnExpress International reported.

The incentives would be concentrated in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, which the draft names as the three tourism growth poles, as well as in tourism centres and national tourism areas. Tuoi Tre reported that the government wants the resolution to apply from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2036.

Three tiers of projects

  • High-quality projects: at least VND3 trillion in total investment, at least VND1.5 trillion of it for tourism components, and at least 1,000 jobs. They could receive infrastructure support inside and outside the site and priority in promotion.
  • Catalyst projects: at least VND10 trillion, with at least VND5 trillion for tourism and 1,500 jobs. A five-year pilot would allow a corporate income tax rate as low as 10 percent, half the standard 20 percent, plus land rent exemptions or reductions.
  • Strategic catalyst projects: at least VND30 trillion, with at least VND15 trillion for tourism and 2,000 jobs. They could operate for up to 70 years, be exempt from corporate income tax for up to four years and then pay up to 50 percent less for no more than nine years.

None of the tiers would cover casino, prize-winning electronic gaming, betting or real estate components, the minister said.

Night-time economy and other measures

Large performing-arts complexes, concert halls, festival streets and integrated entertainment zones could run 24/7 under a pilot of up to five years. They would follow shortened procedures and get a one-time licence for large recurring international events. Each pilot would need a plan from the provincial authorities approved by the prime minister, with risk controls for security, public order, tourist safety and the environment.

The draft also proposes cutting land rent by up to 30 percent for landscaped and shared areas at resort hotels rated four stars or above, support for businesses that open new air routes for tourism, and state-funded training for tourism workers.

Concerns from the Assembly committee

The Assembly's Committee for Culture and Society backed special policies but said the strategic-project incentives were set very high without an assessment of their benefits. It asked the government to explain how the minimum capital thresholds were set, to keep casinos, betting and real estate out of the incentives, and to tie support to results.

The Assembly is expected to vote on the resolution on 21 November.

Sources

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