News Details

Hanoi, April 2026. Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Circular No. 15/2026/TT-BCT introducing a significant shift in the administration of hazardous goods transport permits. The new measure delegates licensing authority for the transportation of certain categories of dangerous goods from central authorities to provincial People’s Committees, marking a further step in Vietnam’s ongoing decentralization policy.

Relevant background and regulatory context

The Circular is issued in the context of Vietnam’s broader policy direction on decentralization and delegation of administrative authority, as reflected in Party resolutions, Government directives, and national governance reforms.

It amends and supplements existing provisions on administrative procedures under the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s management scope, and operates in conjunction with Government Decree No. 105/2025/NĐ-CP, which details the implementation of the Law on Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue, including provisions on hazardous goods transport.

The Circular is further supported by Decision No. 555/QD-BCT, which formalizes updated administrative procedures, and Official Letter No. 2265/BCT-ATMT, which provides implementation guidance to provincial authorities.

What the Circular does

The key change introduced by Circular No. 15/2026/TT-BCT is the delegation of authority from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to provincial People’s Committees.

Under this framework, provincial authorities are responsible for receiving applications, conducting assessments, and issuing, adjusting, reissuing, and revoking permits for the transport of hazardous goods.

The delegation applies to hazardous goods classified under categories 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9, with category 1 excluding industrial explosives and explosive precursors.

Scope of delegated authority

The delegation covers the full administrative lifecycle of hazardous goods transport permits.

As indicated in the official document on page 1, provincial People’s Committees where organizations or individuals have their head office or branch are now responsible for handling applications and exercising regulatory control over permitting decisions.

This includes not only initial permit issuance, but also amendments, reissuance, and revocation, ensuring that local authorities have end-to-end responsibility for licensing within their jurisdiction.

Implementation guidance to provinces

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Official Letter No. 2265/BCT-ATMT to guide implementation.

As outlined in the document, provincial authorities are instructed to organize and carry out the licensing process, ensure proper handling of applications, and strengthen coordination with relevant agencies for inspection, supervision, and enforcement of hazardous goods transport activities.

The guidance also emphasizes the need for compliance with applicable legal provisions and coordination with enforcement bodies, such as transport and fire safety authorities.

Effective date and transition to local administration

The Circular took effect on 10 April 2026. From this date, organizations and individuals transporting hazardous goods within the specified categories must submit applications directly to the People’s Committee of the province where they are headquartered or have a branch.

This represents a clear procedural shift from centralized processing to locally administered licensing.

Administrative procedures and alignment with Decision 555/QD-BCT

The decentralization is accompanied by the issuance of updated administrative procedures under Decision No. 555/QD-BCT.

These procedures define the process for granting, adjusting, and reissuing hazardous goods transport permits, ensuring that local authorities apply a standardized approach consistent with national regulatory requirements.

Policy rationale and objectives

The decentralization is intended to streamline administrative processes, improve efficiency, and reduce procedural burdens for businesses.

By transferring authority to provincial levels, the government aims to shorten processing times, improve accessibility for applicants, and enhance responsiveness to local conditions, while maintaining regulatory oversight through coordinated supervision mechanisms.

Business implications

For companies involved in the transport of hazardous goods in Vietnam, the reform introduces a change in application procedures and regulatory engagement.

Businesses must now submit permit applications to the relevant provincial People’s Committee rather than central authorities. This may simplify administrative processes but also requires companies to understand and align with local implementation practices.

Companies operating across multiple provinces may need to coordinate with multiple local authorities, potentially introducing variations in administrative handling that will need to be managed through internal compliance processes.

Next steps

With the Circular already in force, provincial authorities are expected to operationalize the delegated functions, supported by guidance from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Businesses should review their current licensing processes, update internal procedures, and ensure that future applications are submitted to the appropriate provincial authority in line with the new decentralized framework.