Facilitating employment opportunities for foreign nationals in Hà Nội

By Trinh Nguyen

HÀ NỘI — In recent years, Hà Nội has made significant strides in attracting both domestic and foreign investment and in developing cultural and social projects.

However, a conference heard that numerous challenges and difficulties remain in the implementation process, necessitating appropriate and effective support policies to create the most favourable conditions for project development.

During the 2024 Conference on ‘Overcoming Difficulties and Challenges for Enterprises Investing and Operating in the Cultural and Social Sectors’, chaired by Trần Sỹ Thanh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, many of the pressing concerns of businesses were raised.

The worries were addressed by the city’s relevant departments and agencies.

Organised by the Hanoi Promotion Agency, leaders from the Hà Nội City People’s Committee, representatives from associations, departments and sectors, district and town officials and 120 businesses representing investors and organisations in the cultural and social sectors across the city, were involved.

The busy conference had over 120 businesses in attendance. Photo: Minh Phuong VNS

Addressing issues in the education sector

In the education sector, a representative from Vietnam Technology Development Co., Ltd. reported difficulties related to qualification and certification requirements for foreign workers in English teaching positions at schools in the city.

In response, Bạch Liên Hương, Director of the Hà Nội Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, stated that the current process for issuing work permits for foreign workers is governed by Decree 70/2023/ND-CP and Decree 152/2020/ND-CP issued by the Prime Minister.

Therefore, the department has taken note of the company’s request to ease these challenges, particularly those concerning standards, qualifications and certifications and will propose adjustments to the Ministry. 

“Apart from the central regulations, Hà Nội does not impose any additional rules. The city is committed to streamlining administrative procedures for businesses, organisations and centres. Moreover, we have recently followed the directive from the People’s Committee of Hanoi to delegate the authority for issuing work permits for foreign workers to the district and town levels,” said Bạch Liên Hương, Director of the Hanoi Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

On a related note, Trần Thế Cương, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, highlighted that each year, around 4,000 foreign and native English teachers come to Hà Nội to provide English language education at various centres and schools across the city. Therefore, the Department has focused on ensuring that these activities comply with the regulations outlined in the Ministry of Education and Training’s circular.

In the education and training sector, the conference report noted that Hà Nội is actively supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in enhancing their workforce quality. The Hà Nội People’s Council has passed a resolution and approved a proposal specifically aimed at assisting SMEs. The Hà Nội People’s Committee has also outlined a plan to implement this support.

Each year, the Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs partners with the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises to train between 2,000 and 3,000 workers, as long as the businesses have registered to provide vocational training for their employees.

The conference was chaired by Trần Sỹ Thanh, Chairman of the Hà Nội People’s Committee (right) and Vũ Thu Hà, Vice Chairman. Photo Trinh Nguyen/ VNS

Encouraging investment in healthcare

Regarding joint ventures, partnerships and collaborations in the healthcare sector, including medical services within the supply chain, the city consistently encourages and supports the development of non-public medical facilities. There is a particular focus on establishing new, high-quality, modern healthcare centres, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. According to the Deputy Director of the Hà Nội Department of Health Vũ Cao Cương, these efforts must still comply with legal regulations.

Responding to concerns from businesses about improving the investment environment and facilitating conditions for both domestic and foreign healthcare companies to invest in Hanoi, Lê Anh Quân, Director of the Hà Nội Department of Planning and Investment, emphasised that enhancing competitiveness and improving the investment environment are central to the city’s strategy for attracting development capital, particularly in boosting foreign investment.

According to Quân, in recent years, the city has been actively implementing measures to improve the investment environment, making it easier for both domestic and international healthcare companies to invest in Hanoi.

Specifically, the city has been vigorously promoting administrative reforms, reducing the time required for licensing and related procedures in healthcare investment and simplifying the paperwork and processes needed. Additionally, Hà Nội has been enhancing transparency in its investment attraction policies and incentives and has strived to lead the nation in developing e-government, an innovative startup ecosystem and a smart city.

In addition to implementing legal investment incentives, the city has issued Decision No. 17/2023/QD-UBND on August 28, 2023, regarding land lease incentives in certain sectors, including healthcare. This decision includes a 60 per cent reduction in land lease fees for the districts of Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Dong Da and Hai Ba Trung and providing full exemption from land lease fees for other districts and towns that meet the necessary conditions.

In the field of culture, Đỗ Đình Hồng, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, reported that the Capital Law 2024 includes new provisions for developing cultural industries, including food culture and advertising.

“In the advertising sector, there is a 10-year land lease tax exemption and a 50 per cent reduction for the remaining period. For corporate income tax, there is a four-year exemption and a nine-year reduction thereafter. The department has developed specific policies during the drafting of the Capital Law. We will soon report to the People’s Committee and present these to the City People’s Council for application to each industry and sector,” said Đỗ Đình Hồng.

Looking ahead

In his closing remarks, Trần Sỹ Thanh, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, said: “The City Party Committee and People’s Council are deeply committed to these issues, with concrete actions in culture, sports, education and healthcare. In just two years, we’ve transformed resolutions into the Capital Law, setting the stage for significant changes in the cultural and social sectors. The city aims for even greater and more fundamental progress in these areas.”

Participants, who welcomed the discussion, believed that business insights will boost cultural growth and enhance life in Hanoi.

Professor Dr. Đỗ Tất Cường, Deputy General Director of the Vinmec Healthcare System, said: “These dialogues are invaluable as they allow businesses to engage directly with city leaders, who can provide immediate or written responses. We believe more of these conversations are needed, so citizens can monitor adjustments and support for businesses and see how the healthcare environment and investment landscape in Hanoi evolve, contributing to the city’s growth.”