Vietnam is considered to be an attractive market for online gaming in Asia. With more than 13 million gamers, Vietnam is becoming a popular destination for investors in the online gaming industry. For gaming clients (games installed on computers and played on online) only, the expected market value for 2012 is VND 5.6 trillion (approximately US$269 million).

This article first appeared on WTR Daily, part of World Trademark Review, in February 2013. For further information, please go to www.worldtrademarkreview.com.

Published by Multilaw in association with Thomson Reuters, Media, Advertising, and Entertainment Law Throughout the World introduces international readers to the laws governing media, advertising, entertainment, and art in 45 countries, including Vietnam. The Vietnam chapter in the 2013 edition outlines the following issues:

Updated for 2013, the Thailand chapter of Media, Advertising, and Entertainment Law Throughout the World provides a broad overview of media, advertising, and entertainment law in the Kingdom, including an introductory discussion of art law. In the section on media law, the text sets forth the statutory and regulatory framework for publishing, broadcasting, and online services. It also reviews Thailand’s particularly strict defamation laws, invasion of privacy, and right of publicity.

When importers bring products into Thailand, the goods need to pass through customs formalities, during which officials will inspect the products to assess duties. Duties are determined based on the real market value of the product and all related taxes. This means that the amount of duty can vary in different circumstances, resulting in some importers disagreeing with the amount assessed.

Vietnam’s Labor Code forms the fundamental basis for employment law in Vietnam. The Labor Code was initially introduced in 1994 and was amended several times before being entirely replaced by the new Labor Code, adopted by the National Assembly of Vietnam on June 18, 2012, which shall take effect from May 1, 2013.This chapter, published in the fourth edition of The Employment Law Review, begins with an overview of some of the key changes introduced in the new Labor Code. It then provides a broad overview of the following issues:

In general, Vietnamese labor law is very protective of employees. Employers are required to have legal grounds for termination of labor contracts or have evidence of violations by employees for labor disciplinary measures. This chapter, written by Tu Ngoc Trinh and Dzung Nguyen, associates at Tilleke & Gibbins, delves into these issues by reviewing Vietnam’s Labor Code and the overall employment environment. It covers the legal relationship between employers and employees, employment terms and conditions, restrictions on and procedures for termination, retirement, and much more.

Ministry of the Interior, which handled (and still handles) a broad portfolio of issues, including labor matters, at that time. More recently, however, labor statutes have been enacted through parliamentary processes with the approval of the King. The Ministry of Labor has developed into a sizable regulator, and it has issued numerous labor regulations.