On February 28, 2018, The Government issued Decree No.25/2018/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No.60/2014/ND-CP dated 19/06/2014 on printing activities. The Decree took effect on May 1, 2018.

Accordingly, Decree No.25/2018/ND-CP amended and supplemented regulations on the prepress, press and postpress of printed products for foreign organizations and individuals (not presented in Vietnam) as follows :

1. The head of the printing establishment shall take responsibility before law for the contents of the printed product;
2. Only receive the prepress, press and postpress of printed products inscribed in the printing activity permits or contents already certified as having been registered for printing activities;
3. Having contracts with organizations and individuals that order the prepress, press and postpress of printed products. Contracts must contain information as names and addresses of foreign organizations and individuals that have products need to be prepressed, pressed and postpressed; information as name, type of printing product, quantity of printing, place of production, time of export, name of border gate of export, importing country of printed products and other relevant information;
4. Updating the information of the products received for the prepress, press and postpress of printed products into the “Publication management book for the prepress, press and postpress of printed products”;
5. In case of receiving the prepress, press and postpress of printed products such as newspapers, magazines, leaflets, brochures and other printed products with political, historical, geographic, religious, Vietnamese administrative boundaries, the sovereignty of the country, the printing establishment must have a complete and accurate written declaration on the name and address of the foreign organization or individual who orders the prepress, press and postpress of printed products; the information on names, types of printed products, printed quantities, places of production, export border-gates of printed products. Written declarations sent via online public services or postal, delivery services or directly to the provincial-level state management agencies in charge of printing activities where the printing establishments carry out the prepress, press and postpress of printed products within one day after the contract is made;
6. Exporting 100% of products printed abroad.

It can be seen that, compared with the previous regulations, Decree No.25/2018/ND-CP has made important amendments and supplements, especially for foreign organizations and individuals. Accordingly, this Decree is expected to create a clear and transparent legal corridor, ensuring effectiveness in state management as well as creating conditions for promoting the development of the printing industry.