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On May 15, 2026, the Government issued Resolution No. 66.17/2026/NQ-CP on the reduction and amendment of conditional investment and business sectors. This is one of the most significant administrative reform documents of early 2026, drawing special attention from consultants, accounting service providers, and tax agents.
From “Pre-inspection” to “Post-inspection” – A Strong Transformative Step
So, what makes this Resolution so groundbreaking that it has stirred the entire community?
Previously, accounting services and tax procedure services were included in the list of conditional business sectors, as specifically regulated in Appendix IV of the Law on Investment No. 143/2025/QH15. Organizations and individuals wishing to operate in these fields were required to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Business Services from the competent authority (such as the Ministry of Finance or the direct tax authority). This was a strict pre-approval control mechanism.
The issuance of Resolution 66.17/2026 aims to decentralize authority, reduce and simplify administrative procedures in several areas, thereby cutting the number of conditional business sectors from 198 (under the Law on Investment 143/2025) down to 142 under the new regulations. The fundamental rationale for removing accounting and tax declaration services from the list of mandatory conditional sectors is clearly stated in Clause 2, Article 2 of the Resolution:
“Reducing those sectors and trades whose investment and business conditions can be managed through technical standards, technical regulations, or professional standards using a post-inspection management approach.”
This is understood as the Resolution concretizing the reform spirit of the Law on Investment by shifting the management and supervision model from pre-inspection (requiring a license before commencing operations) to post-inspection (operating first, with management and inspection conducted afterward), with the goal of creating favorable conditions for service providers.
Legitimate Concerns and a Balanced Perspective
In response to this policy, there have been mixed opinions from associations, tax agents, and service practitioners. Some worry that removing the barriers too broadly could lead to a situation where “everyone does the service,” resulting in many new individuals and organizations lacking sufficient experience, thereby affecting the overall service quality of the industry.
These concerns are entirely reasonable. Some experts have even cited international practices, noting that countries with large numbers of tax agents still maintain strict entry standards requiring professional certification (for example, Japan has over 82,000 tax agents, and the tax certification exam is extremely rigorous, with only about 2% of candidates passing all five subjects in a single sitting).
Nevertheless, in our view, this Resolution demonstrates the Government’s progress and strong commitment to administrative reform, simplifying procedures, and creating favorable conditions for business activities under the motto: Convenient - Easy - Transparent - Effective.
We need to look at the issue more deeply. The market is the best judge. In a transparent competitive environment, customers will naturally choose reputable, highly competent, and responsible service providers. “Soft licenses” - reputation, brand, and actual quality – will deliver more sustainable value than rigid paper licenses.
The Resolution is not about deregulation without oversight, but rather about shifting supervisory responsibility to more modern tools: professional standards, professional ethics, legal liability, and a robust post-inspection mechanism.
Opportunities for True Professionalization
This is the moment for genuine accountants and tax agents to affirm their value. Once administrative barriers are removed, competitive advantage will belong to:
- Individuals with deep, continuously updated expertise
- Enterprises that build their brands based on credibility and real results
- Organizations willing to invest in technology, processes, and people
Instead of competing on “licenses,” businesses will compete on real capability and the value they deliver to customers.
Let us all look forward to the positive changes that will take effect from July 1, 2026. This is not only an opportunity for individuals and enterprises, but also an important step forward for Vietnam’s accounting and tax services industry to integrate more deeply, become more professional, and enhance its competitiveness across the region.
