Circular No. 03/2019/TT-NHNN amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN dated December 26, 2013, issued by the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam guiding the implementation of regulations on limiting the use of foreign currency within the territory of Vietnam.

Circular No. 03/2019/TT-NHNN amends and supplements the provisions regarding foreign investors being allowed to place deposits and provide guarantees in foreign currency when participating in auctions for shares at state-owned enterprises. This Circular takes effect from May 13, 2019.

Document No.03/2019/TT-NHNN
Document typeCircular
Issuing authorityState Bank of Vietnam
Signed byNguyễn Thị Hồng — Phó Thống đốc
Updated23/06/2026
SectorBanking
FieldForeign Exchange Management
Issued date29/03/2019
Effective date13/05/2019
Expiry date
StatusIn effect
✦ Smart summary

Circular No. 03/2019/TT-NHNN amends and supplements the provisions regarding foreign investors being allowed to place deposits and provide guarantees in foreign currency when participating in auctions for shares at state-owned enterprises. This Circular takes effect from May 13, 2019.

Scope of application

Foreign investor

Key points

  • Foreign investors are permitted to place deposits and provide guarantees in foreign currency when participating in auctions for shares at state-owned enterprises under specific circumstances: purchasing shares at state-owned enterprises undergoing equitization, purchasing shares or state capital contributions at state-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises with state capital undergoing divestment, and purchasing shares or capital contributions of state-owned enterprises investing in other enterprises undergoing divestment.
  • In case of winning the auction, foreign investors must transfer investment funds in accordance with laws on foreign exchange management to pay for the value of purchased shares or capital contributions.
  • In case the auction is unsuccessful, foreign investors may transfer abroad the amount deposited or guaranteed in foreign currency after deducting any related incurred expenses (if any).

🌐 Social impact of this document

  • Positive impact: Creating favorable conditions for foreign investors to participate in auctions for shares at state-owned enterprises, enhancing competition and improving the efficiency of capital utilization.
  • Negative impact: It may cause risks in foreign exchange management if not implemented according to regulations.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Under which circumstances can foreign investors place deposits or provide guarantees in foreign currency when participating in auctions for shares?

Foreign investors are permitted to place deposits and provide guarantees in foreign currency when participating in auctions for shares at state-owned enterprises undergoing equitization, purchasing shares or state capital contributions at state-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises with state capital undergoing divestment, and purchasing shares or capital contributions of state-owned enterprises investing in other enterprises undergoing divestment.

What must a foreign investor do if they win the auction?

In case of winning the auction, foreign investors must transfer investment funds in accordance with laws on foreign exchange management to pay for the value of purchased shares or capital contributions.

What can a foreign investor do with the deposit or guarantee amount if the auction is unsuccessful?

In case the auction is unsuccessful, foreign investors may transfer abroad the amount deposited or guaranteed in foreign currency after deducting any related incurred expenses (if any).

To which organizations does this Circular apply?

This Circular applies to foreign investors.

When does this Circular take effect?

This Circular takes effect from May 13, 2019.

Full text

STATE BANK OF VIETNAM
VIETNAM

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness

Number: 03/2019/TT-NHNN
Hanoi, March 29, 2019

CIRCULAR

Amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN

 dated December 26, 2013 of the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam

guiding the implementation of regulations on restricting the use of foreign currency

on the territory of Vietnam

Pursuant to the Law on the State Bank of Vietnam dated June 16, 2010;

Pursuant to the Law on Credit Institutions dated June 16, 2010 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Law on Credit Institutions dated November 20, 2017;

Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Decree dated December 13, 2005 and the Decree Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Foreign Exchange Decree dated March 18, 2013;

Pursuant to Government Decree No. 16/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017 on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the State Bank of Vietnam;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Foreign Exchange Management;

The Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam promulgates this Circular amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN dated December 26, 2013 of the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam guiding the implementation of regulations on restricting the use of foreign currency on the territory of Vietnam.

Article 1. Amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN dated December 26, 2013 of the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam guiding the implementation of regulations on restricting the use of foreign currency on the territory of Vietnam

Supplement Point c to Clause 16, Article 4 as follows:
"c) Foreign investors are allowed to place deposits or provide guarantees in foreign currency transfers when participating in auctions in the following cases:

(i) Purchasing shares in state-owned enterprises undergoing equitization approved by the Prime Minister;

(ii) Purchasing shares or state capital contributions in state-owned enterprises or enterprises with state capital undergoing divestment approved by the Prime Minister;

(iii) Purchasing shares or capital contributions of state-owned enterprises invested in other enterprises undergoing divestment approved by the Prime Minister.

In case of winning the auction, foreign investors shall transfer investment capital in accordance with the laws on foreign exchange management to pay for the value of purchased shares or contributed capital. In case the auction is not successful, foreign investors are permitted to transfer out of the country the amount of deposit or guarantee in foreign currency after deducting any related incurred expenses (if any)."

Article 2. Responsibility for Implementation

The Heads of the Office, Department Heads of the Department of Foreign Exchange Management, Heads of units under the State Bank of Vietnam, Governors of the State Bank of Vietnam branches in provinces and centrally governed cities, Chairmen of the Board of Directors, Chairmen of the Board of Members, General Directors (Directors) of credit organizations, and foreign bank branches are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

Article 3. Effectiveness

This Circular takes effect from May 13, 2019./.

DIRECTOR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
(Signed)
Nguyen Thi Hong

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03/2019/TT-NHNN
Circular No. 03/2019/TT-NHNN amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN dated December 26, 2013, issued by the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam guiding the implementation of regulations on limiting the use of foreign currency within the territory of Vietnam.
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