Decree No. 19/2016/ND-CP on gas business

Vvề kinh doanh khí sản phẩm, hàng hóa ngày 21 tháng 11 năm 2007;"b) In addition to the lists of public services issued according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 4 of this Decree, specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees shall report to the provincial People's Committee for decision-making on amending, supplementing, or issuing the list of public services funded by the state budget within their jurisdiction and consistent with the local budget capacity within the approved budget by the Provincial People's Assembly, and send it to the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries and sectors for supervision during implementation."

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Căn cứ Luật T, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP issued by the Government on June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Law on Trade dated June 14, 2005;

Pursuant to the Law on Product and Goods Quality dated November 21, 2007; lcăn cứ Luật Đầu tư ngày 26 tháng 11 năm 2005;

2. For Circular No. 10/2022/TT-BKHĐT dated June 15, 2022 of the Minister of Planning and Investment detailing the provision of information and the selection of investors on the National Public Procurement Network, it suspends its effectiveness from August 1, 2022 to September 15, 2022.June 2024; dated June 20, 2012;

ban hành Nghị định về kinh doanh khí; 11 year 2014;

At the proposal of the Minister of Industry and Trade;

At the proposal of Nghị định này quy định về kinh doanh khí và Điều kiện kinh doanh khí tại thị trường Việt Nam."b) In addition to the lists of public services issued according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 4 of this Decree, specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees shall report to the provincial People's Committee for decision-making on amending, supplementing, or issuing the list of public services funded by the state budget within their jurisdiction and consistent with the local budget capacity within the approved budget by the Provincial People's Assembly, and send it to the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries and sectors for supervision during implementation.".

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. Nghị định này áp dụng đối với thương nhân theo quy định của Luật Thương mại và các tổ chức, cá nhân khác có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh khí.

Article 2. Applicability

2. Nghị định này không áp dụng đối với thương nhân nhập khẩu, sản xuất và chế biến khí chuyên dùng cho nhu cầu riêng của mình, không lưu thông trên thị trường theo đăng ký với Bộ Công Thương.

1. Khí quy định tại Nghị định này là khí dầu mỏ hóa lỏng, khí thiên nhiên hóa lỏng và khí thiên nhiên nén.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Decree, the following terms are understood as follows:

2. Khí dầu mỏ hóa lỏng là sản phẩm hydrocacbon có nguồn gốc dầu mỏ với thành phần chính là propan (công thức hóa học C3H8) hoặc butan (công thức hóa học C4H10) hoặc hỗn hợp của cả hai loại này, tên tiếng Anh: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (viết tắt là LPG); tại nhiệt độ, áp suất bình thường LPG ở thể khí và khi được nén đến một áp suất hoặc làm lạnh đến nhiệt độ nhất định LPG chuyển sang thể lỏng.

3. Khí thiên nhiên hóa lỏng là sản phẩm hydrocacbon ở thể lỏng, có nguồn gốc từ khí tự nhiên với thành phần chủ yếu là Metan (công thức hóa học: CH4), tên tiếng Anh: Liquefied Natural Gas (viết tắt là LNG); tại nhiệt độ, áp suất bình thường LNG ở thể khí và khi được làm lạnh đến nhiệt độ nhất định LNG chuyển sang thể lỏng.₃H₈4. Khí thiên nhiên nén là sản phẩm hydrocabon ở thể khí được nén ở áp suất cao, có nguồn gốc từ khí tự nhiên với thành phần chủ yếu là Metan (công thức hóa học: CH4), tên tiếng Anh: Compressed Natural Gas (viết tắt là CNG).₄H₁₀5. Khách hàng công nghiệp là thương nhân trực tiếp mua khí từ các thương nhân kinh doanh khí để phục vụ cho quá trình sản xuất của mình.

6. Trạm nạp khí vào phương tiện vận tải là nơi sử dụng thiết bị chuyên dùng để nạp trực tiếp khí vào phương tiện vận tải có sử dụng nhiên liệu khí cho động cơ.₄7. Trạm cấp khí là nơi sử dụng thiết bị chuyên dùng và đường ống dẫn khí đến khách hàng.

8. Kinh doanh khí là việc thực hiện liên tục một, một số hoặc tất cả các hoạt động trong chuỗi kinh doanh khí: Sản xuất, chế biến, xuất khẩu, nhập khẩu, tồn chứa, nạp, phân phối, tạm nhập tái xuất, cho thuê kho, cảng, giao nhận và vận chuyển nhằm mục đích sinh lời.₄9. Sản xuất, chế biến khí là quá trình xử lý, chuyển hóa các nguyên liệu khí đồng hành, khí tự nhiên thành các sản phẩm khí.

10. Pha chế khí là quá trình phối trộn sản phẩm, bán thành phẩm khí có bổ sung phụ gia và các chế phẩm khác thành các sản phẩm khí.

11. Cơ sở kinh doanh khí bao gồm: Cơ sở sản xuất, chế biến khí; cảng xuất, nhập khí; kho tồn chứa khí, kho bảo quản chai LPG và LPG chai; cửa hàng bán LPG chai (bao gồm cửa hàng chuyên kinh doanh LPG chai); trạm nạp LPG vào chai; trạm nạp CNG, trạm nạp LNG, trạm nạp LPG vào phương tiện vận tải; trạm cấp LPG, trạm cấp LNG, trạm cấp CNG; vận chuyển khí và cho thuê phương tiện vận chuyển khí.

12. LPG chai là LPG đã được nạp vào chai LPG tiêu chuẩn theo một khối lượng nhất định.

13. Chai LPG là chai chịu áp lực được chế tạo theo quy chuẩn kỹ thuật nhất định dùng để chứa LPG và nạp lại được, còn gọi là chai tiêu chuẩn.

14. Chai LPG mini là chai chịu áp lực được chế tạo theo quy chuẩn kỹ thuật nhất định dùng để chứa LPG, dung tích chứa tối đa 1.000 ml (một nghìn mili lít) một chai.

15. Chủ sở hữu chai LPG là thương nhân kinh doanh LPG đầu mối. Chai LPG phải có đủ hồ sơ do nhà sản xuất hoặc nhà nhập khẩu cung cấp, có nhãn hiệu hàng hóa đã được đăng ký theo quy định.

16. Nạp LPG vào chai là việc sử dụng thiết bị chuyên dùng nạp LPG từ bồn chứa cố định vào chai tiêu chuẩn theo một khối lượng nhất định.

17. Trạm nạp LPG vào chai là nơi sử dụng phương tiện, thiết bị chuyên dùng nạp LPG vào chai LPG hoặc xe bồn để bán cho khách hàng.

18. Cửa hàng bán LPG chai là cửa hàng bán các loại LPG chai cho khách hàng.

19. Cửa hàng chuyên kinh doanh LPG chai là cửa hàng chỉ sử dụng vào việc bán các loại LPG chai và thiết bị phụ trợ sử dụng LPG, được xây dựng theo quy chuẩn kỹ thuật hiện hành.

20. Thiết bị phụ trợ sử dụng LPG là các thiết bị dân dụng dùng để đốt cháy LPG bao gồm: Bếp LPG, ống dẫn LPG, van chai LPG, van điều áp LPG.

21. Ký cược chai LPG là việc khách hàng (tổng đại lý kinh doanh LPG, đại lý kinh doanh LPG và người sử dụng LPG) giao một khoản tiền cho thương nhân kinh doanh LPG đầu mối là chủ sở hữu chai LPG nhằm bảo đảm nghĩa vụ trả chai LPG mượn theo thỏa thuận để phục vụ việc lưu thông, tồn chứa và sử dụng LPG.

22. Tiền ký cược chai LPG là khoản tiền của khách hàng có nhu cầu sử dụng chai LPG giao cho thương nhân kinh doanh LPG đầu mối là chủ sở hữu chai LPG đó để được chuyển quyền sử dụng chai LPG vào mục đích phục vụ việc lưu thông, tồn chứa và sử dụng LPG.

23. Thương nhân kinh doanh LPG đầu mối bao gồm: Thương nhân xuất khẩu, nhập khẩu LPG; thương nhân sản xuất, chế biến LPG và thương nhân phân phối LPG.

24. Thương nhân kinh doanh LNG đầu mối bao gồm: Thương nhân xuất khẩu, nhập khẩu LNG; thương nhân sản xuất, chế biến LNG và thương nhân phân phối LNG.

25. Thương nhân kinh doanh CNG đầu mối bao gồm: Thương nhân xuất khẩu, nhập khẩu CNG; thương nhân sản xuất, chế biến CNG và thương nhân phân phối CNG.

26. Thương nhân kinh doanh khí đầu mối bao gồm: Thương nhân kinh doanh LPG đầu mối, thương nhân kinh doanh LNG đầu mối và thương nhân kinh doanh CNG đầu mối.

22. The deposit for LPG cylinders is the amount of money that customers who wish to use LPG cylinders transfer to the main LPG traders who are the owners of those cylinders to obtain the right to use the LPG cylinders for purposes of circulation, storage, and consumption of LPG.

23. Main LPG traders include: exporters and importers of LPG; producers and processors of LPG; and distributors of LPG.

24. Main LNG traders include: exporters and importers of LNG; producers and processors of LNG; and distributors of LNG.

25. Main CNG traders include: exporters and importers of CNG; producers and processors of CNG; and distributors of CNG.

26. Main gas traders include: main LPG traders, main LNG traders, and main CNG traders.

Article 4. Application of International Treaties and Relevant Laws

1. Economic organizations with foreign investment capital, foreign investors operating natural gas in Vietnam must comply with the provisions of this Decree; in cases where international treaties provide differently from the provisions of this Decree, the provisions of such international treaties shall be applied.

2. Merchants operating natural gas in the Vietnamese market, in addition to complying with the provisions of this Decree, must also comply with the provisions of other relevant laws.

Article 5. Planning for Development of Natural Gas Business Bases

1. Natural gas business bases specified in Clause 11, Article 3 of this Decree (excluding transportation and leasing of transportation means for natural gas) must be developed according to planning, constructed in accordance with technical standards prescribed, and the work of planning for development of natural gas business bases must comply with the provisions of legal documents on planning.

2. The Ministry of Industry and Trade within its scope of duties and powers shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial/municipal people's committees to establish and announce plans for developing natural gas business bases nationwide, including: Natural gas production and processing facilities; gas storage facilities with total tank capacity of 5,000 cubic meters or more; inspect and supervise the implementation of approved plans.³ 3. Provincial/municipal people's committees shall be responsible for establishing plans for developing natural gas business bases within the overall socio-economic development plan of their localities, including: Specialized stores selling bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), gas supply stations, gas refueling stations for transport vehicles, LPG refueling stations for bottles, gas storage facilities with total tank capacity under 5,000 cubic meters ensuring consistency with the national overall plan; inspect and supervise the implementation of approved plans.

Article 6. Safety, Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Environmental Protection³ 1. Natural gas business bases must comply with the provisions of laws on safety, fire prevention, firefighting, and environmental protection during business operations.

2. Staff working at natural gas business bases, natural gas service businesses, including drivers of transportation means for natural gas, must be trained and instructed on safety, fire prevention, firefighting, and must be issued a Certificate in accordance with the law.

NATURAL GAS BUSINESS

CONDITIONS FOR NATURAL GAS BUSINESS

Chapter II

Article 7. Conditions for Merchants Exporting and Importing Natural Gas

Section 1

1. Merchants exporting and importing natural gas are enterprises established in accordance with the law and must meet the following conditions:

a) Possess a wharf belonging to the Vietnamese port system owned or co-owned or have a lease agreement for a wharf for a minimum of five years;

b) Possess a storage facility with a total tank capacity of at least 3,000 cubic meters for LPG; 60,000 cubic meters for LNG; 200,000 standard cubic meters for compressed natural gas (CNG) owned by the merchant or co-owned or leased by the merchant for natural gas business for a minimum of one year for LPG and five years for LNG and CNG to receive gas from ships or other transportation means.

2. For merchants exporting and importing LPG, in addition to meeting the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must also meet the following conditions:

a) Possess a sufficient number of various types of LPG cylinders (excluding mini LPG cylinders) with a total capacity of at least 3,930,000 liters that are owned by the merchant and meet circulation requirements in the market;³ b) Possess an LPG cylinder refueling station owned and certified as meeting the conditions or have a contract to lease LPG cylinder refueling services from another main LPG merchant;³ Within two years from the date of issuance of the certificate for export and import of LPG, the merchant must own an LPG cylinder refueling station;³ c) Possess a distribution system for LPG including: LPG cylinder retail stores or LPG supply stations or LPG refueling stations for transport vehicles certified as meeting the conditions or industrial customers and having a minimum of forty general agents or agents for LPG business meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

3. For merchants exporting and importing LNG, in addition to meeting the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have material and equipment serving the LNG distribution system, including: Ownership or co-ownership or leasing of LNG tanker trucks or LNG pipeline transportation for a minimum of one year; ownership of LNG supply stations or LNG refueling stations for transport vehicles certified as meeting the conditions.

4. For merchants exporting and importing CNG, in addition to meeting the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have material and equipment serving the CNG distribution system, including: Ownership or co-ownership or leasing of CNG tanker trucks or CNG pipeline transportation for a minimum of one year; ownership of CNG supply stations or CNG refueling stations for transport vehicles certified as meeting the conditions.

b) Having an LPG refilling station for owned cylinders that have been certified as meeting the Conditions or having a contract to refill LPG into cylinders with another main LPG trader.

Within two (2) years from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Meeting Conditions for Exporting and Importing LPG, there must be an LPG refilling station for owned cylinders of the trader.

c) Having a distribution system for LPG including: retail stores selling LPG cylinders, LPG supply stations, or LPG refueling stations for transport vehicles that have been certified as meeting the Conditions, or industrial customers, and having at least forty (40) total agents or dealers meeting the Conditions stipulated in this Decree.

3. For traders exporting and importing LNG, in addition to meeting the Conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have material facilities and means serving the LNG distribution system, including: owning or co-owning or leasing LNG tank trucks or pipelines for transporting LNG for at least one (1) year; owning LNG supply stations or LNG refueling stations for transport vehicles that have been certified as meeting the Conditions.

4. For traders exporting and importing CNG, in addition to meeting the Conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have material facilities and means serving the CNG distribution system, including: owning or co-owning or leasing CNG tank trucks or pipelines for transporting CNG for at least one (1) year; owning CNG supply stations or CNG refueling stations for transport vehicles that have been certified as meeting the Conditions.

Article 8. Conditions for gas producers and processors

1. Gas producers and processors are enterprises established in accordance with the provisions of the law and meeting the following conditions:

a) Having a production and processing facility in accordance with the approved planning scheme and in compliance with the investment laws;

b) Possessing a quality testing laboratory owned by the producer or co-owned or leased for at least one year from another organization capable of inspecting and testing gas quality.

2. For liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers and processors, in addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have a pumping and loading system for LNG transportation or a system serving the operation of gasification to supply customers.

3. For compressed natural gas (CNG) producers and processors, in addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must also meet the following conditions:

a) Possessing a CNG storage tank with a total volume of at least 200,000 Sm (two hundred thousand cubic meters standard), owned by the producer or co-owned or leased for at least one year from another producer and constructed according to current national technical standards;³ b) Possessing a CNG compression station with a minimum capacity of 3,000 Sm/h (three thousand cubic meters standard per hour).

Article 9. Conditions for gas distributors³1. Gas distributors are enterprises established in accordance with the provisions of the law and possessing storage tanks with a total volume of at least 300 m³ (three hundred cubic meters) for bottled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business; 100 m³ (one hundred cubic meters) for pipeline LPG business; 3,000 m³ (three thousand cubic meters) for LNG; 10,000 Sm (ten thousand cubic meters standard) for CNG, owned by the distributor or co-owned or leased for at least one year from another gas business entity.

2. For bottled LPG distributors, in addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must meet the following conditions:

a) Possessing a sufficient number of various types of LPG bottles (excluding mini LPG bottles) with a total capacity of at least 2,620,000 L (two million six hundred twenty thousand liters), which are owned by the distributor and meet the circulation conditions on the market;³ Within two (02) years from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility to be a bottled LPG distributor, they must own a LPG refilling station;³ c) Possessing a distribution system including: retail stores selling bottled LPG, LPG supply stations, LPG refilling stations for transport vehicles, industrial customers, and at least twenty (20) general agents or agents selling LPG that meet the conditions stipulated in this Decree.³ 3. For pipeline LPG distributors, in addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must own a LPG supply station certified as eligible.³ 4. For LNG distributors, in addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have facilities serving their LNG distribution system, including: owning an LNG supply station or an LNG refueling station for transport vehicles certified as eligible.

5. For CNG distributors, in addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have facilities serving their CNG distribution system, including: owning or co-owning or leasing CNG tanker trucks or CNG pipelines for at least one year; owning a CNG supply station or a CNG refueling station for transport vehicles certified as eligible.

a) Having a sufficient number of various types of LPG cylinders (excluding mini LPG cylinders) that meet the Conditions for circulation on the market and are owned by the trader, with a minimum total capacity of 2,620,000 liters (two million six hundred twenty thousand liters).

b) Having an LPG refilling station for owned cylinders that have been certified as meeting the Conditions or having a contract to refill LPG into cylinders with another main LPG trader.

Within two (2) years from the date of issuance of the Certificate of Meeting Conditions for being an LPG distributor, there must be an LPG refilling station for owned cylinders of the trader.

c) Having a distribution system for LPG, including: retail stores selling LPG cylinders, LPG supply stations, or LPG refueling stations for transport vehicles that have been certified as meeting the Conditions, or industrial customers, and having at least twenty (20) total agents or dealers meeting the Conditions stipulated in this Decree.

3. For LPG distributors operating through pipelines, in addition to the Conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have an LPG supply station owned by the trader and certified as meeting the Conditions.

4. For LNG distributors, in addition to the Conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have material facilities serving the direct LNG distribution system, including: owning LNG supply stations or LNG refueling stations for transport vehicles that have been certified as meeting the Conditions.

5. For CNG distributors, in addition to the Conditions specified in Clause 1 of this Article, they must have material facilities serving the direct CNG distribution system, including: owning or co-owning or leasing CNG tank trucks or pipelines for transporting CNG for at least one (1) year; owning CNG supply stations or CNG refueling stations for transport vehicles that have been certified as meeting the Conditions.

Article 10. Conditions for Gas Blending

1. Only gas wholesalers may carry out gas blending at production facilities, processing plants, or gas storage facilities owned by gas wholesalers.

Economic entities may blend gas in bonded warehouses.

2. Gas wholesalers blending gas must have a testing laboratory with sufficient capacity to test and inspect gas quality according to national technical regulations and published standards, which belong to the wholesaler or are jointly owned or leased for a minimum of one year by the wholesaler or another organization.

3. Gas wholesalers carrying out gas blending must register the blending facility according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 11. Conditions for General Agents in LPG Trading

A general agent in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) trading (hereinafter referred to as a general agent) is a business entity established in accordance with the law and must meet the following conditions:

1. Possess a warehouse with a total capacity of at least 2,000 (two thousand) LPG cylinders and LPG cylinderized gas (excluding mini LPG cylinders), owned or jointly owned or leased for a minimum of one year.

2. Have an LPG distribution system, including: LPG cylinder retail stores or LPG refilling stations or LPG loading stations for transport vehicles that have been issued a Certificate of Compliance and have a minimum of ten (ten) agents meeting the required conditions under this Decree.

3. Have a minimum one-year agency contract still in effect with LPG wholesalers.

Article 12. Conditions for LPG Retail Agents

An LPG retail agent (hereinafter referred to as an agent) is a business entity, cooperative, or individual business established in accordance with the law and must meet the following conditions:

1. Possess an LPG cylinder retail store or LPG refilling station or LPG loading station for transport vehicles that have been issued a Certificate of Compliance.

2. Have a minimum one-year agency contract still in effect with LPG wholesalers or LPG general agents.

Article 13. Conditions for LPG Cylinder Retail Stores

LPG cylinder retail stores must meet the following conditions:

1. Belong to the ownership of the agent, general agent, or LPG wholesaler.

2. Meet fire prevention and firefighting safety conditions.

3. Management staff and direct sales personnel must be trained in fire prevention and firefighting, safety according to current regulations.

4. For specialized LPG cylinder retail stores, their locations must comply with approved planning schemes.

Article 14. Conditions for LPG Refilling Stations into Cylinders, Loading Stations into Transport Vehicles, and Supply Stations

1. LPG refilling stations into cylinders, loading stations into transport vehicles, and supply stations must meet the following conditions:

a) LPG refilling stations into cylinders, loading stations into transport vehicles, and supply stations must conform to planning schemes and be approved by competent authorities for investment construction;

b) Measuring equipment has been calibrated or verified according to legal metrology regulations;

c) Meet fire prevention and firefighting safety conditions.

2. In addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, LPG refilling stations into cylinders must also meet the following additional conditions:

a) Belong to the ownership of LPG wholesalers;

b) The refilling station, refilling equipment, pipeline systems, storage tanks, and auxiliary equipment must comply with current national technical regulations on safety;

c) Machines and equipment with strict requirements for labor safety and potential risks must be inspected according to regulations;

d) Must have complete procedures: Refilling LPG into cylinders, tank trucks, operating machines and equipment within the station, handling incidents, and safety regulations.

3. In addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, LPG loading stations into transport vehicles must belong to the ownership of agents, general agents, or LPG wholesalers and have LPG loading machines and equipment with strict safety requirements that have been inspected and registered according to regulations.

4. In addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, LPG supply stations must belong to the ownership of agents, general agents, or LPG wholesalers.

Article 15. Conditions for LNG refueling stations and supply stations

1. LNG refueling stations and supply stations must meet the following conditions:

a) They must be owned by major liquefied natural gas traders;

b) They must comply with planning schemes and be approved by competent authorities for investment construction;

c) Measuring instruments and equipment must have been inspected or calibrated in accordance with legal provisions on measurement;

d) They must meet fire prevention and firefighting safety conditions.

2. In addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, LNG refueling stations for transport vehicles must also meet the following conditions:

a) Refueling stations, refueling equipment, pipeline systems, storage tanks, and auxiliary equipment must comply with current national technical regulations on safety;

b) Machines and equipment with strict requirements for labor safety and hygiene at refueling stations must be inspected and registered in accordance with legal provisions;

c) There must be complete procedures: refueling transport vehicles, tank trucks, operating machines and equipment within the station, handling incidents, and safety regulations.

Article 16. Conditions for CNG refueling stations and supply stations

1. CNG refueling stations and supply stations must meet the following conditions:

a) They must be owned by major compressed natural gas traders;

b) They must comply with planning schemes approved by competent authorities for investment construction;

c) Measuring instruments and equipment must have been inspected or calibrated in accordance with legal provisions on measurement;

d) They must meet fire prevention and firefighting safety conditions.

2. In addition to the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, CNG refueling stations for transport vehicles must also meet the following conditions:

a) Refueling stations, refueling equipment, pipeline systems, storage tanks, and auxiliary equipment must comply with current national technical regulations on safety;

b) Machines and equipment with strict requirements for labor safety and hygiene at refueling stations must be inspected and registered in accordance with legal provisions;

c) There must be complete procedures: refueling transport vehicles, tank trucks, operating machines and equipment within the station, handling incidents, and safety regulations.

Article 17. Conditions for LPG cylinders circulating in the market

1. Before being put into use, LPG cylinders must undergo inspection and register trademarks in accordance with legal provisions; used LPG cylinders must undergo re-inspection in accordance with legal provisions.

2. LPG cylinders must retain their original design shape that has been inspected and not exceed the inspection period; the color of LPG cylinders must be registered with competent authorities; all LPG cylinders must have complete files stored in accordance with legal provisions at the business premises of the cylinder owner trader.

3. The trader who owns the LPG business premises that is merged, dissolved, or converted to another industry not dealing in LPG or ceases operations must recover all LPG cylinders under their ownership for sale or transfer to another trader along with complete files in accordance with legal provisions. The trader purchasing or receiving transferred LPG cylinders must re-register trademarks with competent authorities; notify market management agencies, distribution systems, and consumers under the trader for supervision; comply with LPG cylinder management regulations stipulated in this Decree and bear responsibility for those cylinders.

4. The trader who owns LPG cylinders has the right to lease LPG cylinders under their ownership and may issue a UNIFORM LPG CYLINDER LEASE RECEIPT, uniformly applied in the distribution system and consumer network managed by the trader; has the right to inspect lease files of LPG cylinders at any premises storing or using LPG cylinders of the trader.

Article 18. Conditions for LPG cylinders to circulate in the market

1. LPG cylinders circulating in the market must ensure: The LPG cylinders comply with the provisions of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 17 of this Decree; the quantity and quality of LPG in the cylinders must be consistent with the product label, the quality standards announced by the trader, and must be sealed according to the prescribed method.

2. LPG cylinders circulating and consumed in the market must have a clear origin, consistent with purchase and sale contracts or agency contracts for LPG business.

Section 2

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF TRADERS IN GAS BUSINESS

Article 19. Rights and obligations of traders exporting and importing LPG

1. Organize the import of LPG according to the business plan of the trader and must ensure that the imported LPG meets the current national technical regulations; be allowed to export LPG, temporarily import and re-export LPG as stipulated in Article 48 of this Decree.

2. Uniformly set the selling price of LPG and LPG cylinders in the distribution system under the management of the trader, ensuring consistency with the market.

3. Organize the sale of LPG according to contracts to other LPG trading hub traders and industrial customers; organize the retail sale of LPG and LPG cylinders in the distribution system under the management of the trader; be authorized in writing to branches or subsidiaries of the trader to sell LPG in duty-free zones.

4. Organize the application of appropriate derivative tools in accordance with international practices for trading and buying LPG.

5. Only enter into agency contracts with traders who meet the conditions to act as main agents or agents for LPG business.

6. Only organize the filling of LPG into cylinders that meet the circulation conditions on the market, owned by the trader itself or filled under contract for other LPG trading hub traders.

7. Organize the provision of services and supply rental services: LPG storage warehouses, LPG port entry and exit, LPG delivery services, LPG transportation means with other LPG trading hub traders.

8. Must register the distribution system and report product labels in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

9. Adhere to the conditions and regulations stipulated in this Decree and other relevant laws regarding LPG business; inspect and supervise main agents and agents for LPG business; provide sufficient LPG sources and bear responsibility for the quantity and quality of LPG sold in the distribution system under the management of the trader to meet production and living needs, ensuring the level of LPG circulation reserves as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 49 of this Decree.

10. Implement inspection and registration in accordance with the regulations for LPG cylinders and auxiliary equipment using LPG owned by the trader; check the quality, maintenance, and replacement of LPG cylinders and auxiliary equipment using LPG, ensuring safety for customers.

11. Adhere to the legal regulations on product label registration; manage the quantity and quality of LPG cylinders owned by the trader; be subject to inspection and supervision by competent authorities in accordance with current laws.

12. Jointly bear responsibility for violations committed by main agents and agents within the distribution system of the trader in LPG business activities in accordance with the law.

Article 20. Rights and obligations of traders producing and processing LPG

1. Set the selling price of LPG produced and processed by the trader according to market mechanisms.

2. Directly export, import, temporarily import, and re-export LPG or authorize branches or subsidiaries of the trader to carry out LPG exports and imports in accordance with current laws and Article 48 of this Decree.

3. Have rights and obligations like traders exporting and importing LPG as stipulated from Clause 3 to Clause 7 of Article 19 of this Decree.

4. Must establish a distribution system as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 7 of this Decree when organizing the sale of LPG to industrial customers and LPG cylinders in the market; uniformly set the selling price of LPG and LPG cylinders in the distribution system under the management of the trader, ensuring consistency with the market.

5. Before putting the first batch of LPG products produced and processed by the trader into circulation on the market, they must be inspected and certified to meet the conditions stipulated by quality standards and must comply with regulations on quality management, measurement, and safety management throughout the production and processing process.

6. Organize wholesale sales of LPG according to contracts to other LPG trading hub traders ensuring equality, transparency, and fairness. Ensure the level of LPG circulation reserves as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 49 of this Decree.

7. When organizing the export and import of LPG, the trader must have an LPG warehouse with a total capacity of at least 3,000 cubic meters (three thousand cubic meters) owned or co-owned or leased for a minimum of five years by LPG service traders to receive imported LPG from ships or other transport means. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will guide and confirm the conditions for LPG producers and processors to implement the right to export and import LPG according to Article 8 and Clause 8 of Article 20 of this Decree.³ (three thousand cubic meters) owned or co-owned or leased for at least five (5) years by LPG service traders to receive imported LPG from ships or other transportation means. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will guide and confirm the Conditions for LPG producers and processors to implement the rights of exporting and importing LPG according to Article 8 and Clause 8 of Article 20 of this Decree.

Article 21. Rights and Obligations of Distributors of LPG

1. Uniformly set prices for selling LPG and LPG cylinders within their distribution system under management, ensuring alignment with market conditions.

2. Organize sales of LPG through contracts to other LPG main traders and industrial customers; organize retail sales of LPG and LPG cylinders within their distribution system under management.

3. Only enter into agency contracts with traders meeting the Conditions to act as general agents or agents for LPG business.

4. Only organize refilling of LPG into cylinders that meet circulation Conditions on the market, owned by themselves or refilled on contract for other LPG main traders.

5. Organize the provision of services including leasing LPG storage warehouses, delivery of LPG, and transportation means for LPG with other LPG main traders.

6. Must register their distribution system and report product labels according to regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

7. Ensure sufficient supply of LPG for their managed distribution system to meet production and civilian needs, maintaining the required level of circulating LPG stock as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 49 of this Decree.

8. Inspect and supervise general agents and agents dealing in LPG; bear responsibility for the quantity and quality of LPG sold within their managed distribution system.

9. Implement inspections of LPG cylinders and auxiliary equipment owned by the trader; check the quality, maintenance, and replacement of LPG cylinders and auxiliary equipment, ensuring safety for users.

10. Adhere to legal regulations concerning product label registration; manage the quantity and quality of LPG cylinders owned by the trader; be subject to inspection and supervision by competent authorities as prescribed by current laws.

11. Jointly bear responsibility for violations committed by general agents and agents within their distribution system in LPG trading activities as stipulated by law.

Article 22. Rights and Obligations of General Agents in LPG Business

1. Select and sign contracts to act as agents for three (3) LPG main traders meeting the Conditions specified in this Decree.

2. Only sell LPG and LPG cylinders provided by LPG main traders and must display prices, selling at the displayed price set by LPG main traders.

3. Supervise LPG business establishments under their general agency in compliance with Conditions stipulated for LPG business operations.

4. Only sell LPG cylinders meeting circulation Conditions on the market to customers; install and guide customers on safe LPG usage; bear responsibility for the quantity, quality, and sale price of LPG cylinders within the distribution system; maintain records of various types of LPG sold to customers.

5. Deliver LPG cylinders according to contracts authorized by LPG main traders and must fulfill commitments recorded in the contract; be subject to inspection and supervision by LPG main traders and competent authorities.

6. Do not purchase or sell LPG and LPG cylinders without origin, not conforming to contracts signed with LPG main traders; do not buy or sell LPG cylinders circulating on the market owned by other LPG main traders.

7. Implement accounting and record-keeping systems as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 23. Rights and Obligations of LPG Business Agents

1. Select and sign contracts to act as agents for one main agent or three primary LPG traders meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

2. Sell only LPG and LPG cylinders provided by primary LPG traders or main agents. Post prices and sell at the posted prices as specified by primary LPG traders.

3. Inspect and supervise LPG business establishments under their agency to ensure compliance with the conditions governing LPG business operations.

4. Sell only LPG cylinders that meet the circulation conditions on the market to customers; install and guide customers on safe LPG usage; be responsible for the quantity, quality, and selling price of LPG cylinders under their agency; maintain records of various types of LPG sold to customers.

5. Deliver LPG cylinders according to contracts authorized by primary LPG traders or main agents and must fulfill the commitments stated in the contract; be subject to inspection and supervision by primary LPG traders or main agents and competent authorities.

6. Do not purchase or sell LPG and LPG cylinders without origin or not in accordance with contracts signed with primary LPG traders or main agents; do not purchase or sell LPG cylinders circulating on the market belonging to other LPG traders.

7. Implement accounting and record-keeping systems as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 24. Rights and Obligations of Primary LPG Traders Owning LPG Cylinder Sales Outlets

1. Do not purchase or sell LPG cylinders without origin or not in accordance with contracts. Only sell LPG cylinders that meet circulation conditions on the market; do not sell LPG cylinders of other traders outside contracts; do not sell refilled mini LPG cylinders.

2. Do not hold LPG cylinders of other LPG traders.

3. Hang signs and symbols of primary LPG traders with whom the outlet owner has signed agency contracts; signs must be complete and clear as prescribed by law.

4. Post prices and sell at the posted prices for LPG cylinders as specified by the agency provider.

5. Maintain accounting records and invoices in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

Article 25. Rights and Obligations of Primary LPG Traders Owning LPG Refilling Stations

1. Organize LPG refilling into LPG cylinders owned by the primary LPG trader and only refill LPG cylinders that meet circulation conditions on the market. Remove from the refilling station LPG cylinders (including those not owned) that do not meet circulation conditions on the market.

2. Be allowed to organize paid refilling services according to contracts for LPG cylinders of primary LPG traders meeting LPG business conditions and having LPG cylinders that meet circulation conditions on the market.

3. Require LPG refilling service providers to present: Certificate of Conditions for Primary LPG Traders; Certificate of Goods Brand Registration.

4. Ensure LPG refilling into cylinders meets the volume and quality standards consistent with the goods brand and quality standards published by the enterprise in accordance with the Product Quality Law and related documents.

5. Do not store LPG cylinders of other primary LPG traders without a contract for paid refilling services at the refilling station.

Article 26. Rights and Obligations of Business Subjects Owning LPG Refueling Stations

1. Sell LPG only to customers with purchase contracts for LPG and who comply with regulations on safe LPG usage, fire prevention, and firefighting; sell at the prescribed price, ensuring quality and quantity of LPG according to the signed contract with customers, consistent with product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Product Quality Law and related documents.

2. Temporarily suspend selling LPG or terminate LPG sales contracts prematurely for customers who fail to comply with regulations on safe LPG usage, fire prevention, and firefighting, or who擅自更换、安装额外的LPG使用辅助设备。

3. Send technical staff to install when customers notify the LPG refueling station of the need to replace LPG using equipment.

4. Regularly inspect safety, measuring devices, detect fire and explosion risks, valve seal integrity, auxiliary equipment, connection points, and LPG pipelines leading to each customer; promptly address any fire and explosion hazards that do not ensure customer safety.

5. Provide customers with a safety guide for LPG usage, including the LPG refueling station's phone number and the direct manager's contact information for emergencies.

6. Notify customers of any changes in LPG selling prices.

7. Only sell LPG to specialized transport vehicles meeting the conditions for receiving LPG as stipulated, or sell LPG via pipelines according to contracts; do not refill LPG into cylinders.

Article 27. Rights and Obligations of Business Subjects Owning LPG Refueling Stations for Transport Vehicles

1. Hang signs and symbols of the main LPG trading business subject; signs must be complete and clear as required by law.

2. Be subject to inspection and supervision by the main LPG trading business subject and competent authorities.

3. Be allowed to form joint ventures or partnerships to build LPG refueling stations for transport vehicles with gas stations certified to operate gasoline and diesel fuel businesses.

4. Only sell LPG of guaranteed quality provided by the main LPG trading business subject; do not purchase LPG without origin or smuggled LPG for sale to customers.

5. Only refill LPG into transport vehicles using LPG as fuel; do not refill LPG into cylinders.

6. Post prices and sell at posted prices as specified by the main LPG trading business subject; be responsible for the quantity, quality, and price of LPG sold to customers. The quality of LPG must comply with product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Product Quality Law and related documents.

7. Measuring devices must ensure accuracy; regularly inspect LPG refueling equipment and safety during operations.

Article 28. Rights and Obligations of Business Subjects Exporting and Importing LNG

1. Organize LNG imports according to the business plan of the business subject and ensure the quality of imported LNG meets current national technical standards; export LNG, temporarily import and re-export LNG as stipulated in Article 48 of this Decree.

2. Uniformly set LNG selling prices within the distribution system under the business subject's management, ensuring market compatibility.

3. Organize the sale of LNG through contracts to other main LNG trading business subjects and industrial customers meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

4. Organize the provision of services and rental services: LNG storage tanks, LNG import and export ports, LNG delivery, LNG transportation vessels to other LNG trading business subjects meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

5. Implement appropriate derivative instruments and practices in line with international practices for LNG transactions and sales.

6. Ensure sufficient LNG supply for the distribution system under the business subject's management, maintaining the required level of LNG circulation reserves as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 49 of this Decree.

7. Comply with the conditions and regulations stipulated in this Decree and other relevant laws regarding LNG business; inspect and supervise LNG business premises and be responsible for the quantity and quality of LNG supplied to the distribution system under the business subject's management.

8. Conduct inspections as required for LNG storage tanks and auxiliary equipment at LNG business facilities owned by the business subject, ensuring safety during circulation and use.

9. Adhere to legal regulations on product trademark registration; manage LNG business facilities owned by the business subject; be subject to inspection and oversight by authorized agencies as stipulated by current laws.

Article 29. Rights and Obligations of Business Entities Producing and Processing LNG

1. Set the selling price of LNG produced and processed according to market mechanisms.

2. Directly import LNG and must ensure the quality of LNG in accordance with current regulations, be allowed to export LNG, and engage in temporary importation and re-exportation of LNG as stipulated in Article 48 of this Decree.

3. Organize the sale of LNG under contracts to business entities trading in LNG and industrial customers meeting the conditions prescribed in this Decree.

4. Organize the provision of services and rental services: LNG storage tanks, LNG import and export ports, LNG delivery, LNG transportation vessels to other LNG trading business subjects meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

5. Implement appropriate derivative instruments and practices in line with international practices for LNG transactions and sales.

6. Before the first circulation of LNG products produced and processed by the business entity on the market, they must undergo inspection and certification to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards and quality requirements, and must comply with all regulations concerning quality management, measurement, and safety throughout the production and processing process.

7. Have a plan for safety inspections of machines, equipment, and technological lines to detect and promptly address any signs that do not ensure safety during the production and processing of LNG.

8. Comply with the conditions and regulations regarding the production and processing of LNG; export and import of LNG (if exporting or importing LNG) as stipulated in this Decree and other relevant legal documents; ensure the level of LNG circulation reserves as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 49 of this Decree.

9. When organizing the export and import of LNG, the business entity must have an LNG storage facility with a total capacity of at least 60,000 cubic meters (sixty thousand cubic meters) to receive imported LNG from ships or other transport means, owned or jointly owned or leased for a minimum of five years by the business entity operating LNG services. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will guide and confirm the conditions for business entities producing and processing LNG to exercise the right to export and import LNG as stipulated in Article 8 and Clause 9, Article 29 of this Decree.³ Article 30. Rights and Obligations of Business Entities Distributing LNG

1. Uniformly set the selling price of LNG within the distribution system under their management, ensuring it is consistent with the market.

2. Organize the sale of LNG under contracts to industrial customers meeting the conditions prescribed in this Decree.

3. Be permitted to enter into purchase and sale contracts for LNG with other main LNG trading business entities meeting the conditions prescribed in this Decree.

4. Provide sufficient sources of LNG for the distribution system under their management to meet production needs and ensure the level of LNG circulation reserves as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 49 of this Decree.

5. Comply with the conditions and regulations stipulated in this Decree and other laws related to LNG trading; inspect and supervise LNG trading facilities within the distribution system under their management; be responsible for the quantity and quality of LNG supplied to the distribution system under their management.

6. Conduct inspections of LNG storage tanks and auxiliary equipment at LNG trading facilities owned by the business entity in accordance with the prescribed regulations, ensuring safety during circulation and use.

7. Adhere to legal regulations on trademark registration; manage LNG trading facilities owned by the business entity; be subject to inspection and oversight by competent authorities as prescribed by current laws.

7. Adhering to the legal regulations on trademark registration; managing material facilities for LNG trading owned by the trader; subject to inspection and supervision by competent authorities as prescribed by current laws.

Article 31. Rights and Obligations of Business Subjects Owning Liquefied Natural Gas Refueling Stations for Transport Vehicles

1. Display signs and symbols of the business subject owning the Liquefied Natural Gas refueling station for transport vehicles; the signs must be fully and clearly marked according to the provisions of the law.

2. Be subject to inspection and supervision by the Liquefied Natural Gas supplier and competent authorities.

3. Have the right to form joint ventures or joint operations to build Liquefied Natural Gas refueling stations for transport vehicles with gasoline and diesel fuel retail stores that have been granted a Certificate of Eligibility for Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Business Operations.

4. Only sell Liquefied Natural Gas that meets quality standards as prescribed, and not purchase Liquefied Natural Gas without origin on the market.

5. Only refuel Liquefied Natural Gas into transport vehicles using Liquefied Natural Gas as fuel and tank trucks.

6. Post prices and sell at posted prices; bear responsibility for the quantity, quality, and price of Liquefied Natural Gas sold to customers. The quality of Liquefied Natural Gas must comply with the product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Law on Product Quality and related documents.

7. Measuring equipment must ensure accuracy; regularly inspect Liquefied Natural Gas refueling equipment and ensure safety during business operations.

Article 32. Rights and Obligations of Business Subjects Owning Liquefied Natural Gas Supply Stations

1. Only sell Liquefied Natural Gas to customers who have contracts for purchasing Liquefied Natural Gas that meet the regulations on safe use of Liquefied Natural Gas, fire prevention and firefighting; sell at the prescribed price, ensuring quality and sufficient quantity of Liquefied Natural Gas according to the contract signed with customers, consistent with the product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Law on Product Quality and related documents.

2. Temporarily suspend sales of Liquefied Natural Gas or terminate the Liquefied Natural Gas sales contract before the term for customers who do not comply with regulations on safe use of Liquefied Natural Gas, fire prevention and firefighting, explosion prevention, or擅自替换或安装使用液化天然气的辅助设备。

3. In cases where customers need to replace equipment using Liquefied Natural Gas, they must notify the Liquefied Natural Gas supply station to send technical staff to install it.

4. Must regularly check safety, means of transportation, measuring equipment, detect fire and explosion risks, valve tightness, safety valves, auxiliary equipment using Liquefied Natural Gas, contact points, Liquefied Natural Gas pipelines to each customer; promptly identify and address fire and explosion risks that are not safe when using Liquefied Natural Gas.

5. Provide customers with a safety guide for using Liquefied Natural Gas, including the phone number of the Liquefied Natural Gas supply station and the direct manager of the Liquefied Natural Gas supply station for contact when necessary.

6. Must inform customers when adjusting the selling price of Liquefied Natural Gas.

7. Only sell Liquefied Natural Gas through pipelines according to contracts; shall not refuel Liquefied Natural Gas for any customer, including other Liquefied Natural Gas traders.

Article 33. Rights and Obligations of Business Subjects Exporting and Importing Compressed Natural Gas

1. Organize the import of Compressed Natural Gas according to the business plan of the trader and must ensure the quality of imported Compressed Natural Gas according to current National Technical Regulations; can export Compressed Natural Gas, temporarily import and re-export Compressed Natural Gas as stipulated in Article 48 of this Decree.

2. Uniformly set the selling price of Compressed Natural Gas in the distribution system under the management of the trader, ensuring consistency with the market.

3. Organize the sale of Compressed Natural Gas according to contracts to Compressed Natural Gas traders and industrial customers meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

4. Organize the provision of services and supply leasing services: Compressed Natural Gas storage tanks, port import and export, delivery and receipt of Compressed Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas transport vehicles with other Compressed Natural Gas traders meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

5. Organize the application of appropriate derivative tools and practices in line with international practices for trading and selling Compressed Natural Gas.

6. Ensure adequate supply of Compressed Natural Gas for the distribution system under the management of the trader to meet production and civilian needs.

7. Adhere to the conditions and regulations stipulated in this Decree and other laws related to Compressed Natural Gas business operations; inspect and supervise Compressed Natural Gas business facilities within the distribution system managed by the trader; bear responsibility for the quantity and quality of Compressed Natural Gas supplied to the distribution system under the management of the trader consistent with the product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Law on Product Quality and related documents.

8. Implement inspections in accordance with regulations for Compressed Natural Gas storage tanks and auxiliary equipment at Compressed Natural Gas business facilities owned by the trader, ensuring safety during circulation and use.

9. Adhere to the provisions of the law on trademark registration; manage Compressed Natural Gas business facilities owned by the trader; be subject to inspection and control by authorized agencies in accordance with current laws.

Article 34. Rights and Obligations of Business Entities Producing and Processing CNG

1. Set the selling price of CNG produced and processed according to market mechanisms.

2. Directly import CNG and must ensure its quality in accordance with current regulations, be allowed to export CNG, and engage in temporary importation and re-exportation of CNG as stipulated in Article 48 of this Decree.

3. Organize the sale of Compressed Natural Gas according to contracts to Compressed Natural Gas traders and industrial customers meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

4. Organize the provision of services and supply leasing services: Compressed Natural Gas storage tanks, port import and export, delivery and receipt of Compressed Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas transport vehicles with other Compressed Natural Gas traders meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree.

5. Organize the application of appropriate derivative tools and practices in line with international practices for trading and selling Compressed Natural Gas.

6. Before first circulating CNG produced and processed by business entities on the market, such products must be inspected and certified to meet the prescribed safety conditions, quality standards, and comply with safety and quality assurance regulations throughout the production and processing process consistent with the product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Product Quality Law and related legal documents.

7. Develop inspection plans for machines, equipment, and technological lines to detect and promptly address any signs that do not ensure safety during the production and processing of CNG.

8. Adhere to conditions and regulations regarding the production and processing of CNG; when organizing exports and imports of CNG, business entities must obtain from the Ministry of Industry and Trade a Certificate of Eligibility for Exporting and Importing CNG as stipulated in this Decree and other relevant legal documents.

Article 35. Rights and Obligations of Business Entities Distributing CNG

1. Uniformly set the selling price of CNG within their distribution system, ensuring it is consistent with the market.

2. Organize the sale of CNG under contracts to industrial customers who meet the prescribed conditions in this Decree; sell CNG at gas stations owned by the business entity located in non-tariff zones where the business entity has its main office or branch.

3. Be able to enter into purchase and sale contracts for CNG from other key CNG trading business entities that meet the prescribed conditions in this Decree.

4. Provide sufficient CNG sources for the distribution system under their management to meet production and civilian needs.

5. Comply with conditions and regulations stipulated in this Decree and other relevant laws concerning CNG trading; inspect and supervise gas stations and bear responsibility for the quantity and quality of CNG supplied to the distribution system under their management consistent with the product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Product Quality Law and related legal documents.

6. Conduct inspections of CNG storage tanks and auxiliary equipment at gas station facilities owned by the business entity, ensuring safety during circulation and use.

7. Adhere to legal provisions on trademark registration; manage gas station facilities owned by the business entity; subject to inspection and supervision by competent authorities as prescribed by current laws.

Article 36. Rights and Obligations of Business Entities Owning CNG Refueling Stations for Transport Vehicles

1. Display the sign and emblem of the business entity owning the CNG refueling station for transport vehicles; the sign must be clearly marked in accordance with legal provisions.

2. Subject to inspection and supervision by the CNG supplier and competent authorities.

3. Be able to form joint ventures or partnerships to build CNG refueling stations with gasoline and diesel fuel retail stores that have obtained Certificates of Eligibility for Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Trading.

4. Only sell CNG that meets quality standards provided by the CNG supplier; do not purchase CNG without clear origin circulating in the market.

5. Only refuel CNG into transport vehicles using CNG as fuel and into tanker trucks.

6. Post prices and sell at posted prices; bear responsibility for the quantity, quality, and price of CNG sold to customers. The quality of CNG must be consistent with product labels and enterprise standards published in accordance with the Product Quality Law and related legal documents.

7. Measuring devices must ensure accuracy; regularly inspect CNG refueling equipment and ensure safety during operations.

Article 37. Rights and Obligations of Business Operators Owning CNG Refueling Stations

1. Sell CNG only to customers with contracts for purchasing CNG that comply with regulations on the safe use of CNG, fire prevention and firefighting; sell at the prescribed price, ensuring quality and quantity of CNG as stipulated in the signed contract with customers; be responsible for the quantity, quality, and price of CNG sold to customers.

2. Temporarily suspend selling CNG or terminate the CNG sales contract prematurely for customers who fail to comply with regulations on the safe use of CNG, fire prevention and firefighting, or who擅自更换或安装额外的CNG辅助设备。

3. In cases where customers need to replace CNG equipment, they must notify the CNG refueling station so that technical staff can be dispatched to install it.

4. Regularly inspect safety, measuring instruments, detect fire and explosion risks, valve seal integrity, safety valves, auxiliary CNG equipment, connection points, and CNG pipelines leading to each customer; promptly address any fire and explosion hazards that do not ensure customer safety when using CNG.

5. Provide customers with a safety guide for using CNG, including the phone number of the CNG refueling station and the direct manager of the station for contact when necessary.

6. Notify customers when adjusting the price of CNG sales.

7. Only permitted to sell CNG through pipelines according to contracts; not allowed to refill CNG for any customer, including other CNG business operators.

Chapter III

GAS SERVICES BUSINESS

Article 38. Conditions for Operating Gas Service Leasing Warehouses and Ports

1. Enterprises established in accordance with the law.

2. Have a wharf belonging to the Vietnamese port system owned or co-owned under joint venture or capital contribution contracts, constructed according to planning ensuring current technical standards to receive gas-carrying vessels or other transport means.

3. Have a gas warehouse with a total capacity of storage tanks of at least 1,000 m³ (one thousand cubic meters) for LPG warehouses; at least 20,000 m³ (twenty thousand cubic meters) for LNG warehouses; at least 60,000 Sm³ (sixty thousand standard cubic meters) for CNG warehouses owned or co-owned under joint venture or capital contribution contracts, constructed according to approved planning and current technical standards.

Article 39. Rights and Obligations of Business Operators Providing Gas Service Leasing Warehouses and Ports

1. Only enter into leasing contracts for warehouses, ports, and gas handling with main gas distributors; traders acting as General Agents for LPG.

2. Not enter into leasing contracts for warehouses storing smuggled gas or gas without origin.

3. Fulfill contractual commitments with customers; be responsible for the quantity, quality of gas, and ensure safety during the period of gas storage in the warehouse of the trader.

Article 40. Conditions for Operating Gas Transportation Services

1. Enterprises established in accordance with the law.

2. Own or co-own or have a lease contract for at least one year for gas transportation vehicles meeting the required conditions and having all necessary documents and certificates as prescribed by law: Dangerous Goods Transport Permit, Inspection Certificate for Measuring Equipment and Safety, Registration Certificate for Quality Standards and Environmental Protection, still valid.

3. Management staff and directly involved personnel must be trained in safety and fire prevention and firefighting according to current regulations.

Article 41. Rights and Obligations of Business Entities Engaging in Gas Transportation Services

1. Transport gas only pursuant to contracts with gas business entities renting transportation services that meet the conditions stipulated in this Decree and fulfill the commitments recorded in the contract.

2. Do not transport, purchase, or sell smuggled gas, gas without origin, substandard gas; bottled LPG that does not meet circulation conditions on the market; do not purchase or sell various types of bottled LPG and bottled LPG from other LPG business entities circulating on the market.

3. May lease gas transportation means ensuring compliance with current conditions, permitted to participate in traffic in accordance with the provisions of the law.

4. Adhere to the conditions stipulated in this Decree and relevant current laws regarding safety in goods transportation; be responsible for the quantity and quality of gas during handover and transportation processes.

5. Purchase insurance for transportation means and cargo insurance after the agreement has been accepted by the consignor.

6. Be subject to inspection and supervision by the entity renting transportation services and competent authorities.

Chapter IV

PROCEDURE AND AUTHORITY FOR ISSUING CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE

Article 7. Conditions for Merchants Exporting and Importing Natural Gas

Article 42. Types of Certificates of Compliance for Gas Business

1. Certificate of Compliance for Exporting and Importing LPG; LNG; CNG.

2. Certificate of Compliance for Operating as a Distributor of LPG; LNG; CNG.

3. Certificate of Compliance for Refilling LPG into Bottles.

4. Certificate of Compliance for Loading LNG; CNG; LPG onto Transport Vehicles.

5. Certificate of Compliance for Distributing LPG; LNG; CNG.

6. Certificate of Compliance for Operating as a General Agent for LPG Business.

7. Certificate of Compliance for Operating as an Agent for LPG Business.

8. Certificate of Compliance for Operating as a Retailer of Bottled LPG for LPG Bottle Sales Outlets.

Article 43. Procedure and Formalities for Issuing Certificates of Compliance

1. The business entity submits one set of application documents for issuing a Certificate of Compliance directly or through postal service to the competent state agency. The documents include:

a) An application form for a Certificate of Compliance according to the prescribed model;

b) A copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate or Cooperative Registration Certificate or Business Household Registration Certificate;

c) Documents and materials proving compliance with the conditions stipulated in Chapter II of this Decree.

2. In cases where the submitted documents are incomplete, within seven working days from the date of receiving the documents, the competent state agency shall issue a written request for the business entity to supplement the documents.

3. Within thirty working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the competent state agency is responsible for reviewing, assessing, and issuing a Certificate of Compliance to the business entity. If the issuance is refused, it must be notified in writing with specific reasons.

4. The Certificate of Compliance is valid for five years from the date of issuance.

5. In cases where the business entity is an LPG agent with only one LPG bottle sales outlet or one LPG distribution station or one LPG refilling station for transport vehicles already holding a Certificate of Compliance, there is no need to obtain a Certificate of Compliance for operating as an LPG agent.

6. Business entities issued a Certificate of Compliance must pay fees in accordance with current laws on fees and charges.

Article 44. Competence to Issue Certificates of Compliance

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has the competence to issue all types of Certificates of Compliance specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 42 of this Decree.

2. Departments of Industry and Trade have the competence to issue all types of Certificates of Compliance specified from Clause 3 to Clause 8 of Article 42 of this Decree.

3. People's Committees of districts and counties issue Certificates of Compliance for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottle retail stores when authorized by provincial People's Committees or municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government to perform such tasks.

Article 45. Reissue, Amendment, Extension, Revocation of Certificates of Compliance

1. Certificates of Compliance shall be reissued in cases where they are lost, contain errors, or are damaged. The content and validity period of the reissued Certificate of Compliance remain unchanged. The reissued Certificate of Compliance must specify the invalidation of the lost, erroneous, or damaged Certificate of Compliance.

Documents and procedures for reissuance include: Application for reissuance of the Certificate of Compliance according to the prescribed form; the erroneous or damaged Certificate of Compliance (this does not apply in cases where the Certificate of Compliance is lost). Based on reviewing the application file for issuance of the Certificate of Compliance retained, within seven working days from the date of receiving a valid application file, the competent state agency shall reissue the Certificate of Compliance.

2. Certificates of Compliance shall be amended in cases of changes in business registration; changes in location; changes in scale or conditions of operation or information related to the trader.

Documents and procedures for amendment include: Application for amendment of the Certificate of Compliance according to the prescribed form; relevant documents and materials proving the changes.

Within seven working days from the date of receiving a valid application file, the competent state agency shall amend the Certificate of Compliance. The validity period of the Certificate of Compliance remains unchanged.

3. Certificates of Compliance shall be extended upon expiration of their validity period.

Documents for requesting extension include: Application for extension of the Certificate of Compliance according to the prescribed form; Commitment letter ensuring full compliance with the conditions required for issuance of the Certificate of Compliance.

Within seven working days from the date of receiving a valid application file, the competent state agency shall issue the Certificate of Compliance. The Certificate of Compliance can only be extended once, with a validity period of five years.

4. Giấy chứng nhận đủ Điều kiện bị thu hồi trong các trường hợp:

a) Giả mạo hồ sơ đề nghị cấp phép;

b) Không còn đáp ứng đủ hoặc không thực hiện đúng các Điều kiện quy định của Giấy chứng nhận;

c) Cho thuê, mượn Giấy chứng nhận; tự ý sửa đổi nội dung Giấy chứng nhận;

d) Chấm dứt hoạt động kinh doanh;

đ) Giấy chứng nhận được cấp không đúng thẩm quyền.

Cơ quan nhà nước có thẩm quyền cấp chứng nhận thực hiện việc thu hồi Giấy chứng nhận đã cấp. Thương nhân bị thu hồi Giấy chứng nhận có trách nhiệm gửi Giấy chứng nhận và toàn bộ bản sao Giấy chứng nhận hiện có đến cơ quan nhà nước có thẩm quyền cấp chứng nhận trong thời hạn 07 (bảy) ngày làm việc, kể từ ngày có quyết định thu hồi.

Chapter V

MANAGEMENT OF GAS BUSINESS

Article 46. Responsibilities of Gas Business Traders

Gas business traders have the following responsibilities:

1. Ensuring that there is no shortage of gas supply for the distribution systems under their management, guaranteeing quality in accordance with current standards, contributing to preventing commercial fraud, stabilizing production and domestic consumption.

2. When amending selling prices of various types of gas, they must notify the competent authority at the location where their distribution system operates; registering prices when the State applies price stabilization measures and declaring LPG prices when the State does not apply price stabilization measures in accordance with the Law on Prices and related legal documents.

3. Labeling goods and announcing product quality standards; complying with regulations on quality management and measurement management as prescribed.

4. Uniformly stipulating trade names and symbols in the distribution systems under their management, signs must fully display contents as prescribed by law.

5. Purchasing product liability insurance for all types of gas sold to customers.

6. Inspecting and supervising gas trading establishments and gas distribution systems under their management in compliance with conditions stipulated in this Decree, quality regulations, measurement regulations, and other relevant laws on gas trading; providing necessary personal protective equipment for staff working at affiliated gas trading establishments; subject to inspection and supervision by competent authorities.

7. Establishing, applying, and maintaining a quality management system.

8. Auxiliary equipment related to the operation and use of gas sold at gas trading establishments must ensure quality, technical safety standards, and origin.

9. Developing business infrastructure and gas distribution systems in accordance with regulations, suitable to the scale of their business operations.

10. Identifying, recalling, or destroying according to regulations LPG bottles that do not meet market circulation conditions and informing competent authorities to remove them from the list of LPG bottles not allowed to circulate in the market; installing and guiding customers on safe gas usage.

11. Being responsible for registering circulation, inspecting, and re-inspecting bottles owned by the trader; paying taxes and fees (if applicable) and managing LPG bottles in accordance with regulations.

12. Being responsible for refunding LPG bottle deposits to customers when they are no longer in use.

13. General agents and agents of LPG, when terminating contracts with main LPG traders, must return LPG bottles (including bottle records) to the main LPG traders who provided the deposit.

Article 47. Transparency in Natural Gas Business Activities

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall be responsible for publishing on its electronic information website the following: List of traders exporting and importing natural gas; list of traders distributing natural gas.

2. Traders exporting and importing natural gas and traders distributing natural gas shall be responsible for complying with legal regulations on price management and publishing on their electronic information websites or through mass media the following: Retail prices within the distribution system under their management; distribution systems under their management.

3. General agents for LPG business and LPG agents shall be responsible for notifying retail prices to the Department of Finance and the Department of Industry and Trade where LPG business establishments operate, in accordance with current legal regulations on pricing.

Article 48. Temporary Import for Re-export, Export, Transshipment, and Transit of Natural Gas

1. Only primary natural gas traders meeting the conditions stipulated in this Decree shall engage in temporary import for re-export and export of natural gas; such activities must comply with current legal regulations.

2. Exporting natural gas and engaging in temporary import for re-export of natural gas must be settled in freely convertible foreign currency through banks. Primary natural gas traders must comply with the provisions of the current Law on Export and Import Tax and other relevant legal regulations when conducting exports and temporary imports for re-export of natural gas.

3. Transshipment of natural gas shall be carried out in accordance with current legal regulations on transshipment of goods.

4. Transit of natural gas shall be conducted in accordance with current legal regulations on transit of goods and international transit agreements between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Governments of other countries.

Article 49. Natural Gas Circulation Reserves

1. Primary LPG traders and primary LNG traders must ensure maintaining a minimum circulation reserve equivalent to fifteen days' supply for the distribution system under their management.

2. Agents and general agents for LPG must ensure a minimum circulation reserve of three days' supply.

Article 50. Natural Gas Selling Price

Apply a market-based pricing mechanism subject to state control, decided by primary natural gas traders after paying taxes and fees as prescribed by current laws; implement price stabilization measures announced by competent authorities in accordance with current laws.

Article 51. Measurement and Quality Management of Natural Gas

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in natural gas business may only circulate and consume types of gas that meet current national technical standards and published standards; importation, circulation, and consumption of gas types that do not meet quality requirements and cause harm to the environment and human health are prohibited.

2. Natural gas traders must comply with current legal regulations on measurement and quality management during importation, production, processing, storage, receipt and delivery, transportation, and circulation of gas on the market; they are responsible for the quantity and quality of gas within the distribution system under their management.

3. For gas types without established standards, gas importers, producers, and processors must ensure gas quality according to published standards (foundation standards, Vietnamese standards, international standards).

4. Provincial People's Committees and Municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for directing and organizing inspections on measurement and quality of circulating gas within their jurisdiction; they shall handle traders, organizations, and individuals engaged in natural gas business who fail to comply with measurement and quality regulations and other fraudulent acts causing market instability in accordance with legal provisions.

Article 52. Responsibilities of Ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities

In addition to the specific responsibilities prescribed in the above Articles and Clauses, Ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities within their functions, tasks, and authorities shall have the responsibility to:

1. Ministry of Industry and Trade:

a) Issue Trading Agency Regulations for LPG, reporting systems for distribution networks and product labels of LPG traders; provide detailed guidance on new application files, reissue files, amended files, extended files for various types of Certificates of Eligibility for gas traders; establish registration procedures for traders engaged in importing, producing, and processing specialized gases for their own needs; coordinate with People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities to inspect and supervise compliance of gas traders with conditions stipulated in this Decree.

b) Organize inspections and supervision of gas business establishments nationwide regarding compliance with business conditions, establishment of distribution systems as prescribed, safety, hygiene, and labor regulations; inspect the issuance of Certificates of Eligibility for gas business establishments in accordance with this Decree and relevant laws.

c) Take the lead and coordinate with related agencies to issue Technical Safety Standards for refueling stations, supply stations for various types of gases, including LPG stoves, LPG pipelines, LPG cylinder valves, LPG pressure regulators; auxiliary equipment for CNG.

2. Ministry of Science and Technology:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with related ministries and sectors to develop, amend, supplement, and perfect national technical standards and regulations on gases; complete regulatory documents on measurement and quality for various types of gases, uniformly implemented throughout the country; manage, inspect, and check measurement and quality of produced, processed, imported, blended, delivered, transported, and circulated gases on the market.

b) Organize the implementation of calibration and verification of measuring instruments and equipment in gas trading according to current laws on measurement.

c) Implement initial quality inspection and certification of gases before they are put into circulation on the market by gas producers and processors.

d) Specify the use of additives in blending gases; specify the application of quality management systems and laboratory testing capacity management systems; guide main gas traders to register blending facilities.

3. Ministry of Finance:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to inspect, monitor, and supervise main gas traders' compliance with price-related laws and regulations.

b) Uniformly stipulate deposit amounts and depreciation periods suitable for different types of LPG cylinders.

c) Stipulate and guide methods of pricing gases according to laws on prices.

4. Ministry of Transport:

Take the lead and coordinate with related ministries and sectors to supplement and perfect technical standards and regulations on export-import ports and transportation means for various types of gases.

5. Ministry of Construction:

Take the lead and coordinate with related ministries and sectors to guide and inspect provinces and centrally governed cities in constructing facilities serving gas trading in accordance with Construction Law and current guiding documents.

6. Ministry of Public Security:

a) Have unified state management responsibilities for security, public order, and fire prevention and fighting for gas production and trading establishments nationwide. Direct and guide police forces at all levels to inspect and audit compliance with security, public order, and fire prevention and fighting regulations of gas production and trading establishments according to current laws.

b) Inspect and supervise gas service transporters' compliance with conditions stipulated in Clause 2, Article 40 and Clause 3, Article 41 of this Decree.

Organize training and instruction for staff of gas production and trading establishments on fire prevention and fighting according to current laws.

7. Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs:

Direct and implement inspections and audits on labor safety for gas trading establishments according to current laws.

8. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment:

Take the lead and coordinate with related ministries and sectors to organize inspections and supervision of gas production and trading establishments' compliance with environmental laws.

9. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities:

a) Direct and organize inspections of gas production and trading establishments operating within their jurisdictions regarding measurement, quality of gases circulating on the market; fire prevention and fighting; environmental safety according to laws; prevent commercial fraud, ensure market stability.

b) Based on economic and social development situations and management requirements in their jurisdictions, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall implement: Delegation to People's Committees of districts and towns to issue Certificates of Eligibility for liquefied petroleum gas retail shops based on ensuring the ability to review and assess eligibility conditions for LPG retail shops; develop a transition plan for LPG retail shops to become specialized LPG retail shops.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 53. Transitional Provisions

1. Business entities that have been granted Certificates of Eligibility without a time limit before the effective date of this Decree shall continue to operate for an additional 01 (one) year from the date of the Decree's effectiveness, and thereafter must comply with all conditions stipulated in this Decree.

2. Business entities that have been granted Certificates of Eligibility with a limited validity period prior to the effective date of this Decree shall continue to operate until the expiry date of their Certificate.

3. LPG refilling stations that have been granted Certificates of Eligibility shall continue to operate for an additional 02 (two) years from the date of the Decree's effectiveness. After this period, LPG refilling stations must meet the condition of being owned by major liquefied petroleum gas traders.

4. Within two years from the effective date of this Decree, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities must approve plans for the development of gas business establishments. During the interim period, based on the actual circumstances of the locality, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall direct the issuance of temporary Certificates of Eligibility for gas business establishments that meet the conditions set forth in this Decree.

Article 54. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from May 15, 2016.

2. This Decree replaces Decree No. 107/2009/NĐ-CP dated November 26, 2009 of the Government on liquefied petroleum gas trading and Article 2 of Decree No. 118/2011/NĐ-CP dated December 16, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing administrative procedures in the field of gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas trading. Previous regulations on gas trading management that conflict with the provisions of this Decree are hereby abolished.

Article 55. Implementation Organization

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.