Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has recently issued Circular No. 15/2026/TT-BCT, which amends and supplements certain clauses of its Circular No. 38/2025/TT-BCT (which originally provided for amendments and supplements to regulations on the decentralization of administrative procedures in sectors under MOIT management). It clearly stipulates that the authority to receive, appraise, issue, adjust, re-issue, and revoke transport permits for multiple classes of dangerous goods is delegated to the Provincial People's Committees. This decision takes effect from April 10, 2026.
According to Clause 2, Article 3 of Circular No. 15/2026/TT-BCT, the Minister of Industry and Trade authorizes the Provincial People's Committees – i.e., the local governments where an organization or individual has its headquarters or branch – to be responsible for receiving documents, appraising, issuing, adjusting, re-issuing, and revoking transport permits for dangerous goods of Class 1 (excluding industrial explosives and explosive precursors), Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, and Class 9. This authorization is specifically based on the provisions of Government Decree No. 105/2025/NĐ-CP (which details certain articles and implementation measures of the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue).
To further implement this in a coordinated manner, the MOIT issued Decision No. 555/QĐ-BCT on March 26, 2026, publishing newly developed and amended administrative procedures falling within MOIT's management functions.
At the same time, on April 2, 2026, the MOIT issued Official Dispatch No. 2265/BCT-ATMT to the People's Committees of centrally-run cities and provinces, recommending that provincial and centrally-run city People's Committees direct and organize the issuance, adjustment, re-issuance, and revocation of dangerous goods transport permits, and strengthen coordination with relevant agencies in managing, inspecting, and handling violations of dangerous goods transport activities, as well as in issuing dangerous goods transport permits in accordance with legal regulations.
Starting April 10, 2026, organizations and individuals transporting dangerous goods of Class 1 (excluding industrial explosives and explosive precursors), Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, and Class 9 should submit their applications to the Provincial People's Committee where their headquarters or branch is located, in order to obtain a dangerous goods transport permit as prescribed.
