Preferential and support policies for science and technology enterprises under current regulations
A Science and Technology Enterprise (“STE”) is an enterprise engaged in activities such as research, development, technology transfer, and innovation, possessing the capability to absorb, master, and effectively apply technology to generate economic, social, and environmental benefits. In order to promote scientific and technological advancement, international integration and progress toward a new era, the Party and the State have consistently encouraged and supported STE. Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP is the current legal document that provides for preferential policies, priorities and other forms of support for STE. So, on what legal grounds can STE enjoy these incentives and supports, and what do such policies include? Let’s explore the answers in the following article.
Illustrative
1. Legal basis for enjoying preferential and support policies for STE
Pursuant to Clause 2 Article 47 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP, the Certificate of Science and Technology Enterprise (“Certificate”) serves as the legal basis for the implementation of investment incentives and other preferential and support policies provided by the State for STE.
Therefore, in order to be eligible for such preferential and support policies from the State, a STE must obtain the Certificate issued by the provincial-level People’s Committee (Department of Science and Technology)[1] in accordance with the regulations.
2. Preferential and support policies for STE
Pursuant to clause 1 Article 56 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP, STEs are entitled to enjoy preferential, priority and support policies as provided under the laws on investment, bidding, taxation, credit, land, science, technology and innovation, as well as other relevant legal provisions. Among these, the most notable policies include:
a) Tax incentives:
– Entitled to corporate income tax incentives[2], specifically a preferential tax rate of 10% for the first 15 years[3]. At the same time, STEs are allowed to include 200% of the actual expenses for research and development activities as deductible expenses when determining taxable income[4].
– Exempt from import tax for 05 years from the commencement of production: raw materials, supplies and components that are not yet domestically produced and are imported for the production activities of STE[5].
– Exempt from import tax on machinery, equipment, spare parts, specialized supplies that are not yet domestically produced, as well as specialized scientific documents and journals used directly for scientific research, technology development, technology incubation and technology innovation activities[6].
– Types of income exempt from personal income tax[7]:
+ Income from salaries and wages earned from performing scientific, technological and innovation tasks.
+ Income from copyrights related to scientific, technological and innovation tasks when the results are commercialized in accordance with the laws on science, technology, innovation and intellectual property.
+ Income of individual investors and experts working on innovative startup projects, founders of innovative startup enterprises and individual investors contributing capital to venture capital funds.
– Entitled to value-added tax (VAT) incentives, applying a tax rate of 05% for services provided by STE[8]. In addition, machinery, equipment, spare parts and materials that are not yet domestically produced and need to be imported for direct use in scientific research and technology development are not subject to VAT[9].
b) Land incentives:
– Given priority in leasing land and infrastructure in industrial parks, export processing zones, economic zones, high-tech zones, agricultural zones applying high technology and concentrated digital technology zones[10].
– Exempted, reduced land use fees and land rental fees in cases where the land is used for the construction of laboratories, facilities for technology and STE incubation, experimental facilities, pilot production facilities, shared infrastructure serving scientific research, technology development and innovation activities of STE; science and technology organizations; research and development centers, national innovation centers, national startup support centers, provincial innovation centers, provincial startup support centers[11].
c) Bidding incentives:
STEs, as contractors, are entitled to enjoy preferential treatment in contractor selection in accordance with Article 10 of the Law on Bidding 2023[12].
d) Investment incentives:
STEs are entitled to investment incentives in accordance with Article 15 of the Law on Investment 2020[13]. The forms of incentives include:
– Corporate income tax incentives, including the application of a corporate income tax rate lower than the standard rate for a definite period or for the entire duration of the investment project; tax exemption, tax reduction, and other incentives as prescribed by the law on corporate income tax;
– Exemption from import tax on imported goods used to create fixed assets; raw materials, supplies, and components imported for production in accordance with the laws on export and import duties;
– Exemption or reduction of land use fees, land rental fees, and land use tax;
– Accelerated depreciation and increased deductible expenses when calculating taxable income.
e) Priority and support for research activities and commercialization of scientific and technological results:
– Given priority in using research and development equipment at shared laboratories, incubation facilities and innovation centers[14].
– Provided with support in information access, communication and trade promotion activities[15].
f) Credit incentives and support:
– Regarding interest rate support for credit loans:
+ STEs are entitled to interest rate support for loans used to implement investment projects or plans. The support level is equal to 50% of the lending interest rate under the credit contract signed between the credit institution and the enterprise but not exceeding 06% per year, calculated from the time the National Technology Innovation Fund or the science, technology, and innovation development funds of ministries, sectors or localities approve the loan interest support until the enterprise completes its debt repayment obligation to the credit institution. However, the support period shall not exceed 5 years and must have at least 12 months of the loan term remaining as of the time the debt repayment obligation is fulfilled[16].
+ The Fund shall directly disburse the supported interest amount into a designated account at the credit institution, in accordance with the interest payment schedule committed between the credit institution and the enterprise, based on the debt collection notice from the credit institution, after the enterprise has fulfilled its debt repayment obligation[17].
– Regarding financial support vouchers:
+ STEs are entitled to financial support through vouchers[18] for (i) new products and services that meet technical standards and regulations, have circulation permits or conformity certificates for market distribution; and (ii) products and services featuring innovation in technology, functionality, business models, or markets. Priority is given to products and services developed from technologies on the list of encouraged technologies for transfer, high technologies, or strategic technologies that have potential for replication, commercialization, or market expansion[19].
+ The issuance of financial support vouchers is carried out through voucher support programs, and each entity providing new products or services may receive support for no more than 03 types of new products or services in a single fiscal year[20].
The above presents the legal basis, scope of application, and main preferential and support policies for STEs as stipulated under Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP and related legal documents.
STEs must maintain their eligibility for recognition, operate in compliance with the law, and fulfill all regulatory obligations in order to continue enjoying the State’s preferential and support policies.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice for any specific case. The legal provisions referenced herein are effective as of the date of publication; however, they may have been amended, supplemented, replaced, or become invalid at the time of your reference. Therefore, we recommend that readers seek advice from a qualified lawyer before applying any information contained herein.
For any inquiries or legal service requirements, please contact CBI Law Firm for further assistance.
[1] Article 48 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP.
[2] Point e clause 2 Article 12 of the Law on Corporate Income Tax 2025.
[3] Point a clause 1 Article 13 of the Law on Corporate Income Tax 2025.
[4] Clause 4 Section I of Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW (2025) of the Politburo.
[5] Clause 13 Article 16 of the Law on Export and Import Duties 2016.
[6] Clause 22 Article 16 of the Law on Export and Import Duties 2016, as amended by clause 3 Article 5 of the Law Amending the Law on Bidding; the Law on Investment in the Form of Public-Private Partnership; the Law on Customs; the Law on Value-Added Tax; the Law on Export and Import Duties; the Law on Investment; the Law on Public Investment; and the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets 2025.
[7] Clause 3 Article 71 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025, which supplements clause 17 Article 4 of the Law on Personal Income Tax 2007.
[8] Point m clause 2 Article 9 of the Law on Value-Added Tax 2024.
[9] Clause 17 Article 5 of the Law on Value-Added Tax 2024.
[10] Clause 2 Article 39 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025.
[11] Clause 4 Article 71 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025, which supplements point m after point l Clause 1 Article 157 of the Land Law 2024.
[12] Point g clause 1 Article 10 of the Law on Bidding 2023, as amended by point a clause 7 Article 1 of the Law Amending the Law on Bidding; the Law on Investment in the Form of Public-Private Partnership; the Law on Customs; the Law on Value-Added Tax; the Law on Export and Import Duties; the Law on Investment; the Law on Public Investment; and the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets 2025.
[13] Clause 1 and point đ clause 2 Article 15 of the Law on Investment 2020.
[14] Clause 2 Article 39 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025.
[15] Clause 2 Article 39 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025.
[16] Article 21 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP.
[17] Point a clause 8 Article 22 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP.
[18] Point a clause 4 Article 23 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP.
[19] Point đ clause 2 Article 8 and clause 3 Article 23 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP.
[20] Point b clause 2 Article 23 of Decree No. 268/2025/ND-CP.
