Que Vo Fire & Rescue Police Team inspecting and guiding the fire safety system at Sunonline Vietnam Co., Ltd., Que Vo Industrial Park

The Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) plays a vital role in evaluating the investment and business environment across provinces, and Bac Ninh stands out thanks to its strong reforms in legal institutions and security assurance.

A transparent and well-defined legal system facilitates enterprises in carrying out administrative procedures, reduces costs and legal risks, and ultimately promotes investment activities.

In addition, stable security and public order are key factors in protecting the assets and legal rights of businesses, thereby creating a safe and reassuring working environment for investors. Notably, fire prevention and fighting (FPF) work has been emphasized to ensure stable and safe business operations and prevent unexpected incidents. A stable legal and security environment, along with effective fire safety systems, not only enhances investor confidence but also attracts more capital, contributing to local economic development.

Bac Ninh Provincial Police: Supporting Businesses in Fire Prevention and Fighting

Bac Ninh is one of the provinces with rapid industrial development, home to thousands of large and small enterprises within industrial parks (IPs). With 16 IPs approved by the Prime Minister, covering a total area of 6,397.68 hectares, 12 of which are operational, Bac Ninh has been a leading province in terms of industrial production scale for many years.

According to Bac Ninh Provincial Police, with the anticipated merger of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh, the formation of a new industrial capital in northern Vietnam is expected—featuring large-scale IPs and creating an attractive development space for major investors and economic groups. This surge in industrial and business activity makes the fire prevention and fighting (FPF) work increasingly crucial.

As the core unit responsible for fire safety in key areas and IPs, the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Division (PC07) of Bac Ninh Provincial Police has always ensured support for businesses, especially newly established ones, in implementing fire safety measures.

Mr. Vu Quang Dai, Deputy Head of PC07, shared that awareness of fire safety among enterprises has improved significantly. PC07 actively supports and promptly advises on FPF solutions to help businesses minimize risks of fire and explosion.

At the same time, PC07 has strengthened awareness campaigns, skill training, and diverse educational content, organizing numerous seminars and issuing thousands of FPF materials. Nearly 1,000 awareness classes have been held, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. These efforts have helped raise fire safety awareness not only among businesses but also among the general public.

According to Mr. Vu Quang Dai, Deputy Head of PC07, ensuring safety in business and minimizing damage and risk is not only the responsibility of the police but of society as a whole.

Mr. Dai also emphasized that administrative procedures (APs) related to fire safety appraisal and licensing play a key role in ensuring safety for businesses and industrial zones. To support enterprises, projects implemented in the province are always handled and assisted promptly—especially key projects and "green-lane" developments, which are prioritized by the Provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee to speed up progress and handle FPF procedures swiftly, creating favorable conditions for investors.

To achieve this, agencies have actively reviewed and streamlined administrative processes while increasing the application of information technology to categorize and prioritize tasks. The goal is to reduce processing time for FPF applications by at least 60% compared to current regulations—ensuring fire safety work is fast and effective, meeting the province's requirements. This not only enables businesses to comply with FPF regulations more easily but also fosters a safe and sustainable investment and production environment in Bac Ninh.

Bac Ninh Department of Justice: Legal Support for Businesses

Speaking with the Business Forum, Mr. Truong Minh Thang, Deputy Director of Bac Ninh Department of Justice, shared that in the context of digital transformation and administrative reform, the department has focused on enhancing the effectiveness of legal work—particularly through administrative procedure reform, information technology application, and strengthened legal dissemination and education. These efforts aim to meet the province’s goals of sustainable development and international integration.

As part of the 2024 PCI Index improvement plan, the Department of Justice advised the province on improving a key sub-index: Legal Institutions and Public Security. The department has also introduced newly issued legal documents monthly to help businesses and citizens stay updated on legal developments.

Mr. Truong Minh Thang, Deputy Director of Bac Ninh Department of Justice, noted that Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW of the Politburo on innovating legislative development and implementation has attracted great attention from experts and the public. The resolution focuses on applying IT and digital transformation throughout the legal development and implementation process, aiming to create a solid legal framework to mobilize resources, drive innovation, and accelerate national development. It also proposes breakthrough mechanisms to enhance power control and prevent corruption, waste, and vested interests.

In Bac Ninh, the province is focusing on implementing Indicator 10.1—building a legal system with mechanisms for businesses to report violations by government officials. The Department of Justice has maintained a “Legal Support for Businesses” section on its website (https://stp.bacninh.gov.vn), providing legal information and assistance. Legislative innovation and institutional reform are expected to drive robust development in Bac Ninh and the nation.

According to Mr. Truong Minh Thang, recent legal support activities have fundamentally changed the legal awareness of businesses, helping them proactively prevent legal risks and enhance their competitiveness.

Bac Ninh currently has 23,165 registered businesses, of which over 18,400 are operating with a total charter capital of more than VND 367,104 billion. A notable feature of the legal support initiative is the close coordination between the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies, especially in litigation-related legal aid—particularly amid the digital transformation and administrative reform.

In 2024, the Interdisciplinary Legal Aid Coordination Council implemented support programs, including legal assistance during criminal investigations and on-site support at the Provincial Court.

The Department of Justice also held training sessions and workshops on business-related legal policies, covering topics like company establishment, taxation, insurance, and access to loans. Companies received help resolving specific legal issues such as land lease terms, loan conditions, and voluntary health insurance regulations. Through these conferences and legal aid clubs, Bac Ninh has enabled businesses to access legal information and receive timely support during difficulties.

In 2024, the Department of Justice also advised the province on issuing various legal normative documents and organized legal awareness events for citizens and enterprises. The promotion of the 2024 Land Law has been implemented effectively and comprehensively. As a result, 116 out of 117 communes, wards, and towns in Bac Ninh met legal accessibility standards, reaching a rate of 99.14%.

In the first five months of 2025, the Department of Justice coordinated with People's Committees of 8 districts, towns, and cities to organize 29 direct legal dissemination events for over 3,000 people, including officials and local residents. In addition, the department contributed feedback on the draft amendments to the Law on Handling Administrative Violations.

In 2025, the Bac Ninh legal sector continues to advise the province on effectively implementing central directives and resolutions, focusing on the Prime Minister’s Project No. 06, the Justice Sector Digital Transformation Plan 2020–2025, and orientation toward 2030.

“We will also step up legal education and dissemination, continue implementing legal accessibility standards for communes, wards, and towns, and contribute to realizing the motto ‘Respect for the Constitution and the Law,’” said Mr. Truong Minh Thang.