Decree 134/2026/NĐ-CP Explained: What Vietnamese Venues Need to Know
A plain-language guide to Vietnam’s updated commercial music royalty framework, effective 1 July 2026.
What Decree 134/2026/NĐ-CP Covers
Decree 134/2026/NĐ-CP, issued 6 April 2026, amends Decree 17/2023/ND-CP and introduces a new royalty-calculation mechanism for commercial music use, effective 1 July 2026. It applies to cafés, beverage shops, restaurants, conference and meeting venues, karaoke establishments, hotels, tourism accommodation, and entertainment parks.
The Royalty Formula
Annual copyright fee = (Basic salary × Adjustment coefficient) × Regional applicable rate
The base salary component is set at VNĐ2.53 million/month from 1 July 2026. The adjustment coefficient and regional applicable rate vary by business type and location — venues should confirm their specific calculation with a qualified advisor, as implementation guidance is still developing.
Who Administers the Royalties
Two bodies split rights administration under Decree 134: VCPMC handles composition and performing rights, and RIAV handles sound recording rights. This mirrors the two-body structure used in Singapore (COMPASS/MRSS) and Malaysia (MACP/PPM) — in all three markets, these bodies cover public performance rights only, leaving reproduction, master/recording, and publishing rights to direct licensing. Collecting societies exist for exactly this purpose.
Why This Matters Beyond Public Performance
A VCPMC or RIAV licence addresses public performance only. Reproduction and master/recording rights, and publishing rights for commercial use are not covered by either body and require direct agreements with IP owners. For a deeper breakdown of how publishing and master rights differ, see this reference guide on music copyright law.
Sources
Primary source: Decree 134/2026/NĐ-CP government text and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism statements. This explainer will be updated as further implementation guidance is issued.
Explore MUSICVYBE Vietnam
| Related Pages |
|---|
| Full Vietnam Licensing Framework |
| Hotels |
| Cafés |
| Restaurants |