Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1.- Scope and objects of application
1. This Decree applies to the goods, passenger and luggage sea-shipping business, conducted by enterprises which are established and operating under the Vietnamese laws.
2. Enterprises governed by this Decree include State enterprises; limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, partnerships, private companies, cooperatives and foreign-invested enterprises in the form of joint-venture.
Article 2.- Law application
1. Sea-shipping business activities in Vietnam must comply with the provisions of this Decree and other relevant legal documents of Vietnam as well as international agreements which Vietnam has signed or acceded to.
2. Where an international agreement which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has signed or acceded to contains different provisions, the provisions of such international agreement shall apply.
3. For cases which have not yet been provided for by Vietnamese laws and international agreements, the involved parties may agree on the application of international practices thereto.
Article 3.- Interpretation of terms
In this Decree, the following phrases are construed as follows:
1. "Sea-shipping business" means the exploitation of sea-going ships by enterprises to transport goods, passengers and luggage along sea-shipping routes.
2. "Vietnamese ship owners" mean owners or hirers of sea-going ships which have been registered in Vietnam’s national sea-going ship registration book.
3. "Shipping documents" mean bills of lading, goods consignment papers or other similar goods shipping documents for goods transportation; tickets or contracts for passenger transportation.
4. "Overseas routes" mean maritime routes linking Vietnamese seaports with one or several foreign seaports and vice versa.
Article 4.- Freight rates
Shipping freight rates shall be agreed upon by the involved parties, except for cases otherwise provided for by law.