CIRCULAR

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. This Circular guides the adjustment of cost estimates for the volumes performed from January 1, 2008, under state-funded works or bidding packages (referred to as work construction cost estimates) for which the investment deciders have not yet decided to switch the management of work construction investment expenditures under the Government's Decree No. 99/2007/ND-CP of June 13, 2007.

Work construction investment projects funded with other capital sources are encouraged to apply regulations on adjustment of cost estimates guided in this Circular.

2. Work construction cost estimates formulated using construction, installation and construction survey unit prices set by provinces or centrally run cities on the basis of wage scales of the wage table A.1.8 promulgated together with the Government's Decree No. 205/2004/ND-CP of December 14, 2004, with the minimum wage level of VND 450,000/month, will be adjusted as prescribed in the Appendix to this Circular.

3. For works for which separate unit prices or machine-shift costs have been formulated using the minimum wage level specified by competent persons, work construction cost estimates will be adjusted using the new common minimum wage level or new region-based minimum wage level in accordance with the principles and methods guided in this Circular.

4. Adjustment of contract prices or amounts paid for work volumes performed from January 1, 2008, under signed contracts and contractual terms: If the involved parties have agreed not to adjust prices during the implementation process, investors and construction contractors may negotiate and supplement contracts in order to ensure laborers' interests as prescribed.

5. For works under work construction investment projects implemented under the Government's Decree No. 99/2007/ND-CP of June 13, 2006, on management of work construction investment expenditures, investors shall use contingency funds for price increase to adjust the expenditure structure in the work construction cost estimates.

II. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Work construction cost estimates formulated using construction unit prices set by provinces or centrally run cities on the basis of the minimum wage level of VND 450,000 per month and wage scales in the wage table promulgated together with the Government's Decree No. 205/2004/ND-CP of December 14, 2004, are adjusted as follows:

1. Adjustment of construction cost estimates

1.1. Adjustment of labor expenses

Labor expenses in construction cost estimates formulated using local construction unit prices will be multiplied by an adjustment coefficient (KDC NC) in conformity with the adjustment of the common minimum wage level or region-based minimum wage level.

The adjustment coefficient (KDC NC) is determined as being equal to the new minimum wage level or region-based minimum wage level divided by the minimum wage level used for unit price calculation (VND 450,000/month).

1.2. Adjustment of construction machine expenses

Construction machine expenses in construction cost estimates formulated using local construction unit prices will be multiplied by an adjustment coefficient (KDC MTC) in conformity with the adjustment of the common minimum wage level, region-based minimum wage level and fuel and energy prices in January 2008.

The adjustment coefficient (KDC MTC) of construction machine expenses is determined by calculating the weighted average expenses for each group of machines.

According to the above-said principle, the coefficient (KDC MTC) for adjustment of construction machine expenses in construction expense estimates made by provinces and centrally run cities will comply with the enclosed Appendix. The coefficient applicable to provinces or cities with a particular construction structure will be decided by provincial/municipal People's Committees.

For works which are built in lines running through several provinces or centrally run cities for which separate machine-shift price tables have been formulated, investors shall calculate and report adjustment coefficients to investment deciders for decision.

1.3. Expenses calculated in proportion (%) to construction cost estimates

Expenses calculated in proportion (%) to construction cost estimates include: other direct expenses, common expenses, pre-calculated taxable incomes, value added tax amounts, expenses for makeshift houses at construction sites for accommodation or construction administration as prescribed.

2. Some other expenses

Expenses such as those for management of work construction investment projects, project elaboration and construction work designing are calculated in a percentage (%) as prescribed.

Labor expenses in construction survey cost estimates will be adjusted using an adjustment coefficient (KDC NCKS) prescribed in Table 2 in the Appendix to this Circular.

Particularly, pre-tax cost estimates for elaboration of urban construction planning will be determined on the basis of the construction planning expense limits promulgated together with the Construction Minister's Decision No. 06/2005/QD-BXD of February 3, 2005, multiplied by adjustment coefficient KDC QHXD = 1.25.

For cost estimates for provision of urban public services, provincial-level People's Committees shall based themselves on specific local conditions to guide the adjustment.

III. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. For works under work construction investment projects for which investment deciders have not yet decided to switch the management of work construction investment expenditures under the Government's Decree No. 99/2007/ND-CP of June 13, 2006:

1.1. Provincial/municipal People's Committees shall, based on the guidance in this Circular and regulations on the minimum wage level, region-based minimum wage level and wage-based allowances, guide the adjustment of work construction cost estimates of state-funded construction works.

Provincial/municipal Construction Services shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned local agencies in, determining adjustment coefficients for submission to provincial/municipal People's Committees for promulgation and application.

1.2. Ministries, economic groups and state corporations shall guide the adjustment of work construction cost estimates of work construction investment projects under their investment decision competence under the guidance of this Circular.

1.3. Investors shall organize and approve the results of adjustment of work construction cost estimates in accordance with current regulations.

1.4. For construction works for which separate unit prices have been formulated (work construction unit prices), investors shall base themselves on regimes and policies permitted by the State for application and the principles of adjustment of work construction cost estimates guided in this Circular to determine the levels of adjustment of labor expenses, construction machine expenses and other expenses (if any) in work construction cost estimates.

2. For works of work construction investment projects implemented under the Government's Decree No. 99/2007/ND-CP of June 13, 2007, on management of work construction investment expenditures, their cost estimates shall be adjusted under the guidance at Point 4, Section I, of this Circular.

This Circular takes effect 15 days after its publication in "CONG BAO."