Circular No. 01/2010/TT-BNG guides the use of national symbols and state protocol for certain diplomatic activities at Vietnamese representative offices abroad.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines on the use of national symbols and state protocol for organizing certain diplomatic activities at the agencies representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad

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Pursuant to the Law on Agencies Representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Abroad;

Pursuant to Decree No. 15/2008/NĐ-CP dated February 4, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hereby issues guidelines on the use of national symbols and state protocol for organizing certain diplomatic activities at the agencies representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. This Decree adjusts the pension levels, social insurance benefits, and monthly allowances for individuals receiving pensions, social insurance benefits, and monthly allowances prior to July 1, 2023, including:

These Circulars apply to agencies representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad, including diplomatic missions, consular offices, and agencies representing at international organizations as provided for in Article 4 of the "Law on Agencies Representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Abroad."

Article 2. Scope of Regulation

These Circulars provide regulations on the use of:

a) National flag, coat of arms, emblem, images or statues of President Ho Chi Minh, images of leaders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; national flag, coat of arms, emblem, images of leaders of the receiving country; flags of local entities where consular offices or subordinate offices are located, and flags of international organizations receiving (referred to as national symbols).

b) Signs of diplomatic missions, subordinate offices, and private residences of heads of diplomatic missions.

c) State protocol for organizing certain diplomatic activities.

Article 3. Explanation of Certain Terms in this Circular

1. Headquarters of a representative agency is the office where the agency conducts its work.

2. Subordinate office is a workplace of a part of the organizational structure of the representative agency located outside the headquarters of the agency or within the premises of the headquarters but with a separate entrance.

3. Private vehicle is a government car serving the diplomatic activities of the head of the representative agency.

4. Private residence is a government-provided house for the head of the representative agency located outside the headquarters of the agency or within the premises of the headquarters but with a separate entrance.

Article 4. Principles of Application of Provisions

Representative agencies shall use national symbols of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, symbols of the receiving country or international organization, and organize diplomatic activities in accordance with the provisions of this Circular and the following principles:

1. In line with the functions and tasks of the representative agency in relation to the receiving country or international organization.

2. In compliance with Vietnamese laws on state protocol for Vietnamese state agencies.

3. In compliance with the provisions of international agreements and treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

4. In compliance with international law and practice, laws of the receiving country, and regulations of the receiving international organization and local regulations where the representative agency's headquarters or subordinate offices are located.

Chapter II

SIGNS

Article 5. Placement of Signs

1. Headquarters of representative agencies, subordinate offices, and private residences shall have signs.

2. Signs shall be hung at eye level. The position of the sign shall not obstruct visibility. Specific methods of hanging signs for headquarters, subordinate offices, and private residences are as follows:

a) If the headquarters of the representative agency, subordinate office, or private residence is a building with a separate compound and main gate, the sign shall be placed next to the main gate.

b) If the headquarters of the representative agency, subordinate office, or private residence is part of a building but has a separate entrance on the facade, the sign shall be placed next to the main entrance.

c) If the headquarters of the representative agency or subordinate office is an office or apartment within an office building or residential complex, the sign shall be placed next to the door of the office or apartment. At the facade or lobby of the building, there shall be a permanent sign directing visitors to the relevant office or apartment.

d) If the private residence is an apartment within a residential complex, depending on requirements, a sign may or may not be hung. If a sign is hung, it shall be placed next to the door of the apartment.

Article 6. Content of the Signboard

1. The signboard shall bear the national emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. The national title "Socialist Republic of Vietnam" and the name of the representative office, subordinate office, or private residence shall be fully inscribed on the signboard.

Article 7. Presentation of the Signboard

1. The signboard shall be rectangular in shape, with its width being two-thirds of its length, and hung horizontally. The size of the signboard shall be harmonized with the dimensions of the gate or door where it is placed.

2. The signboard shall be made of yellow metal, with engraved letters in red color. There shall be a red border around the signboard, approximately 01 cm from the edge.

3. The national emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall be engraved in relief. The colors of the national emblem on the signboard shall be yellow and red, conforming to the regulations for the national emblem as stipulated in the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

4. The presentation of the contents of the signboard shall follow the order from top to bottom:

a) The national emblem shall be placed at the very top, centered horizontally on the signboard. The diameter of the national emblem shall be at least three times the height of the Vietnamese name of the representative office in letters.

b) Below the national emblem, the name of the representative office, the national title, the name of the subordinate office, and the private residence shall be written sequentially from top to bottom, centered on the signboard. The font size of the name of the subordinate office or private residence shall be larger than that of the representative office's name by 1.2 to 1.5 times, depending on the actual size of the signboard.

5. The signboard shall be written in two languages: Vietnamese and the official language of the receiving country or a widely used foreign language in the receiving country. Vietnamese shall be written first, followed by the foreign language. Both languages shall be in uppercase letters, with equal font sizes, and if using Latin script, they shall be in the same style. (See Appendix)

Chapter III

NATIONAL EMBLEM, NATIONAL FLAG NAMES OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM, IMAGES OR STATUES OF PRESIDENT HO CHI MINH, IMAGES OF LEADERS, NATIONAL FLAGS OF THE RECEIVING COUNTRY, FLAGS OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Article 8. General Provisions on Hanging the National Emblem and National Flag of Vietnam

1. The headquarters of the representative office and subordinate offices must hang the national emblem and national flag of Vietnam.

2. The national flag of Vietnam shall be flown during diplomatic ceremonial activities of the representative office.

3. The national flag of Vietnam shall be flown outside the headquarters of the representative office, subordinate offices, and private residences with lighting when it is dark.

Article 9. Hanging the National Emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Headquarters of the Representative Office and Subordinate Offices

1. If the headquarters of the representative office or subordinate office is a separate building, the national emblem shall be hung above the main entrance of the building.

2. If the headquarters of the representative office and subordinate office is part of an office building, the national emblem shall be hung above the entrance to the working office of the agency. In cases where architectural reasons prevent hanging the national emblem above the entrance, it shall be hung in the lobby facing the main entrance.

Article 10. Hanging the National Flag of Vietnam and the National Flag of the Receiving Country, and the Flag of International Organizations at the Headquarters of the Representative Office, Subordinate Offices, and Private Residences

Depending on the architecture, location, and scale of the headquarters of the representative office, subordinate offices, and private residences, the place for hanging the flags shall be designed appropriately:

1. The National Flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:

a) For the headquarters of the representative office and subordinate offices:

- If the headquarters of the representative office and subordinate offices is a building with its own grounds, the flagpole for hanging the national flag shall be placed within the grounds, in front of the building.

- If the headquarters of the representative office and subordinate offices is a building without its own grounds in front, the national flag shall be hoisted on the roof or on the front facade of the building above the main entrance, with the flagpole tilted forward at an angle between 45 and 70 degrees from the ground. (See Figures 2 and 3 in the Appendix).

- If the headquarters of the representative office and subordinate offices is an area within an office building, the national flag shall be hung in a common flag row with other agencies and organizations working in the building. If only the representative office or subordinate office has the right to fly the flag in the office building, the national flag shall be hoisted on a flagpole placed in front of the main entrance of the office building.

b) For private residences:

- The national flag of Vietnam shall be hung outside the private residence of the head of the representative office in accordance with the diplomatic protocol of the receiving country or international organization.

- The national flag shall only be hung outside if the private residence is a separate building or a part of a building with its own gate or entrance. The method of hanging the national flag shall be the same as for the headquarters of the representative office.

2. The National Flag of the Receiving Country: In cases where the receiving country requires the national flag of the receiving country to be flown at the headquarters of the representative office, subordinate offices, or private residences when the Head of State, Head of Government, or Head of Legislature of the receiving country visits for external activities, the national flag of the receiving country shall be flown alongside the national flag of Vietnam.

The national flag of Vietnam and the national flag of the receiving country must be of equivalent size, hung similarly, and at the same height, with the national flag of Vietnam on the right and the national flag of the receiving country on the left when viewed from the outside (see Figure 4 in the Appendix).

The national flag of the receiving country shall be raised before the arrival of guests and lowered after their departure.

3. The Flag of the Receiving International Organization: If according to the rules and customs of the receiving international organization, the headquarters of member states' representative offices in the organization must fly the flag of the organization, then the flag of the receiving international organization shall be flown alongside the national flag of Vietnam. The method of hanging the national flag of Vietnam and the flag of the receiving international organization shall be as specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 11. The National Flag of Vietnam, images or statues of President Ho Chi Minh in foreign reception rooms

1. In foreign reception rooms at representative offices, subordinate offices, or private residences, the National Flag of Vietnam shall be displayed, and an image or statue of President Ho Chi Minh shall be placed behind the seating area for the host during receptions.

2. The image or statue of President Ho Chi Minh shall be centrally positioned, with the National Flag of Vietnam hung on the flagpole to the left of the image or statue when viewed from the opposite side. The top of the image or statue of President Ho Chi Minh shall not be higher than the apex of the yellow star in the National Flag of Vietnam when hung on the flagpole. (See Figure 5 in the Appendix).

Article 12. The National Flag of Vietnam, flags of partners during signing ceremonies and negotiations

1. General principles:

a) Display the National Flag of Vietnam and the national flag or flag of the international organization being received if the Vietnamese side participating in the signing ceremony or negotiation is a member of a representative office or a representative of a Vietnamese state agency sent from within the country, and the negotiating partner is a representative of a state agency of a country having formal diplomatic relations with Vietnam or an international organization that Vietnam participates in.

b) The National Flag of Vietnam and the national flag or flag of the international organization being received must be of equivalent size and placed parallel and at the same level.

2. Signing ceremony: For signing ceremonies between Vietnam and foreign partners hosted by representative offices, regardless of whether they take place at the office premises, private residences, or outside the representative offices, the placement of flags (table flags) shall be as follows:

a) For signing ceremonies between Vietnam and one foreign partner: In accordance with the arrangement of the positions of the signatories, when viewed from the opposite side of the signatories, the National Flag of Vietnam shall be placed on the right, and the partner's flag on the left (see Figure 6A in the Appendix).

b) For signing ceremonies between Vietnam and two or more foreign partners: In accordance with the arrangement of the positions of the representatives of the signatory parties, when viewed from the opposite side of the signatories, the National Flag of Vietnam shall be placed in the center, and the flags of the partners shall be sequentially placed to the left and right of the National Flag of Vietnam, in a counterclockwise direction according to the alphabetical order A, B, C of the names of the countries or organizations represented by the signatories, in the widely used language of the receiving country or international organization, or as agreed upon by the signatories (see Figure 6B in the Appendix).

3. Negotiations at writing desks between Vietnam and foreign partners: The National Flag of Vietnam shall be placed on the table before the Head of the Vietnamese Delegation, and the guest flag shall be similarly placed before the Head of the Guest Delegation.

4. Signing ceremonies or negotiations organized by foreign agencies: The arrangement of the positions of the signatories, the National Flag of Vietnam, and the foreign national flag or flag of the international organization shall follow the regulations and protocol customs of the receiving country or international organization and shall not contravene the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 13. The National Flag of Vietnam on personal vehicles when the head of the representative office engages in external activities

1. The National Flag of Vietnam shall be mounted on the personal vehicle of the head of the representative office when the head uses the vehicle for external activities in accordance with the regulations and protocol customs of the receiving country or international organization.

2. The personal vehicle of the head of the representative office shall not mount the National Flag of Vietnam when it is part of a convoy welcoming a Vietnamese delegation visiting the receiving country or international organization, provided that the vehicle of the Head of the Vietnamese Delegation has the National Flag of Vietnam mounted.

Article 14. The National Flag of Vietnam, the national flag of the country, and the flag of the international organization shall be displayed in certain external activities.

1. For activities such as rallies on National Day, commemorations of major holidays in Vietnam, or significant events in relations with the receiving country or international organization, where the representative agency has invited guests from the country or international organization:

a) If according to regulations or protocol customs of the receiving country or international organization, the activities require hanging the national flag of the country or the flag of the international organization, only the national flag of the country or the flag of the international organization shall be hung alongside the National Flag of Vietnam. The National Flag of Vietnam and the national flag of the receiving country or the flag of the international organization shall be of equivalent size and hung side by side at the same height. The National Flag of Vietnam shall be hung on the right, while the national flag of the receiving country or the flag of the international organization shall be hung on the left when viewed from the direction of the stage where the flags are hung. (See Figure 7 in the Appendix).

b) If according to regulations or protocol customs of the receiving country, the activities require hanging the flag of the local entity (republic, state, province, territory, etc.) by the diplomatic mission or office located in the locality, only the flag of the local entity shall be hung alongside the National Flag of Vietnam and the national flag of the receiving country. The National Flag of Vietnam and the national flag of the receiving country shall be of equivalent size and hung side by side at the same height. The National Flag of Vietnam shall be hung on the right, while the national flag of the receiving country shall be hung on the left when viewed from the direction of the stage where the flags are hung. The ratio of the size of the flag of the local entity to the national flags of both countries and the position for hanging the flag of the local entity shall follow the regulations or protocol customs of the receiving country.

2. For meetings involving high-level leaders of Vietnam or heads of representative agencies with the Vietnamese community residing and working in the host country organized within or outside the representative agency premises, the National Flag of Vietnam shall be hung. The method of hanging the flag is as follows:

a) If the flag is hung on a flagpole, the flag shall be placed on the right side of the speaker when viewed from the stage down (see Figure 8 in the Appendix).

b) If attached to a backdrop, the flag shall be hung directly behind the speaker, with the head of the speaker not higher than the yellow star in the National Flag (see Figure 9 in the Appendix).

3. For activities related to relations with Vietnam organized by foreign agencies or organizations, the hanging of the National Flag of Vietnam during these activities shall follow the regulations or protocol customs of the receiving country or international organization and shall not contravene the provisions of Clause 1, Article 12.

Article 15. Portraits of Leaders

1. For external activities organized by representative agencies or by the receiving country, where according to regulations or protocol customs of the receiving country, portraits of leaders of the receiving country and the sending country shall be hung during the event, portraits of Vietnamese leaders shall be hung alongside those of the receiving country's leaders. The portraits of the two countries' leaders shall be hung side by side at the same height with equivalent sizes and identical frames.

2. Hang a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh if the receiving country hangs a portrait of a national leader, and hang a portrait of the State President if the receiving country hangs a portrait of the incumbent Head of State.

3. If the external activity is organized by the representative agency, the portrait of a Vietnamese leader shall be hung on the right, while the portrait of the receiving country's leader shall be hung on the left when viewed from the direction of the portraits. If the activity is organized by the receiving country, the positions for hanging the portraits of the two countries' leaders shall be arranged according to the protocol customs of the receiving country.

Article 16. Playing the National Anthem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

1. The National Anthem of Vietnam shall be played at rallies, receptions celebrating National Day, major holidays of Vietnam, or significant anniversaries in relations with countries or international organizations receiving it, in accordance with the host country's or organization's protocol regulations and practices.

2. If two national anthems are played during diplomatic activities, the National Anthem of Vietnam and the anthem of the receiving country shall be played in the order prescribed by the receiving country's protocol regulations and practices.

Article 17. Receptions to welcome National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

1. Representative offices and subordinate offices located outside the headquarters' location shall organize receptions to welcome National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam according to state regulations and guidelines from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. The head of the representative office or subordinate office at the time of the reception shall preside over the reception. Depending on the host country's or organization's protocol practices, actual conditions of the representative office, and the head of the office and his or her spouse, they may jointly preside over the reception.

3. Invitations for receptions bearing the coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall be issued to the heads of representative offices and their temporary deputies as follows:

- Embassy: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Chargé d'Affaires, Acting Chargé d'Affaires.

- Consulate General: Consul General; Consulate: Consul.

- Representative office at an international organization: Permanent Representative, Permanent Observer or Representative of the President of the State or a person officially designated temporarily to replace the head in accordance with Vietnamese regulations and the protocol practices of the receiving international organization.

4. On the stage where the reception takes place, the flag of Vietnam shall be hung along with the flag of the receiving country or the flag of the receiving international organization. The method of hanging these flags is as follows:

- The flag of Vietnam shall be on the right side, and the flag of the receiving country or the flag of the receiving international organization on the left side when viewed from the stage. The flag of Vietnam and the flag of the receiving country or organization must be of equal size, hung in the same manner, and at the same height. (See Figure 7 in the Appendix).

- For consular representative offices and subordinate offices located in local areas, if the locality has its own flag, the flag of the locality shall be hung alongside the flag of Vietnam and the flag of the receiving country in accordance with Clause b, Paragraph 1, Article 14.

5. Playing the National Anthem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the anthem of the receiving country shall follow the provisions of Article 16.

6. Opening remarks by the head of the representative office and the main guest representing the receiving country or international organization shall be in accordance with the protocol regulations and practices of the receiving country or organization.

7. Stage decorations shall be in accordance with the protocol practices of the receiving country or international organization. In cases where there are decorative backdrops, the method shall be as follows:

a) Language:

- The backdrop may be written in the language of the receiving country or a widely used foreign language in the receiving country or international organization.

- If the backdrop is written in two languages, Vietnamese and the language of the receiving country or a widely used foreign language in the receiving country or international organization, Vietnamese shall come first followed by the foreign language. Both Vietnamese and the foreign language shall be written in uppercase letters, with the same font size, and if using Latin script, the same typeface.

b) Content:

National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the ...nd time2/ 9/1945 - 2/9/…

Article 18. Opening a Book of Condolence

1. The representative office and subordinate offices located in a different locality from where the representative office is based shall open a Book of Condolence and receive visitors signing the Book of Condolence when the State of Vietnam organizes a National Funeral Ceremony. For other funerals, the representative office shall open a Book of Condolence and receive visitors signing the Book of Condolence according to the unified directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Book of Condolence shall have a black or dark cover.

2. Opening a Book of Condolence for the deceased: On the altar, there shall be a photograph of the deceased with a black ribbon diagonally across the upper left corner when viewed towards the photo, along with a vase of flowers. Candles may be lit, and a bowl of incense may be placed (the lighting of candles, placement of bowls of incense, and burning of incense depend on the local customs and traditions of the host country).

3. Opening a Book of Condolence for losses due to disasters or natural calamities: The backdrop behind the altar shall be dark-colored, bearing text in Vietnamese or the national language of the receiving country or in a commonly used language in the country where the representative office is located: "In memory of the victims (name of the disaster)." On the altar, there shall be a vase of flowers. Candles may be lit, and a bowl of incense may be placed (the lighting of candles, placement of bowls of incense, and burning of incense depend on the local customs and traditions of the host country).

Article 19. Hoisting a Flag of Mourning

1. The representative office shall hoist a Flag of Mourning when the State of Vietnam organizes a National Funeral Ceremony. The representative office shall only hoist a Flag of Mourning for a National Funeral or the funeral of an international organization accepted according to the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. The Flag of Mourning shall be hoisted throughout the mourning period as prescribed by the National Funeral Committee and during the time the representative office opens a Book of Condolence if it does not open the Book of Condolence on the prescribed mourning day by the National Funeral Committee.

3. The Flag of Mourning shall be hoisted at the top of the flagpole above the Vietnamese national flag, attached with a black ribbon. The black ribbon shall have a width equal to 1/10 of the width of the national flag and a minimum length equal to 1/2 of the length of the national flag.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 20. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The head of the representative offices of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad is responsible for organizing and implementing this Circular.

2. Relevant units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for guiding and inspecting the implementation; providing mourning bands, discs, emblems, photographs, and statues of President Ho Chi Minh according to a unified model.

Article 21. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect 45 days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.