Circular No. 01/2026/TT-BDTTG stipulates the delegation of certain state management tasks regarding beliefs and religions to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON THE GRADATION OF CERTAIN STATE MANAGEMENT TASKS IN RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS OF THE MINISTRY OF ETHNIC GROUPS AND RELIGION

Pursuant to Law on Government Organization No. 63/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to Law on Belief and Religion No. 02/2016/QH14;

Pursuant to Decree No. 303/2025/NĐ-CP dated November 19, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 41/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Ethnic Groups and Religion; and Decree No. 114/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 3, 2025 of the Government amending Clause 12, Article 3 of Decree No. 41/2025/NĐ-CP;

Pursuant to Decree No. 95/2023/NĐ-CP dated December 29, 2023 of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures for implementing the Law on Belief and Religion;

Pursuant to Decree No. 124/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025 of the Government stipulating the delegation and gradation of authority; defining the authority of local governments at two levels in ethnic affairs, belief, and religion;

Pursuant to Decree No. 217/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 5, 2025 of the Government on specialized inspection activities;

At the proposal of the Director of the Government Religious Committee;

The Minister of Ethnic Groups and Religion issues this Circular stipulating the gradation of certain state management tasks in religious affairs of the Ministry of Ethnic Groups and Religion.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular stipulates the gradation of certain state management tasks in religious affairs of the Ministry of Ethnic Groups and Religion as prescribed in the Law on Belief and Religion (hereinafter referred to as the Law); Decree No. 95/2023/NĐ-CP dated December 29, 2023 of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures for implementing the Law on Belief and Religion (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 95/2023/NĐ-CP); Decree No. 124/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025 stipulating the delegation and gradation of authority; defining the authority of local governments at two levels in ethnic affairs, belief, and religion (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 124/2025/NĐ-CP); and Decree No. 217/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 5, 2025 of the Government on specialized inspection activities (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 217/2025/NĐ-CP).

2. This Circular applies to the Government Religious Committee and relevant agencies, units, organizations, and individuals related to ensuring the implementation of the gradation of state management tasks in religious affairs of the Ministry of Ethnic Groups and Religion.

Article 2. Principles of Gradation Management

1. The gradation must ensure requirements for administrative reform, control of administrative procedures, and unified, comprehensive, effective management of religious affairs by the Ministry of Ethnic Groups and Religion throughout the country.

2. Clearly define the tasks, powers, and responsibilities of the Government Religious Committee in performing state management functions in religious affairs according to the gradation by the Minister of Ethnic Groups and Religion; guide and inspect the implementation of delegated tasks and powers to ensure that the gradation contents are effectively implemented; promote the role and initiative of the agency receiving the gradation and the responsibility of its head according to the principle that the agency receiving the gradation is fully responsible for the results of the implementation of the delegated tasks and powers.

3. The Government Religious Committee is responsible under the law and before the Minister of Ethnic Groups and Religion for the results of the implementation of delegated tasks and powers; regularly report and evaluate the implementation of delegated tasks and powers and refrain from further delegating tasks and powers already assigned to it; ensure conditions for the implementation of delegated tasks and powers.

4. Adhere to the provisions of the Law, Decree No. 95/2023/NĐ-CP, Decree No. 124/2025/NĐ-CP, Decree No. 217/2025/NĐ-CP, and other relevant legal regulations regarding procedures, processes, and authority when implementing the delegated contents.

Chapter II

CONTENTS OF THE GRADATION OF STATE MANAGEMENT

IN RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS OF THE MINISTRY OF ETHNIC GROUPS AND RELIGION

Article 3. Competence in receiving notifications

The Government Committee on Religion shall be authorized to receive notifications for the following contents:

1. Receiving notifications regarding ordination, appointment, election, nomination, dismissal, and removal of religious functionaries and officials:

a) Persons ordained or elected as religious functionaries in cases prescribed in Clause 1, Article 33 of the Law;

b) Persons appointed, elected, or nominated as religious officials in cases prescribed in Clause 1, Article 34 of the Law;

c) Persons appointed, elected, or nominated as religious officials of organizations registered for religious activities in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clause 6, Article 34 of the Law;

d) Results of appointments, elections, and nominations of leaders of organizations in cases prescribed in Clause 7, Article 34 of the Law;

đ) Results of appointments, elections, and nominations of leaders of religious organizations operating in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clause 7, Article 34 of the Law;

e) Results of appointments, elections, and nominations of leaders of subordinate religious organizations operating in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clause 7, Article 34 of the Law;

g) Results of appointments, elections, and nominations of leaders of religious training institutions as prescribed in Clause 7, Article 34 of the Law;

h) Revocation of ordination or election results of religious functionaries in cases prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 4, Article 33 of the Law;

i) Dismissal and removal of religious functionaries and officials in cases prescribed in Clause 1, Article 33, Clause 1, Article 34, and Clause 2, Article 36 of the Law;

k) Dismissal and removal of religious officials of organizations registered for religious activities in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 36 of the Law.

2. Receiving notifications regarding the activities of religious training institutions as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 39 of the Law.

3. Receiving notifications regarding the list of religious activities and annual conferences of religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations:

a) List of religious activities for religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations, and organizations registered for religious activities in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 43 of the Law;

b) Additional list of religious activities for religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations, and organizations registered for religious activities in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 43 of the Law;

c) Organization of annual conferences of religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations operating in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 44 of the Law.

4. Receiving notifications regarding changes in headquarters of religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations operating in multiple provinces as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2, Article 26 of the Law.

5. Receiving notifications regarding the dissolution of subordinate religious organizations operating in multiple provinces; religious training institutions:

a) Dissolution of subordinate religious organizations operating in multiple provinces according to the charter of the religious organization and as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 3, Article 31 of the Law, Article 14 of Decree 95/2023/NĐ-CP;

b) Dissolution of religious training institutions according to the decision of the religious organization and as prescribed in Point a, Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 42 of the Law, Article 18 of Decree 95/2023/NĐ-CP.

6. Receiving notifications regarding termination of affiliation with foreign religious organizations by religious organizations in Vietnam as prescribed in Clause 4, Article 53 of the Law.

7. Receiving notifications from religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations operating in multiple provinces regarding acceptance of donations from foreign organizations and individuals as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 26 of Decree 95/2023/NĐ-CP.

Article 4. Competence to approve or not to approve registration for religious activities and certain related contents concerning religious organizations and activities

The Government Committee on Religion is authorized to implement approval or disapproval for the following matters:

1. Registration for religious activities of organizations operating in multiple provinces as stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 3, Article 19 of the Law.

2. Registration for revised regulations on organizational structure and activities; revised admission regulations of religious training institutions as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 39 of the Law.

3. Registration for persons appointed, elected, or selected to hold positions as provided in Clause 1, Article 34 of the Law.

4. Registration for persons appointed, elected, or selected to hold positions in organizations that have been granted registration certificates for religious activities operating in multiple provinces as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 34 of the Law.

5. Proposal for inter-religious conferences of religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations as provided in Clause 2, Article 44 of the Law.

6. Proposal for congresses of religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations, organizations that have been granted registration certificates for religious activities operating in multiple provinces as provided in Clause 3, Article 45 of the Law.

7. Registration for Vietnamese citizens to be ordained, appointed, elected, or selected abroad to serve as religious leaders or officials in Vietnam as provided in Clause 4, Article 51 of the Law and Article 24 of Decree 95/2023/NĐ-CP.

Article 5. Competence to approve or not to approve religious activities involving foreign elements

The Government Committee on Religion is authorized to implement approval or disapproval for proposals regarding the following matters:

1. Dispatching religious leaders, officials, monks, believers to participate in religious activities or religious training abroad as stipulated in Article 50 of the Law.

2. Ordaining, appointing, electing, or selecting believers from religious organizations in Vietnam to serve as religious leaders or officials for foreign religious organizations in Vietnam as stipulated in Point b, Clause 1, Article 51 of the Law and Article 23 of Decree 95/2023/NĐ-CP.

3. Inviting foreign organizations or individuals to enter Vietnam to conduct religious activities in multiple provinces or engage in international relations on religious matters as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 48 of the Law.

4. Inviting foreign religious leaders or monks to preach for organizations that have been granted registration certificates for religious activities operating in multiple provinces as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 48 of the Law.

5. Ordaining or electing positions for foreigners legally residing in Vietnam as stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 51 of the Law and Article 23 of Decree 95/2023/NĐ-CP.

Article 6. Competence in guiding the curriculum and content of courses on Vietnamese history and Vietnamese law as prescribed in Article 40 of the Law

The Government Committee on Religion is authorized to guide the curriculum and content of courses on Vietnamese history and Vietnamese law at religious training institutions; take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to organize inspections of the implementation of these two subjects at religious training institutions.

Article 7. Competence in specialized inspection; inspection, preparation of records and issuance of inspection conclusions regarding the organization of religious activities, affiliated religious organizations operating in multiple provinces, and religious training institutions that seriously violate regulations as stipulated in Clause 4 and Clause 5 of Article 5 of the Law. Clause 4 and Clause 5 of Article 5 of the Law

1. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs shall be authorized to perform specialized inspection tasks in accordance with the Inspection Law and Decree No. 217/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs shall be authorized to perform inspection tasks, prepare records, and issue conclusions on the organization of religious activities, affiliated religious organizations operating in multiple provinces, and religious training institutions that seriously violate regulations as stipulated in Clause 4 and Clause 5 of Article 5 of the Law to serve as the basis for suspending all religious activities of religious organizations and affiliated religious organizations, and suspending the training activities of religious training institutions.

Article 8. Competence in receiving reports and compiling reports on the receipt and management of financial contributions from religious organizations and affiliated religious organizations.

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs shall be authorized to receive reports and compile reports on the receipt and management of financial contributions from religious organizations and affiliated religious organizations as follows:

1. Receiving reports and compiling results of reports on the receipt and management of financial contributions from religious organizations and affiliated religious organizations operating in multiple provinces in accordance with Clause 4 of Article 26 of Decree No. 95/2023/NĐ-CP to report to the Minister.

2. Receiving annual reports (before November 30) from the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion or the Department of Home Affairs in cases where provinces or cities have not established a Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religion regarding the receipt and management of financial contributions from foreign organizations and individuals by religious organizations and affiliated religious organizations operating in one province in accordance with Clause 5 of Article 26 of Decree No. 95/2023/NĐ-CP.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 9. Responsibilities of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs

1. Adhering to legal provisions and directives of the Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religion in performing assigned tasks and authorities; self-inspecting the implementation of assigned contents to ensure compliance with procedures, formalities, competences, and deadlines as prescribed by the Law, Decree No. 95/2023/NĐ-CP, Decree No. 124/2025/NĐ-CP, and Decree No. 217/2025/NĐ-CP for assigned contents.

2. Ensuring conditions for performing assigned tasks and authorities and bearing full responsibility for the outcomes of state administration work in the field of belief and religion; taking the lead and coordinating with units under ministries and sectors, localities to organize the dissemination, implementation, training, and guidance on Party policies and state laws on belief and religion for civil servants involved in state administration in these fields; promoting and disseminating policies and laws on belief and religion to religious leaders, religious workers, monks, believers of religious organizations, and representatives and managers of belief sites; proactively exchanging and working with ministries, sectors, and localities to coordinate in resolving issues related to belief and religion.

3. Reporting annually (by December 25 at the latest) to the Minister on the situation and results of implementing assigned contents; in case of necessity, the Minister may request the Government Committee for Religious Affairs to report on the exercise of delegated authority.

4. The Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs shall be responsible to the Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religion for effectively directing the implementation of delegated authority for the Government Committee for Religious Affairs as stipulated in this Circular.

Article 10. Effective Date

This Circular shall take effect from March 1, 2026.

Article 11. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The agencies authorized, the Head of the Government Committee on Religion, the Director of the Ministry's Office, the Heads of Departments and units under the Ministry, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for complying with the principles and contents of the delegation of authority as prescribed in this Circular and relevant laws.

2. In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, the agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned are requested to report them to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion (through the Government Committee on Religion) for consideration and resolution./.