CIRCULAR
Specifies detailed criteria, procedures, formalities, and documentation for awarding the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Literature and Art.
Based on the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 26, 2003, and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward dated June 14, 2005;
Based on Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005, issued by the Government to specify and guide the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward;
Article 1. Other types of artistic performances
After reaching consensus with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Central Competition and Reward Board), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism specifies detailed criteria, procedures, formalities, and documentation for awarding the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Literature and Art as follows:
PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability
This Circular specifies detailed criteria, procedures, formalities, and documentation for awarding the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Literature and Art to the following subjects:
1. Authors who are Vietnamese citizens with literary and artistic works, clusters of works; research projects, clusters of research projects that have been published and used since the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
2. Authors who are foreign nationals with literary and artistic works, clusters of works; research projects, clusters of research projects on Vietnam.
Article 2. Interpretation of Terms
The terms used in this Circular shall be understood as follows:
1. Literary and artistic work is a creative product in the activities of creation and research in literature and art including literary and artistic works and research, theoretical and critical works.
2. Literary and artistic project is a product of activities in the field of research, theory, criticism, and collection of literature and art, making significant contributions to understanding and having a positive influence in the field of literature and art.
3. Cluster of literary and artistic works is a collection of works belonging to a specific field of literature and art by a single author or multiple co-authors.
4. Cluster of literary and artistic projects is a collection of projects belonging to a specific field of literature and art by a single author or multiple co-authors.
5. Author is a person who directly creates a work or project through their own labor.
6. Co-author is multiple persons who directly create a work or project through their own labor.
Those who only assist or support the author and co-authors with technical, material, or financial resources without participating in the creation of the work or project shall not be considered as authors or co-authors of the work or project.
Article 3. Award Period
1. The Ho Chi Minh Prize is reviewed and announced every five years on National Day, September 2.
2. The State Prize is reviewed and announced every two years on National Day, September 2.
3. The organization of awarding the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Literature and Art for each review period shall be carried out according to this Circular and the guiding documents of the National Award Review Council, and the guiding documents of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Article 4. Benefits of Recipients of the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Literature and Art
The recipient of the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the State Prize for Literature and Art shall receive the Certificate of the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the Certificate of the State Prize for Literature and Art presented by the President of the State along with a monetary award (as jointly guided by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) and other benefits as stipulated by current laws.
Chapter II
CONDITIONS AND STANDARDS FOR CONSIDERING AWARDS
Article 5. Conditions for considering awards
Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Award and the State Award for Literature and Art must meet the following conditions:
1. They have been published and used in forms such as publication, construction, exhibition, performance, film, radio, television, lecture in one of the following fields:
a) Literature: prose, poetry, research, theory, and criticism on literature.
b) Music: music genres, research, theory, and criticism on music.
c) Theater: staged theatrical scripts, theater performances of various types, research, theory, and criticism on theater.
d) Fine Arts: painting, graphics, sculpture, applied arts, decorative arts, research, theory, and criticism on fine arts.
đ) Photography: photography genres (photographs), research, theory, and criticism on photography.
e) Dance: staged dance scripts, dance performances, and research, theory, and criticism on dance.
g) Cinema: films in genres such as feature films, documentary films, scientific films, animated films, television series, and research, theory, and criticism on cinema.
h) Folk Literature and Art: collected works, research, theory, and criticism on folk literature and art.
i) Architecture: constructed architectural projects, clusters of projects, and research, theory, and criticism on architecture.
2. A work, cluster of works; a project, cluster of projects can only be proposed for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Award or the State Award in one field of literature and art.
3. Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects that have received the State Award cannot be combined with other works or projects to propose for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Award.
4. Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Award or the State Award must be works, clusters of works, projects, clusters of projects without disputes over copyright, without complaints about content and results from the time of publication or release until the time of award consideration.
Article 6. Standards for considering the Ho Chi Minh Award
Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Award in literature and art must meet the following standards:
1. Particularly outstanding, having very high artistic and ideological value; making significant contributions to the revolutionary cause; having extensive and long-lasting influence on people's lives; playing an important role in economic and social development, national defense, and the literary and artistic cause of the country; promoting positive images of the country, nation, and Vietnamese people; fostering good relations between Vietnam and countries around the world.
2. Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Award must be works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects that have been published or applied in practice for at least five years from the date of submission of the application for award consideration.
3. Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects that have officially won awards (from Gold Awards, First Prizes, or equivalent) in national or international exhibitions, festivals, or by central specialized associations of literature and art (hereinafter referred to as Central Associations of Literature and Art) will be considered for additional points.
Article 7. Criteria for awarding the State Prize
Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for consideration to be awarded the State Prize in literature and art must meet the following criteria:
1. Outstanding, with high value in terms of ideological content and artistic form; having a positive effect in educating, building new individuals, enhancing the aesthetic level of the people; making significant contributions to the development of the national literature and art cause; promoting a good image of the country, nation, and Vietnamese people; fostering good relations between Vietnam and other countries around the world.
2. Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for consideration to be awarded the State Prize must be works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects that have been published or applied in practice for at least three years as of the date of submission of the application for the award.
3. Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects that have officially received awards (starting from Silver Award, Second Prize, or higher) in national or international art exhibitions or festivals, or from the Central Literature and Art Association shall be considered for additional points.
Chapter III
PROCEDURE AND PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION
Article 8. Author's dossier
To be considered for the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the State Prize in literature and art, the author, co-author, or the legal representative of the author, co-author must submit a registration dossier for the work proposed for the award. The dossier consists of four copies, each copy including:
1. One copy of the registration form for the work, cluster of works; project, cluster of projects proposed for the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the State Prize in a specific field of literature and art (according to Model 1a or 1b of this Circular) with a 4x6 photograph of the author or co-author attached.
2. A copy or original of the work, cluster of works; project, cluster of projects proposed for the award in the form of: paintings, photographs (size 21cm x 29.7cm), tapes, discs, books, accompanied by a summary introducing the content of the work, cluster of works; project, cluster of projects.
3. Certified copies of the Decision on commendation or Certificate of Award for each award (one copy).
Article 9. Place to receive the author's dossier:
1. Provincial Literature and Art Associations (hereinafter referred to as Provincial Literature and Art Associations) under the central association in charge of a specific field are responsible for receiving dossiers of works in that field from authors, co-authors, or their legal representatives.
2. Authors, co-authors, or their legal representatives may submit the dossier for the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the State Prize to the Provincial Literature and Art Association where the author, co-author, or their legal representative has permanent residence, or alternatively, they can send it to the Central Literature and Art Association if deemed convenient.
3. Foreign authors, co-authors, or their legal representatives should submit the dossier to the Central Literature and Art Association (the dossier includes an introduction letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam regarding the author and the work).
Article 10. Award Examination Procedure
The selection of works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for the President to decide on awarding the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Literature and Art shall be carried out through three levels of the Ho Chi Minh Prize and State Prize for Literature and Art Examination Councils (hereinafter referred to as the Council): the grassroots level Council, the provincial/municipal level Council, and the national level Council.
1. Institutional Council
a) The grassroots level Council is the Council established by the Chairman of the Provincial/Municipal Literature and Art Association or the Chairman of the Central Literature and Art Association.
b) The responsibilities of the grassroots level Council include:
Receiving applications from authors, co-authors, and their lawful representatives; organizing the examination and selection of literary and artistic works and projects meeting the conditions and standards, and submitting them to the provincial/municipal level Council or the ministry-level Council.
2. The provincial/municipal level Council (hereinafter referred to as the provincial level Council):
a) The provincial level Council is the Council established by the Minister or head of a ministry-level agency or the Chairman of the People's Committee of a province/city directly under the central government.
b) The responsibilities of the provincial level Council include:
Receiving the results of the examination and selection submitted by the grassroots level Council; organizing the examination and selection of literary and artistic works and projects meeting the conditions and standards, and submitting them to the national level Council.
3. The national level Council is decided by the Prime Minister.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the permanent body of the national level Council in the examination and awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Literature and Art.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has the responsibility:
a) To receive the examination results submitted by the provincial level Council;
b) To be responsible for establishing specialized Councils to provide advice and evaluate the nine artistic fields: literature, music, theater (including circus and puppetry), fine arts, photography, dance, film, folk art, and architecture;
c) To establish a secretariat team to assist the national level Council.
Article 11. Principles of Operation of the Council
1. The Council at each level consists of representatives of professionals and experts with credibility in each field of literature and art; representatives of managers with relevant expertise and understanding of the specialized field; some authors who have been awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the State Prize for Literature and Art; and some representatives of central or local agencies related to the field.
2. The Council operates based on democratic, transparent principles, and secret ballot voting. Works, clusters of works; projects, clusters of projects proposed for the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the State Prize for Literature and Art must receive at least 3/4 of the votes from the total number of Council members to be recommended for review by the higher-level Council.
3. Authors whose works, clusters of works, projects, clusters of projects are being considered for the Ho Chi Minh Prize or the State Prize for Literature and Art shall not participate in any level of the Council.
4. Meetings of the Council at each level must have at least 3/4 of the Council members present, including the Chairman or Deputy Chairman authorized to represent the Chairman.
5. The Council at each level is responsible for examining applications according to the procedure stipulated in Article 10 of this Circular; they shall not accept and examine applications that do not comply with the prescribed procedures and formalities.
6. The Council at each level is responsible for publicly announcing the results within 10 working days; notifying in writing cases that do not meet the conditions and standards (specifying the specific reasons); resolving complaints thoroughly and concluding before submitting the cases that meet the conditions and standards to the higher-level Council.
Article 12. Composition of the Council
1. Basic-level Council: consists of 7 to 9 members
a) Chairman of the Council: Chairman of the Literature and Arts Association.
In case the Chairman of the Literature and Arts Association is currently registering a work or project for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Prize or State Prize, then the Vice-Chairman of the Literature and Arts Association shall serve as the Chairman of the Council.
In case both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Literature and Arts Association are currently registering works or projects for consideration for the Ho Chi Minh Prize or State Prize, a report shall be submitted to the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to decide on the Chairman of the Council.
b) Members of the Council: experts and specialists with prestige and deep understanding of their specialized fields; managers with deep understanding of their specialized fields; some outstanding authors who have been awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize or State Prize in literature and arts;
2. Council at the ministry, sector, provincial level: from 11 to 15 members;
a) Chairman of the Council at the ministry, sector, provincial level: Minister, head of a ministry-level agency or Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city.
b) Members of the Council: experts and specialists with prestige and deep understanding of their specialized fields; managers with deep understanding of their specialized fields; representatives of the Propaganda Department, the Awards and Commendations Department of the provincial committee (for provincial level); some outstanding authors who have been awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize or State Prize in literature and arts.
3. Decision on establishing the Council and its secretariat:
a) The Chairman of the Literature and Arts Association decides on the establishment of the basic-level Council; the basic-level Council uses the seal of the Literature and Arts Association under the responsibility of the Council Chairman. The Council has a secretariat decided upon by the Council Chairman.
b) The Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city decides on the establishment of the provincial-level Council. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism serves as the permanent body assisting the provincial-level Council. The Council uses the seal of the permanent body. The Council has a secretariat decided upon by the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
c) The Minister or head of a ministry-level agency decides on the establishment of the ministry-level Council and its secretariat.
Article 13. Documents of Councils at all levels
1. The documents for recommending the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize in literature and arts by Councils at all levels include:
a) Proposal for recommending the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize (Form 2a);
b) List of recommendations for the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize (Form 3a);
c) Minutes of the Council meeting to recommend the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize (Form 4a);
d) Minutes of the vote tally for the Ho Chi Minh Prize (Form 5a) accompanied by ballots (Form 7a);
đ) Report on the process of recommending the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize (Form 6a);
e) Personal file as stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular;
g) Decision on establishing the Council.
2. The documents for recommending the awarding of the State Prize in literature and arts by Councils at all levels include:
a) Proposal for recommending the awarding of the State Prize (Form 2b);
b) List of recommendations for the awarding of the State Prize (Form 3b);
c) Minutes of the Council meeting to recommend the awarding of the State Prize (Form 4b);
d) Minutes of the vote tally for the State Prize (Form 5b) accompanied by ballots (Form 7b);
đ) Report on the process of recommending the awarding of the State Prize (Form 6b);
e) Personal file as stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular;
g) Decision on establishing the Council.
3. Number of documents of Councils at all levels
a) Basic-level Council submits to the Council at the ministry, sector, provincial level: five sets of documents as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article.
b) Council at the ministry, sector, provincial level submits to the Council at the national level (through the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism): four sets of documents as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article.
Chapter IV
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Article 14. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals
1. The Chairman of the basic-level Council, the Chairman of the Council at the ministry, sector, provincial level is responsible for the accuracy in selecting documents for recommending the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize and State Prize in literature and arts, and also has the responsibility to handle complaints within the scope of the Council's responsibility.
2. Authors, co-authors, and legal representatives of authors, co-authors who request the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize and State Prize in literature and arts are responsible for the accuracy and honesty in declaring and registering their works or projects; their projects or project clusters.
3. Individuals or organizations that certify or appraise falsely or forge documents for others to request the Ho Chi Minh Prize or State Prize in literature and arts will be subject to disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal prosecution depending on the nature and severity of the violation.
Article 15. Complaints and Resolution of Complaints
1. Organizations and individuals have the right to lodge complaints about the results of selection and violations of regulations, procedures, and formalities for recommendation if they find such violations.
a) Complaint letters from agencies or organizations must clearly state the name of the complaining agency or unit, reasons for complaint; bear the stamp and signature of the authorized authority.
b) Complaint letters from individuals must clearly state their full name, position, address, reasons for complaint, and bear their direct signature (not printed or copied signatures).
c) Complaint letters should be sent to the Chairman of the Council where the organization or individual perceives a violation.
2. The Council at any level receiving a complaint letter shall have the responsibility to examine and provide a final response to the complaint letter; not to examine anonymous or fake complaint letters without names or addresses.
Article 16. Effective Date
1. This Circular takes effect 45 days from the date of signing and replaces Circular No. 23/2007/TT-BVHTT dated July 27, 2007 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism guiding the recommendation for the awarding of the Ho Chi Minh Prize and State Prize in literature and arts.
2. Chairmen of Literature and Arts Associations, heads of relevant agencies and units are responsible for organizing the dissemination, implementation, and ensuring awareness and compliance with this Circular.
During the implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, please reflect them to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (through the Department of Awards and Commendations) for timely research and amendment./.