Circular No. 03/2025/TT-BDTTG provides detailed regulations on the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards in the field of ethnic affairs and religious work.

CIRCULAR

REGULATION detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Rewardbonus

in the field of ethnic and religious affairs

 

Pursuant to the Law on Encouragement and Reward No. 06/2022/QH15 dated June 15, 2022;

On the basis of Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on the delegation of authority in the field of encouragement and reward; detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward;;

Pursuant to Decree No. 41/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion;

Pursuant to 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 dated February 26, 2025 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion;

Pursuant to Decree No. 13/2012/NĐ-CP dated March 2, 2012 of the Government promulgating the Charter for Inventions;

At the proposal of the Director of the Office of the Ministry;

The Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion issues this Circular detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward in the field of ethnic and religious affairs of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular details the implementation of Clause 4, Article 24; Clause 3, Article 26; Clause 3, Article 27; Clause 3, Article 28; Clause 2, Article 7; Clause 6, Article 74; Clause 2, Article 75; and Clause 6, Article 84 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward for the field of ethnic and religious affairs of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to collectives, officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers within the state administrative system for ethnic and religious affairs; organizations and individuals who have made contributions to the cause of ethnic and religious affairs.

Chapter II

OBJECTS, CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERING THE AWARD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AWARDS AND REWARD FORMS

Article 3. The title "Advanced Worker"

1. The title "Advanced Worker" shall be awarded annually to individuals belonging to units under or directly affiliated with the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion who meet the criteria stipulated in Clause 1, Article 24 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward 2022.

2. Only individuals who are officials, civil servants, public employees, or workers (with contracts of one year or more) with at least six months of work during the year of consideration for awards shall be eligible for the award.

3. Individuals sent for short-term training or enhancement courses of less than one year, who complete the course and comply well with the regulations of the training institution, shall have their study time counted towards their working time at the agency, organization, or unit for the purpose of being considered for the title "Advanced Worker." In cases where individuals are sent for training or enhancement courses of one year or more, who comply well with the regulations of the training institution and achieve satisfactory grades or higher (for courses that rank as average, good, excellent...), they may be considered for the title "Advanced Worker."

4. Women on maternity leave according to the State's regulations and individuals participating in combat or service support activities or performing brave actions to save people or property of the State and the People, leading to injury requiring treatment and convalescence as determined by medical facilities, shall have their treatment and convalescence time counted towards being considered for the title "Advanced Worker."

5. For individuals transferred to new agencies, organizations, or units, the new agency, organization, or unit is responsible for considering and awarding the title "Advanced Worker." If the individual has worked at the previous agency for at least six months, the opinion of the previous agency must be obtained.

6. In cases where individuals are temporarily assigned to another agency or unit for a specific period: The consideration for the title "Advanced Worker" shall be carried out by the agency or unit to which the individual is assigned. If the individual has worked at the previous agency or unit for at least six months, the agency or unit to which the individual is assigned shall seek the opinion of the previous agency or unit.

Article 4. The title "Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion"

1. The title "Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" according to the annual regular competition movement shall be awarded to collectives leading the competition movement organized by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, meeting the standards prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 26 of the Law on Competition and Reward in 2022.

2. The title "Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" shall be awarded to collectives leading the competition movement launched by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion with a duration of implementation of three years or more when concluding the competition movement.

3. The subjects, criteria for awarding shall be specifically stipulated by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion according to each competition movement.

Article 5. The title "Excellent Labor Collective"

1. The title "Excellent Labor Collective" shall be awarded annually to units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion meeting the standards prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 27 of the Law on Competition and Reward in 2022.

2. The subject for awarding must have officially operated for ten months or more in the year of commendation.

Article 6. The title "Advanced Labor Collective"

1. The title "Advanced Labor Collective" shall be awarded annually to units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion meeting the standards prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 28 of the Law on Competition and Reward in 2022.

2. The subject for awarding must have officially operated for ten months or more in the year of commendation.

Article 7. Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion

1. "Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" for achievements based on merit:

a) Awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals belonging to units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion who set good examples in implementing Party guidelines and State policies, having been twice consecutively awarded the title "Outstanding Competitor at the Base Level" or continuously recognized as having excellently completed tasks for two years or more during which period two initiatives were recognized and effectively applied within the base level or two scientific topics, scientific projects, scientific and technological works were accepted and effectively applied within the base level.

b) Awarded to collectives of units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion that have excellently completed tasks for two consecutive years, maintaining internal unity, setting good examples in implementing Party guidelines and State policies, grassroots democracy regulations, organizing competition movements well; caring for the material and spiritual lives of members within the collective; practicing thrift and combating waste; fully implementing all systems and policies for all members within the collective.

2. "Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" for achievements in the annual regular competition movement and special topic competition movement launched by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion: awarded when concluding the annual regular competition movement and special topic competition movement; the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion will award Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals with outstanding and exemplary achievements in the competition movement. Regarding the subjects, number of Certificates of Merit, criteria for awarding, the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion will specifically stipulate according to each competition movement.

3. "Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" awarded to collectives and individuals who set good examples in implementing Party guidelines and State policies and have achieved outstanding and sudden merits: awarded to collectives and individuals who win high awards at national and international contests, reunions, exhibitions in the field of ethnic affairs and religion; have inventions, innovations, applications of scientific and technological progress bringing high efficiency or collectives and individuals who achieve outstanding merits with significant influence and exemplary effect in the field of ethnic affairs and religion.

4. "Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" for achievements with long-term contributions to the construction and development of the field of ethnic affairs and religion: awarded to collectives on the occasion of commemorating the traditional day of units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion in years ending in five and odd years.

5. "Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" awarded to collectives and individuals of religious organizations: The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall seek opinions from relevant agencies before submitting to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for consideration and reward.

a) Commendation within the authority of the Minister: The Government Office of Religion shall take the lead, coordinating with the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion to consider and submit to the Minister for awarding Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals of religious organizations who set good examples in implementing Party guidelines and State policies and have contributed to economic and social development, application of scientific and technological progress, social work or achievements in the development of the field of ethnic affairs and religion.

b) Organizations and individuals of religious organizations under provincial level shall be submitted by the People's Committees of provinces to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for consideration and reward.

6. "Certificate of Merit of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion" awarded to collectives and individuals of overseas Vietnamese and foreign individuals with achievements contributing to the development of the field of ethnic affairs and religion.

7. Other cases shall be considered and decided by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion within his/her authority.

Article 8. Commendation Medal "For the Cause of Ethnic and Religious Affairs"

1. The Commendation Medal "For the Cause of Ethnic and Religious Affairs" is a form of recognition and acknowledgment of achievements by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for individuals who have made contributions to the cause of ethnic and religious affairs. The medal is awarded only once to each individual and is not posthumously awarded.

2. The Commendation Medal "For the Cause of Ethnic and Religious Affairs" shall be awarded to individuals meeting one of the following criteria:

a) For individuals working in state agencies responsible for ethnic and religious affairs: civil servants, public officials, and employees with continuous service of at least 15 years for males and 13 years for females up to the time of awarding the Commendation Medal. Female individuals may be awarded the Commendation Medal two years earlier than the specified period.

b) For individuals outside the state management system for ethnic and religious affairs, including: ethnic minorities, religious dignitaries, and functionaries conferred titles such as Heroic Forces, Heroic Labor in the Renewal Period, National Model Worker, People's Teacher, People's Artist, People's Artisan, People's Doctor by the State; persons of influence recognized by competent authorities within ethnic minority communities and religious groups; entrepreneurs, artists, artisans with outstanding achievements contributing to economic and social development, ensuring national defense and security in ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and religious groups. Civil servants, public officials, and employees from central ministries, sectors, and mass organizations, provincial departments, and agencies directly involved in economic and social development, ensuring national defense and security in ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and religious groups: must have at least 10 years of continuous service up to the time of awarding the Commendation Medal and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit by their supervising agency. Civil servants, public officials, and employees from administrative and public service units at the commune level directly involved in economic and social development, ensuring national defense and security in ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, and religious groups: must have at least 15 years of continuous service for males and 13 years for females up to the time of awarding the Commendation Medal, during which they received at least one Commendation Letter or Certificate of Merit from their supervising agency. Female individuals may be awarded the Commendation Medal two years earlier than the specified period.

c) Other cases eligible for the Commendation Medal include: leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and central mass organizations; leaders of central ministries and sectors; leaders of provinces and cities who have contributed to the cause of ethnic and religious affairs in Vietnam. Individuals with outstanding achievements on the occasion of the National Congress of Ethnic Minorities of Vietnam; National Conferences and Meetings of religious organizations. Foreign individuals and overseas Vietnamese who have contributed to consolidating and strengthening ethnic and religious solidarity, providing meritorious support in material and spiritual terms for the cause of ethnic and religious affairs in Vietnam.

3. If, upon retirement, an individual, both inside and outside state agencies responsible for ethnic and religious affairs, still lacks between one month and less than twelve months of service compared to the required period, they may be considered for the Commendation Medal before retirement.

4. The Commendation Medal shall not be awarded to individuals under disciplinary action, under consideration for disciplinary action, under investigation, audit, inspection due to suspected violations, or whose complaints or accusations are being verified. Disciplinary periods for individuals who have been disciplined shall not be counted towards eligibility for the Commendation Medal.

Article 9. Certificate of Merit issued by the Head of the agency or unit with legal personality under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion

1. "Certificate of Merit" shall be awarded to individuals who serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines, State policies and laws, meeting one of the following criteria:

a) Successfully completing assigned tasks for at least one year; possessing good moral character; consistently studying to enhance professional knowledge and skills.

b) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitive movements initiated by the agency or unit.

c) Achieving many merits or outstanding and sudden achievements within the scope managed by the agency or unit.

2. "Certificate of Merit" shall be awarded to groups that serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines, State policies and laws, meeting one of the following criteria:

a) Successfully completing assigned tasks for at least one year; maintaining internal unity, effectively implementing grassroots democracy regulations, organizing competitive movements well; caring for the material and spiritual life of group members, practicing thrift; fully implementing systems and policies for all members of the group.

b) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitive movements.

c) Achieving many merits or outstanding and sudden achievements within the scope managed by the agency or unit.

3. The Certificate of Merit issued by the Head of the agency or unit with legal personality under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion to award students shall be implemented according to the School Regulations and related provisions issued by the Minister of Education and Training.

4. The annual awarding of commendation forms and titles to groups and individuals under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall be carried out in accordance with the Operation Regulation of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

Article 10. Level of Financial Reward and Commendation Items

1. Groups and individuals under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall allocate financial rewards in accordance with Clause 2, Chapter 7 of Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government: Regulations on Delegation and Granting of Authority in the Field of Competition and Commendation; Detailed Provisions and Guidance on Implementation of Certain Articles of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. Agencies and units with legal personality under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall allocate financial rewards from the annual state budget allocated to them.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPETITION AND COMMENDATION COUNCIL OF THE MINISTRY OF ETHNIC AFFAIRS AND RELIGION

Article 11. Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion

1. The Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion is an advisory body to the Party Committee and the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion regarding competition and commendation work, with duties and powers as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 90 of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. The composition of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion includes:

a) The Chairman of the Council is the Minister.

b) One Vice-Chairman in charge of the Council: the Deputy Minister in charge of the Council's permanent office.

c) Members of the Council.

3. The Chairman of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion decides on the composition, number of members, duties, and powers of the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Permanent Members of the Council, the Council's permanent office, and other members of the Council; issues the Council's operational regulations.

4. Activities of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion:

a) The Council operates based on the principles of centralization, democracy, majority voting, and all opinions of Council members on proposed policies and measures for competition and commendation are reported to the Minister and the Council Chairman for consideration and decision.

b) The Council convenes regular meetings every six months to evaluate its activities, compile the situation of competitive movements and commendation work in the sector, deploy tasks for the next six months, and provide opinions on necessary issues. The Council may convene extraordinary meetings convened by the Chairman. The Chairman presides over or delegates the Vice-Chairman in charge to chair the session.

c) The Council collectively decides on the following matters: Approves plans and programs of work directed by the Central Competition and Commendation Council or the Party Committee and leadership of the Ministry. Examines and proposes commendations, decides on awards of commendation titles and forms within its authority or submits to competent authorities for commendation. Establishes, guides organization and operation of competition blocs organized by the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

d) The Council monitors, urges, and inspects the implementation of competition and commendation work and competitive movements in units under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

e) The working relationship between the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion and the Competition and Commendation Councils of subordinate units is a directive and cooperative relationship. Based on their functions, duties, and operational regulations, the Competition and Commendation Councils of subordinate units have the responsibility to cooperate in implementation.

5. The Ministry Office is the permanent office of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

Chapter IV

APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING COMPETITION TITLES AND RECOGNITION FORMS WITHIN THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER OF ETHNIC AFFAIRS AND RELIGION

Article 12. Documents for Proposing to Bestow Commendation Titles and Reward Forms within the Authority of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion

1. The documents for proposing to bestow commendation titles and reward forms within the authority of the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall be implemented according to the provisions set forth in Article 84 of the Law on Competition and Rewards and Section 2 Chapter V of Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government: Regulations on the delegation of authority in the field of competition and rewards; detailed regulations and guidance on implementing certain articles of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. When submitting reward proposal documents, agencies, organizations, units, and enterprises must send the original paper copy of the reward documents along with electronic files (Word and PDF) to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, except for documents containing state secrets. The reward documents will only be accepted when the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion receives both the original paper copy and the electronic files of the documents in accordance with the regulations.

3. Heads of units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall submit to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for consideration and bestow commendation titles and reward forms to individuals and groups within the Minister's authority; propose to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for consideration and bestow national-level commendation titles and reward forms according to their authority; propose to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for other central ministries and sectors to present Commendation Plaques and Certificates of Merit to individuals and groups within their agencies and units. In cases where rewards are given to individuals and groups involving foreign elements, the submitting unit must have a written agreement from the International Cooperation Department.

4. Heads of provincial-level state management agencies for ethnic affairs and religion shall submit to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for consideration and bestow Certificates of Merit from the Minister to individuals within their units; consult the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level regarding proposals for the Minister to bestow rewards on specific topics; propose to consider and bestow Commendation Plaques to individuals within and outside the system of state management agencies for ethnic affairs and religion within their jurisdiction.

5. Heads of central and local ministries, departments, and agencies shall propose to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion for consideration and bestow Certificates of Merit to groups and individuals within their units; Commendation Plaques to individuals within their units.

Article 13. Innovation Council

1. Innovation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion

a) The Innovation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion is an agency established by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion to assist the Minister in recognizing the effectiveness and scope of influence of innovations as a basis for considering and bestowing commendation titles and reward forms.

b) Members of the Innovation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion include: The Chair of the Innovation Council is the Deputy Minister responsible for Science and Technology; Vice-Chair is the Director of the Ministry's Office and the Head of the unit assigned tasks related to Science and Technology; Other members are appointed by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.

c) The unit assigned tasks related to Science and Technology serves as the permanent body of the Innovation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, responsible for reviewing the documents of the grassroots Innovation Councils and confirming innovations; advising on the issuance of operational regulations of the Innovation Council by the Ministry Leadership.

d) The Innovation Council of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion operates according to the organizational and operational regulations issued by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Religion. A meeting of the Council is organized when at least two-thirds of the Council members attend. The meeting is chaired by the Chair or the Vice-Chair authorized by the Chair.

đ) The operating budget for the Innovation Council is allocated from the State budget provided to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion or from other appropriate sources in accordance with the law.

2. Grassroots Innovation Council

a) The grassroots Innovation Council is responsible for recognizing the effectiveness and scope of influence of grassroots innovations and submitting them to the Ministry-level Innovation Council for recognition of ministry-level innovations as a basis for considering and bestowing commendation titles and reward forms.

b) Heads of units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion, who have separate bank accounts, seals, or legal personality, issue decisions to establish grassroots Innovation Councils of their units.

c) Members of the grassroots Innovation Council include: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and members. The Council operates according to the operational regulations issued by the unit's Head.

d) For units without legal personality: Unit leaders, representatives of the Party committee, and mass organizations are responsible for recognizing the effectiveness and scope of influence of grassroots innovations and submitting them to the Ministry-level Innovation Council for recognition of ministry-level innovations as a basis for considering and bestowing commendation titles and reward forms.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 14. Effective Date

Article 32. Responsibilities of Agencies

2. In cases where the regulatory legal documents cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be applied according to the newly issued documents.

Article 15. Implementation Organization

1. Heads of agencies and units under and directly under the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion are responsible for disseminating and organizing the implementation of this Circular and the provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards 2022, Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on the delegation of authority in the field of competition and rewards; detailed regulations and guidance on implementing certain articles of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. During the process of organizing and implementing competition and reward activities, if there are difficulties or new issues arising, heads of agencies, units, and relevant individuals should report to the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion (through the Ministry's Office) for consolidation and reporting to the Minister for consideration and decision.