Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BNV guides certain contents regarding specialized inspection in the religious field.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines on certain aspects of specialized inspection in the religious field

 

Based on the Inspection Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions dated June 18, 2004;

Pursuant to DecreeNo. Decision No. 58/2014/NĐ-CP of June 16, 2014 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, and powers of the Ministry of Home Affairs;onThe Director of the Office, Heads of Payment Department, Heads of units under the State Bank of Vietnam; credit institutions, foreign bank branches, payment switching organizations, electronic transaction settlement organizations are responsible for implementing this Circular.of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairsu t, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP Pursuant to Decree No. 07/2012/NĐ-CP of February 9, 2012 of the Government stipulating the agencies entrusted with the function of specialized inspection and activities of specialized inspection;

Pursuant to Decree No. 90/2012/NĐ-CP of November 5, 2012 of the Government on organization and operation of specialized inspection in the Home Affairs sector;June 2024;Pursuant to Decree No. 92/2012/NĐ-CP of November 8, 2012 of the Government stipulating detailed provisions and measures for implementing the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions;"b) In addition to the lists of public services issued according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 4 of this Decree, specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees shall report to the provincial People's Committee for decision-making on amending, supplementing, or issuing the list of public services funded by the state budget within their jurisdiction and consistent with the local budget capacity within the approved budget by the Provincial People's Assembly, and send it to the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries and sectors for supervision during implementation."Pursuant to Decision No. 06/2015/QĐ-TTg of February 12, 2015 of the Prime Minister stipulating the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Pursuant to DecreeNo. Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs,, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP The Minister of Home Affairs issues this Circular guiding certain aspects of specialized inspection in the religious field.

Pursuant to DecreeNo. This Circular guides certain aspects of specialized inspection in the religious field (hereinafter referred to as specialized religious inspection), including: Content, tasks, and authorities of specialized religious inspection; inspection activities and conditions ensuring specialized religious inspection activities. This Circular applies to the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs, Departments of Home Affairs, Inspection Departments of Home Affairs, administrative state agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the implementation of laws on beliefs and religions. CONTENT, TASKS, AUTHORITIES OF SPECIALIZED RELIGIOUS INSPECTION

Article 3. Content of specialized religious inspectionof the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home AffairsThe Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs and Inspection Departments of Home Affairs have the authority to inspect the implementation of legal regulations regarding the following contents:June 2024;1. Registration of religious activities, registration of religious operations, recognition of religious organizations.

2. Establishment, division, separation, merger, consolidation of subordinate religious organizations.June 2024;3. Registration of associations, monastic orders, monasteries, and other collective religious organizations.

4. Establishment, management, dissolution of training schools, opening classes for training those who specialize in religious activities.No. 5. Consecration, ordination, appointment, election, nomination, dismissal, removal of religious clergy.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

6. Transfer of place of activity of religious clergy, religious practitioners.

Article 2. Applicability

7. Registration of annual religious activity programs of grassroots religious organizations.

Chapter II

8. Annual meetings, congresses of religious organizations, subordinate religious organizations.

9. Activities of publishing religious publications, religious printed materials.

10. Inspect the implementation of legal regulations concerning the responsibilities of administrative state agencies in carrying out religious activities.

11. Perform other tasks when assigned by the Minister of Home Affairs to the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs; by the Director of the Department of Home Affairs to the Inspection Departments of Home Affairs.

1. The Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs

a) Draft plans for specialized religious inspection to be sent to the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval by the Minister of Home Affairs and organize the implementation of inspection plans upon approval;

b) Inspect compliance with specialized legal regulations on beliefs and religions;

c) Inspect cases showing signs of violation of legal regulations when assigned by the Minister of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

d) Monitor, urge, and check the implementation of conclusions, recommendations, and decisions on handling inspections made by themselves;

đ) Summarize and report to the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the results of specialized religious inspections;

e) Inspect other cases as assigned by the Minister according to the law;

2. The Chairman of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs

a) Lead, direct, and supervise specialized religious inspection work;

b) Decide on inspections according to approved inspection plans by the Minister of Home Affairs;

Article 4. Tasks and Powers

c) Decide on spot inspections when discovering signs of violations of legal regulations on beliefs and religions or at the request of the Minister of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of the Ministry of Home Affairs; assign civil servants to perform specialized religious inspection tasks;

d) Recommend to competent state agencies to amend, supplement, or issue regulations in accordance with management requirements; recommend suspension or revocation of illegal regulations discovered through inspection work;

đ) Request the Inspector General of the Ministry of Home Affairs to handle overlapping scopes, objects, contents, and timeframes of inspections within the scope of management of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs and summon civil servants and officials to participate in specialized religious inspection teams;

3. Legal Affairs and Inspection Division, Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs

The Legal Affairs and Inspection Division of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs is the advisory unit for specialized religious inspection work with the following duties and authorities:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant units under the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs to draft inspection programs and plans to be reported to the Chairman for submission to the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval by the Minister of Home Affairs;

b) Conduct inspections according to plans, regular inspections, and spot inspections when assigned by the Chairman of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs;

c) Receive and process citizens' complaints, reports, suggestions, and reflections in the religious field;

d) Monitor, urge, and check the implementation of inspection conclusions, recommendations, and decisions in the religious field;

đ) Handle according to their authority or recommend competent state agencies to handle violations of religious legal regulations discovered through inspection work;

e) Take the lead or participate in scientific research, organize conferences, and seminars on specialized religious inspection;

g) Compile and prepare reports on inspection results and complaint resolution; organize mid-term and final reviews of the implementation of specialized religious inspection tasks;

h) Examine, verify, conclude, and recommend the Chairman of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs to resolve complaints and reports related to religion according to the law;

i) Advise the Chairman of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs to submit to competent authorities for issuance, amendment, or supplementation of regulations on complaint and report resolution in the religious field;

k) Perform other tasks assigned by the Minister of Home Affairs, the Chairman of the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs, or according to the law.

4. Departments of Home Affairs

b) Carry out inspections according to plans, regular inspections, and surprise inspections when assigned by the Chairman of the Government Committee on Religion;

c) Receive citizens; accept and process complaints, reports, suggestions, and reflections from citizens in the field of religion;

d) Monitor, urge, and inspect the implementation of inspection conclusions, suggestions, and decisions on handling cases in the field of religion;

đ) Handle within their authority or recommend competent state agencies to handle violations of laws in the field of religion discovered through inspection work;

e) Chair or participate in scientific research, organize conferences, seminars on specialized religious inspections;

g) Summarize, prepare reports on inspection results and complaint resolution; organize mid-term and final reviews of the implementation of specialized religious inspection tasks;

h) Verify, conclude, and recommend the Chairman of the Government Committee on Religion to resolve complaints and reports related to religion in accordance with the provisions of the law;

i) Advise the Chairman of the Government Committee on Religion to submit to competent authorities for issuance, amendment, or supplementation of regulations on complaint and report resolution in the field of religion;

k) Perform other tasks assigned by the Minister of Home Affairs or the Chairman of the Government Committee on Religion or as stipulated by law;

4. Department of Home Affairs

a) Carry out inspection and supervision work; handle complaints and reports in the field of religion as prescribed by law;

b) Perform other tasks and exercise other powers as prescribed by law.

5. Director of the Department of Home Affairs

a) Fulfill the responsibilities and duties of the Director of the Department as stipulated in Article 7 of Decree No. 24/2014/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2014 of the Government on the organization of specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees and municipal People's Committees directly under the central government;

b) Examine and approve annual plans for religious sector inspections;

c) Decide to conduct religious sector inspections according to approved plans and establish inspection teams;

d) Perform other duties and powers as prescribed by law.

6. Inspectorate of the Department of Home Affairs

The Inspectorate of the Department of Home Affairs is an organization under the Department of Home Affairs with the following tasks and powers:

a) Perform tasks and exercise powers as provided for in Article 24 of the Inspection Law and Article 6 of Decree No. 90/2012/NĐ-CP dated November 5, 2012 on the organization and operation of inspections in the Home Affairs sector;

b) Advise the Director of the Department of Home Affairs to carry out specialized inspections and resolve complaints and reports related to religion as prescribed by law;

c) Perform other duties and powers as prescribed by law.

Chapter III

SPECIALIZED RELIGIOUS SECTOR INSPECTION ACTIVITIES

Article 5. Construction and approval of specialized religious sector inspection plans

1. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs shall be responsible for

a) Building programs and plans for specialized religious sector inspections and submitting them to the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Home Affairs no later than November 1 each year;

b) Reporting to the Minister of Home Affairs when it is necessary to adjust a specialized religious sector inspection plan that has been approved;

c) The inspection plan specified in Point a and Point b of Clause 1 of this Article, after being approved by the Minister of Home Affairs, shall be sent to the inspected entity and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

2. The Inspectorate of the Department of Home Affairs shall be responsible for

a) Cooperating with the Religious Affairs Office (Division) to build programs and plans for specialized inspections in the religious sector and submitting them to the Director of the Department of Home Affairs for approval no later than December 5 each year;

b) Reporting to the Director of the Department of Home Affairs when it is necessary to adjust a specialized religious sector inspection plan that has been approved;

c) The inspection plan specified in Point a and Point b of Clause 2 of this Article, after being approved by the Director of the Department of Home Affairs, shall be sent to the inspected entity and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Article 6. Duration of inspection

1. A specialized religious sector inspection conducted by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs shall not exceed 45 days; in complex cases, it may be extended, but not more than 70 days.

2. A specialized religious sector inspection conducted by the Inspectorate of the Department of Home Affairs shall not exceed 30 days; in complex cases, it may be extended, but not more than 45 days.

Article 7. Procedures and formalities for specialized religious sector inspection activities

The procedures and formalities for specialized religious sector inspection activities shall be carried out in accordance with the Inspection Law; Decree No. 07/2012/NĐ-CP dated February 9, 2012 of the Government on agencies assigned to perform specialized inspection functions and specialized inspection activities; Decree No. 90/2012/NĐ-CP dated November 5, 2012 on the organization and operation of inspections in the Home Affairs sector; and Circular No. 05/2014/TT-TTCP dated October 16, 2014 of the Government Inspectorate on the organization, operation, working relationships of inspection teams, and procedures and formalities for conducting an inspection.

Article 8. Coordination work for the implementation of specialized religious inspection activities

1. When necessary, the Government Committee on Religion shall take the lead and coordinate with departments and units under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Departments of Home Affairs to conduct specialized religious inspections within their respective jurisdictions.

2. In cases where the content of the inspection involves multiple sectors and levels related to religion, the Head of the Government Committee on Religion shall propose to the Minister of Home Affairs to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to establish a joint inspection team.

Chapter IV

CONDITIONS TO ENSURE SPECIALIZED RELIGIOUS INSPECTION ACTIVITIES

Article 9. Standards for persons assigned to perform specialized religious inspection tasks

1. Standards for persons assigned to perform specialized religious inspection tasks at the Government Committee on Religion

They must be civil servants within the establishment of the Government Committee on Religion (hereinafter referred to as specialized religious inspection civil servants) who meet the conditions and standards stipulated for the current civil servant rank and the following specific standards:

a) Understanding of laws, holding a bachelor's degree or higher in fields such as Law, Public Administration, Religious Studies, State Management;

b) Having at least two years of experience in state management of religions (excluding probationary period), possessing skills, expertise, and experience in inspection work; receiving training in state management of religions.

2. Standards for persons assigned to perform specialized religious inspection tasks in the field of religion at the Department of Home Affairs

a) Meeting the conditions and standards of an inspector currently holding as prescribed in Decree No. 97/2011/ND-CP dated October 21, 2011 of the Government on inspectors and inspection collaborators;

b) Receiving training in state management of religions.

Article 10. Inspection activity funding and benefits for specialized religious inspection civil servants

1. Funding for specialized religious inspection activities is guaranteed by the State.

2. Specialized religious inspection civil servants are provided with uniforms, badges, and allowances when performing inspection duties.

a) Uniforms, badges, and allowances for civil servants performing specialized religious inspection duties at the Government Committee on Religion are implemented according to Articles 11, 12, 13, and 14 of this Circular and current laws.

b) Uniforms, badges, and allowances for inspectors at the Department of Home Affairs are implemented according to Decree No. 97/2011/ND-CP dated October 21, 2011 of the Government on inspectors and inspection collaborators and current laws.

3. Funding for specialized religious inspection activities is included in the annual budget estimate of the Government Committee on Religion, the Department of Home Affairs, and submitted to the competent authority for approval in accordance with the law.

Article 11. Uniforms for specialized religious inspection civil servants

1. Specialized religious inspection civil servants are provided with uniforms according to the model attached as Appendix 01 to this Circular.

a) The emblem of the Government Committee on Religion is sewn on the left sleeve, attached to the cap and nameplate;

b) The nameplate is attached to the left chest. It includes a part of the emblem of the Government Committee on Religion, the name of the agency, and the name of the person wearing the nameplate;

c) Pants, winter jacket, cap, tie, shoulder straps: made of Tuytsi blended wool fabric, dark navy blue color;

d) Shirt: made of poplin fabric, sky blue color.

2. The uniforms for specialized religious inspection civil servants are used when performing inspection duties and on days related to inspection activities.

Article 12. Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card

1. The Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card is rectangular, measuring 60 mm wide and 85 mm long, following the model attached as Appendix 2 to this Circular.

a) Front side: red background.

Information includes:

- Top line: National Emblem of Vietnam, in bold uppercase letters, black color, font size 9; "SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM"- Next line: "INDEPENDENCE - FREEDOM - HAPPINESS", in bold lowercase letters, black color, font size 9, with a bottom line under the text;

- In the center of the Card: National Emblem, diameter 24 mm; - Bottom line: "RELIGIOUS INSPECTION PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR'S CARD", in bold uppercase letters, black color, font size 12;b) Back side: white background with light blue patterns of bronze drums; top left corner has the National Emblem, diameter 15 mm; from the top left corner to the bottom right corner is a diagonal red line.

Information contents:

- First line: "GOVERNMENT RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE", in bold uppercase letters, black color, font size 13; - Second line: in bold uppercase letters, red color, font size 14;- Third line: "CARD NUMBER", in lowercase letters, black color, font size 13;

- Fourth line: "FULL NAME", in bold uppercase letters, black color, font size 14;

- Fifth line: "DATE OF ISSUE", in lowercase letters, black color, font size 11;

- Sixth line: "VALIDITY PERIOD", in lowercase letters, black color, font size 11; - Seventh line: "COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN", in bold uppercase letters, black color, font size 11 (signature of the Committee Chairman and stamp);- Lower left corner has the photo of the cardholder, size 20 mm x 30 mm (with the stamp of the Government Religious Affairs Committee).

2. The Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card is issued by the Chairman of the Government Religious Affairs Committee pursuant to the authorization of the Minister of Home Affairs. - Second line: in bold uppercase letters, red color, font size 14;Article 13. Responsibilities for Managing and Using Uniforms and Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Cards

1. The Legal Affairs and Inspection Department shall assist the Chairman of the Government Religious Affairs Committee in:

a) Managing uniforms, card blanks, maintaining records of new issuance, reissuance, replacement, and recovery of Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Cards; b) Distributing and managing the use of Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Cards;c) Recovering Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Cards when inspectors use them improperly, transfer jobs, retire, resign, die, or no longer perform religious inspection tasks, or when the cards are damaged. Recovered cards must be cut at the corners and recorded in the tracking book.

2. Inspectors have the responsibility to:

a) Safeguard the uniforms provided; use uniforms and Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Cards according to regulations. The Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card can only be used when performing religious inspection tasks. Strictly prohibit using the Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card when not performing religious inspection tasks;

b) Present the Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card when performing religious inspection tasks; c) Submit an application for replacement or reissue of the Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card if it is damaged or lost, to be submitted to the Legal Affairs and Inspection Department for the Chairman of the Government Religious Affairs Committee to decide;d) Return the Religious Inspection Professional Inspector's Card when no longer assigned to perform religious inspection tasks.

Article 14. Training and Capacity Building for Religious Inspection Professionals

1. Religious Inspection Professionals will receive training on beliefs, religions, and inspection practices;

2. The program, content, and funding for training and capacity building for Religious Inspection Professionals shall be implemented in accordance with current laws regarding civil servant training systems.

1. This Circular takes effect from July 25, 2016

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or new issues arise, relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals should report to the Ministry of Home Affairs for review and resolution./.

b) Issue and manage the use of the Religious Inspection Professional Inspector Card;

c) Revoke the Card when the inspector uses it improperly, transfers jobs, retires, resigns, dies, or no longer performs specialized religious inspection tasks, or if the Card is damaged. Revoked Cards must be cut at the corner and recorded in the tracking book;

2. Inspectors specializing in religious inspections shall be responsible for

a) Safeguarding the uniform provided; using the uniform and Card in accordance with regulations. The Religious Inspection Professional Inspector Card can only be used when performing specialized religious inspection tasks. It is strictly prohibited to use the Religious Inspection Professional Inspector Card when not performing specialized religious inspection tasks;

b) Present the Religious Inspection Professional Inspector Card when performing specialized religious inspection tasks;

c) Submit an application for replacement or reissue of the Card when it is damaged or lost, to the Legal Affairs and Inspection Department for decision by the Chairman of the Government Committee on Religion;

d) Return the Card when no longer assigned to perform specialized religious inspection tasks;

Article 14. Training and upgrading of inspectors specializing in religious inspections

1. Inspectors specializing in religious inspections shall be upgraded with knowledge about beliefs, religions, and inspection procedures;

2. Programs, contents, and funding for training and upgrading of inspectors specializing in religious inspections shall be implemented in accordance with current legal regulations on civil servant training systems;

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 15. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 25, 2016;

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or new issues arise, relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals should reflect them to the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration and resolution./.