Circular No. 09/2025/TT-BNG guiding the functions, tasks, and authorities regarding foreign affairs work of specialized agencies under the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities and communes, wards, and special administrative-economic zones under provinces and centrally governed cities.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines on the functions, tasks, and authorities regarding foreign affairs work of specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees and district-level People's Committees, and special administrative regions under provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees.
competent authority under the People's Committee of the province, centrally governed city, and People's Committee of the commune, ward, or special economic zone under the province,
centrally governed city,
city under the central government

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Pursuant to Decree No. 28/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 24, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 150/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 12, 2025 of the Government stipulating the organization of specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees and centrally governed city People's Committees, and district-level People's Committees and special administrative regions under provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees;

The Minister of Foreign Affairs issues this Circular delegating authority for issuing, extending, amending, supplementing, reissuing, suspending, terminating operations, and revoking Certificates of Operation and Certificates of Representative Office Registration for foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs issues this Circular guiding the functions, tasks, and authorities regarding foreign affairs work of specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees and centrally governed city People's Committees, and district-level People's Committees and special administrative regions under provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

Article 1. This Circular guides the functions, tasks, and authorities regarding foreign affairs work of specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees and centrally governed city People's Committees (hereinafter referred to collectively as provincial level) and district-level People's Committees and special administrative regions under provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees (hereinafter referred to collectively as district level), including:

a) Department of Foreign Affairs;

b) Office of the Provincial People's Committee in provinces and centrally governed cities that have not established a Department of Foreign Affairs;

c) Office of the People's Council and People's Committee at the district level.

2. The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, public service units, and bureaus (if any) under specialized agencies at the provincial level are not subject to the provisions of this Circular.

Article 2. Position and Functions of the Department of Foreign Affairs

1. The Department of Foreign Affairs is a specialized agency under the provincial People's Committee, with the function of advising and assisting the provincial People's Committee in performing state management functions regarding local foreign affairs work, including border and national territory affairs (for provinces with borders); implementing public services within the scope of state management of the Department according to the law (if applicable).

2. The Department of Foreign Affairs has legal personality, its own seal and separate account; it is subject to the direction and management of the provincial People's Committee regarding organization, staffing, and activities; at the same time, it is subject to the direction, guidance, and supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding professional and technical matters.

Article 3. Tasks and Authorities of the Department of Foreign Affairs

1. Submit to the provincial People's Committee:

a) Draft resolutions of the provincial People's Council, draft decisions of the provincial People's Committee related to local foreign affairs work and other documents assigned by the provincial People's Committee;

b) Draft long-term plans, five-year plans, annual plans, strategies, programs, projects, measures for organizing and implementing foreign affairs tasks of the province;

c) Draft decisions on the delegation of state management functions in the field of foreign affairs to the Department of Foreign Affairs according to the law;

d) Draft decisions specifying the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Department of Foreign Affairs; draft decisions specifying the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of public service units (except where otherwise provided by specific laws) under the Department of Foreign Affairs (if any);

đ) Draft decisions on the socialization of activities providing public services in the field of foreign affairs within the authority of the provincial People's Committee.

2. Submit to the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee draft documents within the authority to issue of the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee regarding local foreign affairs work.

3. Organize the implementation of legal regulations, planning, programs, projects, and proposals on local foreign affairs work after approval; provide information, propaganda, guidance, dissemination, education, and monitoring of the enforcement of laws related to areas under the jurisdiction of the Department.

4. Regarding international cooperation and integration:

a) Advise the provincial People's Committee on strategies, projects, plans, and programs of activities on international cooperation and integration of the locality in accordance with the foreign policy guidelines of the Party and the policies and laws of the State.

b) Advise the provincial People's Committee, build, organize the implementation, report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and competent authorities on the results of implementing plans and programs of international cooperation and integration of the locality, projects establishing friendly cooperative relations with foreign partners; coordinate in advising the provincial People's Committee to build and implement projects, plans, and programs of specialized cooperation with foreign partners.

c) Serve as the focal point of the provincial People's Committee in exchanging and cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese representative offices abroad, foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices, and representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as foreign representative offices in Vietnam), foreign non-governmental organizations, and other entities with foreign elements in Vietnam, except where otherwise assigned by the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee.

5. Regarding Party and people's foreign affairs:

a) Advise the provincial People's Committee on the implementation of directives from the Government,

b) Advise the provincial People's Committee on organizing and implementing the Party's policies and activities in foreign affairs at the local level according to the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

6. Regarding economic diplomacy:

a) Advise the provincial People's Committee on economic diplomacy, building and implementing strategies, projects, plans, and action programs for economic diplomacy to serve the socio-economic development of the locality.

b) Serve as the focal point of the Provincial People's Committee in exchanging and cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, foreign representative agencies in Vietnam, in promoting and introducing the potential and strengths of the locality; coordinate to implement tasks related to trade promotion, investment, tourism, science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of economic organizations of the locality abroad.

7. On cultural diplomacy work:

a) Advise the Provincial People's Committee on cultural diplomacy work, build and implement programs and action plans to carry out the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy during each period.

b) Serve as the focal point of the Provincial People's Committee in exchanging and cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, foreign representative agencies in Vietnam, and other entities with foreign elements in implementing cultural diplomacy activities at the local level, introducing and promoting the image, people, and culture of the locality abroad, except where there is a different assignment from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

c) Chair or coordinate to advise the Provincial People's Committee on programs and plans for local activities in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

8. On overseas Vietnamese work:

a) Serve as the focal point of the Provincial People's Committee to cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conducting research, compiling information, advising policies, laws concerning overseas Vietnamese within the responsibilities and authority of the Provincial People's Committee.

b) Advise the Provincial People's Committee on overseas Vietnamese work; chair the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs of the province for overseas Vietnamese within the responsibilities and authority of the Provincial People's Committee based on the guidelines and policies of the Party and State and legal provisions.

c) Organize information dissemination and propaganda on the guidelines and policies of the Party and State towards overseas Vietnamese; mobilize, guide, and support overseas Vietnamese and their relatives in working, doing business, living, and studying in the locality.

d) Chair and coordinate with relevant agencies to compile statistics on overseas Vietnamese originating from the locality; manage, provide, and update statistics on overseas Vietnamese originating from the locality to the Database on Overseas Vietnamese managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

đ) Advise the Provincial People's Committee to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs according to regulations on the results of implementing work concerning overseas Vietnamese within the responsibilities and authority of the Provincial People's Committee.

9. On consular affairs and international migration activities:

a) Advise the Provincial People's Committee to perform state management functions regarding exit and entry of persons eligible for diplomatic passports and service passports, and manage diplomatic passports and service passports in accordance with legal provisions.

b) Serve as the focal point to coordinate with the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle issues related to the protection of local citizens abroad and consular work for foreigners in the locality.

c) Advise on the implementation of tasks related to consular certification and legalization in accordance with legal provisions.

d) Serve as the focal point to exchange with foreign representative agencies in Vietnam to resolve routine consular cases of low complexity in the area under the authorization of the Provincial People's Committee based on the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

đ) Coordinate with relevant agencies and the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advise the Provincial People's Committee on guidelines and policies regarding international migration activities of citizens in the locality; collect information and statistics on international migration in the locality and regularly every six months advise the Provincial People's Committee to report on migration to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

10. On border and national territory work (for provinces with borders):

a) Serve as the permanent agency of the Provincial People's Committee on border and national territory work; assist the Provincial People's Committee in performing state management functions regarding border and territorial work in the locality in accordance with legal provisions and directives and guidance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries and sectors.

b) Monitor, compile, and report to the Provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the implementation of international treaties on borders and national territories, other programs and projects related to border management within the jurisdiction of the province.

c) Advise the Provincial People's Committee on handling issues arising along land borders, islands, airspace, and sea areas of Vietnam in the province, report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies.

d) Chair or coordinate to organize training sessions, disseminate laws, guidelines, and policies of the Party and State on borders and national territories; guide, inspect, and manage documents, materials, maps, and files on borders within the local jurisdiction; inspect, urge, and guide local agencies and units on state management issues regarding borders and territories.

đ) Coordinate with the provincial Military Command and relevant agencies to advise the Provincial People's Committee on building, maintaining, repairing, and servicing national boundary markers and boundary demarcation objects, and other measures to protect national boundary markers and boundary demarcation objects when necessary.

e) Coordinate with relevant agencies to implement international cooperation tasks on border defense and border defense diplomacy.

g) Participate in opinions on projects and works implemented in border areas.

11. On official reception work at the local level:

a) Serve as the focal point of the province to coordinate with units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to guide and ensure the implementation of diplomatic ceremonies and reception of foreign guests in the locality in accordance with legal provisions; chair official reception work for provincial delegations visiting and working abroad.

b) Is the provincial lead agency coordinating with agencies and units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to guide, manage, and ensure the implementation of rights and privileges, immunities, and diplomatic courtesies for foreign representative offices in Vietnam and their subordinate units located within the province's territory, members of these offices, and members of their families in accordance with the law, international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, and international practice.

12. Regarding external information work:

a) Is the provincial People's Committee's lead agency in exchanging and cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative offices abroad, and foreign representative offices in Vietnam in implementing the provincial external information dissemination program approved by the provincial People's Committee.

b) Provides provincial information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to support external information dissemination work; coordinates with Vietnamese representative offices abroad to implement external information activities and promote the locality abroad.

c) Is the provincial People's Committee's lead agency coordinating with agencies and units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in managing and handling violations related to foreign press activities in the province; develops activity programs, organizes meetings and interviews with provincial leaders, and provides directed information.

13. Regarding organization and management of outbound and inbound delegations:

a) Is the lead agency compiling and advising the provincial People's Committee annually to develop plans for outbound delegations led by provincial leaders (outbound delegations) and welcoming inbound delegations from foreign countries and territories invited by the province and arranging their programs (inbound delegations) led by local leaders or equivalent and adjusting and supplementing this plan mid-year to submit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consolidation and submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

b) Carries out state management over provincial outbound delegations and outbound delegations of provincial agencies, units, and localities, provincial inbound delegations, and other inbound delegations welcomed by provincial agencies, units, and localities.

c) Organizes or coordinates the organization of provincial outbound delegations; serves as the liaison agency with units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative offices abroad to support, guide, and manage outbound delegations according to regulations; reviews project proposals for outbound delegations from provincial departments, sectors, and localities; monitors and compiles statistics on outbound delegations under the provincial People's Committee's jurisdiction.

d) Leads or coordinates in building and implementing plans and projects for welcoming provincial inbound delegations and other international delegations to meet with provincial leadership; reviews department, sector, and local proposals regarding provincial leadership receiving foreign guests; monitors and compiles statistics on inbound delegations under the provincial People's Committee's jurisdiction.

e) Leads or coordinates in advising the provincial People's Committee to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the results of organizing provincial outbound delegations, welcoming provincial inbound delegations, and other international delegations visiting the province as stipulated in points c and d of this clause.

14. Regarding organization and management of international conferences and seminars:

a) Leads in advising on state management of international conferences and seminars organized by provincial agencies, organizations, units, and localities, including those requiring permission from the Prime Minister; those requiring permission from the provincial People's Committee Chairman; and those delegated from the Prime Minister to the provincial People's Committee Chairman (hereinafter referred to as international conferences and seminars under provincial management).

b) Advises the provincial People's Committee Chairman to provide comments and coordinate management of international conferences and seminars held in the province that require permission from other authorized persons.

c) Serves as the lead agency in receiving applications, reviewing the content of international conferences and seminars organized by organizations licensed by provincial agencies; manages, guides, and inspects provincial agencies, units, localities, and organizations under the provincial People's Committee's management in implementing regulations on organizing and managing international conferences and seminars.

d) Advises the provincial People's Committee to report periodically annually to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the situation of organizing and managing international conferences and seminars in the locality.

15. Regarding signing and implementing international agreements:

a) Leads in advising the provincial People's Committee on state management of signing and implementing international agreements on behalf of the provincial People's Committee, specialized agencies under the provincial People's Committee, and village-level People's Committees in border areas according to the law on international agreements.

b) Leads or coordinates in drafting proposals for signing international agreements on behalf of the provincial People's Committee; advises the provincial People's Committee on related procedures, decisions, and implementation of signing international agreements on behalf of the provincial People's Committee according to the law on international agreements.

c) Provides written comments on proposals for signing, amending, supplementing, extending, terminating, or temporarily suspending the effectiveness of international agreements on behalf of specialized agencies under the provincial People's Committee, provincial agencies of organizations, and village-level People's Committees in border areas as prescribed by law; submits to the provincial People's Committee Chairman for the signing, amendment, supplementation, extension, termination, or temporary suspension of the effectiveness of international agreements on behalf of specialized agencies under the provincial People's Committee and village-level People's Committees in border areas.

d) Chair and advise the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation of tasks related to international agreements concluded before July 1, 2025, in the name of the District People's Committee, and international agreements concluded in the name of provincial state agencies, specialized agencies under the Provincial People's Committee, and Commune People's Committees in border areas affected by the reorganization of administrative units at all levels as provided by law.

đ) Monitor and urge the implementation of signed international agreements; report and seek guidance from competent authorities regarding issues arising during the signing and implementation of international agreements in the locality; advise the Provincial People's Committee to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as required by relevant regulations.

16. Regarding non-governmental foreign organizations:

a) Serve as the lead agency advising the Provincial People's Committee on the management of activities of non-governmental foreign organizations in the locality, including: reviewing and providing opinions on the issuance, extension, amendment, supplementation, and revocation of Registration Certificates and other activities of non-governmental foreign organizations in the locality; guiding and supporting non-governmental foreign organizations in procedures and in conducting surveys, developing, and implementing aid programs according to legal provisions; inspecting and supervising the activities of non-governmental foreign organizations in the locality and recommending competent authorities to handle suspension, termination of operations, revocation of Registration Certificates, or administrative penalties for non-governmental foreign organizations that violate regulations; reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Committee for Non-Governmental Organizations as required by law.

b) Implement and support agencies, units, and localities in developing programs, plans, and organizing cooperative activities and mobilizing non-refundable aid not included in official development assistance from non-governmental foreign organizations in the locality.

c) Provide opinions on the review of non-refundable aid not included in official development assistance from non-governmental foreign organizations, ensuring requirements for foreign political relations.

d) Hire and manage Vietnamese workers employed by non-governmental foreign organizations operating in the locality when authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

đ) Serve as the lead agency advising the Provincial People's Committee on building and operating a database on non-governmental foreign organizations managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

17. Regarding training and capacity building in foreign affairs knowledge and skills:

a) Propose, develop, update, and organize the implementation of training and capacity building programs in foreign affairs knowledge, skills, professional expertise, and foreign languages for provincial officials, civil servants, and employees.

b) Coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to implement training and capacity building programs consistent with the local development orientation.

c) Conduct surveys, compile needs, monitor, evaluate results, and propose improvements to the content and methods of training and capacity building.

18. Carry out information and regular and ad hoc reporting on the implementation of foreign affairs tasks as prescribed.

19. Implement administrative reform according to the goals and content of the provincial People's Committee's administrative reform program; organize research, application of scientific and technological progress, innovation, and digital transformation; build information systems and archives serving state management and professional work; coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish shared databases in the field of foreign affairs.

20. Provide professional and technical guidance on foreign affairs to the People's Council Office and Commune People's Committee Offices.

21. Inspect within the assigned sector and area for organizations and individuals in the implementation of legal regulations; receive citizens, resolve complaints, accusations, prevent corruption, waste, and negativity according to legal regulations.

22. Specify the functions, tasks, and powers of the office and specialized departments in accordance with the functions, tasks, and powers of the Department; manage organizational structure, civil service quota, civil service grade, and classification of civil service grades, job positions, and staff structure by profession and number of personnel in public service units under the Department; implement salary systems, incentive policies, training, capacity building, rewards, and disciplinary measures for civil servants, employees, and workers under its jurisdiction according to legal regulations.

23. Manage and be responsible for financial resources and assets allocated according to legal regulations.

24. Perform other tasks as prescribed by law or as delegated, authorized, or determined by competent authorities according to legal regulations.

Article 4. Functions, tasks, and authorities regarding foreign affairs of the People's Committee Office at the provincial level when the provincial People's Committee does not establish a Department of Foreign Affairs.

1. In cases where a separate Department of Foreign Affairs is not established, the People's Committee Office at the provincial level shall have the function of advising and assisting the provincial People's Committee in state management of foreign affairs work.

2. The People's Committee Office at the provincial level shall perform tasks and exercise authorities regarding foreign affairs as prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

Article 5. Functions, tasks, and authorities regarding foreign affairs of the People's Council and People's Committee Office at the commune level

1. The People's Council and People's Committee Office at the commune level shall have the function of advising and assisting the commune-level People's Committee in state management of local foreign affairs work, including border management and national territory (for communes with land borders, sea borders, and islands).

2. Tasks and authorities:

a) Advising on coordination to implement policies and international cooperation initiatives; implementing foreign activities according to delegated authority, jurisdictional division (if applicable), directives from the provincial People's Committee, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, and professional guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs or the provincial People's Committee Office.

b) Advising on coordination to implement state management tasks in the field of foreign affairs as prescribed by law.

c) For communes with land borders, sea borders, and islands: advising the commune-level People's Committee on proposing and implementing international agreements on behalf of the commune-level People's Committee in border areas and performing assigned tasks related to border management and territorial issues.

d) Performing other foreign affairs tasks and exercising other authorities as assigned by the People's Council, People's Committee, and Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level.

Article 6. Effectiveness

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2025.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BNG dated October 28, 2021, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding the functions, tasks, and authorities regarding foreign affairs of specialized agencies under the provincial People's Committee and district People's Committee.

Article 7. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The provincial People's Committee and the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee are responsible for directing and organizing the implementation of this Circular.

2. For centrally governed cities and provinces that wish to organize a Department of Foreign Affairs but have not yet met the criteria set out in Clause 1 of Article 9 of Decree No. 150/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 12, 2025, of the Government stipulating the organization of specialized agencies under the provincial People's Committee, centrally governed city People's Committee, and commune, ward, and special zone People's Committee under centrally governed cities, the provincial People's Committee may develop a roadmap and plan to meet the criteria for establishing a Department of Foreign Affairs.

3. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties requiring supplementation or amendment, the provincial People's Committee, commune-level People's Committee, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals should report and reflect these issues to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration and resolution within their jurisdiction./.