Circular No. 10/2019/TT-BVHTTDL stipulates standards, conditions, contents, and forms of examination or assessment for promotion to higher ranks of professional titles for specialized civil servants in library science, cultural heritage, grassroots culture, performing arts, cinema, and fine arts.

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON STANDARDS, CONDITIONS, CONTENT AND FORM OF EXAMINATION OR PROMOTION REVIEW FOR PROFESSIONAL TITLES OF SPECIALIZED CIVIL SERVANTS IN THE LIBRARY, CULTURAL HERITAGE, COMMUNITY CULTURE, PERFORMING ARTS, FILM AND FINE ARTS SECTORS

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012

on recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants;

Pursuant to Decree No. 161/2018/NĐ-CP dated November 29, 2018 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions on recruitment of civil servants and specialized civil servants, promotion of civil servant ranks, promotion review for specialized civil servants, and implementation of employment contracts for certain types of work in administrative agencies and public service units;

Pursuant to Decree No. 79/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 17, 2017, of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

The phrase "or examination" is abolished pursuant to Clause 6, Article 8 of Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2025, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars prescribing job codes, qualification standards, and salary grades for civil servants in the heritage culture, library, grassroots cultural activities, sports, fine arts, art performance, film, and cultural propaganda sectors, which takes effect from January 15, 2026.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issues this Circular regulating standards, conditions, content and form of examination or promotion review for professional titles of specialized civil servants in the library, cultural heritage, community culture, performing arts, film and fine arts sectors,

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates standards, conditions, content and form of examination or promotion review for professional titles of specialized civil servants in the library, cultural heritage, community culture, performing arts, film and fine arts sectors working in public service units.

2. This Circular applies to cultural profession officials working in public service units and related organizations and individuals.

Article 3. Principles of examination or assessment for promotion

Clause 1. The dispatch of specialized civil servants in the cultural sector to participate in examinations or promotion reviews for professional titles must be based on job positions, the structure of civil servants by professional titles approved by competent authorities, the number of civil servants corresponding to professional titles still lacking according to the requirements of job positions and the needs of public service units.

Clause 2. Specialized civil servants in the cultural sector participating in examinations or promotion reviews for professional titles must meet all the standards and conditions for registration to take the examination or promotion review as prescribed by law.

Clause 3. The organization of examinations or promotion reviews for professional titles of specialized civil servants in the cultural sector must ensure equality, transparency, fairness, and compliance with the provisions of law.

Article 3. Standards and Conditions for Registration to Take Examinations or Promotion Reviews for Professional Titles

Civil servants may register to take examinations or promotion reviews for professional titles when meeting the following standards and conditions:

Point 1. Currently holding a professional title at a lower grade immediately preceding the professional title they wish to register for examination or promotion review.

Point 2. Being evaluated and classified as having satisfactorily completed their tasks or better in one year of work immediately preceding the year of submitting the application for examination; possessing good professional ethics and not being under disciplinary action or having been notified about the consideration of disciplinary measures by competent authorities.

Point 3. Meeting the standards of the professional title they wish to register for examination or promotion review, which are appropriate to the cultural sector.

Article 4. Determination of Cases Applying Examination or Promotion Review Forms for Professional Titles of Specialized Civil Servants in the Cultural Sector

Civil servants currently holding professional titles in the cultural sector who meet the standards and conditions stipulated in Article 3 of this Circular may register to take examinations or promotion reviews for professional titles in the cultural sector, specifically:

Point 1. Examination for Promotion of Professional Titles:

Subpoint a. Library Sector: Civil servants currently holding the Library Officer Grade III (code V.10.02.06) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Library Officer Grade II (code V.10.02.05) position.

Subpoint b. Cultural Heritage Sector: Civil servants currently holding the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade III (code V.10.05.17) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade II (code V.10.05.16) position.

Subpoint c. Community Culture Sector:

- Civil servants currently holding the Methodology Officer Grade III (code V.10.06.20) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Methodology Officer Grade II (code V.10.06.19) position.

- Civil servants currently holding the Cultural Guidance Officer Grade III (code V.10.07.23) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Cultural Guidance Officer Grade II (code V.10.07.22) position.

Subpoint d. Performing Arts and Film Sector:

- Art Director Position:

Civil servants currently holding the Art Director Grade II (code V.10.03.09) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Art Director Grade I (code V.10.03.08) position.

Civil servants currently holding the Art Director Grade III (code V.10.03.10) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Art Director Grade II (code V.10.03.09) position.

- Actor Position:

Civil servants currently holding the Actor Grade II (code V.10.04.13) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Actor Grade I (code V.10.04.12) position.

Civil servants currently holding the Actor Grade III (code V.10.04.14) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Actor Grade II (code V.10.04.13) position.

Subpoint đ. Fine Arts Sector:

- Civil servants currently holding the Painter Grade II (code V.10.08.26) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Painter Grade I (code V.10.08.25) position.

- Civil servants currently holding the Painter Grade III (code V.10.08.27) position may register to take the examination for promotion to the Painter Grade II (code V.10.08.26) position.

Point 2. Promotion Review for Professional Titles:

Subpoint a. Library Sector: Civil servants currently holding the Library Officer Grade IV (code V.10.02.07) position may register to undergo promotion review for promotion to the Library Officer Grade III (code V.10.02.06) position.

Subpoint b. Cultural Heritage Sector: Civil servants currently holding the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade IV (code V.10.05.18) position may register to undergo promotion review for promotion to the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade III (code V.10.05.17) position.

Subpoint c. Community Culture Sector:

- Civil servants currently holding the Methodology Officer Grade IV (code V.10.06.21) position may register to undergo promotion review for promotion to the Methodology Officer Grade III (code V.10.06.20) position.

- Civil servants currently holding the Cultural Guidance Officer Grade IV (code V.10.07.24) position may register to undergo promotion review for promotion to the Cultural Guidance Officer Grade III (code V.10.07.23) position.

Subpoint d. Performing Arts and Film Sector:

- Art Director Position:

A civil servant holding the profession title of Art Director Grade IV (code V.10.03.11) may register to be considered for promotion to the profession title of Art Director Grade III (code V.10.03.10).

- Actor Position:

A civil servant holding the profession title of Actor Grade IV (code V.10.04.15) may register to be considered for promotion to the profession title of Actor Grade III (code V.10.04.14).

Subpoint đ. Fine Arts Sector:

A civil servant holding the profession title of Painter Grade IV (code V.10.08.28) may register to be considered for promotion to the profession title of Painter Grade III (code V.10.08.27).

3. In the case of a civil servant holding a profession title from the performing arts, cinema, and fine arts specialty who has been conferred the title of People's Artist, Meritorious Artist or won the Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize for Literature and Arts as stipulated at point a, Clause 4 of Articles 4, 5, 8, and 9 of Circular Joint Circular No. 10/2015/TTLT-BVHTTDL-BNV dated December 11, 2015 issued by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Minister of Home Affairs on the code number and standard of profession titles of civil servants in the performing arts and cinema specialties; at point a, Clause 4 of Articles 4 and 5 of Joint Circular No. 07/2016/TTLT-BVHTTDL-BNV dated June 30, 2016 issued by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Minister of Home Affairs on the code number and standard of profession titles of civil servants in the fine arts specialty, and who is assigned by the competent authority to participate in the promotion examination and meets the standards and conditions prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular, shall have their promotion examination conducted according to the provisions of Article 8 of this Circular.

Chapter II

PROMOTION EXAMINATION FOR PROFESSION TITLES

Article 5. Content and form of the promotion examination for profession titles from Grade II to Grade I in the performing arts, cinema, and fine arts specialties

1. General knowledge examination:

a) Content: 50 questions testing the civil servant's knowledge and capacity regarding state management and laws on civil servants; understanding of duties and responsibilities of the civil servant according to the standard of the profession title of the specialty being examined (accounting for 60% of the examination content); strategic orientation and development plan content of the industry (accounting for 40% of the examination content).

b) Form: Computer-based multiple choice test or paper-based multiple choice test.

c) Time: 60 minutes.

d) Mark scale: 100 points.

2. Specialty and vocational knowledge examination:

a) Content: Professional and vocational knowledge and skills in building and implementing works and programs in accordance with the standard of professional and vocational knowledge and skills of Grade I profession titles of the specialty being examined.

b) Form: Composition, creation of works and programs and interview or practical demonstration to defend the work or program according to the requirements of the profession title being examined.

c) Time: Maximum of 08 hours for composition and creation of works and programs; maximum of 30 minutes for interview or practical demonstration.

d) Mark scale: 100 points.

Article 6. Content and form of the promotion examination for profession titles from Grade III to Grade II in the cultural specialty

1. General knowledge examination, foreign language examination, computer science examination:

a) Content includes three parts:

- General knowledge: 50 questions testing the civil servant's knowledge and capacity regarding state management and laws on civil servants; understanding of duties and responsibilities of the civil servant according to the standard of the profession title of the specialty being examined (accounting for 60% of the examination content); strategic orientation and development plan content of the industry (accounting for 40% of the examination content).

- Foreign language: 25 questions in one of five languages: English, Russian, French, German, Chinese, as required by the profession title being examined.

- Computer science: 25 questions as required by the profession title being examined.

b) Form: Computer-based multiple choice test or paper-based multiple choice test. In cases where computer-based multiple choice tests are organized for general knowledge and foreign language subjects, there will be no computer office skills test.

c) Time:

- General knowledge: 60 minutes.

- Foreign language: 30 minutes.

- Computer science: 30 minutes.

d) Mark scale: 100 points.

đ) Exemption from foreign language and computer science examinations for the following cases:

- Civil servants up to the final date of submitting application forms for the promotion examination are exempted from the foreign language examination if they meet one of the following conditions:

+ Age 55 years or older for males and 50 years or older for females;

+ Civil servants working in ethnic minority areas who are ethnic minorities or have certificates in ethnic minority languages issued by educational institutions;

+ Hold a degree in a foreign language at the same level of training or higher than the specified level of professional and vocational training in the standard of the profession title of the grade being examined;

+ Hold a degree obtained through study abroad or in a foreign language in Vietnam at the required level of training or higher than the specified level of professional and vocational training in the standard of the profession title of the grade being examined.

+ Civil servants holding a PhD or Master's degree or having a foreign language certificate equivalent to B1 level or higher within two years from the date of graduation or certification up to the final date of submitting application forms for the promotion examination for promotion from Grade III to Grade II.

- Civil servants up to the final date of submitting application forms for the promotion examination are exempted from the computer science examination if they hold a degree in information technology, computer science, mathematics - computer science at the college level or higher.

e) For the performing arts, cinema, and fine arts specialties, civil servants taking the promotion examination are not required to take the foreign language and computer science examinations.

2. Specialty and vocational knowledge examination:

a) Content: Professional and vocational knowledge and skills in handling issues in practice in accordance with the standard of professional and vocational knowledge and skills of Grade II profession titles of the specialty being examined.

b) Form: Written examination.

c) Time: 180 minutes.

d) Mark scale: 100 points.

Article 7. Determining Successful Candidates for Promotion Examination of Professional Titles

1. A successful candidate in the promotion examination of professional titles must take all subjects of the examination, except those exempted according to the law, and achieve a score of 50 points or higher on each subject based on a 100-point scale.

2. Results of previous promotion examinations will not be retained.

Chapter III

CONSIDERATION OF PROMOTION TO PROFESSIONAL TITLES

Article 8. Consideration of Promotion for Holders of Professional Titles of Art Directors, Actors, Painters who have been Awarded the Title of People's Artist, Meritorious Artist or Won the Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize for Literature and Arts

1. Those who meet the criteria and conditions stipulated in Article 3 of this Circular, have been awarded the title of People's Artist, Meritorious Artist, won the Ho Chi Minh Prize, or the State Prize for Literature and Arts may use one of these titles to apply for a single promotion from a lower rank to a higher rank.

2. The organization of the promotion consideration for holders of professional titles of art directors, actors, painters who have been awarded the title of People's Artist, Meritorious Artist, won the Ho Chi Minh Prize, or the State Prize for Literature and Arts and their appointment to positions shall be carried out by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism after receiving the agreement of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

3. Form: Conducting an assessment based on the dossier.

4. Time: Once annually in the fourth quarter.

Article 9. Consideration of Promotion from Rank IV to Rank III in the Cultural Specialization

1. Content: Review and assess the fulfillment of requirements for job performance, qualification standards, training levels, and professional capacity of the cultural specialization professional title.

2. Form: Conducting an assessment of the dossier for the promotion consideration according to the standards for the professional title of cultural specialization at Rank III.

Article 10. Determining Successful Candidates for Promotion Consideration

1. A successful candidate in the promotion consideration from Rank IV to Rank III in the cultural specialization must have a complete dossier as prescribed and achieve a score of 50 points or higher based on a 100-point scale for the dossier evaluation; except for the promotion consideration as stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular.

2. Results of previous promotion considerations will not be retained.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 11. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister, head of a ministry-level agency, head of an agency under the Government, Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city, and head of public service units shall appoint candidates to participate in the examination or promotion consideration of professional titles based on the criteria and conditions stipulated in this Circular within their assigned authority and bear responsibility for the qualifications and conditions of the candidates they appoint.

2. The Minister, head of a ministry-level agency, head of an agency under the Government, and Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city shall organize the examination or promotion consideration of professional titles for cultural specialization staff within their assigned authority to ensure compliance with the law.

3. The Minister, head of a ministry-level agency, head of an agency under the Government, Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city, heads of agencies and units, and related individuals and organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

Article 12. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from November 25, 2019.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, please report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (through the Cadre and Civil Servant Department) for consolidation and reporting to the Minister for consideration and resolution.