Resolution No. 1170/2016/NQ-UBTVQH13 on the Rules of Operation for the National Assembly's External Activities

RESOLUTION

ISSUING REGULATIONS ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

On the basis of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

Pursuant to the Law on the Organization of the National Assembly No. 57/2014/QH13;

On the basis of the report from the drafting board;

RESOLUTION:

Article 1.

This Resolution promulgates the Regulations on Foreign Relations Activities of the National Assembly.

Article 2.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly, members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Ethnic Councils, Committees of the National Assembly, Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Office of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing these Regulations.

Article 3.

This Resolution takes effect from the date of signature.

Resolution No. 618/NQ-UBTVQH12 dated May 6, 2008 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall cease to be effective from the date this Resolution takes effect.

REGULATIONS ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(Issued together with Resolution No. 1170/2016/NQ-UBTVQH13

dated March 17, 2016 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly)

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. These Regulations specify the tasks, powers, procedures, formalities, and conditions for ensuring the implementation of foreign relations activities of the National Assembly.

2. These Regulations apply to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the National Assembly, Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, agencies of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Office of the National Assembly, and National Assembly deputies.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Regulation, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. Foreign relations activities include outbound and inbound delegations; receiving and awarding foreign-related honors and awards; joining or withdrawing from international and regional inter-parliamentary organizations; hosting and organizing international and regional inter-parliamentary conferences and seminars; international cooperation; receiving international guests; responding to interviews by foreign journalists and reporting on foreign relations activities.

2. Annual foreign relations activity plan is a forecast of foreign relations activities that have been approved by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

3. Foreign relations activities outside the approved plan are spontaneous activities not included in the Plan approved by the competent authority.

4. Adjusting foreign relations activities within the approved plan involves activities that have been approved by the competent authority but require urgent changes, supplements, or fundamental adjustments to their content, program, time, budget, and participating components due to unforeseen needs.

Article 3. General Principles

The implementation of foreign activities of the National Assembly must comply with the following principles:

1. Fully grasp and correctly implement the foreign policy guidelines and policies of the Party and State, the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Law on the Organization of the National Assembly, the Regulations on Unified Management of Foreign Activities by the Politburo, and other relevant legal provisions concerning foreign activities;

2. Closely coordinate between the foreign activities of the Party, State, and people's diplomacy based on clear division of labor and responsibilities;

3. Adhere to the annual foreign activity program decided by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and strictly implement practical and frugal policies to conserve state budget resources and effectively utilize development aid sources;

4. Organize and implement according to the guidance of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the National Assembly. The deployment of specific activities is based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations. For exceptional cases, the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee shall submit to the competent authority for decision;

5. Assign tasks and define the responsibilities and authorities of each agency, organization, and individual involved in the National Assembly's foreign activities;

6. The National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee is responsible for assisting the leadership of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly in coordinating and mediating in the implementation of foreign activities and international cooperation of the National Assembly.

PART II

FOREIGN ACTIVITIES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

AND THE LEADERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Section 1
THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Article 4. Tasks and Authorities of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly in Foreign Activities

1. Report to the National Assembly on issues related to the State's foreign policy concerning relations with national assemblies of other countries, with world and regional inter-parliamentary organizations, and with other international organizations.

2. During periods when the National Assembly is not in session, review the regular reports of the Government on foreign affairs; provide opinions on fundamental issues of the State's foreign policy before submitting them to the National Assembly.

3. Decide on joining or withdrawing from world and regional inter-parliamentary organizations; decide on hosting world and regional inter-parliamentary conferences in Vietnam.

4. Decide on establishing the Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Organization; decide on its organizational structure and activities.

5. Approve the annual foreign activity program of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; examine and decide on the budget estimate for foreign activities.

6. Direct, mediate, and coordinate the foreign activities of the Ethnic Council, committees of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the State Audit Agency, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, friendship parliamentary groups, women parliamentarians' group, young parliamentarians' group.

7. Examine and evaluate the results of the annual foreign activity program of the National Assembly; examine reports on the outcomes of visits and working trips of National Assembly delegations abroad and foreign National Assembly delegations and international organizations visiting and working with the Vietnamese National Assembly; examine reports on the results of international conferences hosted by the National Assembly; examine periodic foreign activity reports of National Assembly agencies, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the State Audit Agency.

Section 2
SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Article 5. Duties and powers of the Chairman of the National Assembly in external activities

1. Direct the implementation of external affairs work of the National Assembly; represent the National Assembly in its external relations; lead the activities of the National Assembly delegation in world and regional inter-parliamentary organizations.

2. Examine and decide on the external activities of the Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Chairpersons of the National Ethnic Councils, Chairpersons of the Committees of the National Assembly, heads of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly who are members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly - Head of the National Assembly Office, Delegations of National Assembly Members, the State Auditor General, and other entities under the management of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

3. Examine and decide on the awarding of medals, orders, titles, and prizes given by foreign countries and international organizations to cadres holding positions specified in Clause 2 of this Article, except for cases within the purview of the Politburo or the Secretariat.

4. Examine and decide on welcoming and the content of meetings with heads of state and their deputies from other countries; welcoming the Chairpersons of Committees and equivalent leaders from other countries' National Assemblies; leading visits and working trips to Vietnam by world and regional inter-parliamentary organizations.

5. Direct the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly in assisting the Standing Committee of the National Assembly to coordinate, harmonize, and implement the National Assembly's external activities.

6. Decide on organizing conferences on the external affairs work of the National Assembly when necessary.

Article 6. Delegation of Authority

The Chairman of the National Assembly may delegate authority to a Vice Chairman of the National Assembly to perform certain duties and powers in external activities as stipulated in this Regulation.

Article 7. Implementation Procedures for External Activities of the Chairman of the National Assembly

1. The implementation of overseas missions shall be carried out as follows:

a) The Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall take the lead in soliciting opinions from relevant agencies, drafting proposals on policies regarding overseas missions, reporting to the Political Bureau member or the Central Party Secretary responsible for external relations for comments, and submitting to the Political Bureau for consideration and decision;

b) The Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to organize advance delegations and report to the Chairman of the National Assembly on related issues. The advance delegation shall include representatives from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, and the Security Command. In case additional personnel from other relevant agencies are required to ensure operational needs, the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall decide on such additions;

c) The National Assembly Office shall take the lead in organizing and implementing reception activities for the mission. The National Assembly Office shall draft reception plans based on the content and requirements of the political proposal of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly;

d) The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall take the lead and coordinate with the National Assembly Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant agencies to propose the composition of the official delegation for the Chairman of the National Assembly's review and decision; the Foreign Affairs Committee shall coordinate with the National Assembly Office to compile the list of accompanying officials and press corps.

2. Welcoming formal delegations shall be carried out as follows:

a) The Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall take the lead in drafting proposals on policies and political programs. The National Assembly Office shall draft reception plans based on the content and requirements of the political program;

b) Representatives from the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, or the relevant Friendship Group shall welcome at the airport;

c) The composition of the official welcoming ceremony, bilateral talks, or official receptions organized by the Chairman of the National Assembly shall include representatives from the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, representatives from the Ethnic Councils, relevant Committees of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, the relevant Friendship Group, and National Assembly Members;

d) The Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly or representatives from the relevant Friendship Group shall accompany and see off the delegation at the airport.

3. Receiving international guests shall be carried out as follows:

a) For delegations from the Party and State visiting Vietnam officially, leadership delegations from the National Assembly and non-official delegations from the National Assembly of other countries, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall submit plans for receiving the delegations to the Chairman of the National Assembly for approval;

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall submit lists of participants in the reception together with the Chairman of the National Assembly and request representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant agencies to report to the Chairman of the National Assembly on the bilateral relationship and related issues concerning the visit;

b) Based on the approved reception plan, the National Assembly Office shall draft and implement the reception schedule;

c) The Chairman of the National Assembly shall receive Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chairpersons of the National Assembly, Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly, or equivalent officials, with the participation of representatives from the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, or the leadership of the National Assembly Office, and representatives from relevant agencies of the National Assembly and agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly according to the principle of reciprocity;

d) The Chairman of the National Assembly shall receive delegations from Committees, Friendship Groups, Women's Groups, and Young Parliamentarians from other countries. Participants shall include representatives from the corresponding Standing Committees of the National Assembly of Vietnam or representatives from the relevant Friendship Group in the case of receiving Friendship Group delegations;

đ) The Chairman of the National Assembly shall receive Ambassadors from other countries for courtesy calls or farewells upon the start or end of their term or as required by work. Participants shall include representatives from the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly;

e) The Chairman of the National Assembly shall receive delegations from Chairpersons of the National Assembly or equivalent officials visiting unofficially or transiting. Participants shall include representatives from the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, or representatives from the relevant Friendship Group.

4. For other external activities of the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report to the Chairman of the National Assembly for consideration and decision.

Section 3

VICE CHAIRMEN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Article 8. Duties and powers of the Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly in external activities

1. Carry out external tasks according to the division of labor by the Chairman of the National Assembly.

2. Propose requirements and content of annual external activities for their own role to be compiled by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly for submission to the competent authority for consideration and decision.

3. Provide opinions on the content and program of annual external activities of the agencies of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, State Audit Office, Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Office of the National Assembly, and related external activities within their areas of responsibility.

4. Lead external activities, welcome international delegations, international conferences, and seminars within their areas of responsibility when required.

Article 9. Duties and powers of the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly authorized by the Chairman of the National Assembly in external affairs work

1. Decide on dispatching delegations at the level of Deputy Chairperson of the National Ethnic Council, Deputy Head of Committees of the National Assembly, heads of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly who are not members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Heads of Delegations of National Assembly Members, Deputy-level agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Deputy-level Deputy Heads of the Office of the National Assembly, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Deputy-level Deputy Auditors General, and National Assembly Members to visit and work abroad.

2. Decide on welcoming delegations from foreign National Assemblies at the level of Deputy Head of Committees and below.

3. Decide on the principle for cadres holding positions specified in Clause 1 of this Article to accept medals, orders, and titles from foreign countries and international organizations.

4. Provide opinions on international cooperation projects of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, State Audit Office, and the Office of the National Assembly.

5. Provide opinions before submitting to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for consideration and decision on the allocation of annual external activity funds for the agencies of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the Office of the National Assembly.

6. Represent the Chairman of the National Assembly in external activities when authorized by the Chairman of the National Assembly.

Article 10. Procedures for implementing external activities of the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly

1. The implementation of overseas missions shall be carried out as follows:

a) The Permanent Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly requests the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly to approve the proposal for the delegation's mission.

b) The Permanent Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly reports to the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly responsible for external affairs, the Chairman of the National Assembly, and the competent authority regarding the principles and composition of the working delegation.

c) The Permanent Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly builds and submits to the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly the political project plan for specialized work.

d) The Office of the National Assembly builds and submits to the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly the reception plan based on the political project of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.

e) The number of delegation members shall not exceed twelve people, except in special cases decided by the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly.

2. Welcoming formal delegations shall be carried out as follows:

a) The Permanent Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly recommends the Chairman of the National Assembly to appoint a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly to host the reception.

b) The Permanent Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly builds and submits to the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly for approval the political project plan, and the Office of the National Assembly builds and submits to the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly for approval the reception plan based on the political project of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.

c) The Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly hosts the reception, conference, and banquet.

3. Receiving international guests shall be carried out as follows:

a) The Permanent Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly reports to the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly the principles and composition of the reception for international guests.

b) Based on the opinion of the Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly on the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the Office of the National Assembly implements services for the reception.

Chapter III

EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES OF THE AGENCIES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, AGENCIES UNDER THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

Article 11. Tasks and authorities of the National Assembly's agencies, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, the National Assembly Office, and National Assembly deputies in external activities

1. The National Assembly's agencies, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office have the following tasks and authorities:

a) Implementing external relations with relevant agencies of foreign national assemblies, other foreign agencies, and international organizations to study, exchange professional experiences, and contribute to strengthening external relations and international cooperation according to the State’s foreign policy;

b) Coordinating with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Office to implement external relations and international cooperation; participating with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly in implementing the National Assembly’s external information work;

c) Proactively proposing and forecasting their annual external activity programs;

d) Dispatching members and civil servants from the assisting department to participate in external activities when required;

đ) Participating in supervising the activities of diplomatic representative agencies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad within their tasks and authorities. Directly or cooperatively supervising the implementation of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly’s resolutions on overseas Vietnamese;

e) Before the end-of-year session of the National Assembly, submitting reports on external activities to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, concurrently sending them to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly for consolidation, and to the National Assembly Office for posting on the National Assembly’s electronic portal. The report includes the following documents: Summary table of outbound and inbound delegations’ plans implemented in the year (Form No. 01); Summary table of personnel under the management of the Politburo and Secretariat going abroad in the year (Form No. 02); Summary table of next year’s outbound delegation plans (Form No. 03); Summary table of next year’s inbound delegation plans (Form No. 04); Report on the results of international conferences and seminars (Form No. 05).

2. National Assembly deputies have the following tasks and authorities:

a) When invited or requested, National Assembly deputies are responsible for participating in external activities of the Party, State, National Assembly, and people’s diplomacy both domestically and abroad;

b) In cases where National Assembly deputies participate in external activities abroad in the capacity of National Assembly deputies, they must submit a document to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly for the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly in charge of external affairs to seek opinions.

Article 12. Tasks and authorities of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee in external activities

1. Implementing external relations with national assemblies of other countries and world and regional inter-parliamentary organizations according to the guidance of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the National Assembly. During the implementation of specific external activities, if necessary, proposing competent authorities to raise the level of reception and protocol.

2. Proposing issues related to the State’s foreign policy, relations with national assemblies of other countries, world and regional inter-parliamentary organizations, and other international organizations.

3. Leading the development of external activity programs for the Chairman of the National Assembly, Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, Comrades Central Politburo Members, and Central Committee Secretaries working at the National Assembly. Submitting to competent authorities for approval the external activities of the Chairman of the National Assembly, Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, Comrades Central Politburo Members, and Central Committee Secretaries working at the National Assembly. The submitted document is simultaneously sent to the Central Party’s External Relations Board and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4. Consolidating the proposed annual external activity programs of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Ethnic Councils, National Assembly Committees, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office for the Standing Committee of the National Assembly to consider and decide; subsequently reporting to seek opinions from Comrade Central Politburo Member or Central Committee Secretary in charge of external affairs and submitting to the Chairman of the National Assembly for review.

5. Leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Party’s External Relations Board, and related agencies to organize and implement the external activities of the Chairman of the National Assembly, Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, Standing Committee Members of the National Assembly, former Chairmen of the National Assembly, former Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly; overseas visits by National Assembly delegations; welcoming foreign National Assembly delegations visiting Vietnam.

6. Serving as the point of contact for receiving and approving proposals from agencies and organizations regarding the reception of international guests by the Chairman of the National Assembly, Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly, former Chairmen of the National Assembly, and former Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly.

7. Leading the submission to competent authorities and sending to the Central Party’s External Relations Board and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the following matters:

a) Submitting to the Politburo for consideration and decision on supplementing or adjusting the external activities of the Chairman of the National Assembly;

b) Submitting to the General Secretary for consideration and decision on supplementing or adjusting the external activities of Central Politburo Members working at the National Assembly;

c) Submitting to the Chairman of the National Assembly for consideration and decision on supplementing or adjusting the external activities of Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly;

d) Submitting to the Permanent Member of the Secretariat for consideration and decision on supplementing or adjusting the external activities of Central Committee Secretaries working at agencies under the National Assembly.

8. Assisting the Standing Committee of the National Assembly in monitoring, developing, and implementing the external activities of the Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Organization and friendly parliamentary groups, women parliamentarians' groups, and young parliamentarians' groups.

Article 13. Tasks and Authorities of the National Assembly Secretary-General in Activities Related to Foreign Affairs

1. Carry out foreign affairs activities in the role of the National Assembly Secretary-General.

2. Coordinate with National Assembly agencies and relevant agencies and organizations to draft resolutions on foreign affairs assigned by the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

3. Serve as spokesperson for the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; organize information provision, press, publishing, library, museum, and information technology application work to support the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities, those of its agencies, and National Assembly deputies.

4. Perform other tasks and authorities related to foreign affairs assigned by the National Assembly Chairperson and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

Article 14. Tasks and Authorities of the National Assembly Office in Activities Related to Foreign Affairs

1. Coordinate with the National Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee, National Assembly agencies, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and relevant agencies to implement the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities.

2. Lead the development and implementation of the program of activities, reception, security, logistics, and financial work to ensure the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities meet political requirements, professional content, and comply with general reception regulations of the State and the National Assembly.

3. Advise and serve to coordinate the implementation of international cooperation activities aimed at enhancing professional skills and strengthening foreign relations through organizing specialized conferences, seminars, research and survey delegations abroad, training courses, and capacity-building programs for National Assembly deputies and civil servants of the National Assembly Office.

4. Develop, manage, and update the database on foreign affairs activities on the National Assembly's electronic portal.

5. Perform other tasks related to serving foreign affairs activities according to the requirements of National Assembly leadership.

Article 15. Procedure for Building the Program of Foreign Affairs Activities

1. By October each year, based on professional needs to serve their work, National Assembly agencies, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the State Auditor General, the National Assembly Secretary-General, and the National Assembly Office proactively build the program of foreign affairs activities for the following year (including the estimated number of delegation members) and send it to the National Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee.

2. The National Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee compiles and builds the annual program of foreign affairs activities for agencies, the National Assembly Secretary-General, and the committee's opinions on this program to be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for approval. Based on this program, the National Assembly Office coordinates with the National Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee to prepare the budget estimate for foreign affairs activities to be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for consideration and decision.

3. For foreign affairs activities outside the plan or adjustments to planned foreign affairs activities, agencies and the National Assembly Secretary-General submit to the National Assembly Chairperson for consideration and decision after consulting the National Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee. In the submission, clearly state: reasons for the emergence or adjustment of foreign affairs activities; purpose and requirements for sending or receiving delegations; delegation title; number and composition of the delegation and head level; activity content; time and location of activities; working partners and level of relations; funding sources and related documents and files.

Article 16. Procedures for implementing foreign affairs activities

1. The procedures for organizing outbound delegations shall be carried out as follows:

a) Based on the approved foreign affairs program by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the leading agency organizing the delegation shall coordinate with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Office to implement it.

b) For delegations that have adjustments in location, time, or an increase in the number of members, the leading agency organizing the delegation shall coordinate with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly to report to the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly responsible for foreign affairs and the Chairman of the National Assembly.

c) Prior to sending delegations to sensitive areas or participating in complex and sensitive foreign affairs activities, the leading agency organizing the delegation shall exchange opinions with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, and closely coordinate with Vietnamese diplomatic agencies in the area during implementation.

d) The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall send letters and telegrams to the embassies of the host country in Vietnam and our embassy in the host country to confirm the visit schedule and program.

đ) The National Assembly Office shall send letters and telegrams related to protocol, logistics, and guidance on visa and entry permit procedures for the delegation. It shall also coordinate with the leading agency organizing the delegation to prepare a budget estimate if required.

đ) The leading agency organizing the delegation shall prepare a report on the results of the mission to submit to the competent authority as prescribed. The report shall also be sent to the National Assembly Office to post on the National Assembly's electronic information system for relevant parties to access.

2. Procedures for receiving inbound delegations and hosting international guests shall be carried out as follows:

a) The Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall notify the request from the foreign side to the relevant agency of the National Assembly.

b) For inbound delegations, after obtaining the agreement to receive them from the relevant agency of the National Assembly, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly shall report to the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly responsible for foreign affairs for consideration and decision on the reception policy and plan. The National Assembly Office shall develop the Protocol Plan based on the Political Plan of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and implement it.

c) For international receptions, the relevant agency of the National Assembly shall take the lead, coordinate with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly to prepare the content, and coordinate with the National Assembly Office to prepare the protocol and logistics to organize the event.

3. For regular, unexpected foreign affairs activities of small scale, not sensitive, or urgent such as mourning, congratulatory events; emergency situation support; cases of going abroad or receiving foreign delegations for urgent medical treatment, the relevant agencies and the Secretary-General of the National Assembly shall inform the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and organize the implementation. Upon completion of the activity, the agency conducting the activity shall submit a report on the results to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly for consolidation and reporting to the National Assembly leadership.

Chapter IV

RECEIVING, MANAGING AND USING FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

Article 17. Receiving, managing and using development assistance from foreign countries

The receipt, management, and use of development assistance from foreign countries must comply with the provisions of laws on the conclusion and implementation of international agreements, state budget, management and use of official development assistance, management and use of non-governmental foreign aid, and other relevant legal provisions.

Article 18. Coordination Board for Management and Utilization of Foreign Development Assistance

1. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall establish a Coordination Board comprising certain members who will serve on a part-time basis to assist the Standing Committee of the National Assembly in managing and utilizing foreign development assistance at the National Ethnic Council, various Committees of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office. The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly responsible for external affairs shall serve as the Head of the Coordination Board. The National Assembly Office shall undertake the permanent duties of the Coordination Board.

2. The Coordination Board shall be responsible for assisting the Standing Committee of the National Assembly in coordinating and publicly disclosing the management and utilization of foreign development assistance to avoid overlap and duplication, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of such assistance in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Article 19. Proposals for Receiving Foreign Development Assistance

1. Annually, based on requirements, tasks, and international cooperation needs, the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office shall propose activities that require foreign support and submit them to the Coordination Board and the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Proposals must clearly state the necessity, content, field, scope of cooperation, and methods of managing and utilizing the support.

2. The Coordination Board shall be responsible for consolidating, reviewing, and balancing to ensure there is no overlap or duplication with other programs and projects of the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office; coordinating to seek opinions from the Permanent Office of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee regarding planned cooperative activities; reporting to the Chairman of the National Assembly or the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly responsible for external affairs for decision-making.

3. Based on the opinions of the Chairman of the National Assembly or the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly responsible for external affairs, the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office shall be tasked with leading and coordinating with the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee to conduct negotiation procedures and sign agreements for receiving support.

Article 20. Implementation of Programs and Projects

1. By December each year, the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office shall submit reports on the implementation of programs and projects for that year and plans for the following year to the Permanent Office of the Coordination Board and the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee for consolidation and submission to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for comments.

2. Before January 15 each year, the National Ethnic Council, Committees of the National Assembly, agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly Office shall submit proposed activities within their programs and projects to the Permanent Office of the Coordination Board and the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee for consolidation and submission to the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly responsible for the relevant field for comments.

Article 21. Financial and Accounting System

1. Counterpart funds for international cooperation programs and projects are included in the budget for the operations of the National Assembly. The expenditure of counterpart funds must comply with financial regulations and Vietnamese law.

2. The financial expenditure system of projects shall be carried out according to agreements signed with foreign parties and Vietnamese law.

3. The accounting system shall be implemented in accordance with Vietnamese law and international standards; accounting reports must be independently audited and submitted to relevant Vietnamese authorities as stipulated in project documentation and law.

4. Priority shall be given to applying the financial systems of sponsors for international cooperation projects.

CHAPTER V

OTHER PROVISIONS REGARDING FOREIGN AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES

Article 22. Information on external activities

Information on the external activities of the National Assembly shall be provided to National Assembly deputies on a regular basis and published on the National Assembly's communication media based on compliance with regulations concerning external information dissemination work.

Article 23. Procedures for organizing international conferences or bilateral meetings hosted by the National Assembly

1. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly decides on hosting international conferences of world and regional inter-parliamentary organizations in Vietnam.

2. The Chairman of the National Assembly decides on hosting and organizing international inter-parliamentary or bilateral conferences chaired by members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly.

3. The Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly responsible for external affairs decides on hosting and organizing international inter-parliamentary or bilateral conferences chaired by the permanent agencies of the National Assembly, leaders of agencies under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Deputy Secretaries-General of the National Assembly, Deputy Heads of the Office of the National Assembly.

4. The main agency coordinates with the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly to develop the project and bear responsibility for submitting it to the competent authority. Reports on the results of the conference or seminar are sent to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, concurrently sent to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly for monitoring and summarizing, and to the Office of the National Assembly to post on the National Assembly’s electronic portal.

Article 24. External Activities during the National Assembly Session

1. Press Conferences before and after the Session

The Secretary-General of the National Assembly chairs press conferences before and after the session to inform diplomatic missions, domestic and international news agencies about the program, content, and results of the session.

2. Inviting Diplomatic Missions to Attend the Session

The Secretary-General of the National Assembly - Head of the National Assembly Office invites diplomatic missions to attend the opening session. The Secretary-General of the National Assembly collaborates with the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly to seek the Standing Committee of the National Assembly's opinion on inviting diplomatic missions to attend other sessions of the National Assembly.

3. The Secretary-General of the National Assembly exchanges and agrees with the Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly before reporting to the Chairman of the National Assembly for approval of the list of foreign guests attending the plenary session of the National Assembly. If necessary, the Chairperson of the session introduces the delegation to the National Assembly.

4. Responding to Interviews by Foreign Media, International Press Conferences:

The Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly examines and proposes opinions on the leadership of the National Assembly responding to interviews by foreign media and holding international press conferences. National Assembly deputies are responsible for responding to interviews during or outside the session time; if deemed necessary, they may consult the Standing Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.

Form 05

REPORT
Results of International Conferences and Seminars

I. General Information on Conferences and Seminars

1. Name of the Conference or Seminar

2. Purpose of the Conference or Seminar

3. Content and Program of the Conference or Seminar

4. Time and Location of the Conference or Seminar

5. Chairperson and Co-chairperson (if any)

6. Agencies or Units Responsible for Organizing (Vietnamese side and foreign side)

7. Information on Foreign Speakers

8. Participants' Composition, Number, and Structure of Vietnamese Delegates and Delegates with Foreign Citizenship

9. Source of Funding

II. Results of the Conference or Seminar

1. Results of the Conference or Seminar

2. Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses

3. Issues Arising During the Conference or Seminar That Have Been or Have Not Been Resolved (if any)

4. Documents and Declarations Signed or Issued at the Conference or Seminar (if any)

III. Proposals and Recommendations (if any)

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