Decree No. 138/2025/NĐ-CP on decentralization and delegation of authority in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism

DECREE

Regulations on decentralization and delegation in the field of culture, sports, and tourism

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Pursuant to the Government Organization Law 2025;

Pursuant to the Local Administration Organization Law 2025;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 190/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 of the National Assembly regarding the handling of certain issues related to the restructuring of state administrative bodies;

At the proposal of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

The Government promulgates this Decree to regulate decentralization and delegation in the field of culture, sports, and tourism.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Decree stipulates the authority, procedures, and processes for implementing tasks and powers of agencies and authorized individuals in the field of culture, sports, and tourism as prescribed in laws and decrees of the Government that need adjustment to implement decentralization and delegation.

Article 2. Principles of Delegation and Decentralization

1. Ensuring compliance with the Constitution; aligning with principles and regulations on decentralization and delegation under the Government Organization Law and the Local Administration Organization Law.

2. Ensuring thorough delegation of tasks between central government agencies and local authorities, ensuring the unified management authority of the Government and the executive power of the Prime Minister over the national administration in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism; promoting the initiative, creativity, and accountability of local authorities in managing these fields.

3. Ensuring that the Government, the Prime Minister, and Ministries focus on macro-level state management; building consistent and unified systems, strategies, plans, playing a constructive role, and strengthening inspection, supervision, and monitoring.

4. Promoting decentralization and delegation, clearly defining the authority of People's Councils, People's Committees, and Chairpersons of People's Committees; clearly distinguishing the general authority of People's Committees from the specific authority of their Chairpersons; ensuring alignment with the responsibilities, powers, and capabilities of the agencies and individuals assigned such tasks.

5. Implementing decentralization and delegation among relevant sectors and fields, ensuring consistency, comprehensiveness, interconnectivity, without omission or overlap of tasks; ensuring a legal basis for the normal, continuous operation of agencies; preventing work interruptions, overlapping, duplication, or omission of functions, tasks, fields, or areas.

6. Ensuring human rights and citizens' rights; ensuring transparency and creating favorable conditions for individuals and organizations to access information, exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations according to the law; not affecting the normal activities of society, citizens, and businesses.

7. Ensuring no impact on the implementation of international treaties and agreements to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

8. Resources for tasks delegated and delegated are guaranteed by the state budget as prescribed.

Article 3. Fees and Charges

When processing administrative procedures requiring payment of fees and charges as prescribed by laws on fees and charges, individuals and organizations must submit the fees and charges along with their application forms to the receiving agency. The levels of fees and charges, their management, and utilization shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Government, the Minister of Finance, or the Provincial People's Council for corresponding fees and charges.

Chapter II

DECENTRALIZATION

Section 1

FIELD OF CULTURE AND SPORTS

Article 4. Permitting organizations to prepare files requesting UNESCO support for the protection of heritage sites listed in the Urgent Safeguarding List

Clause 1. The permit for organizations to prepare files requesting UNESCO support for the protection of heritage sites listed in the Urgent Safeguarding List from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Fund under the 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 18 of the Law on Heritage, shall be decided by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism based on the proposal document submitted by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province.

Clause 2. The procedures for granting permission to prepare such files shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 1 of the Appendix accompanying this Decree.

Article 5. Receiving notifications of establishment, merger, consolidation, division, separation, dissolution, and cessation of operations of specialized libraries at the central level and provincial-level libraries

Clause 1. The receipt of notifications of establishment, merger, consolidation, division, separation, dissolution, and cessation of operations of specialized libraries at the central level and provincial-level libraries, as stipulated in Point a, Clause 5, Article 23 of the Law on Libraries, shall be implemented by the People's Committee of the province.

Clause 2. The procedures for receiving notifications shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 2 of the Appendix accompanying this Decree.

Article 6. Organizing the National Phu Dong Youth Fitness Festival and the National Sports Congress

Clause 1. The organization of the National Phu Dong Youth Fitness Festival for students, as stipulated in Point b, Clause 1, Article 13 of the Law on Physical Education and Sports, amended and supplemented by the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Physical Education and Sports, shall be decided by the Minister of Education and Training.

Clause 2. The organization of the National Sports Congress, as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 38 of the Law on Physical Education and Sports, amended and supplemented by the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Physical Education and Sports, shall be decided by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Section 2

FIELD OF TOURISM

Article 7. Recognition of tourist areas located across two or more administrative units at the provincial level

Clause 1. The recognition of tourist areas located across two or more administrative units at the provincial level, as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 28 of the Tourism Law, shall be decided by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Clause 2. The procedures for recognition shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 3 of the Appendix accompanying this Decree.

Article 8. Permitting the establishment of representative offices in Vietnam of foreign tourism agencies, international and regional tourism organizations

Clause 1. The permit for the establishment of representative offices in Vietnam of foreign tourism agencies, international and regional tourism organizations, as stipulated in Point b, Clause 3, Article 69 of the Tourism Law, shall be decided by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Clause 2. The procedures for granting permission to establish such offices shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 4 of the Appendix accompanying this Decree.

Section 3

FIELD OF PRESS AND PUBLISHING

Article 9. Approval of changes in the content recorded in press operation licenses

Clause 1. The approval of changes in the content recorded in press operation licenses for printed newspapers, printed magazines, electronic newspapers, electronic magazines, printed newspapers and electronic newspapers, printed magazines and electronic magazines of local press agencies, as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 20 of the Press Law, shall be implemented by the People's Committee of the province.

Clause 2. The procedures for approval shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Clause 5 of the Appendix accompanying this Decree.

Article 10. Issuance, amendment, supplementation, and approval of changes to the Content of the Publishing Permit for Additional Press Publications and Supplements

1. The issuance of the Publishing Permit for Additional Press Publications and Supplements; the Publishing Permit for Amending and Supplementing the Publishing Permit for Additional Press Publications and Supplements; the Document approving changes to the Content in the Publishing Permit for Additional Press Publications and Supplements as stipulated in Articles 20 and 31 of the Press Law shall be carried out by the People's Committee of the province.

2. The procedures and formalities for issuance, amendment, supplementation, and approval shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 6 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Decree.

Article 11. Issuance of the Publishing Permit for Special Editions; Document approving changes to the Content in the Publishing Permit for Special Editions

1. The issuance of the Publishing Permit for Special Editions; the Document approving changes to the Content in the Publishing Permit for Special Editions as stipulated in Article 35 of the Press Law shall be carried out by the People's Committee of the province.

2. The procedures and formalities for issuing the permit shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 7 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Decree.

Article 12. Acceptance of Registration of Import Press Catalogues

1. The acceptance of registration of import press catalogues as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 54 of the Press Law shall be carried out by the People's Committee of the province where the main office of the press import entity is located or where the customs port for importing press materials is situated.

2. The procedures and formalities for accepting registration shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 8 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Decree.

Article 13. Issuance of Permission to Establish Representative Offices in Vietnam of Foreign Publishers and Organizations Distributing Foreign Publications

1. The issuance of permission to establish representative offices in Vietnam of foreign publishers and organizations distributing foreign publications (including enterprises and organizations established abroad engaged in multiple industries and fields including publishing and distribution of publications) as stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 8 of the Publishing Law shall be carried out by the People's Committee of the province.

2. The procedures and formalities for issuing permission shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 9 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Decree.

Article 14. Issuance of the Publishing Permit for Non-Profit Documents of Central Agencies and Foreign Organizations

1. The issuance of the Publishing Permit for Non-Profit Documents of Central Agencies and Foreign Organizations as stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 25 of the Publishing Law shall be carried out by the People's Committee of the province.

2. The procedures and formalities for issuing the permit shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 10 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Decree.

Article 15. Acceptance of Registration for Publication Distribution Activities

1. The acceptance of registration for publication distribution activities of distribution entities with headquarters and branches in two or more provinces or centrally-administered cities as stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 37 of the Publishing Law shall be carried out by the People's Committee of the province where the distribution entity's headquarters or branch is located.

2. The procedures and formalities for accepting registration shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 11 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Decree.

Article 16. Issuance of the Permit to Organize Exhibitions and Trade Fairs of Publications for Central Agencies and Foreign Organizations and Individuals

1. The issuance of the Permit to Organize Exhibitions and Trade Fairs of Publications for Central Agencies and Foreign Organizations and Individuals as stipulated in Point a, Clause 2, Article 44 of the Publishing Law shall be carried out by the People's Committee of the province where the exhibition or trade fair of publications is organized.

2. The procedures and formalities for issuing the permit shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 12 of the Appendix promulgated together with this Decree.

Chapter III

CLASSIFICATION

Article 17. Recognition of Traditional Day of Ministries, Sectors, and Provincial Levels

The recognition of the traditional day of ministries, sectors, and provincial levels as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 5 of Decree No. 111/2018/NĐ-CP dated August 31, 2018, issued by the Government on the establishment day, traditional day, and response day of ministries, sectors, and localities shall be decided by the Minister, Sector Head, or Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level.

Article 18. Acceptance of Registration for Festival Organization

1. The acceptance of registration for festival organization as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 9 of Decree No. 110/2018/NĐ-CP dated August 29, 2018, issued by the Government on the management and organization of festivals shall be carried out by the People's Committee at the provincial level where the festival is organized.

2. The procedures and formalities for accepting registrations shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 13 of the Appendix attached to this Decree.

Article 19. Acceptance of Notification for Festival Organization

1. The acceptance of notification for annual festivals originating from abroad as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 14 of Decree No. 110/2018/NĐ-CP shall be carried out by the People's Committee at the provincial level where the festival is organized.

2. The procedures and formalities for accepting notifications shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 14 of the Appendix attached to this Decree.

Article 20. Decision on Firework Display Organization or Change in Range and Duration of Fireworks Display

1. The decision on organizing fireworks display as stipulated in Clause 7 and Clause 8, Article 11 or changing the range and duration of fireworks display as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 12 of Decree No. 137/2020/NĐ-CP dated November 27, 2020, issued by the Government on the management and use of fireworks, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 56/2023/NĐ-CP dated July 24, 2023, issued by the Government, shall be decided by the Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level.

2. The procedures and formalities for making decisions shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 15 of the Appendix attached to this Decree.

Article 21. Reissue and Extension of License for Establishing Representative Office in Vietnam of Foreign Publishers and Organizations Distributing Publishing Products

1. The reissuance and extension of licenses for establishing representative offices in Vietnam of foreign publishers and organizations distributing publishing products as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 7 of Decree No. 195/2013/NĐ-CP dated November 21, 2013, issued by the Government detailing certain provisions and measures to implement the Law on Publishing, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 150/2018/NĐ-CP dated November 7, 2018, issued by the Government, shall be carried out by the People's Committee at the provincial level.

2. The procedures and formalities for reissuing and extending licenses shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 16 of the Appendix attached to this Decree.

Article 22. Issuance, Reissuance, Amendment, Supplement of Confirmation Notice for Providing Social Network Services and Suspension, Revocation of Confirmation Notice for Providing Social Network Services

1. The issuance of confirmation notice for social networks with a low number of regular visitors as stipulated in Point b, Clause 8, Article 24 of Decree No. 147/2024/NĐ-CP dated November 9, 2024, issued by the Government on the management and provision of internet services and information on the network shall be carried out by the People's Committee at the provincial level. The authority issuing the confirmation notice for social networks with a low number of regular visitors has the authority to reissue, amend, supplement, suspend operations, and revoke the confirmation notice.

2. The procedures and formalities for issuing, reissuing, amending, and supplementing the confirmation notice shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 17 of the Appendix attached to this Decree.

3. The procedures and formalities for suspending operations and revoking the confirmation notice for providing social network services shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 33 of Decree No. 147/2024/NĐ-CP.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 23. Effectiveness of Implementation

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

2. This Decree ceases to take effect from March 1, 2027, except in the following cases:

a) Ministries and agencies equivalent to ministries report to the Government to propose and obtain the National Assembly's decision to extend the application period of this Decree in whole or in part.

b) Laws, resolutions of the National Assembly, ordinances, resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, decrees, resolutions of the Government, and decisions of the Prime Minister that specify the administrative management authorities, responsibilities, procedures, and formalities stipulated in this Decree, adopted or issued from July 1, 2025, and become effective before March 1, 2027, and corresponding provisions in this Decree cease to be effective upon the entry into force of these legal documents.

3. During the period when the provisions of this Decree are in effect, if the provisions regarding administrative management authorities, responsibilities, procedures, and formalities in this Decree differ from those in related legal documents, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of this Decree.

Article 24. Transitional Provisions

1. Documents and papers already issued and valid or still within their validity period before this Decree takes effect shall continue to be used until the expiration date indicated in the documents and papers.

2. Files and formalities already accepted by the authorities or persons authorized before this Decree takes effect shall continue to be processed according to the provisions of the legal documents stipulating the authorities' duties and tasks prior to the delegation and decentralization provided for in this Decree.