Consolidated Document number 14/VBHN-BTNMT stipulates on the construction, exploitation, and use of databases on marine and island resources and environment.

CIRCULAR

regulations on the construction, exploitation, and use of databases on marine and island resources and environment

Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, concerning the construction, exploitation, and use of databases on marine and island resources and environment, took effect from August 25, 2016, amended and supplemented by:

Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, concerning the construction, exploitation, and use of databases on marine and island resources and environment, took effect from February 15, 2024.

Pursuant to the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment dated June 25, 2015;

Pursuant to Decree No. 21/2013/NĐ-CP dated March 4, 2013, promulgated by the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the proposal of the Director General of the Vietnam Marine and Island Administration and the Head of the Legal Department,

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issues this Circular on the Construction, Exploitation, and Use of Databases on Marine and Island Resources and Environment1.

Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular regulates the construction, exploitation, and use of databases on marine and island resources and environment.

Article 2. This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the construction, exploitation, and use of databases on marine and island resources and environment.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

Point 1. Raw data on marine and island resources and environment are original data collected without undergoing any editing or standardization processes.

Point 2. A database on marine and island resources and environment is a systematic collection of raw data on marine and island resources and environment that have been classified, inspected, evaluated, processed, integrated, digitized, standardized according to national standards, and stored in electronic files.

Article 3. Budget for constructing, managing, exploiting, and using databases on marine and island resources and environment

Clause 1. The budget for constructing and managing databases on marine and island resources and environment shall be guaranteed by the state budget and other sources as prescribed by law.

Clause 2. Organizations and individuals exploiting and using databases on marine and island resources and environment must pay fees as prescribed by law on fees and charges.

Chapter II. CONSTRUCTION OF DATABASES ON MARINE AND ISLAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Article 4. Principles for constructing databases on marine and island resources and environment

Point 1. To promptly serve state management work and meet socio-economic development requirements, ensuring national defense and security.

Point 2. Databases on marine and island resources and environment must be unified and synchronized from central to local levels; they must be open; ensure smooth and timely exchange, sharing, and provision of data among sectors and levels; ensure convenient access and extraction for linking and integrating between databases; be updated and maintained regularly and comprehensively.

Point 3. Data on marine and island resources and environment must be fully, accurately, systematically, and timely collected; before being updated into the database, they must be classified, inspected, evaluated, processed, integrated, digitized, and standardized.

Point 4. Databases on marine and island resources and environment must be strictly managed, ensuring information security, long-term storage, protection of state secrets; ensuring convenience for exploitation and use, facilitating activities on the internet.

Point 5. Databases on marine and island resources and environment must be constructed in accordance with the national information system architecture, meeting database standards, national technical standards for information technology applications, and other regulations, procedures, norms, technical standards, economic-technical quotas issued by competent state authorities.

Article 5. Responsibilities for building and managing marine and island natural resources and environmental databases

1. The Vietnam Marine and Island Administration2 shall be responsible for assisting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in building the national marine and island natural resources and environmental database.

2. Specialized agencies assigned to build marine and island natural resources and environmental databases of ministries and ministerial-level agencies (hereinafter referred to collectively as specialized agencies under the Ministry) shall be responsible for building marine and island natural resources and environmental databases within the scope of their respective ministries' state management.

3. Departments of Natural Resources and Environment shall be specialized agencies responsible for assisting provincial People's Committees and municipal People's Committees directly under the central government with coastal areas (hereinafter referred to collectively as provincial People's Committees with coastal areas) in building local marine and island natural resources and environmental databases.

4. The Vietnam Marine and Island Administration3, specialized agencies under the Ministry, and Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of provincial and municipal People's Committees with coastal areas shall be responsible for managing marine and island natural resources and environmental databases that they have been assigned to build (hereinafter referred to collectively as database management agencies).

Article 6. Building marine and island natural resources and environmental databases

1. Marine and island natural resources and environmental databases shall be built in accordance with the Framework for Marine and Island Natural Resources and Environmental Databases prescribed by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to ensure integration, systematization, uniformity, and synchronization nationwide.

2. Data on marine and island natural resources and environment before being updated into the marine and island natural resources and environmental database must be classified, inspected, evaluated, processed, integrated, digitized, and standardized according to regulations. Depending on the type of data, level of data, form, content, characteristics, nature of the data, degree of processing, and level of dissemination of the data, data should be updated into the database reasonably, scientifically, ensuring accuracy, convenience, and effectiveness in management, exploitation, and utilization, ensuring data security and confidentiality requirements.

3. The process of building marine and island natural resources and environmental databases shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 26/2014/TT-BTNMT dated May 28, 2014, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on Procedures and Economic-Technical Norms for Building Natural Resources and Environmental Databases and Circular No. 14/2020/TT-BTNMT dated November 27, 2020, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on Procedures and Economic-Technical Norms for Building, Maintaining, and Operating Information Systems in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sector.4.

Article 7. Collecting data on marine and island natural resources and environment

1. The collection of data on marine and island natural resources and environment shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of specialized laws and must comply strictly with the regulations, procedures, technical norms, standards, and economic-technical norms issued by competent state authorities.

2. The Vietnam Marine and Island Administration5 shall take the lead and coordinate with units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to assist the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in collecting data on marine and island natural resources and environment.

3. Specialized agencies under the Ministry shall take the lead and coordinate with units under their respective ministries and ministerial-level agencies to assist those ministries and ministerial-level agencies in collecting data on marine and island natural resources and environment within the scope of their state management.

4. Departments of Natural Resources and Environment shall take the lead and coordinate with departments, sectors, and agencies to assist provincial People's Committees with coastal areas in collecting data on marine and island natural resources and environment within the scope of local management.

Article 8. Supplying data for building the database on marine and island resources and environment

1. Responsibilities for supplying data on marine and island resources and environment:

a) Departments and agencies under the People's Committee of coastal provinces and People's Committees of coastal districts shall be responsible for supplying data on marine and island resources and environment to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment;

b) The Departments of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for supplying relevant data on marine and island resources and environment to specialized agencies under Ministries within the scope of their state management to Ministries and equivalent agencies;

c) Units under Ministries and equivalent agencies shall be responsible for supplying data on marine and island resources and environment to specialized agencies under Ministries;

d) Specialized agencies under Ministries shall be responsible for supplying relevant data on marine and island resources and environment within the scope of state management over marine and island resources and environment by other Ministries and equivalent agencies to specialized agencies under those Ministries and equivalent agencies;

đ) Specialized agencies under Ministries shall be responsible for supplying relevant data on marine and island resources and environment within the scope of state management over marine and island resources and environment in coastal provinces and centrally-administered municipalities to the local Department of Natural Resources and Environment;

e) Specialized agencies under Ministries; Departments of Natural Resources and Environment; units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for supplying data on marine and island resources and environment to the Vietnam Marine and Island Authority;6;

g) The Vietnam Marine and Island Authority7 shall be responsible for supplying relevant data on marine and island resources and environment within the scope of state management by Ministries and equivalent agencies to specialized agencies under Ministries; and supplying data related to the scope of state management over marine and island resources and environment in coastal provinces and centrally-administered municipalities to the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment;

h) Organizations and individuals shall be responsible for supplying data on marine and island resources and environment collected with state budget funds or originating from the state budget to the managing agency of the database on marine and island resources and environment.

2. The supplied data shall be the entire original data that has been classified, inspected, evaluated, processed, integrated, digitized, and standardized according to the Framework of the Database on Marine and Island Resources and Environment. The supply document must bear the signature of the head of the supplying agency and be stamped for confirmation, specifying the origin of the data. For data of organizations and individuals, the supply document must bear the signature of the individual or the head of the organization.

3. Forms of supplying data:

Data supply shall be carried out through electronic network transmission or paper-based transmission (through administrative mail or postal service).

4. Time limit for supplying data:

a) The time limit for supplying various types of data specified in legal documents on marine and island resources and environment or data supplied upon request of competent state agencies shall be implemented strictly in accordance with the regulations and requirements;

b) The frequency and time for supplying data through electronic network transmission shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions, procedures, technical regulations, and standards set by the managing agency of the database;

c) Periodic data supply: The Department of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for supplying data at intervals of six months (from January 1 to June 30) and annually (from January 1 to December 31). Specialized agencies under Ministries shall be responsible for supplying data once a year (from January 1 to December 31).

5. Managing agencies of databases and related organizations and individuals shall be responsible for the legality, accuracy, and truthfulness of the data they supply.

6. Connecting and sharing data between databases:

a) Connecting and sharing data between databases shall be carried out in accordance with national technical standards for information technology applications in state agencies;

b) Depending on the type of data and the conditions of information technology infrastructure, the time limits for supplying data, reporting systems in the field of marine and island resources and environment, and the requirements of competent state management agencies, specialized agencies under Ministries and Departments of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for connecting their managed databases to the National Database on Marine and Island Resources and Environment;

c) Specialized agencies under Ministries and Departments of Natural Resources and Environment shall have the authority to exploit and use data within the scope of their own management.

Article 9. Storage and Ensuring Safety of Marine and Island Resources and Environment Database

1. The storage and preservation of marine and island resources and environment data must comply with the provisions of the law on storage, relevant regulations, procedures, technical rules, and standards.

The retention period for storing and preserving data shall be established for each type of data according to the provisions of the law on storage and Circular No. 46/2016/TT-BTNMT dated December 27, 2016, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment regarding the retention period for specialized files and documents on natural resources and the environment.8.

2. Ensuring database safety:

a) Using encrypted channels and user authentication for activities such as system administration login; application login; automatic data transmission between server systems; data entry and editing;

b) Encrypting database communication channels;

c) Applying measures to ensure data authenticity and integrity within the database;

d) Implementing logging of data creation, modification, and deletion activities to support system management and monitoring;

e) Establishing and maintaining backup systems to ensure continuous system operation.

3. The database management agency must implement management, operational, and technical measures for the information system to ensure data security, access data security, and data in transit security; protect data confidentiality; safeguard and restore systems, services, and data content from natural or human-caused risks; ensure computer and network security. Data in the database, data in transit, and backup recovery data must be protected with data encryption solutions.

4. The Vietnam Marine and Island Administration9 is responsible for ensuring the safety of the national marine and island resources and environment database. Specialized agencies under the Ministry and Provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Environment are responsible for ensuring the safety of databases they build and manage.

5. The marine and island resources and environment database must be backed up periodically on storage systems and devices monthly and annually to prevent data loss during management, exploitation, and use. Monthly backup data must be stored for at least one year; annual backup data must be permanently retained and stored at least two locations.

Article 10. Information Technology System for Marine and Island Resources and Environment Database

1. Operating system software, system software, and application software for building, managing, exploiting, and using the marine and island resources and environment database must be standardized to ensure smooth integration, exchange, and sharing of data.

2. Network infrastructure uses dedicated data transmission networks of Party and State agencies, wide area networks of the natural resources and environment sector, or data transmission networks of service providers.

3. Information technology infrastructure for the marine and island resources and environment database includes server systems, workstations, data storage systems, networking equipment, peripheral devices, and other supporting equipment must comply with national standards and technical regulations on information technology application in state agencies as prescribed by the law on information technology.

Chapter III. EXPLOITATION AND USE OF THE MARINE AND ISLAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT DATABASE

Article 11. Principles for Exploitation and Utilization of Marine and Island Resources and Environmental Database

1. To promptly serve state management tasks; to meet requirements for socio-economic development; to ensure national defense and security.

2. Data provided for exploitation and utilization must be complete and accurate within the prescribed time frame and content requirements.

3. Exploitation and utilization of the database must be in accordance with its intended purpose and be effective.

4. The exploitation and utilization of the database must comply with financial obligations as stipulated.

5. Must adhere to regulations on protecting state secrets.

Article 12. Forms of Exploitation and Utilization of Marine and Island Resources and Environmental Database

1. Through dedicated networks; through electronic information portals or websites of the database management agency (hereinafter referred to collectively as through electronic networks).

2. Through contractual forms.

3. Through request forms or written requests for data provision.

Article 13. Exploitation and Utilization of Marine and Island Resources and Environmental Database Through Electronic Networks and Contractual Forms

1. Exploitation and utilization of the database through electronic networks can only be carried out when the requested data can be transmitted via electronic networks and the database management agency has the necessary conditions to provide data through electronic networks. In cases where laws specify the exploitation and utilization of marine and island resources and environmental databases through electronic networks for specific data, such legal provisions shall apply; if there are no such legal provisions, the provisions of this Clause 2 and Clause 3 of this Article shall be followed.

2. Exploitation and utilization of the database through electronic networks shall be conducted in the following ways:

a) Providing one-time access codes;

b) Directing access addresses to download data;

c) Sending attached files via email.

3. Organizations and individuals requiring exploitation and utilization of the database shall enter the required information as specified in Points a, b, c, and d of Clause 2, Article 14 of this Circular into the form on the interface of the electronic network of the database management agency.

The database management agency is responsible for reviewing requests for exploitation and utilization of the database from organizations and individuals. If the requested information is incomplete, the database management agency is responsible for sending feedback information to guide the organization or individual to supplement the information within three working days from the date of receipt of the request information. In case of refusal to provide data, the database management agency must send notification information clearly stating the reasons to the organization or individual.

If the requested information is valid, the database management agency shall provide data to the organization or individual according to the deadlines set forth in Points b and c of Clause 5 and Clause 6 of Article 14 of this Circular.

The database management agency shall provide detailed technical guidance on exploitation and utilization of the database through electronic networks, publicly posting such guidance on electronic information portals or websites of the database management agency. Exploitation and utilization of the database through electronic networks must comply strictly with the provisions of the Law on Electronic Transactions, the Law on Information Technology, the Law on Cybersecurity, and other relevant legal provisions.

4. Exploitation and utilization of the database through contractual forms shall be implemented based on agreements between the database management agency and organizations or individuals requiring exploitation and utilization of the database in accordance with civil law and other relevant legal provisions.

Article 14. Exploitation and utilization of databases on natural resources, marine environment, and islands through request forms or written requests

1. The exploitation and utilization of databases on natural resources, marine environment, and islands through request forms or written requests for data shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of specialized laws. In cases where specialized laws have not provided regulations, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of this Article.

2. Organizations with a need to exploit and utilize databases shall submit written requests, while individuals with such needs shall submit request forms to the database management authority. Written requests from organizations must bear the signature of the organization's head and be stamped with confirmation. Request forms from individuals must bear the signature of the person requesting the exploitation and utilization of the database. Written requests for data must include the following main contents:

a) 10Name, address of the organization; full name, place of residence, contact address, identification card number, citizen identity card number, personal identification number, or passport number of the individual; fax number, telephone number, email address (if any) of the organization or individual;

b) List and content of required data;

c) Purpose of exploiting and utilizing the data;

d) Form of exploitation and utilization of the data, method of receiving results.

The number of written requests or request forms is one copy.

3. 11Written requests for data can be submitted directly to the database management authority or sent via postal service or electronic network; written requests from state agencies may also be sent via official correspondence or fax.

When coming directly to the database management authority to receive data, organizations must present an introduction letter; individuals must present their national identity card, citizen identity card, personal identification number, passport, or certified copies thereof.

4. The database management authority has the responsibility to accept written requests or request forms for the exploitation and utilization of databases. If the written requests or request forms do not contain all the required contents as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, the database management authority shall guide organizations and individuals to supplement within three working days from the date of receipt of the written requests or request forms. In cases where the requested data does not fall under the responsibility of providing, the database management authority must notify the organizations and individuals.

5. Upon receipt of valid written requests or request forms from organizations or individuals, the database management authority shall provide data to the organizations or individuals requesting the exploitation and utilization of the database:

a) For data that can be provided immediately, organizations or individuals may directly read, view, listen, record, copy, photograph documents or be provided with immediate copies or photographs of documents;

b) For simple data, within the latest period of five working days from the date of receipt of valid written requests or request forms, the database management authority must provide data to organizations or individuals;

c) For complex data requiring time for review, search, copying, extraction, and compilation from the database, within the latest period of twenty days from the date of receipt of valid written requests or request forms, the database management authority must provide data to organizations or individuals. In cases where the content of the request is overly complex and large in volume, within the latest period of thirty-five days from the date of receipt of valid written requests or request forms, the database management authority must provide data to organizations or individuals;

d) In cases where data provision is refused, the database management authority must issue a written response clearly stating the reasons.

6. The provision of data on natural resources, marine environment, and islands for cases requiring financial obligations shall be carried out after organizations or individuals requesting data have fully fulfilled their financial obligations as prescribed.

Article 15. Publication and Disclosure of Marine and Island Resources and Environmental Data

1. The list of marine and island resources and environmental data shall be published on mass media, electronic information portals, or websites of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and provincial People's Committees with coastal areas.

The list of marine and island resources and environmental data includes a list of data accompanied by instructions on access methods, managing authorities of the database, and storage locations.

2. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall publish the national list of marine and island resources and environmental data; ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and provincial People's Committees with coastal areas shall publish the lists of marine and island resources and environmental data under their management and shall be responsible for the lists they publish in accordance with laws on state secrets protection and related laws.

3. Data on marine and island resources and environment must be disclosed in accordance with the Law on Access to Information and related laws to ensure citizens' right to access information.

Article 16. Rights and Responsibilities of Authorities, Organizations, and Individuals in Exploiting and Using Marine and Island Resources and Environmental Databases

1. The authority managing the marine and island resources and environmental databases has the following rights and responsibilities:

a) To develop and submit to the Minister, head of a ministerial-level agency, or provincial People's Committee regulations specifying the authority to provide, scope, level, and subjects eligible to exploit and use the data on marine and island resources and environment under their management;

b) To publish and disclose data; to provide data to organizations and individuals in accordance with regulations; to refuse requests for data provision that contravene this Circular and related laws;

c) To provide complete, accurate, and timely data; to correct or supplement data when inaccuracies or incompleteness are discovered in provided data;

d) To ensure convenient access for organizations and individuals; to have user-friendly search tools that yield accurate results; to update data regularly and promptly; to guide and support organizations and individuals in accessing, exploiting, and using the database through electronic information portals or websites;

đ) To comply with laws on state secrets protection;

e) To charge fees for exploitation and use of data in accordance with regulations.

2. Organizations and individuals exploiting and using marine and island resources and environmental databases have the following rights and responsibilities:

a) To receive complete, accurate, and timely data in accordance with this Circular and related laws; to promptly notify the database management authority of any errors in the data received;

b) To exploit and use the database for its intended purpose; to provide data to third parties only if there is an agreement or permission from the database management authority in accordance with intellectual property laws and related laws; to comply with laws on state secrets protection; to be responsible for any violations caused by the exploitation and use of the database;

c) To access the database at the designated address and login code; not to disclose the provided address and login code; to exploit and use data within the provided scope without unauthorized intrusion into the database; not to alter, delete, destroy, copy, reveal, display, or move part or all of the database illegally; not to create or disseminate harmful software that disrupts, alters, or destroys the database;

d) To pay fees for exploitation and use of data and actual costs for printing, copying, photographing, and sending data via postal services or fax (if applicable);

đ) To have the right to lodge complaints, initiate lawsuits, or report violations of their rights to exploit and use the database according to the law.

Chapter IV. IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS12

Article 17. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from October 10, 2016.

Article 18. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Vietnam Marine and Island Administration13 shall be responsible for guiding and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

2. Heads of relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

3. During implementation, if difficulties arise, agencies, organizations, and individuals are advised to promptly report them to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for research, consideration, and resolution.

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1 Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on the construction, exploitation, and use of marine and island resources and environmental databases is based on the following grounds:

"On the basis of the Law on Marine Resources and Environment and Islands dated June 25, 2015;

On the basis of Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP dated August 18, 2017 of the Government on simplifying administrative procedures and citizen-related documents under the management functions of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

Pursuant to Decree No. 68/2022/NĐ-CP dated September 22, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the proposal of the Director of the Vietnam Marine and Island Affairs Department and the Head of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issues this Circular amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on the construction, exploitation, and use of marine and island resources and environmental databases."

2 The phrase "General Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" shall be replaced with the phrase "Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

3 The phrase "General Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" shall be replaced with the phrase "Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

4 The phrase "and Circular No. 14/2020/TT-BTNMT dated November 27, 2020, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment promulgating Procedures and Economic-Technical Norms for the Construction, Maintenance, and Operation of Information Systems in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sector" shall be added pursuant to Clause 2, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

5 The phrase "General Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" shall be replaced with the phrase "Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

6 The phrase "General Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" shall be replaced with the phrase "Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

7 The phrase "General Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" shall be replaced with the phrase "Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

8 The phrase "Circular No. 11/2013/TT-BTNMT dated May 28, 2013, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment stipulating the retention period for specialized natural resources and environmental records and documents" shall be replaced with the phrase "Circular No. 46/2016/TT-BTNMT dated December 27, 2016, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment stipulating the retention period for specialized natural resources and environmental records and documents" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

9 The phrase "General Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" shall be replaced with the phrase "Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

10 This point has been amended pursuant to Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

11 This clause has been amended pursuant to Clause 2, Article 1 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.

12 Article 3 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024, provides as follows:

“Article 3. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2024.

13 The phrase "General Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" shall be replaced with the phrase "Department of Sea Islands of Vietnam" pursuant to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular No. 23/2023/TT-BTNMT dated December 28, 2023, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 20/2016/TT-BTNMT dated August 25, 2016, on the construction, exploitation, and utilization of natural resources and environmental databases for seas and islands, which takes effect from February 15, 2024.