Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BNV provides detailed regulations and guidance on the implementation of the Law on Encouragement and Commendation and Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025, of the Government regarding decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of encouragement and commendation; it also provides detailed regulations and guidance on the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Commendation.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on measures to organize and guide the implementation of the Law on Encouragement and Reward and Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of encouragement and reward; detailed regulations and guidance on the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward. Encouragement and Reward

Pursuant to the Law on Encouragement and Reward dated June 15, 2022;

Pursuant to Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of encouragement and reward; detailed regulations and guidance on the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 25/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 21, 2025 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

At the proposal of the Head of the Central Steering Committee for Encouragement and Reward;

The Minister of Home Affairs issues this Circular on measures to organize and guide the implementation of the Law on Encouragement and Reward and Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of encouragement and reward; detailed regulations and guidance on the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates measures to organize and guide the implementation of the Law on Encouragement and Reward and Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of encouragement and reward; detailed regulations and guidance on the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward.

Article 2. General Provisions on Encouragement and Reward

1. For individuals, groups, households with outstanding achievements, the head of the Ministry, sector, province shall award rewards within their authority. In cases of outstanding achievements with significant influence at the level of the Ministry, sector, province or within the scope of the Ministry, sector, province or nationwide, they shall propose national-level awards according to the prescribed standards.

2. For groups without party or mass organizations, when proposing rewards in the report of achievements, it must be stated that the group does not have party or mass organizations.

3. When summarizing and concluding the encouragement movement within the scope of the Ministry, sector, province, the head of the Ministry, sector, province shall implement rewards within their authority. Ministries, sectors shall not propose national-level awards for objects not under their direct professional management.

When summarizing and concluding the encouragement movement, in addition to implementing rewards within their authority, ministries, sectors, provinces shall select individuals and groups with outstanding achievements to propose the Prime Minister award Certificates of Merit (for encouragement movements lasting three years or more); select individuals and groups with exceptionally outstanding achievements to propose the Prime Minister submit to the President for awarding the Labor Medal, Third Class (for encouragement movements lasting five years or more).

4. When ministries, sectors, provinces conduct summaries and conclusions on the implementation of laws, ordinances, decrees or serving international, regional conferences, forums..., they shall implement rewards within their authority, except for achievements serving political tasks directed by the Party and State leadership, which may propose national-level awards.

5. The assessment for the title of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier" in specific cases shall be carried out as follows:

a) Individuals participating in combat, serving combat, or performing brave actions saving people or property of the State and the People, resulting in injuries requiring treatment or convalescence as concluded by hospitals or health centers at the provincial level or above, the time spent on treatment or convalescence shall be counted towards the assessment for the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier".

b) Individuals sent for short-term training or enhancement under one year, complying with the regulations of the training or enhancement institution, the time spent studying shall be counted towards the working period at the agency, organization, unit for the assessment of the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier".

In cases where individuals are sent for training or enhancement for one year or more, the time spent on training or enhancement shall be counted towards the period for the assessment of the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier". In addition to the general criteria and conditions, during the period of training or enhancement, individuals must comply with the regulations of the training institution, complete assigned tasks, and achieve satisfactory grades or higher (for courses with grading such as average, good, excellent...).

c) For individuals transferred or temporarily assigned to another agency, organization, unit for a certain period, the assessment for the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier" shall be conducted by the agency, organization, unit with the authority to recognize the completion of tasks (for civil servants, public officials, and employees) or the new agency, organization, unit (for non-civil servants, public officials, and employees). If the individual has worked at the previous agency for six months or more, the opinion of the previous agency must be obtained.

d) Individuals newly recruited for less than six months shall not be considered for the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Advanced Soldier".

Article 3. Forms of Competitive Motivation

1. Regular competitive motivation is a form of competitive motivation based on the functions and tasks assigned to individuals and collectives to organize and launch, aiming to perform daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual work well at agencies, organizations, and units. The target of regular competitive motivation is individuals within a collective, collectives within the same agency, organization, or unit, or between agencies, organizations, and units with similar functions, tasks, and nature of work divided into competition groups or clusters.

The organization of regular competitive motivation movements must clearly define the purpose, requirements, goals, specific indicators, and be implemented at agencies, organizations, units, or through competition clusters or groups to launch competitive motivation movements, sign competitive agreements. At the end of the working year, the heads of agencies, organizations, units, cluster leaders, and group leaders conduct summaries and evaluate competitive titles.

2. Special topic competitive motivation is a form of competitive motivation aimed at performing key tasks or a concentrated field determined within a specific period to strive to complete key and urgent tasks of agencies, organizations, and units. Competitive motivation for special topics can only be launched when the time frame, purpose, requirements, specific indicators, contents, and solutions are clearly defined.

Article 4. Content of Organizing Competitive Motivation Movements

The heads of agencies, organizations, and units are responsible for organizing competitive motivation movements within their management scope according to the following contents:

1. Organizing competitive motivation movements in conjunction with assigned functions and tasks or development goals, directions, and strategies of the agency, unit, or organization. Competitive motivation movements must have a theme, memorable and understandable name, specific indicators, contents, plans, practical and appropriate methods of competitive motivation for individual and collective conditions and capabilities, household participation.

2. Implementing various measures to promote and mobilize individuals, collectives, households to actively respond and participate in competitive motivation movements. Continuously urging and monitoring the implementation process; focusing on directing, guiding, and inspecting competitive motivation movements lasting three years or more; identifying new factors, exemplary models to promote and publicize; summarizing, concluding, and rewarding individuals, collectives, households with achievements in competitive motivation movements. Promoting innovative ideas, experiences, effective practices for other individuals, organizations, and households to learn from and emulate.

3. Summarizing competitive motivation movements must accurately assess results, effectiveness, impact; existing issues, limitations, and causes; while drawing lessons learned in organizing competitive motivation movements. Evaluating and recognizing competitive titles and forms of rewards must ensure accuracy, transparency, fairness; promptly rewarding outstanding individuals, collectives, households; encouraging rewards for individuals who are fishermen, ethnic minority people, farmers, workers, disadvantaged, disabled persons; collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in labor, production, study, work; dynamic, creative officials, civil servants, public employees who dare to think, act, and break through for common benefits.

Article 5. Implementation of the movement for emulation and competition

1. The Minister, Head of a ministry-level agency, agency under the Government, leaders of sectors, agencies, organizations at the central level, Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels, leaders of agencies, organizations, units shall take the lead and coordinate with political organizations, socio-political organizations, socio-political-professional organizations, social-professional organizations at the same level to organize and direct the implementation of the emulation and competition movement within their jurisdiction; actively identify and select individuals, groups, households with meritorious achievements for rewards or propose higher authorities to reward them; publicize, honor, and promote exemplary models and create conditions for individuals, groups, households receiving state rewards to exchange, interact, disseminate experiences, expand innovative initiatives, models, and effective methods.

2. Agencies, organizations, units providing advisory support for emulation and reward work at all levels and sectors shall base on specific tasks and targets of annual socio-economic development plans, five-year plans, and assigned political tasks of agencies, organizations, units at the same level to advise and propose policies, contents, programs, plans, measures for emulation; particularly emphasize propaganda and mobilization of various strata of the people to participate in the emulation movement; proactively coordinate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and its member organizations in guiding, organizing emulation movements, and inspecting their implementation; advise on mid-term and final reviews of emulation movements, expanding exemplary models; propose rewards and solutions to enhance the effectiveness of emulation and reward work.

3. Mass media agencies shall regularly publicize the purpose and significance of the patriotic emulation movement according to Ho Chi Minh's thoughts; policies and guidelines of the Party and state laws on emulation and reward work; the position, role, and importance of patriotic emulation in the revolutionary cause; intensify publicity of patriotic emulation movements; accurately reflect results and lessons learned from organizing and implementing patriotic emulation movements, innovations in emulation and reward work by central ministries, sectors, mass organizations, localities, agencies, and units; identify individuals, groups, households with outstanding achievements in the emulation movement; commend, honor, and set examples for exemplary models, good people, and good deeds; combat violations of laws on emulation and reward.

Article 6. Presentation of emulation flags and certificates of merit by ministries, sectors, provinces to participating groups in emulation clusters and teams

1. Ministries, sectors, provinces shall organize emulation clusters and teams based on legal provisions on emulation and reward and practical situations of ministries, sectors, and provinces, ensuring suitability, scientificity, and effectiveness; consider and present emulation flags and certificates of merit to groups participating in emulation clusters and teams.

2. Ministries, sectors, provinces shall decide to present emulation flags of ministries, sectors, and provinces to groups with outstanding and exemplary achievements leading emulation clusters and teams organized by ministries, sectors, and provinces, without presenting their own level's emulation flag to groups within the ratio proposed for presentation of the "Prime Minister's Emulation Flag." In cases where groups have been proposed for the "Prime Minister's Emulation Flag" but not awarded due to non-compliance with standards, procedures, and documentation for the "Prime Minister's Emulation Flag," ministries, sectors, and provinces shall consider and decide to present their own level's emulation flag according to general regulations.

Article 7. Commendation for individuals and groups belonging to party agencies, mass organizations; People's Councils at all levels; religious organizations

Clause 1. Individuals and groups responsible for party work, mass organizations: The level managing organizational structure, cadres, civil servants, public officials, employees, and salary funds shall examine and decide on commendations or propose commendations to higher levels.

Point a. For individuals and groups responsible for party work, mass organizations at central ministries, sectors, and mass organizations: the entity directly managing cadres, civil servants, and salary funds shall examine and decide on commendations or propose commendations to higher levels;

Point b. For individuals and groups responsible for party work, mass organizations at provincial level, managed directly by party agencies and mass organizations: shall examine and propose commendations to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or propose commendations to higher levels;

Point c. For individuals and groups responsible for party work, mass organizations at commune level: shall be commended by the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee or proposed for commendation to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or proposed to higher levels;

Point d. The General Confederation of Labor Vietnam shall commend and propose commendations to higher levels for: Departments, units under its management; Provincial and municipal labor unions; Central industry trade unions and equivalent organizations; Trade unions under state-owned enterprises directly under the General Confederation; Industrial zone trade unions, export processing zone trade unions, economic zone trade unions, high-tech park trade unions; Basic trade unions and full-time trade union officials receiving salaries from trade union finances of the aforementioned units.

Clause 2. Commendation within People's Councils at all levels:

Point a. Provincial People's Council: The Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Committees of the People's Council, members who are heads of committees of the People's Council, and dedicated representatives of the People's Council shall have their commendation files compiled by the Office of the National Assembly Delegation and the People's Council of the province, then submitted to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for commendation or proposal to higher levels for commendation. Representatives of the People's Council engaged in part-time activities shall follow the principle that the level managing organizational structure, cadres, and salary funds shall be responsible for examining and deciding on commendations and proposing commendations to higher levels;

Point b. Commune People's Council: Commendation for the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Committees of the People's Council, dedicated representatives, and representatives engaged in part-time activities of the People's Council shall follow the principle that the level managing organizational structure, cadres, and salary funds shall be responsible for examining and commending and proposing commendations to higher levels.

Clause 3. Commendation for individuals and groups belonging to religious organizations:

Point a. Commendation for individuals and groups belonging to central religious bodies shall be proposed by the State management agency on religion (Ministry of Ethnic Groups and Religion) to the Prime Minister;

Point b. Individuals and groups belonging to religious bodies at provincial and centrally-administered city levels shall be proposed for commendation by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to the Prime Minister.

Article 8. Responsibilities for commendation and proposal for commendation; time period for calculating achievements for commendation for agencies, organizations, and units after reorganizing the organizational structure within the political system

Clause 1. When agencies, organizations, and units are divided or merged, the agency, organization, or unit taking over functions and tasks shall be responsible for commendation and proposing commendations to higher levels.

Clause 2. When an agency, organization, or unit takes over part of the functions and tasks of another agency, organization, or unit, the time period for calculating achievements and criteria for commendation shall be based on the agency, organization, or unit taking over.

Clause 3. For agencies, organizations, and units formed after reorganization of the organizational structure, the examination and awarding of commendations and honors shall be carried out as follows:

Point a. For commendations: The achievement for commendation includes the results of achieving competition targets before and after reorganization;

Point b. For awards: The time period for calculating achievements and criteria for awards shall be based on the highest form of commendation received by the group.

Clause 4. Agencies, organizations, and units that have been dissolved and ceased operations after reorganizing the organizational structure within the political system shall not be commended or proposed for commendation to higher levels.

Article 9. Regarding the recognition of the effectiveness of implementation and replicability of initiatives; the effectiveness of implementation and scope of influence of scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works to serve as grounds for awarding commendation titles and forms of reward.

1. The examination and recognition of initiatives shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on initiatives.

2. The assessment and recognition of the effectiveness of implementation and replicability of initiatives to serve as grounds for awarding commendation titles and forms of reward shall be conducted by the head of the agency, organization, or unit with authority to examine and recognize.

3. The examination and acceptance of scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on science and technology.

Scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works serving as grounds for awarding the title of Model Worker at various levels and rewards or recommending higher-level rewards are those that have been accepted by agencies, organizations, or units with authority.

The subjects recognized as having scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works serving as grounds for awarding commendation titles and various forms of reward are the heads of scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works and individuals directly participating in researching scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works. Individuals directly participating in researching scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works are secretaries or individuals assigned to write at least one content of the scientific topic, scientific project, or science and technology work.

The recognition of the effectiveness of implementation and scope of influence of scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works shall be conducted by the head of the agency, organization, or unit with authority to examine and recognize.

4. The head of the agency, organization, or unit with authority shall base the effectiveness of implementation and replicability of initiatives, the effectiveness of implementation and scope of influence of scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works to examine and award the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level to individuals. Initiatives recognized or scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works that have been accepted shall be recommended for examination and awarding the title of "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level"; Initiatives or scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works with a scope of influence, effectiveness of implementation, and replicability within a ministry, sector, or province shall be examined and awarded the title of Model Worker at the ministry, sector, or provincial level; Initiatives or scientific topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works with a scope of influence, effectiveness of implementation, and replicability nationwide shall be recommended for examination and awarding the title of "National Model Worker."

5. Based on the provisions regarding the subjects, criteria, achievements obtained, and the effectiveness of implementation and replicability of initiatives or the effectiveness of implementation and scope of influence of science and technology works, the head of the agency, organization, or unit with authority shall reward or recommend higher-level rewards according to the criteria of having initiatives or science and technology works.

Article 10. Responsibilities for receiving commendation proposal files; issuing, exchanging, reissuing commendation items; preparing commendation items and other competition and commendation tasks

1. The proposal file for commendation from Ministries, sectors, and provinces submitted to the Prime Minister in accordance with Clause 10 and Clause 12, Article 33 of Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on the delegation of authority and power in the field of competition and commendation; detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Commendation shall be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (through the Central Competition and Commendation Board) for implementation in accordance with regulations.

2. The proposal file for exchanging, reissuing state-level commendation items shall be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (through the Central Competition and Commendation Board) for implementation in accordance with regulations.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (Central Competition and Commendation Board) shall be responsible for purchasing, preserving, and issuing state-level commendation items in accordance with regulations.

3. The Central Competition and Commendation Board shall assist the Ministry of Home Affairs in performing the duties of the permanent office of the Central Competition and Commendation Council in accordance with Clause 5, Article 45 of Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on the delegation of authority and power in the field of competition and commendation; detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

Article 11. Effectiveness and transitional provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from August 5, 2025, and replace Circular No. 01/2024/TT-BNV dated February 24, 2024 of the Minister of Home Affairs on measures to implement the Law on Competition and Commendation and Decree No. 98/2023/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2023 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. The provisions of Articles 3, 4, and 5 of Circular No. 09/2025/TT-BNV dated June 18, 2025 of the Minister of Home Affairs on the division of authority and the delegation of tasks in the field of home affairs management shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

3. This Circular shall cease to be effective from March 1, 2027, except in the following cases:

a) If the Ministry of Home Affairs reports to the Government to propose and obtains the National Assembly's decision to extend the application period of the entire or part of Decree No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 14, 2025 of the Government on the delegation of authority and power in the field of competition and commendation; detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Commendation, then the corresponding provisions of this Circular will continue to be effective during the extended period of that Decree;

b) Where laws, resolutions of the National Assembly, ordinances, resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, decrees, resolutions of the Government, or decisions of the Prime Minister stipulating authority, responsibility for state management, procedures, and processes are adopted or issued from July 1, 2025 and become effective before March 1, 2027, the corresponding provisions in this Circular will cease to be effective at the time these legal documents come into force.

Article 12. Implementation Provisions

1. Heads of central Ministries, sectors; Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and cities shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, please report to the Ministry of Home Affairs for guidance.