Circular No. 15/2026/TT-BQP stipulates the procedures and formalities for granting permits to foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repairs and Vietnamese military vessels going abroad; entry and exit procedures for foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam; contents and scope of protection provided by security enterprises hired to protect foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repairs.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the procedures for granting permits to foreign military vessels to enter Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels to go abroad

Entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels entering Vietnam; content and scope of protection provided by security enterprises hired to protect foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repairs

procedures for entry, exit, and port change for military vessels; foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam; contents and scope of protection for enterprises hiring security services to protect foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam for repair

contents and scope of protection for enterprises hiring security services to protect foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam for repair

protection hired to protect foreign military ships coming to Vietnam for repair

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense amended and supplemented by Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP;

Pursuant to Decree No. 234/2025/NĐ-CP of the Government stipulating regulations for foreign military vessels entering the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels going abroad;

Pursuant to Decree No. 77/2017/NĐ-CP of the Government stipulating management and security measures at port customs areas amended and supplemented by Decree No. 299/2025/NĐ-CP;

Pursuant to Decree No. 58/2017/NĐ-CP of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Vietnamese Maritime Code on maritime activity management amended and supplemented by Decrees No. 74/2023/NĐ-CP and No. 34/2025/NĐ-CP;

At the proposal of the Commander of the Border Guard Force;

The Minister of National Defense issues this Circular stipulating the procedures for granting permits to foreign military vessels to enter Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels to go abroad; entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels entering Vietnam; content and scope of protection provided by security enterprises hired to protect foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repairs.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the procedures for granting permits to foreign military vessels to enter Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels to go abroad; entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels entering Vietnamese seaports; entry, exit, port change, inspection, supervision, and security measures for foreign military vessels entering Vietnam's territorial waters and internal waters outside seaport waters; the number of military vessels from the same country that can come to Vietnam for repairs simultaneously at the same repair facility; content and scope of protection provided by security enterprises hired to protect foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repairs; procedures for granting permits to security enterprises hired to provide security services for foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repairs as stipulated in Article 6, Clause 3 of Article 8, Clause 2 of Article 9, Clauses 2 and 6 of Article 12, Point a of Clause 3 of Article 16, and Clause 2 of Article 18 of Decree No. 234/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 27, 2025 of the Government stipulating regulations for foreign military vessels entering the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels going abroad.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to foreign military vessels entering Vietnam; Vietnamese military vessels going abroad and their crew members; relevant agencies, units, organizations, and individuals involved in granting permits to foreign military vessels to enter Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels to go abroad, entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels entering Vietnam, and security services for foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repairs.

Article 3. Procedures for Granting Permits to Foreign Military Vessels to Enter Vietnam

1. The competent authority of the sending state shall send an official diplomatic note together with Form No. 01 attached hereto to the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the diplomatic mission of Vietnam abroad requesting permission for the military vessel to enter Vietnam sixty (60) days before the expected date of entry into Vietnam’s territorial waters. In cases where the competent authority of the sending state sends an official diplomatic note and form to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the diplomatic mission of Vietnam abroad, within three (3) working days from the date of receipt of the note and form, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the diplomatic mission of Vietnam abroad shall forward them to the Ministry of National Defense.

2. After receiving the official diplomatic note as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, the Ministry of National Defense shall seek opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Construction, related ministries and sectors, and the People's Committee of the province where the vessel will arrive.

3. Within forty (40) days from the date of receipt of the official diplomatic note, the Ministry of National Defense shall issue a response to the competent authority of the sending state through diplomatic channels.

4. Within two (2) working days from the date of granting or refusing the permit, the Ministry of National Defense shall notify related ministries and sectors and the People's Committee of the province where the vessel will arrive about the granting or refusal of the permit for foreign military vessels to enter Vietnam. In cases of amending or supplementing the contents of the granted permit, the Ministry of National Defense shall negotiate and reach consensus with the competent authority of the sending state through diplomatic channels and notify related ministries and sectors and the People's Committee of the province where the vessel will arrive.

Article 4. Entry procedures for foreign military vessels arriving at Vietnamese seaports

1. When handling entry formalities, the person handling the procedures shall submit to specialized state management agencies at the port the following types of documents:

a) Submit to the Border Guard Port Gate: one original General Declaration Form according to Model No. 42 attached as Appendix II to Decree No. 34/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 25, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of decrees in the maritime sector (referred to as the General Declaration Form); one original Crew List according to Model No. 47 attached as Appendix II to Decree No. 34/2025/NĐ-CP (referred to as the Crew List); one copy of the Vessel's Activity Program;

b) Submit to the Maritime Port Authority: one original General Declaration Form; one original Crew List; one copy of the Vessel's Activity Program;

c) Submit to the Customs Port Gate: one original General Declaration Form; one original Crew List; one original Goods Declaration Form according to Model No. 43 attached as Appendix II to Decree No. 34/2025/NĐ-CP (referred to as the Goods Declaration Form) if there is cargo from the vessel to shore; one copy of the Vessel's Activity Program;

d) Submit to the International Health Inspection: documents according to Models in the Appendix of documents used in maritime activities issued together with Decree No. 58/2017/NĐ-CP dated May 10, 2017 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Vietnam Maritime Code on maritime activity management amended and supplemented by Decree No. 74/2023/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 34/2025/NĐ-CP (referred to as Decree No. 58/2017/NĐ-CP), including: one original Maritime Health Declaration Form according to Model No. 52; one original Health Declaration Form for microbiological medical samples, biological products, human tissues, organs according to Model No. 14 (if applicable); one original Health Declaration Form for corpses, remains, ashes (if applicable) according to Model No. 33;

e) Submit to the Plant Quarantine (in case the vessel requires plant quarantine): one original Plant Quarantine Declaration Form according to Model No. 53 attached as Appendix to Decree No. 58/2017/NĐ-CP;

f) Submit to the Animal Quarantine (in case the vessel requires animal quarantine): one original Animal Quarantine Declaration Form according to Model No. 54 attached as Appendix to Decree No. 58/2017/NĐ-CP.

2. The Border Guard Port Gate shall check one of the types of documents of members on board the vessel as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 20 of the Law on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 amended and supplemented in 2019 and 2023, and Clause 2 of Article 8 of Decree No. 234/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Responsibility for inspection and final decision-making authority over the types of documents submitted by the person handling the procedures when specialized state management agencies at the port participate in processing and have differing opinions

a) The Border Guard Port Gate: Inspects the types of documents prescribed in point a of Clause 1 of this Article; bears responsibility and has the final decision-making authority over the Crew List and the Vessel's Activity Program;

b) The Maritime Port Authority: Inspects the types of documents prescribed in point b of Clause 1 of this Article; bears responsibility and has the final decision-making authority over the General Declaration Form;

c) The Customs Port Gate: Inspects the types of documents prescribed in point c of Clause 1 of this Article; bears responsibility and has the final decision-making authority over the Goods Declaration Form (if there is cargo from the vessel to shore);

d) The International Health Inspection: Inspects the types of documents prescribed in point d of Clause 1 of this Article; bears responsibility and has the final decision-making authority over the Maritime Health Declaration Form; Health Declaration Form for microbiological medical samples, biological products, human tissues, organs (if applicable); Health Declaration Form for corpses, remains, ashes (if applicable);

e) The Plant Quarantine (in case the vessel requires plant quarantine): Inspects the types of documents prescribed in point e of Clause 1 of this Article; bears responsibility and has the final decision-making authority over the Plant Quarantine Declaration Form;

f) The Animal Quarantine (in case the vessel requires animal quarantine): Inspects the types of documents prescribed in point f of Clause 1 of this Article; bears responsibility and has the final decision-making authority over the Animal Quarantine Declaration Form.

4. In cases where adverse weather conditions prevent boarding the vessel in the pilot reception area to handle entry formalities as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 8 of Decree No. 234/2025/NĐ-CP, the Head of the Inspection and Entry Formalities Handling Team, based on actual circumstances, reports to the Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard Port Gate Command and the Commander of the Border Guard Port Gate Station for permission to handle entry formalities on board the vessel immediately upon its arrival at the port.

Article 5. Departure procedures for foreign military vessels arriving at Vietnamese seaports

1. When handling departure procedures, the person handling the procedures must submit to specialized state management agencies at the port the following types of documents:

a) Submit to the Border Guard Port Gate: 01 (one) original General Declaration Form; 01 (one) original Crew List (in case there has been a change from the time of entry); Foreign Crew Member Shore Passes (if applicable), Permit (if applicable);

b) Submit to the Maritime Port Authority: 01 (one) original General Declaration Form; 01 (one) original Crew List (in case there has been a change from the time of entry);

c) Submit to the Customs Port Gate: 01 (one) original General Declaration Form; 01 (one) original Crew List (in case there has been a change from the time of entry); 01 (one) original Cargo Declaration Form (in case goods are being loaded onto the vessel from shore);

d) Submit to the International Health Inspection: 01 (one) original Medical Microbiology, Biological Product, Human Tissue, Body Part Declaration Form (if applicable) according to Model No. 14 attached to Decree No. 58/2017/ND-CP; 01 (one) original Declaration Form for Bodies, Remains, Ashes (if applicable) according to Model No. 33 attached to Decree No. 58/2017/ND-CP.

2. The Border Guard Port Gate shall check one of the types of documents of members on board the vessel as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 27 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 amended in 2019 and 2023, and Clause 2, Article 8 of Decree No. 234/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. The responsibility for inspection and the final authority to decide on the types of documents submitted by the person handling the procedures when the specialized state management agencies at the port participate in processing and have differing opinions shall be carried out as prescribed in Points a, b, c, and d of Clause 3 of this Circular.

Article 6. Port transfer procedures for foreign military vessels arriving at Vietnamese seaports

1. When handling port transfer departure procedures, the person handling the procedures must submit to specialized state management agencies at the port the following types of documents:

a) Submit to the Border Guard Port Gate: 01 (one) original General Declaration Form; 01 (one) original Crew List (in case there has been a change from the time of entry); Foreign Crew Member Shore Passes (if applicable), Permit (if applicable);

b) Submit to the Maritime Port Authority: 01 (one) original General Declaration Form; 01 (one) original Crew List (in case there has been a change from the time of entry)

c) Submit to the Customs Port Gate: 01 (one) original General Declaration Form; 01 (one) original Crew List (in case there has been a change from the time of entry);

2. When handling port transfer arrival procedures, the person handling the procedures must submit to specialized state management agencies at the port the following types of documents:

a) Submit to the Border Guard Port Gate: Port transfer file of the Border Guard Port Gate of the departing port;

b) Submit to the Maritime Port Authority: Port departure permit of the Maritime Port Authority of the departing port; 01 (one) original General Declaration Form; 01 (one) original Crew List (in case there has been a change from the time of entry);

c) Submit to the Customs Port Gate: Port transfer file of the Customs Port Gate of the departing port.

3. Responsibility for inspection and final decision-making authority over the types of documents submitted by the person handling the procedures when specialized state management agencies at the port participate in processing and have differing opinions

a) Border Guard Port Gate: Inspect the types of documents specified in Point a, Clause 1 and Point a, Clause 2 of this Article; bear responsibility and have the final authority to decide on the Crew List and the port transfer file of the Border Guard Port Gate of the departing port;

b) Maritime Port Authority: Inspect the types of documents specified in Point b, Clause 1 and Point b, Clause 2 of this Article; bear responsibility and have the final authority to decide on the General Declaration Form and the Port Departure Permit of the Maritime Port Authority of the departing port;

c) Customs Port Gate: Inspect the types of documents specified in Point c, Clause 1 and Point c, Clause 2 of this Article; bear responsibility and have the final authority to decide on the Cargo Declaration Form and the port transfer file of the Customs Port Gate of the departing port.

4. In cases where adverse weather conditions prevent boarding the vessel in the pilot reception and disembarkation area to handle port transfer arrival procedures as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 8 of Decree No. 234/2025/NĐ-CP, the Head of the Inspection and Port Transfer Procedures Team, based on the actual situation, reports to the Commander of the Border Guard Port Gate Command Post and the Station Commander of the Border Guard Port Gate Station for permission to handle port transfer arrival procedures immediately upon the vessel's arrival at the port.

Article 7. Entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels entering territorial waters and inland water areas outside the port water area

1. When handling entry procedures, the person handling the procedure must submit to the specialized state management agencies at the port the types of documents specified in Clause 1 of Article 4 of this Circular.

2. When handling exit procedures, the person handling the procedure must submit to the specialized state management agencies at the port the types of documents specified in Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Circular.

3. When handling port change procedures, the person handling the procedure must submit to the specialized state management agencies at the port the types of documents specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 6 of this Circular.

4. The period for handling entry, exit, and port change procedures ends when the person handling the procedure submits all original copies of the required documents as specified in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article.

5. In cases where there is insufficient time due to objective reasons to submit the original copies of the required documents as specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, the specialized state management agencies at the port shall allow the person handling the procedure to send a fax or email to handle the entry and exit procedures. Within 48 (forty-eight) hours from the time of sending the fax or email, the person handling the procedure must submit the original copies.

6. The responsibility for inspection and the final decision-making authority regarding the documents submitted by the person handling the procedure, in cases where the specialized state management agencies at the port participate in processing and have differing opinions, shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clauses 3 of Articles 4, 5, and 6 of this Circular.

Article 8. Forces responsible for coordinating inspections, supervision, and ensuring security and safety for foreign military vessels entering territorial waters and inland water areas outside the port water area

1. The Border Guard Force shall take the lead and coordinate with functional forces to ensure security and safety in the area where foreign military vessels are moored; inspect and supervise the activities of foreign military vessels, members on board going ashore, people and means of transportation entering and leaving, activities in the area where foreign military vessels are moored, and people disembarking from and boarding foreign military vessels.

2. The Vietnam Navy, Vietnam Coast Guard, and related forces, agencies, and units according to their functions and tasks shall be responsible for coordinating with the Border Guard Force to ensure security and safety in the area where foreign military vessels are moored.

Article 9. Number of Military Vessels of the Same Country Arriving in Vietnam Simultaneously for Repair at the Same Facility

1. Military vessels of the same country arriving simultaneously in Vietnam for repair at the same facility shall not exceed 05 (five) vessels.

2. In other cases, the Department of Foreign Affairs/Military shall take the lead in soliciting opinions from the Operations Department/General Staff Headquarters and relevant agencies and units under the Ministry of Defense; compile and report to the Minister of Defense for consideration and decision.

Article 10. Content and Scope of Protection Provided by Security Enterprises Contracted to Protect Foreign Military Vessels Arriving in Vietnam for Repair

1. Security enterprises may only conduct activities within the scope and content of protection approved by the Ministry of Defense.

2. Content of Protection

a) Security enterprises contracted to protect foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam for repair shall cooperate with the Port Border Guard to patrol and control in the port water area where the vessel is moored, inspect and control means of transportation carrying crew members (if any) and service vessels entering and exiting the port area;

b) Personnel of the security enterprise providing protection services must hold permits issued by the Port Border Guard in accordance with Articles 24 and 25 of Decree No. 77/2017/ND-CP dated July 3, 2017 of the Government on management and protection of security and order at port gates and must be subject to inspection and supervision by the Port Border Guard.

3. Scope of Protection

a) Security enterprises contracted to protect foreign military vessels may deploy personnel and means of transportation for protection services outside the inspection and supervision positions of the Port Border Guard; cooperate with the Port Border Guard to patrol and control in the port water area where the vessel is moored;

b) During the provision of protection services, personnel of the security enterprise shall not board foreign military vessels, enter or leave the inspection and supervision area of the Port Border Guard; shall not check the documents or luggage of crew members or people working on the vessel.

Article 11. Procedure for granting permission to security enterprises to provide security services for foreign military ships coming to Vietnam for repair

1. The enterprise repairing foreign military ships shall submit the application dossier for granting permission to security enterprises to provide security services for foreign military ships coming to Vietnam for repair to the Ministry of National Defense via postal service or directly (through the Military Security Protection Department under the General Political Department) or online when the Ministry of National Defense implements the issuance of permits on the National Public Service Portal, including:

a) A request for permission for security enterprises to provide security services for foreign military ships according to Model No. 02 attached as an appendix to this Circular;

b) One (1) certified copy of the Security Service Contract;

c) One (1) original list requesting permission to provide security services according to Model No. 03 attached as an appendix to this Circular.

2. Within five (5) working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Ministry of National Defense shall issue a response letter to the security enterprise providing security services. In case of refusal to grant permission, the reasons must be clearly stated.

Article 12. Procedure for granting permission for Vietnamese military ships going abroad

1. The unit dispatching the ship shall compile the plan for overseas visits, cooperation activities, and repairs of military ships into the Departure Plan through the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of National Defense to report to the Minister of National Defense for consideration and approval. In cases of changes, supplementary reports shall be made following the procedures for reporting the Departure Plan to the Minister of National Defense for approval.

2. Based on the approved Departure Plan, the unit dispatching the ship shall develop a plan for sending the ship abroad to carry out visits, cooperation activities, and repairs; report to the Minister of National Defense for consideration and decision.

Article 13. Responsibilities of agencies and units within the Ministry of National Defense

1. The General Staff directs the Operations Department to advise and propose contents related to national defense and security for granting or refusing permission for foreign military ships to come to Vietnam.

2. The General Political Department directs the Military Security Protection Department

a) To receive applications for permission for security enterprises to provide security services for foreign military ships coming to Vietnam for repair; to check the Business Registration Certificate of the hired security enterprise through interlinked data between ministries and sectors;

b) To seek opinions from agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense (if necessary);

c) To consolidate and advise on granting or refusing permission for enterprises hired to provide security services for foreign military ships coming to Vietnam for repair;

d) To advise on implementing the issuance of permission for security enterprises hired to provide security services for foreign military ships coming to Vietnam for repair on the National Public Service Portal when ensuring information technology infrastructure.

3. The Department of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of National Defense

a) To receive formal notifications from the country dispatching military ships to Vietnam;

b) To seek opinions from relevant agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense regarding granting or refusing permission for foreign military ships to come to Vietnam;

c) To consolidate and advise the Ministry of National Defense on granting or refusing permission for foreign military ships to come to Vietnam;

d) To send notifications to the competent authority of the country dispatching military ships about granting or refusing permission, amending, or supplementing the contents already granted for foreign military ships coming to Vietnam;

đ) To take the lead in advising the Ministry of National Defense to implement Clause 4 of Article 3 and Clause 2 of Article 9 of this Circular;

e) To consolidate the Departure Plans of Vietnamese military ships, report to the Head of the Ministry of National Defense for consideration and decision.

4. The Border Guard Force directs subordinate agencies and units

a) To handle entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam;

b) To take the lead and coordinate with functional forces to ensure security and safety in the areas where foreign military ships are anchored; to inspect and supervise the activities of foreign military ships, crew members disembarking, people and vehicles entering and exiting, and activities in the area where foreign military ships are anchored, people boarding the ship, and vehicles mooring alongside foreign military ships;

c) To take the lead and coordinate with security enterprises to ensure security and safety for foreign military ships coming to Vietnam for repair when foreign military ships hire security services.

5. Relevant agencies and units shall, in accordance with their functions and tasks, advise and propose contents related to granting or refusing permission for foreign military ships to come to Vietnam; to perform other assigned tasks.

Article 14. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from the date of issuance.

2. In cases where the provisions of related legal normative documents referred to in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the new provisions that have been amended, supplemented, or replaced.

Article 15. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Chief of General Staff, the Director of the Political General Department, the Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense; relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. Central Ministries and Agencies, People's Committees of provinces shall direct subordinate agencies and organizations to implement this Circular in accordance with its provisions./.