Consolidated Document number 15/VBHN-BGTVT on the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters

CIRCULAR

Regulations on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands

in Vietnam's territorial waters

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Circular No. 16/2013/TT-BGTVT dated July 30, 2013, issued by the Minister of Transport, stipulates regulations on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from September 15, 2013, was amended and supplement one, Law No. 42/2024/QH15 issued by:

1. Circular No. 24/2022/TT-BGTVT dated October 13, 2022, issued by the Minister of Transport, amends Circulars of the Minister of Transport stipulating regulations on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from December 15, 2022; Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; issued Circulars of the Minister of Transport on the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam, effective from December 15, 2022;

2. Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BGTVT dated April 10, 2024, issued by the Minister of Transport, amends certain provisions of Circulars stipulating regulations on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from June 1, 2024. Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; amended certain provisions of Circulars on the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam, effective from June 1, 2024.

Pursuant to the Maritime Code of Vietnam dated June 14, 2005;

Pursuant to the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic dated June 15, 2004;

Pursuant to Decree No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Transport Department, the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, and the Director of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular stipulating regulations on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters.¹

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular stipulates regulations on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands within Vietnam's territorial waters, including regulations on ports, wharfs, vessels, crew members, and inland waterway transport activities on these routes.

Inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands within Vietnam's territorial waters include those specified in Appendix I attached to this Circular and other routes from the mainland to islands announced according to laws on inland waterway transport.

2. This Circular applies to entities and individuals related to inland waterway transport activities from the mainland to islands within Vietnam's territorial waters. organization persons related to inland waterway transport activities from the mainland to islands in Vietnam.

Article 2. Responsibilities for Managing Inland Waterway Transport Routes from the Mainland to Islands

1.² The Vietnam Maritime Administration organizes the management of inland waterway transport activities on routes specified in the Appendix I issued with this Circular, in accordance with maritime and inland waterway transport laws; it also organizes inspections, guidance on the implementation and compliance with laws on maritime and inland waterway transport for routes from the mainland to islands specified in Appendix I issued with this Circular, which have been delegated by the Ministry of Transport to provincial and municipal People's Committees.

2.³ The Vietnam Inland Waterway Transport Administration organizes the management or inspection and guidance of agencies and units responsible for managing other routes from the mainland to islands announced according to laws on inland waterway transport; it also organizes inspections and guidance on the implementation and compliance with laws on inland waterway transport for routes from the mainland to islands delegated by the Ministry of Transport to provincial and municipal People's Committees.

3.⁴ (Repealed)

Article 3. Procedures for registering fixed passenger transport services on inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands⁵

Article 3. Procedures for Registering Fixed Passenger Transport on Inland Waterway Transport Routes from the Mainland to Islands

1. d.1. Amount of taxable income in Vietnam:, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP Procedures for registering fixed passenger transport on inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands specified in Appendix I issued with this Circular shall be carried out as follows:

a) Entities and individuals submit registration documents for fixed passenger transport directly, through postal services, through online public service systems, or other appropriate methods to the Department of Transport, the documents include:

b) A registration form for passenger transport operations in accordance with the model prescribed in Appendix II issued with this Circular;

c) An original or electronic copy or certified electronic copy or certified electronic copy with written agreement or contract with the port or wharf management organization for the vessel to pick up and drop off passengers; present the original for inspection (if submitted directly) or an electronic copy or certified electronic copy or certified electronic copy (if submitted through postal services, online public service systems, or other appropriate methods), including: Certificate of Vessel Registration; Valid Safety and Environmental Protection Certificate of the vessel suitable for the route of operation.

2. Procedure: The Department of Transport receives, checks, and processes the documents as follows:

a) For direct submissions: if the documents are not compliant with the regulations, they will be returned immediately with instructions to complete the documents; if the documents comply with the regulations, the Department of Transport must send a written request for opinions from the local Marine Port Authority and the Inland Waterway Transport Port Authority under the Vietnam Inland Waterway Transport Administration (hereinafter referred to as the Port Authority) within three working days from the date of receiving all documents. The Port Authority must respond in writing within three working days from the date of receipt of the document.

b) For submissions through postal services or online public service systems or other appropriate methods: if the documents are not compliant with the regulations, the Department of Transport must issue a written notice requesting supplementation and completion of the documents within two working days from the date of receipt of the documents. Within thirty days from the date of issuance of the notification, if the entity or individual does not complete or supplement the documents, the Department of Transport will terminate the processing of the documents. If the entity or individual wishes to continue the registration process, they must start over in accordance with the regulations.

If the documents comply with the regulations, the Department of Transport must send a written request for opinions from the local Port Authority within three working days from the date of receiving all documents. The Port Authority must respond in writing within three working days from the date of receipt of the document.

3. Within three working days from the date of receipt of the response from the agency or unit specified in Clause 2 of this Article, the Department of Transport will review and issue a written approval in accordance with the model prescribed in Appendix II issued with this Circular, sent directly or through postal services or online public service systems to the organization entity or individual engaged in fixed passenger transport on the route. In case of disapproval, a written response stating the reasons will be issued.

Article 4. Conditions, authority, procedures for announcing the opening and closing of ports and wharfs on inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands

The conditions, authority, and procedures for announcing the opening and closing of ports and wharfs on inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands shall be implemented according to the maritime laws regarding bridges, wharfs, and sea ports, and according to the inland waterway transportation laws regarding inland waterway ports and wharfs.

Article 5. Procedures for vessels entering and leaving ports and wharfs

1. The procedures for vessels entering and leaving sea ports shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of maritime law.

2. The procedures for vessels entering and leaving inland waterway ports and wharfs shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of inland waterway transportation law.

Article 6.⁶ (Repealed)

Article 7. Effective Date⁷

This Circular takes effect from September 15, 2013, and replaces Decision No. 1818/QĐ-BGTVT dated June 23, 2009 of the Ministry of Transport on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters.

Article 8. Implementation organization

Director of the Ministry’s Office, Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of relevant Departments under the Ministry of Transport, Directors of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Directors of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, Directors of Provincial Departments of Transport, and Heads of agencies, organization organizations and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Circular./.

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¹ Circular No. 24/2022/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing Circulars issued by the Minister of Transport on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters is based on the following grounds:

"On the basis of the Vietnam Maritime Code dated November 25, 2015;"

Pursuant to the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic dated June 15, 2004;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic dated June 17, 2014;

Pursuant to Decree No. 56/2022/NĐ-CP dated August 24, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Transport Department, the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, and the Director of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration;

The Minister of Transport promulgates this Circular amending and supplementing Circulars issued by the Minister of Transport on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters.developmentn Vietnam."

Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars stipulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters is based on the following grounds:

"On the basis of the Vietnam Maritime Code dated November 25, 2015;" The Minister of Transport promulgates this Circular amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars stipulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters.

Pursuant to the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic dated June 15, 2004;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic dated June 17, 2014;

BASED ON THE DECREE NO. 56/2022/ND-CP dated August 24, 2022 of THE GOVERNMENT stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Transport Department, the Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, and the Director of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration;

n Vietnam;"developmentn Vietnam."

² This Clause was amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular No. 24/2022/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing Circulars issued by the Minister of Transport on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from December 15, 2022.-This Clause was abolished pursuant to Clause 3, Article 2 of Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars stipulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from June 1, 2024.

³ This Clause was amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular No. 24/2022/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing Circulars issued by the Minister of Transport on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from December 15, 2022.-This Clause was abolished pursuant to Clause 3, Article 2 of Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars stipulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from June 1, 2024.

⁴ This provision was amended and supplemented pursuant to Article 1 of Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars stipulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from June 1, 2024.

⁵ This provision was abolished pursuant to Clause 6, Article 1 of Circular No. 24/2022/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing Circulars issued by the Minister of Transport on managing inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam's territorial waters, which took effect from December 15, 2022.

⁶ This provision is repealed pursuant to Clause 6, Article 1 of Circular No. 24/2022/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing Circulars of the Minister of Transport on the management of inland waterway transport routes from the mainland to islands in Vietnam, effective from December 15, 2022.

⁷ Article 2 and Article 3 of Circular No. 24/2022/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing Circulars issued by the Minister of Transport on the management of inland waterway transport routes from the coast to islands in Vietnam’s territorial waters, which shall take effect from December 15, 2022, are stipulated as follows:

“Article 2. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from December 15, 2022.

2. Repeal Circular No. 36/2019/TT-BGTVT dated September 12, 2019 of the Minister of Transport amending Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; Circulars regulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the coast to islands in Vietnam’s territorial waters, Circular No. 30/2021/TT-BGTVT dated November 30, 2021 of the Minister of Transport amending Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; some articles of Circular No. 36/2019/TT-BGTVT dated September 12, 2019 of the Minister of Transport amending Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; Circulars issued by the Minister of Transport on the management of inland waterway transport routes from the coast to islands in Vietnam’s territorial waters, Circular No. 05/2017/TT-BGTVT dated February 21, 2017 of the Minister of Transport amending Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; some articles of Circular No. 16/2013/TT-BGTVT dated July 30, 2013 of the Minister of Transport regulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the coast to islands in Vietnam’s territorial waters, Clause 1 of Circular No. 08/2022/TT-BGTVT dated June 16, 2022 of the Minister of Transport amending Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; some articles of Circulars related to business activities in the maritime sector.

Article 3. Implementation Organization

The Head of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments under the Ministry, Directors of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Directors of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, Directors of the Vietnam Ship Registry, Directors of Provincial Departments of Transport, Heads of agencies, units, organizations, and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Circular./” Article 3 and Article 4 of Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BGTVT amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars regulating the management of inland waterway transport routes from the coast to islands in Vietnam’s territorial waters, which shall take effect from June 1, 2024, are stipulated as follows:

This Circular shall take effect from June 1, 2024.

“Article 3. Effective Date

The Head of the Ministry's Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments under the Ministry, Directors of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Directors of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, Directors of the Vietnam Ship Registry, Directors of Provincial Departments of Transport, Heads of agencies, units, organizations, and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Circular./.

Article 4. Organization of Implementation

DIRECTORY OF INLAND WATERWAY TRANSPORT ROUTES FROM THE COAST TO ISLANDSdevelopmentIN VIETNAM'S TERRITORIAL WATERS ”

ANNEX I⁸

(Annexed to Circular No. 16/2013/TT-BGTVT dated July 30, 2013

NAME OF ROUTE

LOCATION

of the Ministry of Transport)

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⁸ APPROVAL DOCUMENT