DECREE NO. 152/2025/NĐ-CP REGULATES THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE FIELD OF COMPETITION AND RECOGNITION; PROVIDES DETAILED GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE LAW ON COMPETITION AND RECOGNITION.

DECREE
Regulations on decentralization and delegation of authority
in the field of competition and rewards; detailed regulations and guidance for implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards
The Government promulgates this Decree to regulate decentralization and delegation of authority in the field of competition and rewards; provide detailed regulations and guidance for implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

_______________

Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization 2025;

Pursuant to the Law on Local Government Organization 2025;

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

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

At the request of the Minister of Home Affairs,

This Decree regulates the contents of delegation of authority as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 12; Clause 2, Article 14; Clause 3, Article 81; Clause 7, Article 83; Clause 2, Article 85; Clause 3, Article 96 of the Law on Competition and Rewards; regulates the contents of decentralization as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 12; Clause 7, Article 84; Clause 5, Article 90; Clause 9, Article 93 of the Law on Competition and Rewards; provides detailed regulations and guidance for implementation of Clause 5, Article 11; Clause 4, Article 25; Clause 1, Article 29; Clause 7, Article 34; Clause 6, Article 35; Clause 5, Article 36; Clause 5, Article 37; Clause 5, Article 38; Clause 4, Article 39; Clause 4, Article 40; Clause 4, Article 41; Clause 7, Article 42; Clause 7, Article 43; Clause 7, Article 44; Clause 3, Article 45; Clause 3, Article 46; Clause 3, Article 47; Clause 2, Article 51; Clause 2, Article 53; Point c and Point d, Clause 2, Article 73; Clause 5, Article 79; Clause 3, Article 82; Clause 7, Article 84; Clause 5, Article 90; Clause 9, Article 93 of the Law on Competition and Rewards (hereinafter referred to as the Decree).

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Decree applies to individuals who are Vietnamese citizens, state agencies, political organizations, socio-political organizations, socio-political-professional organizations, social organizations, social-professional organizations, enterprises, other economic organizations, people's armed forces units, households; Vietnamese individuals and groups residing abroad; foreign individuals and groups; foreign agencies and organizations and international organizations in Vietnam.

Article 2. Applicability

1. National reward forms include: Orders, Medals, State honorary titles, "Ho Chi Minh Prize", "State Prize", "Prime Minister's Commendation".

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

2. National commendation titles include: "Government Flag of Excellence", "National Vanguard Fighter".

3. Outstanding achievements are those achieved outside the program, plan, or assigned tasks.

4. Extraordinary outstanding achievements are those achieved at an exceptionally outstanding level when courageously rescuing people or state assets, or during combat or service support, or achieving extraordinary outstanding results in economic-social, cultural, sports, and other fields domestically or regionally, globally.

5. Other economic organizations are legally registered economic organizations operating with the purpose of developing the economy; having clear charters and organizational structures, specific addresses, and assets for operation; possessing legal personality.

Article 4. Principles for awarding commendation titles and reward forms

1. Rewards must be based on conditions, criteria, and achievements attained, without necessarily requiring lower-level rewards before higher-level rewards can be given.

2. The competent authority to grant rewards or propose higher authorities to grant rewards for commendation titles and reward forms for cases meeting the prescribed conditions, criteria, procedures, and files.

3. The results of rewarding outstanding achievements or thematic competitions shall not be used as grounds for proposing higher authorities to grant honors.

4. Individuals or groups shall not be rewarded or proposed for rewards by higher authorities during the period when the competent authority is considering disciplinary action or investigating, auditing, inspecting for violations or complaints and reports of corruption or negative issues being verified.

If an individual or group is disciplined and, upon completion of the disciplinary period, achieves new accomplishments, such achievements will be recognized from the time the disciplinary period ends.

Once the competent authority concludes its audit, inspection, or verification report confirming that an individual or group has no violations or suspicious activities, the competent authority shall implement rewards or propose rewards according to regulations.

5. Maternity leave for individuals as provided by law shall be considered when granting commendation titles or reward forms.

6. When multiple individuals or groups meet the conditions and criteria, preference should be given to female individuals or groups with a female ratio of 70% or more for consideration of rewards.

7. The tenure required for evaluating contributions for female leaders and managers is reduced by one-third compared to the general requirement. In cases where female leaders and managers belong to the category with a higher retirement age, the evaluation period follows the general requirement.

DECENTRALIZATION AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

Chapter II
IN THE FIELD OF COMPETITION AND REWARDS
IN THE FIELD OF COMPETITION AND REWARD

Article 5. Principles of分级和授权

1. Ensuring compliance with the Constitution; consistent with the principles and provisions on分级和授权in the Government Organization Law and the Local Administration Law; uniformity within the legal system, avoiding overlap or contradiction among legal documents when implementing分级和授权.

2. Ensuring maximum decentralization for tasks between central state agencies and local authorities, ensuring the unified management authority of the Government regarding commendation and reward, and promoting initiative, creativity, and self-responsibility of ministries, sectors, and provinces in managing state affairs concerning commendation and reward.

3. Promoting分级和授权and clearly defining authorities to ensure consistency with the duties, powers, and capabilities of agencies and individuals responsible for carrying out the defined duties and powers in managing state affairs concerning commendation and reward, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of patriotic competition movements and commendation work under new circumstances.

4. Ensuring transparency and creating favorable conditions for individuals and organizations to access information, exercise their rights and obligations, and follow procedures related to commendation and reward as stipulated by law.

5. Ensuring that it does not affect the implementation of international treaties and agreements to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

6. The resources for implementing tasks assigned through分级和授权are guaranteed by the state budget according to regulations.

Article 6. Specific Tasks and Powers of分级和授权in Managing State Affairs Concerning Commendation and Reward

1. The tasks and powers of the Government stipulated in the Commendation and Reward Law delegated to the Prime Minister to implement include:

a) Detailed regulations on the model, color, number of stars, and stripes for each type and level of medal, award, badge of the title "People's Hero," "Heroic Laborer," "Mother Heroine of Vietnam," "National Model Worker," commemorative medals; material, size of frames for various medals, certificates, flags, and certificates of commendation for various commendation titles and forms of reward as provided in Clause 2, Article 12 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

b) Detailed regulations on the procedures for replacing and reissuing national-level commendation items as provided in Clause 2, Article 12 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

c) Detailed regulations on the responsibilities of Vietnamese individuals and organizations when receiving foreign commendation forms as provided in Clause 2, Article 14 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

d) Regulations on the examination and bestowal of titles and awards to business leaders, enterprises, and other economic organizations as provided in Clause 3, Article 81 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

đ) Detailed regulations on the authority to propose and submit rewards for enterprises and other economic organizations as provided in Clause 7, Article 83 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

e) Detailed regulations on simple procedure rewards as provided in Clause 2, Article 85 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

g) Detailed regulations on the procedures for bestowing and posthumously bestowing the "Youth Volunteer Medal" as provided in Clause 3, Article 96 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

h) Guidance on the implementation of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 96 as provided in Clause 3, Article 96 of the Commendation and Reward Law.

2. The tasks and powers of the Government stipulated in the Commendation and Reward Law delegated to ministries, sectors, and provinces to implement include:

a) Detailed regulations on the procedures for replacing and reissuing commendation items within the authority of ministries, sectors, and provinces as provided in Clause 2, Article 12 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

b) Detailed regulations on the files and procedures for proposing the bestowal of commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority of ministries, sectors, and provinces as provided in Clause 7, Article 84 of the Commendation and Reward Law, including: Ministry, sector, provincial flag of merit; Ministry, sector, provincial model worker; "Excellent Labor Collective"; "Victory Unit"; outstanding commune, ward, special zone; Merit Certificate, Commemorative Medal as provided in Clause 7, Article 84 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

c) Detailed regulations on the files and procedures for proposing the bestowal of commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority of agencies, organizations, and units under ministries, sectors, and provinces as provided in Clause 7, Article 84 of the Commendation and Reward Law, including: "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level"; "Advanced Worker"; "Advanced Worker"; "Advanced Labor Collective"; "Advanced Unit"; cultural village title, "Cultural Family" and Certificate of Commendation as provided in Clause 7, Article 84 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

d) Regulations on recognizing the degree of completion of tasks by individuals and collectives under management as provided in Clause 7, Article 84 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

đ) Detailed regulations on the organization and activities of the Commendation and Reward Councils at the ministry and provincial levels as provided in Clause 5, Article 90 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

e) Detailed regulations on the organization and activities of the Commendation and Reward Councils at agencies, organizations, and units under ministries, sectors, and provinces as provided in Clause 5, Article 90 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

g) Detailed regulations on the procedures for revoking decisions to confer commendation titles or forms of reward, recovering commendation items and monetary rewards for commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority of ministries, sectors, and provinces as provided in Clause 9, Article 93 of the Commendation and Reward Law;

h) Detailed regulations on the procedures for revoking decisions to confer commendation titles or forms of reward, recovering commendation items and monetary rewards for commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority of agencies, organizations, and units under ministries, sectors, and provinces as provided in Clause 9, Article 93 of the Commendation and Reward Law.

Chapter III
COMMENDATION TITLES; OBJECTS, STANDARDS, AND FORMS OF REWARD

Section 1
THE FLAG OF MERIT OF THE GOVERNMENT;
OUTSTANDING COMMUNE, WARD, SPECIAL ZONE TITLES

Article 7. "Flag of Government Excellence"

1. The title "Flag of Government Excellence" shall be awarded to collectives meeting the standards set forth in Clause 1 of Article 25 of the Law on Encouragement and Commendation, which have been evaluated, compared, and recommended by the encouragement and commendation cluster or group (organized by ministries, agencies, sectors, or provinces) as leading collectives within their clusters or groups.

The number of collectives eligible for recommendation to receive the title "Flag of Government Excellence" under this provision shall not exceed 20% of the total number of leading collectives within clusters or groups that meet the flag award standards of ministries, agencies, sectors, or provinces.

2. Collectives eligible for the title "Flag of Government Excellence" as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 25 of the Law on Encouragement and Commendation must meet the following criteria:

a) Outstanding achievements in economic and social development, national defense, and security;

b) Effective implementation of the Party's guidelines, state policies and laws, and building a clean and strong political system;

c) Good performance in encouragement and commendation work.

Collectives specified in Clause 2 of this Article shall be evaluated, compared, and recommended as leading collectives within clusters or groups organized by the Central Council for Encouragement and Commendation.

3. The title "Flag of Government Excellence" shall be awarded to collectives specified in Clause 3 of Article 25 of the Law on Encouragement and Commendation that meet the following criteria:

a) For central-level bodies: Advising the Government and the Prime Minister to build institutional frameworks, improve mechanisms and policies to promote economic and social development; innovating the content and form of encouragement movements and campaigns to actively engage members and affiliates;

b) For provincial-level bodies: Achieving outstanding results in economic and social development, maintaining social order and security; having new models and creative methods with high effectiveness; being exemplary outstanding units compared to other provinces in the encouragement cluster organized by the Central Council for Encouragement and Commendation.

Collectives meeting the criteria specified in Clause 3 of this Article shall be selected and proposed for commendation by ministries, agencies, sectors, or provinces; the Ministry of Home Affairs will receive, compile, and review the files before submitting them to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision. The proposal for commendation shall comply with the provisions of Article 37 of this Decree.

Article 8. Outstanding Commune, Ward, and Special Administrative Region Title

The title of Outstanding Commune, Ward, and Special Administrative Region shall be awarded annually to communes, wards, and special administrative regions that lead the encouragement movement at the provincial level and meet the criteria set forth in Clause 1 of Article 29 of the Law on Encouragement and Commendation.

Section 2
Recipients and criteria for commendation
Meritorious contributions and commendations for outstanding achievements

Article 9. General Provisions on Commendation for Meritorious Contributions

1. The period of service for commendation for meritorious contributions is defined as follows:

a) Pre-1945 cadres are those who participated in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945, individuals admitted to the Indochinese Communist Party or re-admitted before August 19, 1945, recognized by competent authorities;

b) Pre-revolutionary cadres are those who participated in revolutionary activities from January 1, 1945, to the August Revolution in 1945, recognized by competent authorities;

c) Cadres continuously active in two anti-colonial wars against France and the United States are those who have worked continuously from after the August Revolution in 1945 to April 30, 1975;

d) Cadres active during the anti-French colonial war are those who have worked continuously from after the August Revolution in 1945 to July 20, 1954;

đ) Cadres active during the anti-American war are those who have worked continuously from July 20, 1954, to April 30, 1975;

e) Individuals continuously working in the southern battlefield are those who have worked continuously for at least ten years in the southern battlefield, Laos, and Cambodia. In cases where they entered the battlefield before 1960, the continuous working period is counted until January 1973. If they entered the battlefield in 1964, the continuous working period is counted until April 30, 1975;

g) Cadres working during the period of building and defending the country are those who have worked from after April 30, 1975.

2. Time and position for commendation:

a) Ministries, agencies, sectors, and provinces shall submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and to the President for commendation for meritorious contributions when individuals meet the conditions and criteria upon notification of retirement or retirement decision without prior commendation for meritorious contributions (including those who have sacrificed or passed away). For individuals who continue to serve beyond their leadership term due to extension of service time for specialized work, they shall be considered for commendation for meritorious contributions when they cease holding leadership positions.

In cases where individuals have already received commendation for meritorious contributions and then continue working and hold leadership positions that qualify for further commendation for meritorious contributions, they may be considered for further commendation for meritorious contributions based on their subsequent working period and positions, and may also be recommended for other commendation titles and forms if they meet the conditions and criteria;

b) Individuals who have held positions but do not meet the time requirement for commendation according to the standard for that position can combine the time spent in lower positions immediately preceding it to meet the commendation standard for the lower position (if the lower position qualifies for commendation for meritorious contributions);

c) Individuals holding multiple positions simultaneously shall be assessed based on the highest position held;

d) Individuals transferred, reassigned, or restructured to lower positions by competent authorities before transfer, reassignment, or restructuring shall be assessed up to the end of their election term or appointment period in the previous position, and the continuous time in that position shall be considered for commendation purposes.

đ) In cases where individuals have already been awarded for their contributions, adjustments to awards according to new regulations on equivalent positions shall not be made. For cases where individuals have not yet been awarded for their contributions, if they meet the criteria and standards and are the correct subjects, they should be proposed for consideration of awards for their contributions.

3. Individuals who have been disciplined or have serious violations or shortcomings concluded in writing by the competent authority during their tenure in leadership or management positions eligible for awards for contributions shall not be awarded.

Article 10. Regulations on Equivalent Positions for Consideration of Awards for Contributions

1. Ministerial positions and equivalents: Full member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (provisional members holding any position shall be determined at the corresponding level and enjoy benefits and policies according to their current position); Head of central party bodies; Director of Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy; Editor-in-Chief of People's Army Newspaper, Editor-in-Chief of Communist Review; Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (Secretary-General, Director of the National Assembly Office; Chairman of the National Ethnic Council, Chairman of National Assembly Committees; Head of the Representative Work Group, Head of the Petitions Group under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly); Minister, Deputy Minister of ministries at the ministerial level; Director of the President's Office; State Auditor General; Head of central political-social organizations; Vice Chairman - Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; Secretary of provincial or municipal party committees, party committees directly under the central committee; Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Municipal Party Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Party Committee; Chairman of the People's Council, People's Committee of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Cities; Deputy Head of the Central Inspection Commission; Chairman of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Chairman of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Chairman of the State Capital Management Corporation; General Director of Vietnam News Agency; General Director of Voice of Vietnam Radio; General Director of Vietnam Television.

2. Deputy Ministerial positions and equivalents: Deputy Head of central party bodies; Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy; Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Army Newspaper, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Communist Review; Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; Deputy Chairman of the National Ethnic Council; Deputy Chairman of National Assembly Committees; Deputy Director of the National Assembly Office; Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court; Deputy Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuracy; Deputy Minister, Deputy Deputy Minister of ministries at the ministerial level; Deputy State Auditor General; Deputy Heads of central political-social organizations; Permanent Secretary of the Central Youth Union; Deputy Secretary of provincial or municipal party committees, party committees directly under the central committee; Chairman of the People's Council, People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities; Member of the Central Inspection Commission; Director of the National Political Publishing House; Chairman of mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level (for organizations with party groups); Assistants to key leaders of the Party and State; Permanent Assistant to the Secretary of the Secretariat; Director of the Legislative Research Institute under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; Director of Hanoi National University, Director of Ho Chi Minh City National University; General Director of Vietnam Social Security; Director of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Management Board; Chairman of the National Financial Supervisory Council; Deputy Chairman of the State Capital Management Corporation; Supreme Court Judge, Supreme People's Procuracy Prosecutor.

3. General Department Director positions and equivalents: Deputy Head of the Representative Work Group, Deputy Head of the Petitions Group under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Deputy General Director of Vietnam News Agency; Deputy General Director of Voice of Vietnam Radio; Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television; Secretary of the Central Youth Union; Standing Member of the National Ethnic Council, Standing Member of National Assembly Committees; Standing Member of the Central Internal Political Protection Sub-Committee; Standing Member of the Hanoi Municipal Party Committee, Ho Chi Minh City Municipal Party Committee; Specialized Head of the Delegation of the National Assembly of provinces and centrally-administered cities; Deputy Chairman of the People's Council, People's Committee of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Cities; Member of the Editorial Board of People's Army Newspaper; Member of the Editorial Board of Communist Review; Specialized Deputy Head or Specialized Member of Central Steering Committees; Steering Committees headed by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister; Assistants to high-level leaders of the Party and State; Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper; Editor-in-Chief of the People's Representative Newspaper; Director of National Assembly Television; General Director of Government Electronic Information; Deputy Director of Hanoi National University, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City National University; Deputy General Director of Vietnam Social Security; Deputy Director of the Party Office of the Government's Executive Committee, Deputy Director of the Party Group of the National Assembly Office; Specialized Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee in charge of party work in the following Party Committees: Central Party Office, Government Office, National Assembly Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy and other equivalent positions as specified by the respective party committees, organizations, agencies, units authorized to concretize equivalent positions and posts according to the cadre management hierarchy.

4. The title Deputy Director General and equivalent: Deputy Director General; Deputy Director of the National Political Publishing House; Deputy Director of the Legislative Research Institute under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Management Board; Full-time Member of the Ethnic Council and Committees of the National Assembly; Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, Central Directly Affiliated Party Committee Standing Committee; Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the provincial and centrally governed municipal level; Deputy Chairperson of the People's Council, People's Committee at the provincial and centrally governed municipal level; Deputy Chairperson of the State Financial Supervisory Council; Deputy Head of the Delegation of the National Assembly at the provincial and centrally governed municipal level; Deputy Chairperson of mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level (for organizations with party groups); Chairperson of mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level (for organizations without party groups); Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Party of Vietnam Electronic Newspaper; Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Representative Newspaper; Deputy Director of National Assembly Television; Deputy General Director of the Government Portal; Chief Judge of the High People's Court; Director of the High People's Procuracy; Director of academies under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and equivalent positions as specified by the Party committee, organization, agency, or unit authorized to concretize equivalent titles and positions according to the cadre management hierarchy.

5. The title Department Head and equivalent: Department Head, Bureau Chief, Director, Branch Head and equivalent under Party bodies; ministries, ministerial-level agencies; the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political-social organizations at the central level; Branch Head of the Party and affiliated agencies under provincial and municipal Party committees; Member of the Editorial Board of the National Political Publishing House; President of the Central Association; Secretary to leading cadres of the Party and State; Department Head and equivalent of agencies under the Government; Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, Central Directly Affiliated Party Committee Standing Committee; Department Head and equivalent of the National Political Publishing House, Head of units of the Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University; Deputy Chief Judge of the High People's Court; Deputy Director of the High People's Procuracy; Deputy Director of academies under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; Department Head, Bureau Chief, Head of units and equivalent under general bureaus and equivalent general bureaus; Director of provincial departments, Heads of provincial agencies, political-social organizations and equivalent; District, County, Town, City Party Committee Secretary, Central Directly Affiliated Party Committee District, County, Town, City Party Committee Secretary; Deputy President of the Central Association; Head of units of mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level (for organizations with party groups); Deputy Chairperson of mass organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level (for organizations without party groups) and equivalent positions as specified by the Party committee, organization, agency, or unit authorized to concretize equivalent titles and positions according to the cadre management hierarchy.

6. The title Deputy Department Head and equivalent: Deputy Department Head, Deputy Bureau Chief, Deputy Director, Deputy Branch Head and equivalent under Party bodies; ministries, ministerial-level agencies; the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political-social organizations at the central level; Deputy Branch Head of the Party and affiliated agencies under provincial and municipal Party committees; Deputy Chairperson of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at the provincial and municipal level; Secretary to members of the Central Party Committee, Ministers and equivalent, Provincial Party Committee Secretaries, Municipal Party Committee Secretaries, Central Directly Affiliated Party Committee Secretaries; Deputy Department Head, Deputy Head of units and equivalent of agencies under the Government; Deputy Director of provincial departments, Deputy Head of provincial agencies, departments, political-social organizations and equivalent at the provincial level; Deputy Secretary of District, County, Town, City Party Committee, Central Directly Affiliated Party Committee District, County, Town, City Party Committee; Chairperson of the People's Council, People's Committee at the district level; Member of the Inspection Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Municipal Party Committee directly under the Central Committee; Deputy Department Head and equivalent of the National Political Publishing House, Deputy Head of units of the Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University; Deputy Department Head, Deputy Head of units under general bureaus and equivalent general bureaus; Deputy Head of units of mass organizations with party groups assigned tasks by the Party and State at the central level (for organizations with party groups); Chairperson of provincial-level associations allocated staffing and equivalent positions as specified by the Party committee, organization, agency, or unit authorized to concretize equivalent titles and positions according to the cadre management hierarchy.

7. Equivalent titles to county committee member before April 30, 1975 include: Head of county-level departments; Deputy County Commander; Deputy Secretary, Deputy Chairperson of provincial-level mass organizations; Member of the provincial committee, Member of the provincial military command, Member of the provincial security command.

8. Equivalent titles in the People's Army and Public Security Forces shall be implemented according to the conclusion of the Politburo on the list of leadership, management, and command positions in the People's Army and Public Security Forces.

Article 11. "Gold Star Medal"

The "Gold Star Medal" shall be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals in accordance with point a, Clause 2, Article 34 of the Law on Encouragement of Competition and Merit Awarding, who have made great contributions, particularly outstanding achievements in the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, without major faults, and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Participating in the revolution from before 1935, continuously active, having held one of the following positions: General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President, Chairman of the National Assembly, Prime Minister, Member of the Politburo, Central Committee Secretary, Vice President, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Deputy Central Bureau Secretary, Standing Committee Province Secretary, Regional Committee Secretary, Head of the Party at the central level, Minister, and equivalent military ranks or being conferred the rank of Senior General of the People's Armed Forces.

2. Engaging in revolutionary activities before 1945, continuously active, having held one of the following positions: General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President, Chairman of the National Assembly, Prime Minister, Member of the Politburo, Central Committee Secretary, Vice President, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, or being conferred the rank of General of the People's Armed Forces.

3. Having continuously participated in two anti-French colonial and anti-American wars, holding one of the following positions: General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President, Chairman of the National Assembly, Prime Minister, or being conferred the rank of General of the People's Armed Forces before April 30, 1975.

4. Having continuously worked in the anti-American war or during the period of national construction and defense, holding one of the following positions: General Secretary; President; Prime Minister; Chairman of the National Assembly for two terms from eight to ten years.

Article 12. "Ho Chi Minh Medal"

The "Ho Chi Minh Medal" shall be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 35 of the Law on Encouragement of Competition and Merit Awarding, who have made great contributions, particularly outstanding achievements in the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, without major faults, and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Engaging in revolutionary activities from before 1935, continuously active, having held one of the following positions: Provincial Party Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Deputy Head of the Party at the central level, Deputy Minister, or equivalent position, or being conferred the rank of Lieutenant General of the People's Armed Forces.

2. Engaging in revolutionary activities before 1945, continuously active, having held one of the following positions: Head of the Party at the central level, Regional Party Committee member, Provincial Party Committee member, Minister, or equivalent position, or being conferred the rank of Senior General of the People's Armed Forces.

3. Having continuously participated in two anti-French colonial and anti-American wars, holding one of the following positions: Member of the Politburo, Central Committee Secretary, Vice President, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, or equivalent position for one term from three to five years, or being conferred the rank of General of the People's Armed Forces.

4. Having continuously worked in the anti-American war or during the period of national construction and defense, holding one of the following positions:

General Secretary; President; Prime Minister; Chairman of the National Assembly for one term from three to five years.

Standing Member of the Secretariat; Member of the Politburo; Member of the Secretariat; Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court; Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuracy; Vice President; Deputy Prime Minister; Vice Chairman of the National Assembly for two consecutive terms from eight to ten years, or being conferred the rank of General of the People's Armed Forces for ten years or more.

Article 13. First-Class Independence Order

The First-Class Independence Order shall be awarded to individuals, in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 36 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have made long-term contributions in agencies, organizations, units, or in the people's armed forces, and have met one of the following criteria:

1. Participating in revolutionary activities before 1945, continuously engaged, and held one of the following positions: Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee under the Central Committee, Deputy Minister or equivalent position; Lieutenant General of the People's Armed Forces.

2. Continuously participating in two anti-French colonial and anti-American wars, and held one of the following positions: Head of the Party Central Committee, Minister or equivalent position; Member of the Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee, Secretary of the Central Party Committee, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Head of central political-social organizations for two terms from eight to ten years; Lieutenant General of the People's Armed Forces.

3. Continuously participating in the war against the American imperialists or in the construction and defense of the country, and held one of the following positions:

Permanent member of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee; Member of the Politburo; Member of the Secretariat; Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court; Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuracy; Vice President; Deputy Prime Minister; Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly for one term from three to five years. General of the People's Armed Forces.

Minister or equivalent for more than thirteen years; Lieutenant General of the People's Armed Forces for more than ten years.

Article 14. Second-Class Independence Order

The Second-Class Independence Order shall be awarded to individuals, in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 37 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have made long-term contributions in agencies, organizations, units, or in the people's armed forces, and have met one of the following criteria:

1. Recognized as a pre-revolutionary cadre and held one of the following positions: Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister or equivalent position, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee, Secretary of the Central Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, People's Committee of provinces or centrally-administered cities, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Deputy Head of central political-social organizations for one term from three to five years.

2. Continuously participating in two anti-French colonial and anti-American wars, and held one of the following positions:

Head of the Party Central Committee, Minister or equivalent position, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee under the Central Committee, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Head of central political-social organizations for one term from three to five years.

Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister or equivalent position, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee, Secretary of the Central Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, People's Committee of provinces or centrally-administered cities, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Deputy Head of central political-social organizations for two terms from eight to ten years.

3. Continuously participating in the war against the American imperialists or in the construction and defense of the country, and held one of the following positions: Minister or equivalent for two terms from eight to ten years; Lieutenant General of the People's Armed Forces for more than five years; Deputy Minister or equivalent for more than thirteen years.

Article 15. Third Class Independence Medal

The Third Class Independence Medal shall be awarded to individuals in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 38 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have a long-term dedication period in agencies, organizations, units, or in the People's Armed Forces, and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Participated in the revolution before 1945, engaged continuously, and held one of the following positions: Director of a Bureau, Director of a Department, Provincial Committee Member, Municipal Committee Member, Head of a Sector or Department at the provincial level, or equivalent position.

2. Recognized as a pre-revolutionary cadre and held one of the following positions: Director of a Bureau, Director of a Department, Provincial Committee Member, Municipal Committee Member, Head of a Sector or Department at the provincial level, or equivalent position, or someone who has been continuously active for at least 10 years in the South battlefield and held the position of District Committee Member or equivalent position before April 30, 1975.

3. Engaged continuously in two anti-colonial wars against French colonialism and against American imperialism, and held one of the following positions: Deputy Head of a Party Central Office Sector, Deputy Minister, or equivalent position; Deputy Secretary of the Provincial or Municipal Party Committee; Chairman of the Provincial or Municipal People's Council; Vice-Chairman of the Central United Front Organization of Vietnam; Deputy Head of central political-social organizations for one term from three to five years.

4. Engaged continuously in the war against American imperialism or in national construction and defense, and held one of the following positions: Minister or equivalent position for one term from three to five years; Senior General of the People's Armed Forces; Deputy Minister or equivalent position for two terms from eight to ten years.

Article 16. First-Class Military Merit Medal

The First-Class Military Merit Medal shall be awarded to individuals in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 39 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have worked for 35 years or more in the People's Armed Forces, and held one of the following positions: Minister, Deputy Minister, Chief of the General Staff, Director of the Political Department, or equivalent position; Senior General or Senior General of the People's Armed Forces for five years or more.

Article 17. Second-Class Military Merit Medal

The Second-Class Military Merit Medal shall be awarded to individuals in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 40 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have worked for 35 years or more in the People's Armed Forces, and held one of the following positions: Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Deputy Director of the Political Department, Commander of a Military Region, or equivalent position for five years or more; Director of a Bureau or equivalent position as a member of the Central Party Committee of the Public Security Force for five years or more.

Article 18. Third-Class Military Merit Medal

The Third-Class Military Merit Medal shall be awarded to individuals in accordance with point a, Clause 1, Article 41 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have worked for 35 years or more in the People's Armed Forces, and held one of the following positions: Commander of a Service Branch or equivalent position for five years or more; Director of a Bureau or equivalent position under the Ministry of Public Security (excluding Directors of Bureaus or equivalent positions as members of the Central Party Committee of the Public Security Force); Director of the Public Security of Hanoi City, Director of the Public Security of Ho Chi Minh City for five years or more.

Article 19. First-Class Labour Medal

1. The First-Class Labour Medal shall be awarded to individuals, in accordance with point e, Clause 1, Article 42 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have made long-term contributions in agencies, organizations, units and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Recognized as pre-revolutionary cadres and have held one of the following positions: Deputy Director-General, Deputy Department Head, Deputy Bureau Chief, provincial-level department or equivalent position;

b) Participated continuously in two anti-colonial wars against French colonialists and the United States imperialists and have held one of the following positions:

Deputy Central Party Committee Member, Deputy Minister or equivalent position, Deputy Provincial Party Committee Secretary or Municipal Party Committee Secretary under the central government, Chairperson of the People's Council, People's Committee at provincial or centrally-administered city level, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Deputy Head of central-level political-social organizations.

Department Head, Standing Member of Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee, Deputy Chairperson of the People's Council, People's Committee, Chairperson of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at provincial or centrally-administered city level for ten years or more;

c) Participated continuously in the anti-American war or in national construction and defense, and have held one of the following positions:

Minister or equivalent position;

Deputy Minister or equivalent position for five years or more;

Director-General or equivalent position for eight years or more;

Deputy Director-General or equivalent position for ten years or more;

Department Head or equivalent position for fifteen years or more.

2. The First-Class Labour Medal shall be awarded to individuals who, under the authority of competent agencies, participate in cultural, sports, tourism, education and training, science and technology activities or other fields, and achieve world first place or world gold medal achievements.

Article 20. Second-Class Labour Medal

1. The Second-Class Labour Medal shall be awarded to individuals, in accordance with point e, Clause 1, Article 43 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have made long-term contributions in agencies, organizations, units and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Participated continuously in two anti-colonial wars against French colonialists and the United States imperialists and have held one of the following positions:

Department Head, Standing Member of Provincial Party Committee or Municipal Party Committee under the central government, Deputy Special Representative of the National Assembly, Deputy Chairperson of the People's Council, People's Committee, Chairperson of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at provincial or centrally-administered city level for six to less than ten years.

Director of Department, Head of Agency, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at provincial level, Secretary, Chairperson of the People's Council, People's Committee at district, county, town, city under province, centrally-administered city level, Deputy Department Head or equivalent position for ten years or more;

b) Participated continuously in the anti-American war or in national construction and defense, and have held one of the following positions:

Deputy Minister or equivalent position for three to less than five years;

Director-General or equivalent position for five years or more;

Deputy Director-General or equivalent position for eight to less than ten years;

Department Head or equivalent position for ten to less than fifteen years;

Deputy Department Head or equivalent position for fifteen years or more.

2. The Second-Class Labour Medal shall be awarded to individuals who, under the authority of competent agencies, participate in cultural, sports, tourism, education and training, science and technology activities or other fields, and achieve world silver medal or equivalent achievements, continental gold medal or equivalent achievements.

Article 21. Third-Class Labour Medal

1. The Third-Class Labour Medal shall be awarded to individuals in accordance with point g, Clause 1, Article 44 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have made long-term contributions in agencies, organizations, units and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Participating continuously in two anti-war campaigns against French colonialism and American imperialism, having held one of the following positions:

Department Director, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Municipal Party Committee under the Central Party, Deputy Chairman of the People's Council, People's Committee, Chairman of the Provincial or Municipal People's Front Committee under the Central Party for five years.

Director of a department, Head of a sector, Deputy Chairman of the People's Front Committee and Head of provincial-level political-social organizations, Secretary, Chairman of the People's Council, People's Committee of district, county, town, city under province, city under central city from six to less than ten years;

b) Participated continuously in the anti-American war or in national construction and defense, and have held one of the following positions:

Director General and equivalent position for three to less than five years;

Deputy Director General and equivalent position for five to less than eight years;

Department Director and equivalent position for six to less than ten years;

Deputy Department Director and equivalent position for ten to less than fifteen years.

2. The Third-Class Labour Medal shall be awarded to individuals dispatched by competent authorities to participate in cultural, sports, tourism, education and training, science and technology activities or other fields, achieving World Bronze Medal or equivalent, Continental Silver Medal or equivalent.

Article 22. First-Class National Defense Medal

The First-Class National Defense Medal shall be awarded to individuals in accordance with point d, Clause 1, Article 45 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have worked for thirty-five years or more in the people's armed forces, holding one of the following positions: Deputy Commander of Military Branch, Division Commander, Director of Public Security of province, city under central city or equivalent position for ten years or more.

Article 23. Second-Class National Defense Medal

The Second-Class National Defense Medal shall be awarded to individuals in accordance with point d, Clause 1, Article 46 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, who have worked for thirty-five years or more in the people's armed forces, holding one of the following positions: Deputy Division Commander, Regiment Commander, Deputy Director of Public Security of province, city under central city or equivalent position for ten years or more.

NATIONAL UNITY MEDAL,

FRIENDSHIP MEDAL;

Section 3
CITATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER
ORDER OF FRIENDSHIP;
PRIZE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Article 25. National Unity Medal

1. The National Unity Medal shall be awarded to individuals who comply well with the policies of the Party, state laws, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Individuals meeting the criteria specified in Clause 1, Article 51 of the Law on Competition and Rewards;

b) Having held one of the following positions: Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee for at least five but less than ten years, Vice-Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee for ten years or more, or having continuously held a senior position in member organizations within the Vietnam Fatherland Front system at provincial level or higher for at least fifteen years.

2. Individuals specified in Clause 1 of this Article, if they have already been awarded or posthumously awarded Medals of various types as stipulated in Articles 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; 22, 23, 24; Clause 1 of Articles 19, 20, 21 of this Decree, shall not be considered for awarding or posthumously awarding the National Unity Medal.

Article 26. "Order of Friendship"

1. The criteria for awarding the "Order of Friendship" shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 53 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. The recipients include:

a) State agencies and organizations of foreign governments equivalent to ministerial level, provincial, or municipal levels;

b) Foreign organizations that Vietnam is a member of or has partnership relations with;

c) Friendship Associations with Vietnam of various countries;

d) Provincial, state, or city-level Friendship Associations with Vietnam of countries having special partnership, strategic partnership, or comprehensive partnership relations with Vietnam;

đ) Diplomatic representative offices of foreign countries in Vietnam;

e) Offices and permanent representative agencies of international organizations and United Nations system organizations in Vietnam;

g) Foreign non-governmental organizations operating in Vietnam;

h) Other foreign organizations not included above but have outstanding achievements and meet the criteria stipulated in Clause 1, Article 53 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, recognized and proposed by ministries, sectors, or provinces;

i) Foreign individuals who are heads of agencies and organizations specified in point a, Clause 2 of this Article, having served in their positions continuously for at least five years or worked in Vietnam for at least one three-year term;

k) Heads of diplomatic representative offices of foreign countries in Vietnam of countries having special partnership, strategic partnership, or comprehensive partnership relations with Vietnam, having worked in Vietnam for at least one three-year term;

l) Foreign individuals who have been awarded the "Friendship Medal" and in the following five years continue to make positive contributions to building, consolidating, and developing friendly and comprehensive cooperative relations with Vietnam;

m) Foreign individuals not included above meeting the criteria stipulated in point b, Clause 1 of this Article, recognized and proposed by ministries, sectors, or provinces.

Article 27. "Prime Minister's Commendation"

1. The criteria for the "Prime Minister's Commendation" stipulated in point c, Clause 2, Article 73 of the Law on Competition and Rewards shall be implemented as follows: Workers with innovative ideas bringing high value benefits, affecting the commune level area, and contributing to training, nurturing, and assisting colleagues to improve professional skills and expertise.

2. The criteria for the "Prime Minister's Commendation" stipulated in point d, Clause 2, Article 73 of the Law on Competition and Rewards shall be implemented as follows: Farmers with effective production models stable for at least two years, affecting the commune level area, and helping other farming households develop economically and create job opportunities for workers.

Chapter IV
BESTOWING AND RECEIVING COMPETITIVE TITLES,
FORMS OF REWARD

Article 28. Awarding competition titles and forms of rewards

1. The competition titles and forms of rewards prescribed in the Law on Competition and Rewards, which are announced, awarded, and received according to this Decree, include:

a) Orders: "Golden Star Order", "Ho Chi Minh Order", "Independence Order", "Military Merit Order", "Labor Order", "National Defense Order", "War Merit Order", "Great Unity Order", "Bravery Order", "Friendship Order";

b) National honorary titles: "Heroic Province", "Heroic City"; "Mother Heroine of Vietnam"; "People's Armed Forces Hero"; "Labor Hero"; "People's Teacher", "Outstanding Teacher"; "People's Doctor", "Outstanding Doctor"; "People's Artist", "Outstanding Artist"; "People's Artisan", "Outstanding Artisan";

c) "Ho Chi Minh Prize", "State Prize";

d) Medals: "Victory Banner Medal", "National Security Medal", "Distinguished Service Medal", "Friendship Medal"; "Vanguard Youth Medal";

đ) "Prime Minister's Commendation";

e) "Government Flag of Excellence";

g) "National Model Worker".

2. The awarding and receiving of competition titles and forms of rewards within the authority of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, ministries, sectors, and provinces; competition titles and forms of rewards within the authority of agencies and units under the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, ministries, sectors, and provinces shall be implemented in accordance with this Decree.

Article 29. Requirements for awarding and receiving commendation titles and reward forms

1. The organization of ceremonies for awarding and receiving commendation titles and reward forms must have the significance of honoring collectives and individuals, educating patriotic traditions and revolutionary ideals; be linked to patriotic competition movements and the implementation of economic and social development tasks, ensuring national defense and security at local and national levels; ensure safety, solemnity, economy, effectiveness, without ostentation or formality.

2. Promote civilized lifestyles, preserve cultural values and ethnic characteristics in awarding and receiving commendation titles and reward forms.

3. Do not organize separate ceremonies for awarding and receiving commendation titles and reward forms. Such ceremonies may only be combined with major national anniversaries, founding days, traditional days of ministries, agencies, localities, units, and summary conferences according to specific programs and in compliance with the provisions of this Decree (except for cases of awarding reward forms for outstanding and sudden achievements, rewards for wartime achievements, and the title "Vietnamese Mother Heroic").

4. Representatives of leadership collectives and households receiving awards directly receive the commendation titles and reward forms of their collectives and households. Individuals receiving awards directly receive their commendation titles and reward forms. In cases of posthumous awards, representatives of the families of the posthumously awarded individuals receive on their behalf.

5. Commendation titles and reward forms should be awarded from higher to lower ranks. If the same reward form is involved, it should first be awarded to collectives and households, then to individuals; awards should precede posthumous awards. If the commendation titles and reward forms are decided by the same level, the commendation titles should be awarded before the reward forms; awards should first be given to collectives, then to households and individuals; awards should precede posthumous awards.

6. During the announcement, awarding, and receiving of commendation titles and reward forms, those not responsible for these activities shall not present flowers, film, or take photographs on the stage. Parades or receptions for the awarding of commendation titles and reward forms shall not be organized.

Article 30. Ceremonial procedures for announcing, awarding, and receiving commendation titles and reward forms

1. The person conducting the ceremony is a representative of the leadership of the ministry, agency, provincial People's Committee, or the unit organizing the ceremony. The unit hosting the ceremony for announcing, awarding, and receiving commendation titles and reward forms must develop a script for the ceremony.

2. Announcing the decision to confer commendation titles and reward forms:

a) A representative of the agency responsible for competition and reward work or the unit organizing the ceremony announces the full text of the reward decision for commendation titles and reward forms;

b) Announcing the President's Reward Decision: Before announcing, the announcer invites the Traditional Flag Team (if available), representatives of the Party committee, government leaders, Vietnam Fatherland Front, Trade Union, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (or representatives of successive generations of the rewarded collective) or the individual being rewarded to the stage to hear the reward decision;

c) Announcing the Government or Prime Minister's Reward Decision for commendation titles and reward forms: After announcing, the announcer invites representatives of the collective or individual named in the reward decision to the stage to receive the commendation title or reward form.

3. Awarding commendation titles and reward forms:

a) The person awarding the commendation titles and reward forms is the authority deciding the reward or someone authorized by that authority to award the commendation titles and reward forms, or a representative of a higher-level leader attending the ceremony; the awarder stands at the center of the stage;

b) The order of awarding is as follows: Attach the Medal (or Badge accompanying the title) first; then award the Certificate and the Hero Flag (for collectives receiving the Hero title);

c) For collectives with a Traditional Flag: The awarder attaches the Medal (or Badge accompanying the title) to the upper right corner of the Traditional Flag. The position of attaching the Medal (or Badge accompanying the title) on the Traditional Flag is arranged from highest to lowest rank;

For collectives without a Traditional Flag: The awarder presents the Certificate already attached with the Medal (or Badge accompanying the title);

d) Awarding to individuals: The awarder attaches the Medal (or Badge accompanying the title) to the left chest of the recipient, then presents the Certificate;

đ) Posthumous awarding: The awarder presents the Certificate already attached with the Medal (or Badge accompanying the title) to the representative of the family of the posthumously awarded individual;

e) In special cases such as elderly or disabled individuals or when rewarding multiple recipients, the ceremony host may seek the opinion of the awarding authority or its authorized representative or a representative of a higher-level leader attending the ceremony to decide on the method of awarding.

4. Receiving commendation titles and reward forms:

a) Receiving reward forms within the authority of the President: The recipient stands solemnly in a straight line at the center of the stage to listen to the announcement of the reward decision;

b) Receiving commendation titles and reward forms within the authority of the Government or Prime Minister: The recipient is invited to the center of the stage to receive them;

c) When receiving the Certificate (or Flag), the recipient holds the Certificate or Flag high at chest level and maintains this posture until leaving the stage;

d) In necessary cases, a representative of the rewarded collective (or individual, household) may make a speech after receiving the reward.

5. Service personnel for the award ceremony:

a) Not to have their back towards the audience; stand behind, to the right (dominant hand) of the person receiving the Medal when presenting the Medal (or Badge, Emblem with accompanying title, Certificate, Flag).

b) Place the Medal (or Badge, Emblem with accompanying title, Certificate) in a tray covered with red cloth; the Certificate must be framed; unfold the tray, present the Medal, Certificate, and Flag with both hands to the recipient.

Article 31. Awarding forms of individual and collective commendation for Vietnamese citizens residing abroad; individuals and collectives from foreign countries; foreign agencies, organizations, and international organizations in Vietnam.

The organization and awarding of forms of commendation for individuals and collectives of Vietnamese citizens residing abroad; individuals and collectives from foreign countries; foreign agencies, organizations, and international organizations in Vietnam shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 30 of this Decree and the following regulations:

1. Awarding ceremonies within the country shall be organized and implemented by the agency proposing the commendation.

2. Awarding ceremonies outside the country shall be organized and implemented by the head of the Embassy or the head of the Representative Office of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad authorized to present awards, based on a written request from the agency proposing the commendation. The agency proposing the commendation is responsible for transferring the decision, award items, and coordinating with the Embassy or the Diplomatic Representative Office of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad to ensure the ceremony is solemn and appropriate to the actual conditions.

Chapter V
AUTHORITY TO DECIDE ON AWARDS;
FILES AND PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERING AWARDS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL;
PUBLICIZING INDIVIDUALS AND COLLECTIVES PROPOSED FOR AWARDS

Section 1
AUTHORITY TO DECIDE ON BESTOWING THE TITLES "DECISIVE UNIT" AND "OUTSTANDING LABOR COLLECTIVE"

Article 32. Authority to decide on bestowing the titles "Decisive Unit" and "Outstanding Labor Collective" in the People's Army and the People's Public Security Force

1. The Minister of National Defense decides or authorizes the decision to bestow the titles "Decisive Unit" and "Outstanding Labor Collective" in the People's Army.

2. The Minister of Public Security decides or authorizes the decision to bestow the titles "Decisive Unit" and "Outstanding Labor Collective" in the People's Public Security Force.

Section 2
FILES AND PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERING AWARDING COMPETITION TITLES AND NATIONAL LEVEL RECOGNITION FORMS; PUBLICIZING INDIVIDUALS AND COLLECTIVES PROPOSED FOR AWARDS

Article 33. General provisions on files and procedures for commendations

1. For individuals and collectives proposed for the "Gold Star Order," the Politburo examines and concludes; for those proposed for the "Ho Chi Minh Order," the Secretariat examines and concludes.

For individuals under the management of the Politburo and the Secretariat (including retired or deceased cadres working in central or local agencies and mass organizations), based on the party member file (or cadre management file if not a party member) detailing work history and achievements, the agency responsible for competition and commendation work will coordinate with the Central Organization Department, Provincial Party Committee Organization Departments, Municipal Party Committee Organization Departments, or the Cadre and Civil Servant Management Departments of central ministries, sectors, and mass organizations to establish files for those meeting the criteria, report to the Party Committee for examination and confirmation of work history, commendation forms, and disciplinary measures (if any); on this basis, the Minister, Head of a ministry equivalent to a minister, or head of a government agency, leaders of central ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations, Chairmen of provincial or centrally-administered city People's Committees will submit to the Prime Minister.

2. The Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Municipal Party Committee, Standing Committee of the Party Committee of central ministries, sectors, and mass organizations shall examine and provide written opinions before submitting to the Prime Minister:

a) Commendation for individuals under their management authority;

b) Competition titles and commendation forms: "National Model Worker"; "Gold Star Order," "Ho Chi Minh Order," "Independence Order" (all categories), "Heroic Province," "Heroic City," "People's Armed Forces Hero," "Labor Hero," "People's Teacher," "People's Doctor," "People's Artist," "National Artisan," "Ho Chi Minh Prize," "State Prize."

3. The Minister, Head of a ministry equivalent to a minister, or head of a government agency, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuracy, Secretary of the Central Party Office, Heads of Central Party Committees and equivalents at the central level, Director of the National Assembly Office, Director of the President's Office, State Auditor General, Head of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other political-social organizations at the central level, professional-political social organizations with a Party organization under the Vietnam Fatherland Front Party Committee, central mass organizations, Rector of the National University, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee bear legal responsibility for evaluating achievements, confirming achievements, procedures, and contents of files submitted to the Prime Minister including: Files, procedures, conditions, standards, processes, accuracy of achievements, and related contents to implement the Party's guidelines and state policies and laws.

4. For individuals who have retired and whose units have since been dissolved or merged, the unit taking over the tasks of that unit shall be responsible for examining and proposing commendations; for individuals who have retired (or died, passed away), the proposal for commendation files shall be examined and completed by the cadre management agency prior to retirement (or death, passing away) and submitted to the competent authority according to regulations.

5. When examining the titles "Heroic Province," "Heroic City," "People's Armed Forces Hero," "Labor Hero," "National Model Worker," "Government Flag of Merit," the Competition and Commendation Councils at all levels must conduct voting.

For individuals and collectives proposed for the titles "Heroic Province," "Heroic City," "People's Armed Forces Hero," "Labor Hero," "National Model Worker," there must be a consent rate of 90% or more from the Competition and Commendation Councils at all levels, calculated based on the total number of members of the Council.

For the title "Government Flag of Merit," there must be a consent rate of 80% or more from the Competition and Commendation Councils at all levels, calculated based on the total number of members of the Council.

The results and the ratio of votes in agreement by the Council as prescribed must be reflected in the Minutes of Competitive Assessment, the Minutes of Commendation Examination.

6. The Initiative Councils and Scientific Councils at all levels shall be established by the heads of agencies, organizations, units, which shall define their organization and operation. The members of the Councils at all levels include those with expertise in fields related to the content of initiatives, research topics, and other members. The Initiative Councils and Scientific Councils at all levels have the task of assisting the head to recognize the effectiveness of applying initiatives, the potential for widespread application; recognizing the effectiveness of applying scientific research topics, scientific projects, and scientific and technological works to serve as grounds for recommending the awarding of titles of Model Combatants or commendations for individuals based on standards of having initiatives or scientific and technological works. Recognition is expressed through Decisions or confirmation documents. Confirmation documents follow Model No. 13 attached as an appendix to this Decree.

In cases where new laws stipulate provisions regarding science and technology and innovation, individuals who are authors or co-authors of scientific research tasks, technological development, and innovation may use the results to apply for the awarding of titles of Model Combatants or commendations according to regulations based on their capabilities, scale, and effectiveness confirmed by competent authorities.

7. The time for proposing commendation for the next time is calculated from the time achievements were recorded in the previous commendation decision. For commendation decisions that do not record the time achievements were made, the time for proposing commendation for the next time is calculated from the date the previous commendation decision was issued.

For individuals, the continuous period of five years or more up to the time of proposing commendation is the period from when they were last commended to the time of proposing commendation (for the next time) and must continuously be recognized as performing well or better.

For groups, during the period from when they were last commended to the time of proposing commendation (for the next time), there must be a continuous period of five years or more, ten years or more, fifteen years or more, twenty-five years or more being recognized as performing exceptionally well or achieving the title of "Outstanding Labor Collective" or "Victory Unit" or making outstanding or particularly outstanding achievements; the remaining years must be evaluated as performing well or better.

8. For individuals (fishermen, ethnic minority people, farmers, workers, disadvantaged persons, disabled persons), groups with outstanding achievements in labor, production, work; dynamic, creative cadres who dare to think, act, and break through for common benefits, discovered by the heads of agencies, organizations, units to commend within their authority or propose higher-level commendation, the commendation proposal dossier includes: A report accompanied by a list of commendation proposals; a summary report of achievements prepared by the agency, organization, unit proposing the commendation.

9. Achievement reports of individuals, groups, households proposed for commendation must be consistent with the conditions and standards of the competitive title or commendation form as prescribed and presented according to the model attached as an appendix to this Decree.

The content of achievements in the reports of individuals, groups, households proposed for awarding competitive titles, national commendation forms, up to six months before the ministries, sectors, provinces submit to the Prime Minister (excluding commendation for wartime achievements), beyond this deadline, the Ministry of Home Affairs will not accept commendation submission files.

10. Dossiers proposing the awarding of Orders, Medals, National Honorary Titles, "Ho Chi Minh Prize," "State Prize," "Flag of Excellence of the Government," "National Model Combatant," "Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister" submitted to the Prime Minister shall be sent through the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs submits to the Prime Minister for commendation recommendations. In necessary cases, the Minister of Home Affairs may delegate the Director of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation to sign some relevant documents concerning mobilization and commendation work.

11. The report of ministries, sectors, provinces, and the report of the Ministry of Home Affairs submitting to the Prime Minister for examination and decision on commendation or submission to the Prime Minister for examination and recommendation to the President for commendation for individuals, groups, households must include the following contents:

a) Legal basis;

b) Content, form, achievements proposed for commendation;

c) Opinions of related agencies and localities on the content requested for opinions in cases of commendation proposals;

d) Evaluation opinions of ministries, sectors, provinces, and evaluation opinions of the Ministry of Home Affairs on cases of commendation proposals that are correct in terms of target, meet conditions, standards, procedures, and documents as prescribed.

Detailed contents of the commendation proposal report shall be implemented according to Model No. 01 attached as an appendix to this Decree.

12. When submitting to the Prime Minister, ministries, sectors, and provinces shall send the original paper copy of the commendation dossier simultaneously sending electronic files (PDF of the commendation dossier, Word file of the report accompanying the list of ministries, sectors, and provinces) to the Ministry of Home Affairs via the software "Ministry of Home Affairs Document Management System and Directive Implementation," except for confidential state content. The commendation dossier will only be accepted when the Ministry of Home Affairs receives the original paper copy of the dossier and the electronic files of the dossier in accordance with the regulations.

The Ministry of Home Affairs sends the report accompanying the list of commendation proposals and the commendation dossier in electronic file format (PDF of the commendation dossier; PDF of the Ministry of Home Affairs report accompanying the list; PDF and Word files of draft documents submitted to the Prime Minister for signature) to the Government Office.

13. The Ministry of Home Affairs accepts dossiers and evaluates them based on the documents and papers in the commendation proposal dossiers established by ministries, sectors, and provinces including: Procedures, conditions, and standards as prescribed; submitting to the Prime Minister.

Article 34. Provisions on Soliciting Opinions for Awards

1. Soliciting opinions for awarding commendation titles and national-level award forms prescribed in Clause 3, Article 84 of the Law on Commendation and Award and the provisions of the competent authority at the ministry, sector, provincial level for commendation shall be implemented according to the provisions from Clause 2 to Clause 4 of this Article.

2. For awards given to agencies, organizations, units, and heads of central agencies, organizations, and units with legal personality under the direct management of central ministries, sectors, mass organizations located within localities, opinions of the People's Committee of the province must be sought regarding the following contents:

a) Compliance with the Party's guidelines, State policies and laws; results of organizational activities of the Party and mass organizations (if the Party and mass organizations operate in the locality);

b) Implementation of social insurance for workers and employees; ensuring the environment during production and business operations and labor safety, food safety (for production and business units);

c) Commendation titles and award forms that require solicitation of opinions for awards include: "Flag of Excellence of the Government", medals, badges, state honorary titles, "Ho Chi Minh Prize", "State Prize", "Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister".

3. For awards given to agencies, organizations at the provincial and centrally-administered city levels and individuals who are heads of units at the same level, opinions of central ministries, sectors, mass organizations with management functions over the industry and field must be sought regarding the following contents:

a) Results of advising on the implementation of assigned political tasks (for collectives); results of leading and directing agencies and units to implement assigned political tasks (for individuals) during the period counted for the proposed award;

b) Commendation titles and award forms that require solicitation of opinions for awards include: "Flag of Excellence of the Government", medals, badges, state honorary titles, "Ho Chi Minh Prize", "State Prize", "Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister".

4. For foreign awards, opinions of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be sought.

5. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall seek opinions from the Central Organization Commission, the Central Inspection Commission, and the Party's Committee at the central level (responsible for the field) regarding awards for individuals under the management of the Politburo and the Secretariat; seek opinions from the Central Inspection Commission and the Government Inspectorate for awards for collectives that are ministries, sectors, provinces (excluding awards in clusters or blocks of excellence; annual excellence achievements and special topics); seek opinions from the Ministry of Public Security on compliance with the Party's guidelines, State policies and laws for awards for economic organizations and individuals who are legal representatives of economic organizations.

6. Upon receiving a request for opinions on awards from ministries, sectors, provinces, or the Ministry of Home Affairs, the agency requested to provide opinions shall have the responsibility to reply in writing within ten working days from the date of receipt of the request (calculated based on the postmark). The head of the agency requested to provide opinions for awards shall be responsible under the law for the time taken to reply to the written request and the content of the opinions sought.

In cases where the Ministry of Home Affairs seeks opinions but the functional agency does not provide opinions, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall proceed with the award according to the regulations.

7. Within ten working days from the date of receiving unified or agreed opinions from functional agencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall submit to the competent authority for approval and award according to the regulations.

Article 35. Provisions on the time for receiving files, examining and announcing examination results, and awarding results

1. The time for the Ministry of Home Affairs to receive files proposing awards shall be as follows:

a) Files from ministries, agencies, provincial-level authorities submitting to the Prime Minister for consideration of conferring the title of "National Model Worker" must be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs no later than December 31 of the year immediately preceding the year in which the decision to confer the title of Model Worker at the ministry, agency, or provincial level is made;

b) Files from ministries, agencies, provincial-level authorities submitting to the Prime Minister for consideration of conferring the flag of excellence of the Government must be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs no later than June 30 each year. For the national education system, where collective and individual evaluations and rankings are based on academic years, the files must be submitted no later than December 31 each year.

The time for submitting files for the award of the Flag of Excellence of the Government, Medals, and the Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister to collectives with outstanding achievements leading the competition movement initiated by the Prime Minister shall be carried out according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

2. The time for the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine award files and submit them to the Prime Minister shall be within twenty working days from the date of receipt of complete files in accordance with regulations. The examination of files proposing the award or posthumous award of the titles "Heroic Province," "Heroic City," "People's Armed Forces Hero," "Labor Hero," and the title of "National Model Worker" shall be implemented in accordance with point b, Clause 4, Article 45 of this Decree and the Operation Regulations of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Rewards.

3. The time for examining proposals to confer commendation titles and forms of rewards based on state-level achievements at ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities:

Proposals to confer commendation titles and forms of rewards based on state-level achievements, within thirty working days (forty working days for the forms of reward: "Independence Medal," "Ho Chi Minh Medal," "Golden Star Medal"; Hero titles, "Mother Heroine of Vietnam" title), from the date of receipt of complete files in accordance with regulations, ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities shall examine and submit to the Prime Minister.

4. Time for announcing examination results and awarding results:

a) In cases where conditions, standards, procedures, and award files comply with regulations, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall implement the submission of awards to competent authorities.

In cases where conditions, standards, and procedures for awards are not met, within ten working days, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall notify in writing the return of the files to ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities proposing awards; the notification must clearly state the legal basis for returning the award files.

In cases where the examination results of the Ministry of Home Affairs differ from the proposed form of reward, reward grade, or type of reward by ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities, the Ministry of Home Affairs must reach an agreement with ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities before submitting to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision;

b) In cases where the Ministry of Home Affairs has submitted to the Prime Minister for a decision on awards or submitted to the Prime Minister for a proposal to the President for a decision on awards but the Prime Minister does not make a decision on awards or does not propose the President to make a decision on awards or the Prime Minister proposes the President to make a decision on awards but the President does not make a decision on awards, then within ten working days from the date of receipt of the notification from the Office of the Government or the Office of the President regarding non-awarding, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall notify the result of the processing of the award proposal file to ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities;

c) In cases where the President makes an award, after receiving the Decision on Award of the President, within ten working days, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall copy and send the Decision to ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities;

d) After receiving the award decision of the President or the Prime Minister, within ten working days for decisions on awards involving less than one hundred cases and within twenty working days for decisions on awards involving one hundred cases or more (excluding stamping time), the Ministry of Home Affairs shall distribute award items to ministries, agencies, and provincial-level authorities responsible for receiving and distributing award items to the awarded collectives and individuals.

Article 36. Documents and Procedures for Awarding the Title "National Model Worker"

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall examine the documents, report to the Standing Committee of the State Merit Award Council, seek opinions from relevant agencies as prescribed, and based on conditions and criteria, submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision to award the title "National Model Worker".

2. The documents submitted to the Prime Minister consist of one set (original) including:

a) A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province;

b) A report on achievements of the individual proposed for the title "National Model Worker", confirmed by the level submitting to the Prime Minister;

c) Minutes of the assessment meeting and voting results of the Merit Award Council of the ministry, agency, or province;

d) Decisions or confirmations by the head of the ministry, agency, or province regarding innovative ideas that have been effectively applied and have potential for replication nationwide, or scientific research topics, projects, and technological works that have been verified and effectively applied with national impact; confirmations by the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Public Security regarding intelligence and creativity in combat and support services with national impact;

đ) Related documents as stipulated in Article 33 of this Decree (if applicable).

3. The documents submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister include: A proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs accompanied by a list of commendation recommendations and electronic files of the commendation documents.

Article 37. Documents and Procedures for Awarding the Flag of Merit of the Government

1. The Government authorizes the Prime Minister to consider and decide on awarding the Flag of Merit of the Government. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall examine the documents and procedures, and achievements submitted to the Prime Minister.

2. The documents submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration to award the Flag of Merit of the Government consist of one set (original) including:

a) A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province;

b) A report on achievements of the collective proposed for the Flag of Merit of the Government, confirmed by the level submitting to the Prime Minister;

c) Minutes of the assessment meeting and voting results of the Merit Award Council of the ministry, agency, or province;

d) Related documents as stipulated in Article 33 of this Decree (if applicable).

3. Proposals to award the Flag of Merit of the Government to leading collectives in competition groups organized by the Central Merit Award Council shall be carried out according to the guidance of the Central Merit Award Council.

4. The documents submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister include: A proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs accompanied by a list of commendation recommendations and electronic files of the commendation documents.

Article 38. Documents and Procedures for Awarding or Posthumously Awarding Orders of Various Types (except the Friendship Order)

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall examine the documents, submit to the Prime Minister for consideration, and then submit to the President for decision.

2. The process of awarding or posthumously awarding the "Golden Star Order" and the "Ho Chi Minh Order" shall be implemented according to the notification of the Politburo's opinion on awarding high-level Orders.

3. The documents for proposing to award or posthumously award Orders of various types, each type consisting of one set (original), include:

a) A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province;

b) Reports on achievements of the cases proposed for commendation, confirmed by the level submitting to the Prime Minister;

c) Minutes of the commendation assessment meeting of the Merit Award Council of the ministry, agency, or province;

d) Related documents as stipulated in Article 33 of this Decree (if applicable).

4. The documents for proposing commendation for foreign individuals and collectives and Vietnamese individuals and collectives residing abroad consist of one set (original) including: A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province; a summary report on the achievements of the individual or collective by the recommending agency, and a confirmation document from the competent authority regarding obligations to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as prescribed by law (if applicable).

5. The documents submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister include: A proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs accompanied by a list of commendation recommendations and electronic files of the commendation documents (excluding commendation documents containing state secrets).

Article 39. Procedures for awarding or posthumously awarding the "Order of Great Unity of the Nation"

1. The "Order of Great Unity of the Nation" shall be awarded annually on National Day, September 2nd, and on the day marking the establishment of the National Front for the Fatherland, November 18th.

2. The Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and proposing individuals who meet the criteria to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city, Minister, Head of a ministry or agency, and leaders of central organizations of political and social groups for submission to the Prime Minister.

Ministries, agencies, and provinces must seek the opinion of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee before submitting to the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Home Affairs shall review and submit to the Prime Minister in accordance with regulations.

Article 40. Documents and procedures for awarding or posthumously awarding various types of Medals (except Friendship Medals)

1. The application dossier for awarding or posthumously awarding Medals consists of one set (original copy) including:

a) A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province;

b) A list of short biographies of the proposed awardees.

2. The dossier submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister includes: the Ministry of Home Affairs' report along with the list of proposed awardees and electronic files of the award dossier.

Article 41. Documents and procedures for awarding or posthumously awarding the titles of "Hero Province", "Hero City", "Hero of the People's Armed Forces", and "Hero of Labor"

1. Based on the proposal of ministries, agencies, and provinces, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall review the dossier and seek the opinions of relevant functional agencies, based on conditions, criteria, and the opinion of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Reward, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall submit to the Prime Minister.

2. The dossier for proposing to award or posthumously award the Hero title consists of one set (original copy) including:

a) A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province;

b) The achievement report of the collective or individual proposed for the Hero title, confirmed by the level submitting to the Prime Minister;

c) The minutes of the reward assessment meeting and voting results of the Steering Committee for Mobilization and Reward at the ministry, agency, or provincial level;

d) Related documents as stipulated in Article 33 of this Decree (if applicable).

3. The dossier submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister includes: the Ministry of Home Affairs' report along with the list of proposed awardees and electronic files of the award dossier (excluding dossiers containing state secrets).

Article 42. Documents and procedures for awarding or posthumously awarding the "Prime Minister's Commendation"

1. The dossier for proposing to award or posthumously award the "Prime Minister's Commendation" consists of one set (original copy) including:

a) A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province;

b) Reports on achievements of the cases proposed for commendation, confirmed by the level submitting to the Prime Minister;

c) Minutes of the commendation assessment meeting of the Merit Award Council of the ministry, agency, or province;

d) Related documents as stipulated in Article 33 of this Decree (if applicable).

2. The dossier for rewarding foreign individuals and collectives and overseas Vietnamese individuals and collectives consists of one set (original copy) including: the report of the ministry, agency, or province; a summary of achievements of the individual or collective prepared by the rewarding agency and a confirmation document from the competent authority regarding obligations to the Vietnamese State as stipulated by law (if applicable).

3. The dossier submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister includes: the Ministry of Home Affairs' report along with the list of proposed awardees and electronic files of the award dossier (excluding dossiers containing state secrets).

Article 43. Procedures for proposing to award Orders, Medals, titles, and awards of Vietnam to overseas Vietnamese individuals and collectives; foreign individuals and collectives; procedures and documents for receiving Orders, Medals, titles, and awards granted by foreign countries and international organizations

Procedures for proposing to award Orders, Medals, titles, and awards of Vietnam to overseas Vietnamese individuals and collectives; foreign individuals and collectives; procedures and documents for receiving Orders, Medals, titles, and awards granted by foreign countries and international organizations for Vietnamese individuals and organizations shall be carried out in accordance with the Party's regulations on unified management of external activities and the provisions of this Decree.

Article 44. Publicizing individuals and collectives proposed for commendation

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall seek public opinion from the people on the e-government portal of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation, and the e-government portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the titles "Heroic Province", "Heroic City", "People's Armed Forces Hero", and "Labor Hero" within ten working days (except in cases of commendation for outstanding and extraordinary achievements or commendation involving state secrets).

2. The person authorized to propose the awarding of medals and honorary titles as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 84 of the Law on Mobilization and Commendation, and the title "National Model Worker" shall be responsible for publicly listing the names of individuals and collectives on media channels under ministries, sectors, and provinces (newspapers, e-government portals, radio and television stations, etc.) at least ten working days before convening the Mobilization and Commendation Council of ministries, sectors, and provinces (except in cases of simple commendation procedures). The collection of public opinions through information dissemination media and the handling of such information (including complaints and denunciations if any) must be reported in writing to the Mobilization and Commendation Council of ministries, sectors, and provinces prior to submitting for higher-level commendation and must be noted in the Council's commendation examination minutes.

Chapter VI

ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRAL STEERING COMMITTEE FOR MOBILIZATION AND COMMENDATION

Article 45. The Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation

1. The Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation is an advisory body to the Party and State on mobilization and commendation work, with duties and powers as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 90 of the Law on Mobilization and Commendation.

2. The composition of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation includes:

a) The Chairman of the Committee is the Prime Minister;

b) The Vice Chairmen of the Committee include: the First Deputy Prime Minister as the First Vice Chairman; the Minister of Home Affairs as the Permanent Vice Chairman; the Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and the Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor as Vice Chairmen of the Committee;

c) Members of the Committee.

3. The Chairman of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation decides on the composition, number of members, duties, and powers of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Standing Members of the Committee, the Standing Body of the Committee, other members of the Committee, and the permanent office assisting the Committee; promulgates the operational regulations of the Committee.

4. Activities of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation:

a) The Committee operates based on the principles of centralization, democracy, majority voting, and all differing opinions of Committee members on proposals for policies and guidelines on mobilization and commendation are reported to the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Committee for consideration and decision;

b) The Committee meets regularly every six months to evaluate its own work, compile the situation of mobilization movements and commendation activities nationwide, deploy tasks for the next six months, and provide opinions on resolving other necessary issues. The Committee may convene extraordinary meetings convened by the Chairman of the Committee.

The Chairman of the Committee presides over or authorizes the First Vice Chairman of the Committee to preside over the meeting.

The Committee convenes when at least two-thirds of the total number of members are present. For meetings concerning the proposal to confer or posthumously confer the title of Hero, at least eighty percent of the total number of Committee members must be present. Proposals to confer the title of Hero must receive at least ninety percent agreement from Committee members (if a member is absent, their opinion is obtained in writing).

The Standing Body of the Committee convenes regularly every three months. The First Vice Chairman and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Committee frequently review and inspect the progress of implementing the Committee’s tasks; the Standing Body is responsible for advising and providing opinions on conferring the title of "National Model Worker" according to the proposal of the permanent office assisting the Committee. Proposals to confer the title of "National Model Worker" must receive at least ninety percent agreement from Standing Body members (if a member is absent, their opinion is obtained in writing);

c) Establishing, guiding the organization and operation of competition clusters and groups organized by the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation;

d) The Committee monitors, urges, and inspects the implementation of mobilization and commendation work and competition movements in ministries, sectors, and provinces;

đ) The relationship between the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation and the Mobilization and Commendation Councils of ministries, sectors, and provinces is a directive and cooperative relationship. Based on the functions and responsibilities of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation, the Mobilization and Commendation Councils at all levels and sectors have the responsibility to cooperate in implementation.

5. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the permanent office of the Central Steering Committee for Mobilization and Commendation.

Chapter VII

FUND FOR COMPETITION AND REWARD

Section 1

ESTABLISHMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND USE OF MOBILIZATION AND COMMENDATION FUNDS

Article 46. Establishment of incentive and reward funds

1. Incentive and reward funds of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuracy, Central Party Office, central Party Committees and equivalent bodies; National Assembly Office; President's Office; State Audit Organization shall be established:

a) From state budget sources with a maximum of 20% of the total salary fund according to rank and grade of officials, civil servants, public employees within the establishment and annual approved wages, and from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestic and foreign;

b) From state budget sources for expenses related to awarding national honorary titles and "Ho Chi Minh Award", "State Award", which are allocated to ministries and sectors responsible for organizing such awards in batches.

2. Incentive and reward funds of public service units directly under ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, central committees, sectors, and mass organizations shall be self-sufficient for less than 70% of regular expenses and formed from state budget sources annually with a maximum of 20% of the total salary fund according to rank and grade of public employees within the establishment and annual approved wages, and from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestic and foreign; Incentive and reward funds of public service units directly under ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, central committees, sectors, and mass organizations that self-fund between 70% and less than 100% of regular expenses shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law.

3. Incentive and reward funds of provincial and communal levels shall be formed from the state budget annually within the total regular budget expenditure for each level of budget in provinces and cities and allocated at the beginning of the year according to the following ratio:

a) Incentive and reward funds of provincial departments, agencies, public service units guaranteed regular expenses or partially guaranteed regular expenses by the state shall be formed from the state budget annually with a maximum of 20% of the total salary fund according to rank and grade of officials, civil servants, public employees within the establishment and annual approved wages, and from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestic and foreign;

b) Incentive and reward funds of provincial and communal levels shall be formed from the state budget annually with a maximum of 1.0% of regular budget expenditure for each level of budget in plains provinces and centrally-administered cities, and a maximum of 1.5% of regular budget expenditure for each level of budget in mountainous, midland, Central Highlands, remote, border areas, and island regions, and from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestic and foreign. For units that are no longer budget levels but perform budgetary unit tasks, they shall be allocated by centrally-administered cities.

4. Incentive and reward funds of political organizations, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and political-social organizations shall be provided from state budget sources (based on the nature of activities of each organization, the Ministry of Finance will unify the annual allocation ratio) and from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestic and foreign.

5. Incentive and reward funds of political-social-professional organizations, social and professional organizations, public service units self-sufficient for regular expenses or partially guaranteed regular expenses and investment costs shall be decided by these organizations from their own financial capacity and from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestic and foreign.

6. State-owned enterprises may use the reward and welfare fund established in accordance with the laws on management and use of state capital invested in production and business at enterprises, labor laws, wage, remuneration, and bonus laws for companies with state-controlled shares to fund incentive and reward activities in accordance with the laws on incentives and rewards.

7. The establishment, management, and use of incentive and reward funds of foreign-invested enterprises and enterprises belonging to various economic sectors (excluding state-owned enterprises stipulated in Clause 6 of this Article) shall be decided by the enterprises themselves, who bear full responsibility after fulfilling all obligations as prescribed by the State.

8. Incentive and reward funds of agricultural, forestry, fishery cooperatives, small-scale industrial cooperatives, transport cooperatives, construction cooperatives, fishing cooperatives, salt-making cooperatives, and other fields shall be extracted from the undivided cooperative fund (the extraction rate is determined by the cooperative) and from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestic and foreign.

9. Incentive and reward funds of private and community-run educational institutions shall be decided by themselves, bearing full responsibility after fulfilling all obligations as prescribed by the State.

Article 47. Management of the Competition and Reward Fund

1. The Competition and Reward Fund at each level shall be decided by the Head of the agency at that level and assigned to the agency managing the Competition and Reward Fund for implementation. For provincial level, the financial resources allocated for competition and reward activities shall be managed and utilized by the agency entrusted with advising on such activities in coordination with the provincial finance department based on the budget estimate; the settlement shall be based on actual expenditures in accordance with the prescribed regulations and policies.

2. The person making the decision to award rewards shall be responsible for disbursing the prize money according to Clause 4, Article 11 of the Law on Competition and Rewards and accounting for the expenditure as prescribed.

Ministries, sectors, provinces; individuals, groups under ministries, sectors, provinces which are decided to be awarded rewards by the Prime Minister or the State President shall be responsible for disbursing the rewards from their own state budget and accounting for the expenditure as a separate item.

Ministries, sectors entrusted with the main responsibility for organizing the examination and bestowing national honorary titles and "Ho Chi Minh Award", "State Award" shall be responsible for disbursing the prize money to the individuals awarded and accounting for the expenditure as a separate item.

Article 48. Utilization of the Competition and Reward Fund

1. The Competition and Reward Fund shall be used to cover expenses for implementing competition and reward activities:

a) Prize money for competition honors, reward forms for achievements in building and defending the country and the title of Heroic Mother Vietnam; expenses for printing, producing reward items or commemorative gifts for individuals, groups, households. Twenty percent of the total Competition and Reward Fund at each level shall be allocated for organizing the launch, directing the implementation, summarizing, concluding competitions; propaganda, popularizing outstanding models, learning and exchanging experiences on competition and rewards; inspecting competition and reward work of the Competition and Reward Council; convening meetings to examine competition honors and reward forms; implementing legal provisions on competition and reward work. Specific expenditure levels shall be implemented according to the guidance of the Ministry of Finance;

b) Expenses for organizing activities to bestow national honorary titles and "Ho Chi Minh Award", "State Award", the funds shall be accounted for independently for each awarding session. Specific expenditure levels shall be implemented according to the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall allocate funds from the annual state budget for printing and purchasing reward items to accompany the competition honors, reward forms decided by the State President, Government, and Prime Minister.

3. Individuals, groups, households awarded rewards, in addition to receiving competition honors, Competition Flags, national honorary titles, "Ho Chi Minh Award", "State Award"; being granted or posthumously granted Orders, Medals, Certificates of Merit, Commemorative Plaques, Letters of Commendation accompanied by reward items, shall also receive monetary rewards or commemorative gifts of equivalent value as stipulated in Articles 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 of this Decree.

4. Vietnamese individuals residing abroad; foreign individuals; foreign agencies, organizations, and international organizations in Vietnam who are awarded rewards shall receive reward items and accompanying commemorative gifts of equivalent value as stipulated in Articles 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 of this Decree.

5. The amount of prize money for certificates of merit issued by political organizations and political-social organizations at the provincial level shall be determined by the central agencies of these organizations, ensuring parity with the amounts of prize money for competition honors and reward forms prescribed in this Decree.

Section 2

AMOUNT OF PRIZE MONEY

Article 49. Principles for Calculating Awards

1. The award for individuals, groups, or households receiving commendation shall be calculated based on the basic salary level prescribed by the Government that is currently in effect at the time of issuing the decision recognizing the title of excellence or the form of commendation.

2. After multiplying the award amount by the basic salary level, the result shall be rounded up to the nearest ten thousand Vietnamese dong.

3. Higher titles of excellence or forms of commendation shall have higher award amounts.

4. Within the same form of commendation and the same level of commendation, the award amount for a group shall be higher than that for an individual.

5. At the same time, if an entity achieves multiple titles of excellence with different periods counted towards achieving those titles, it shall receive awards corresponding to each title of excellence.

At the same time, if an entity achieves multiple titles of excellence with the same period counted towards achieving those titles, it shall receive the award corresponding to the highest title of excellence.

6. At the same time, if an entity achieves multiple forms of commendation with different periods and achievements counted towards achieving those forms of commendation, it shall receive awards corresponding to each form of commendation.

7. At the same time, if an entity is awarded a title of excellence and also receives a form of commendation, it shall receive awards corresponding to both the title of excellence and the form of commendation.

8. In cases where salary reform policies are implemented, the Government shall stipulate the incentive fund and the award amounts for titles of excellence and forms of commendation given to individuals, groups, and households.

1. For individuals:

a) The title "National Model Worker" shall be awarded a Certificate of Merit, frame, Medal, and case for the Medal, and shall be awarded 4.5 times the basic salary level.

b) The title "Model Worker of Ministries, Agencies, and Provinces" shall be awarded a Certificate of Merit, frame, Medal, and case for the Medal, and shall be awarded 3.0 times the basic salary level.

c) The title "Basic Level Model Worker" shall be awarded a Certificate of Merit and frame, and shall be awarded 1.0 times the basic salary level.

d) The title "Advanced Worker" or "Advanced Soldier" shall be awarded 0.3 times the basic salary level.

2. For groups:

a) The title "Outstanding Labor Collective" or "Victory Unit" shall be awarded a Certificate of Merit and frame, and shall be awarded 1.5 times the basic salary level.

b) The title "Advanced Labor Collective" or "Advanced Unit" shall be awarded 0.8 times the basic salary level.

c) The title "Exemplary Commune, Ward, or Special Administrative Region" shall be awarded a Certificate of Merit and frame, and shall be awarded 2.0 times the basic salary level.

d) The title "Cultural Village or Neighborhood" shall be awarded a Certificate of Merit and frame, and shall be awarded 1.5 times the basic salary level.

đ) The title "Flag of Excellence from the Government" shall be awarded a flag and shall be awarded 12.0 times the basic salary level.

e) The title "Flag of Excellence from Ministries, Agencies, and Provinces" shall be awarded a flag and shall be awarded 8.0 times the basic salary level.

g) The title "Flag of Excellence from Military Regions, Corps, Services, Arms, General Departments, and Equivalent Units under the Ministry of National Defense, State Cryptographic Agency; Flag of Excellence from the National University" shall be awarded a flag and shall be awarded 6.0 times the basic salary level.

1. Individuals who are awarded or posthumously awarded Orders shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and Orders along with the following amounts of monetary awards:

a) "Ho Chi Minh Order": 46.0 times the base salary level;

b) "Independence Order": 30.5 times the base salary level;

c) "Labor Glory Order" first class, "Military Merit Order" first class: 15.0 times the base salary level;

d) "Independence Order" second class, "Military Merit Order" second class: 12.5 times the base salary level;

đ) "Independence Order" third class, "Military Merit Order" third class: 10.5 times the base salary level;

e) "Labor Glory Order" first class, "Combat Merit Order" first class, "National Defense Merit Order" first class: 9.0 times the base salary level;

g) "Labor Glory Order" second class, "Combat Merit Order" second class, "National Defense Merit Order" second class, "National Solidarity Order": 7.5 times the base salary level;

h) "Labor Glory Order" third class, "Combat Merit Order" third class, "National Defense Merit Order" third class, and "Bravery Order": 4.5 times the base salary level.

2. Groups that are awarded Orders shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and Orders along with monetary awards twice the amount specified for individuals under Clause 1 of this Article.

1. Mothers who are awarded or posthumously awarded the title "Heroic Mother Vietnam" shall be presented with Medals, medal cases, Certificates of Title, frames, and an additional amount of 15.5 times the base salary level.

2. Individuals who are awarded or posthumously awarded the titles "People's Armed Forces Hero", "Labor Hero" shall be presented with Certificates, frames, Medals, medal cases, and an additional amount of 15.5 times the base salary level.

Groups that are awarded the titles "People's Armed Forces Hero", "Labor Hero" shall be presented with Flags, Certificates, frames, Medals, medal cases, and an additional amount of monetary awards twice the amount specified for individuals.

3. Individuals who are awarded the titles "People's Teacher", "Outstanding Teacher", "People's Doctor", "Outstanding Doctor", "People's Artist", "Outstanding Artist", "People's Artisan", "Outstanding Artisan" shall be presented with Medals, medal cases, Commendation Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of monetary awards for the title "people" at 12.5 times the base salary level; for the title "outstanding" at 9.0 times the base salary level.

1. The "Ho Chi Minh Award" for science and technology and the "Ho Chi Minh Award" for literature and art shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of 270.0 times the base salary level.

2. The "State Award" for science and technology and the "State Award" for literature and art shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of 170.0 times the base salary level.

1. For individuals:

a) Individuals who are awarded or posthumously awarded the "Prime Minister's Commendation Certificate" shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of 3.5 times the base salary level;

b) Individuals who are awarded or posthumously awarded Commendation Certificates from ministries, sectors, provincial authorities shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of 1.5 times the base salary level;

c) Individuals who are awarded Commemorative Medals from the Standing Committee of the National Assembly shall be presented with Certificates, frames, Commemorative Medals, medal cases, and an additional amount not exceeding 0.8 times the base salary level;

d) Individuals who are awarded Commemorative Medals from ministries, sectors, provincial authorities, political organizations, political-social organizations, occupational-political-social organizations, social organizations, occupational-social organizations affiliated with the Party Organization of the Fatherland Front, central mass organizations shall be presented with Certificates, frames, Commemorative Medals, medal cases, and an additional amount not exceeding 0.6 times the base salary level;

đ) Individuals who are awarded Commendation Certificates from military regions, corps, services, arms, general departments and equivalent units under the Ministry of National Defense, Government Office for Official Communications; Commendation Certificates from the National University shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of 1.0 times the base salary level;

e) Individuals who are awarded Letters of Praise as stipulated in Points a, b, c, and đ Clause 1 of Article 75 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of 0.3 times the base salary level.

2. For groups:

a) Groups that are awarded the "Prime Minister's Commendation Certificate", Commendation Certificates from ministries, sectors, provincial authorities shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount twice the amount specified for individuals under Points a and b Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Groups that are awarded Commendation Certificates from military regions, corps, services, arms, general departments and equivalent units under the Ministry of National Defense, Government Office for Official Communications; Commendation Certificates from the National University shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount twice the amount specified for individuals under Point đ Clause 1 of this Article;

c) Groups that are awarded Letters of Praise at various levels shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount twice the amount specified for individuals under Point e Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Households that are awarded commendations shall be presented with Certificates, frames, and an additional amount of monetary awards equal to 1.5 times the amount specified for individuals receiving the same commendations.

Individuals who are awarded or posthumously awarded Medals as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 54 of the Law on Competition and Rewards shall be presented with a Certificate, Frame, Medal, and Medal Case, and shall receive a monetary award equivalent to 1.5 times the base salary.

Chapter VIII

PROCEDURES FOR CANCELING DECISIONS TO AWARD COMPETITION AWARDS AND REWARD FORMS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL; PROCEDURES FOR REVOKING, RESTORING, AND REAWARDING NATIONAL HONOR AWARDS; WITHDRAWAL OF REWARD ITEMS AND MONETARY AWARDS

Article 56. Documents and Procedures for Canceling Decisions to Award Competition Awards and Reward Forms

1. Individuals, groups, or households that commit acts falling under the cases stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 93 of the Law on Competition and Rewards shall have their decisions to award competition awards and reward forms canceled and shall have their awarded items and monetary rewards withdrawn.

2. Based on the conclusions of the competent authority determining that individuals or groups have committed violations falling under the cases stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 93 of the Law on Competition and Rewards, the rewarding agency shall be responsible for proposing to the competent authority to issue a decision to cancel the decision to award competition awards and reward forms and withdraw the awarded items and monetary rewards.

3. The application documents for revoking decisions to award commendation titles and reward forms consist of one set (original copy) including:

a) The proposal of a ministry, agency, or provincial-level department requesting the withdrawal of each competition award or type of reward for individuals, groups, or households;

b) A summary report from the direct rewarding agency regarding the reasons for proposing to the competent authority to cancel the decision to award competition awards and reward forms (attached with the Reward Decision).

4. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall compile the documents and submit them to the Prime Minister within 10 working days from the date of receiving all required documents.

5. The documents submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister include: The proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs along with the documents specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

Article 57. Documents and Procedures for Revoking, Restoring, and Reawarding National Honor Awards

1. Individuals or commercial legal entities awarded national honor awards who commit acts falling under Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of Article 93 of the Law on Competition and Rewards shall have their national honor awards revoked.

2. Within 30 days from the date the judgment becomes legally effective, the rewarding agency shall be responsible for submitting to the Prime Minister a request to the President to decide on revoking the national honor award.

3. Individuals or commercial legal entities whose national honor awards were revoked but later have judgments or decisions of the court becoming legally effective declaring them not guilty, exempting them from criminal responsibility, or not falling under the cases stipulated in Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of Article 93 of the Law on Competition and Rewards shall have their national honor awards restored and reawarded.

4. The application for revocation, restoration, and reaward of national honor awards consists of one set (original) including:

a) A proposal from the ministry, agency, or province;

b) A summary report from the direct rewarding agency detailing the content or explanation of the reason for the request and the opinion of the competent authority.

5. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall compile the documents and submit them to the Prime Minister within 10 working days from the date of receiving all required documents.

6. The documents submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Prime Minister include: The proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs along with the documents specified in Clause 4 of this Article.

Article 58. Recovery of Awarded Objects and Prizes

1. Recovery of State-AWARDED Objects and Prizes

a) Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the decision: Revocation of state honor titles, cancellation of the award decision by the President, decision to confer commendation titles and forms of awards by the Government and the Prime Minister, individuals, groups, and households responsible for returning all awarded objects and prizes received to the ministries, agencies, provinces that have submitted the award proposals and disbursed the prizes to individuals, groups, and households;

b) Ministries, agencies, provinces shall be responsible for urging individuals, groups, and households to return awarded objects within the prescribed time limit and send them to the Ministry of Home Affairs within fifteen working days from the date of receiving the recovered objects; recovered prizes shall be paid into the state budget or the commendation and award fund according to regulations;

c) The Ministry of Home Affairs shall be responsible for urging ministries, agencies, provinces, and organizations to recover awarded objects that have been received.

2. Recovery of Objects and Prizes for Commendation Titles and Other Forms of Awards

a) Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the decision to revoke the commendation title or form of award by the competent authority, individuals, groups, and households shall be responsible for returning all awarded objects and prizes received to the authority issuing the award decision;

b) The authority issuing the decision to confer commendation titles or forms of awards shall be responsible for urging individuals, groups, and households to return awarded objects and prizes within the prescribed time limit and organizing recovery according to regulations.

Chapter IX

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 59. Effective Date

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

2. Decree No. 98/2023/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2023 of the Government detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards and Decree No. 28/2024/NĐ-CP dated March 6, 2024 of the Government detailing procedures for conferring and posthumously conferring the "Vinh Mau Youth Volunteer Medal" and summarizing commendations for resistance achievements shall cease to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect.

Article 60. Transitional Provisions

1. This Decree shall cease to be effective from March 1, 2027 except for the following cases:

a) Ministries and agencies at the ministerial level report to the Government to propose and obtain the National Assembly's decision to extend the application period of this Decree in whole or in part;

b) Laws, resolutions of the National Assembly, ordinances, resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, decrees, resolutions of the Government, or decisions of the Prime Minister regarding state management authorities and responsibilities, procedures, and processes adopted or issued from July 1, 2025 and taking effect before March 1, 2027, then corresponding provisions in this Decree will cease to be effective at the time these legal documents take effect.

2. In case the Prime Minister has not yet issued a Decision or ministries, agencies, and provinces have not yet issued regulations on the contents delegated according to this Decree, then Decree No. 98/2023/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2023 of the Government detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards and Decree No. 28/2024/NĐ-CP dated March 6, 2024 of the Government detailing procedures for conferring and posthumously conferring the "Vinh Mau Youth Volunteer Medal" and summarizing commendations for resistance achievements shall continue to apply until December 31, 2025.

3. For applications for commendation titles and forms of awards submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs or other competent authorities according to laws on commendation and awards before this Decree takes effect, the review, submission, and decision-making process for awards shall be carried out according to the provisions of Decree No. 98/2023/NĐ-CP dated December 31, 2023 of the Government detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards.

4. The application of equivalent positions for rewarding contributions after organizational restructuring in the political system shall be based on the Central Committee's regulations on the list of positions, leadership roles, and equivalents in the political system from central to grassroots levels.

5. The rewarding of agencies, organizations, and units after organizational restructuring in the political system shall be implemented according to the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 61. Responsibility for Implementation

The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the central government, relevant agencies, organizations, units, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.