Decree No. 154/2004/ND-CP on State Ceremonies in Organizing Mass Meetings, Commemorative Ceremonies, Awarding and Receiving National Honorary Titles, Orders, Medals, Flags of Merit of the Government, and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister

DECREE OF THE GOVERNMENT

Regarding state ceremonial procedures for organizing rallies, commemorative ceremonies; presenting and receiving state honors, Orders, Medals, Flags of Merit of the Government, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister

and receiving Orders, Medals, Flags of Merit of the Government, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister

State Ceremonial Procedures

 _______________________

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Law on Competition and Rewards dated November 26, 2003;

To unify the regulations on state ceremonial procedures for organizing rallies, commemorative ceremonies; presenting and receiving state honors, Orders, Medals, Flags of Merit of the Government, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister;

At the request of the Minister of Culture - Information,

DECREE:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. State Ceremonial Procedures

The state ceremonial procedures prescribed in this Decree are the form and procedure for organizing a rally, commemorative ceremony; presenting and receiving state honors, Orders, Medals, Flags of Merit of the Government, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as the ceremony) to ensure uniformity, solemnity, honor, education, scientific, practical, effective, and economical nature.

Article 2. Scope and Objects Regulated

1. State agencies, political organizations, political-social organizations, social organizations, socio-professional organizations, economic organizations, units of the People's Armed Forces operating within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam when organizing rallies, commemorative ceremonies; presenting and receiving state honors, Orders, Medals, Flags of Merit of the Government, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister must comply with the forms and procedures prescribed in this Decree.

2. Activities commemorating major national holidays shall be implemented in accordance with Decree No. 82/2001/NĐ-CP dated November 6, 2001 of the Government on state ceremonial procedures and reception of foreign guests. Other holidays shall only organize rallies and commemorative ceremonies in years ending in 5 or even 10; in odd-numbered years, internal activities shall be organized simply, practically, economically, and frugally.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall guide the form and procedure for presenting Orders and Medals to international organizations and foreign individuals not covered by this Decree.

Chapter II

INVITED GUESTS AND FORM OF ORGANIZING THE CEREMONY

Article 3. Invited Guests

Depending on the nature and scale of the ceremony, the Organizing Committee invites guests within an appropriate scope. It is encouraged to invite a limited number of guests that are practical, suitable to the purpose and requirements of the ceremony; avoiding ostentation, formalism, wastefulness, and unnecessary expenses of time and money. Limiting the invitation of many guests from localities to the central level and vice versa.

In cases where invited guests are high-ranking leaders of the Party and State, the invitation must be made through the immediate superior agency and carried out in accordance with Article 12 of Decision No. 60-QĐ/TW dated February 11, 2003 of the Politburo on organizing trips to grassroots levels, attending rallies, commemorative ceremonies, congresses, conferences, and receiving delegations from within the country by members of the Politburo and Secretariat.

Article 4. Ceremony Decorations

The ceremony can be organized in a conference hall or outdoors.

1. Organized in a conference hall:

The stage of the conference hall will be decorated solemnly according to the following provisions:

a) The National Flag or the National Flag and the Party Flag hung on the backdrop or on the flagpole on the left side of the stage; the National Flag on the right, the Party Flag on the left (viewed from the perspective of the conference hall).  b) A bust of President Ho Chi Minh placed on a high podium below the star or between the star and the hammer and sickle symbol vertically. If the flag is hung on a pole, the bust of President Ho Chi Minh should be placed slightly forward to the right of the flagpole (viewed from the perspective of the conference hall).

c) The title of the ceremony in formal font on the backdrop to the right of the stage.

d) The table of the Presidium: based on the nature of the ceremony, the Organizing Committee decides on the arrangement of the Presidium's table.

The table of the Presidium is arranged in the center of the stage. Depending on the number of Presidium members, the Organizing Committee decides on the number of rows (gradually increasing towards the back), but the last row of people sitting should not obstruct the view of the bust of President Ho Chi Minh and the title of the ceremony. The Presidium is arranged to sit according to their importance from the middle to both sides, from the front to the back.

e) The speaker's platform may be arranged on the stage (to the right of the stage) or in front of the stage below depending on the specific conditions of the conference hall. The speaker's platform should not block the title on the backdrop; flowers should not obscure the face of the speaker; microphones on the speaker's platform should be neatly arranged and convenient for the speaker.

f) Flowers for decoration are placed below, in front of the platform where the bust of President Ho Chi Minh is placed.

e) For rallies and commemorative ceremonies, flower baskets can be placed in front of the speaker's platform and potted plants or flower baskets below the vertical title along the backdrop. If there are flower baskets presented by high-ranking Party and State leaders, they should be placed in a prominent position. Not too many flower baskets should be placed on the stage (about 5 potted plants or 5 flower baskets).g) The slogan of the ceremony should be hung in a prominent position, suitable to the space of the conference hall. The content of the slogan is decided by the Organizing Committee.

h) Outside the conference hall, the National Flag should be hung in a prominent position, with decorative flags and slogan banners creating an appropriate atmosphere for the ceremony.

i) Invited guests are seated facing the stage below, arranged according to their importance from the middle to both sides, from the front to the back.

Organized outdoors:

2.  a) Outdoor ceremonies are held at a square, stadium, or another dignified place designated by the Organizing Committee.

b) The podium is designed sturdily, arranged similarly to inside a conference hall. The National Flag is hung on a high pole in front of the podium. Around the podium, there are decorative flags and slogan banners.

c) The position of the Presidium is arranged in the center of the podium. The audience stands in blocks in front of the podium.

c) The position of the Presidium is arranged in the center of the stage. The masses attending the rally stand in a block in front of the stage.

Article 5. Badge

Based on the requirements of the ceremony, the Organizing Committee decides on the use of badges. If badges are used, the Organizing Committee specifies the form of the badge to distinguish between delegates and members of the Organizing Committee.

Limit the use of bow ties, chest flowers... for ceremonies that are not truly necessary or have too many participants.

Article 6. Attire

1. The Presidium, the person主持仪式；各级领导同志、特邀嘉宾；授予和接受国家荣誉称号、勋章、奖章的人； 政府竞赛旗、总理嘉奖令 应当按照以下规定着装：

a) Men: suit with tie or long-sleeved shirt with tie.

b) Women: traditional Ao Dai (if it is cold, they may wear an outer jacket) or women's suit.  com female.

2. Audience at the ceremony: formal and neat attire suitable for the occasion.

3. The Organizing Committee of the ceremony shall specify the attire for the audience and units participating in the parade.

4. Guests, delegates, and audience who are ethnic minorities or religious followers are encouraged to wear ethnic costumes or religious ceremonial attire. Those attending the ceremony who are military officers or soldiers should wear uniforms of their respective services.

Article 7. Art Performances, Gift Giving, and Reception

1. It is not encouraged to organize artistic performances before the ceremony. In cases where artistic performances are deemed necessary, the program must be appropriate to the content of the ceremony and not exceed 30 minutes; the performance time must be clearly stated on the invitation.

2. State budget funds shall not be used for gift giving. In exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the competent authority, receptions and the presentation of commemorative gifts may be organized. Commemorative gifts must be practical, meaningful, economical, and presented after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Article 8. Reporting on the Ceremony

Reporting on the ceremony through mass media shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations of the State.

Chapter III

PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING MEETINGS AND CELEBRATIONS

Article 9. Procedure for Holding Meetings and Celebrations

1. The Head of the Organizing Committee announces the program of the ceremony; invites leaders and delegates to stand for the flag-raising ceremony; issues the command to raise the flag.

2. The National Anthem is played from a recording; for important ceremonies, the Military Band plays the National Anthem, and attendees sing along.

3. The Head of the Organizing Committee thanks and invites leaders and delegates to sit down.

4. The Head of the Organizing Committee states the purpose of the meeting and introduces delegates briefly and solemnly. Only the name and position of the highest-ranking delegate representing the Party, government, and People's Front at the central and local levels are introduced individually; others are introduced collectively.

5. The Head of the Organizing Committee introduces the leader assigned to read the speech or report at the ceremony.

6. The Head of the Organizing Committee introduces higher-level leaders or guests to make remarks.

To simplify procedures, at the beginning of the speech, report, or statement, only address "Esteemed Comrade" to the highest-ranking official from the central or local level present at the ceremony, and then address "Esteemed Comrades" to all other officials and delegates.  comrades leaders, representatives.

7. The Head of the Organizing Committee expresses gratitude. If a high-ranking Party or State leader makes a statement, the head of the unit receiving the comments should express appreciation.

8. The Head of the Organizing Committee expresses gratitude and concludes the ceremony with music appropriate to the nature of the event.

Chapter IV

PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

CEREMONY FOR BESTOWING AND RECEIVING NATIONAL HONOR TITLES, MEDALS, AWARDS, GOVERNMENT COMPETITION FLAGS, AND PRIME MINISTER'S AWARDS

Article 10. Principles for organizing the presentation and acceptance sector of

1. Presentation and acceptance should be organized at one level where it is deemed to have the most educational and exemplary effect. Processions or transportation from one level or location to another shall not be organized.

2. The presentation and acceptance of awards should be combined with ceremonies commemorating national holidays, traditional days of the industry, locality, unit, or summary meetings, but must have a specific program and comply with this Decree.

3. Individuals receiving awards shall directly accept their awards. In cases where the awardees are absent or deceased, the legal representative of the awardee shall accept on their behalf.

4. Flowers shall not be presented during the award ceremony. Flowers may only be presented after the awardee has left the stage or podium.

During the presentation, instructions should be given to photographers and flower presenters to avoid causing disorder in the ceremony area or on the stage. Between batches of presentations, background music or military bands may play welcoming music.

Article 11. Order of Presentation and Acceptance sector of

1. Awards shall be presented to groups before individuals.

2. Higher forms of awards shall be presented first, followed by lower forms.

3. If there are many groups and individuals to be awarded, they shall be invited in batches. Specific order numbers and positions on the stage or podium shall be assigned according to the list to ensure correct presentation and prevent confusion and disorder. The presentation process shall be arranged reasonably to minimize the presenter's need to move up and down the stage.

Article 12.  Procedure for Presentation and Acceptance of Awards

1. The flag-raising ceremony, statement of purpose, and introduction of representatives shall be conducted in accordance with Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 9 of this Decree.

2. The Head of the Organizing Committee invites the head of the unit to report briefly on the achievements of the unit and the awardees (if multiple groups and individuals are being honored, a general report on achievements shall be given without reading individual achievement reports).

3. The Head of the Organizing Committee invites representatives of the local government, Party committee, Trade Union, Youth League of the honored unit and awardees to the stage or podium to receive the Decision.

4. The Head of the Organizing Committee announces the Decision. Representatives of the group or individual awardees stand solemnly in formation on the stage to listen to the announcement and receive the Decision. Other attendees shall not rise while the award decision is being read. After the announcement, attendees shall clap to congratulate.

5. The Head of the Organizing Committee invites the highest-ranking Party and State leaders present at the ceremony to present the Orders, Medals, Government Flags of Merit, and Prime Minister's Certificates to the groups and individuals being honored. The presenter shall attach the Order or Medal to the top corner of the traditional flag of the unit (if applicable) or on the chest of the awardee. If the traditional flag of the unit or the chest of the awardee already bears Orders or Medals, the newly awarded Order or Medal shall be placed above the previously awarded ones.

6. The Head of the Organizing Committee invites senior leaders to make remarks.

7. The Head of the Organizing Committee invites the head of the unit and awardees to make remarks.

8. The Head of the Organizing Committee expresses gratitude and declares the ceremony closed.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 13. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Implementation

1. This Decree takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall guide the implementation of this Decree. All previous regulations that conflict with this Decree are hereby abolished.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of central government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees, and central bodies of mass organizations are responsible for implementing this Decree./.