Joint Circular No. 17/1998/TTLT/BQP-BGTVT guiding the implementation of Government Decree No. 39/CP on ensuring railway traffic safety and order for the military.

 JOINT CIRCULAR
Guidelines for Implementing the Government Decree 39/CP on Ensuring Traffic Order and Safety on Railways for the Military.
To strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of National Defense in implementing Decree 39/CP and Directive 454/TTg dated July 5, 1996 of the Government, unify responsibilities between military units and railway units in ensuring traffic order and safety on railways, and effectively utilize means, equipment, and infrastructure systems of the railway sector for transportation tasks serving national defense requirements. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of National Defense jointly issue the following guidelines:

1- Military units stationed in areas with railway lines must comply with regulations concerning railway traffic safety zones, strictly dismantle and remove structures violating railway safety boundaries (except those military facilities permitted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to remain), and simultaneously have the responsibility to cooperate with the railway sector and other forces in the area to participate in protecting railway traffic order and safety, be ready to participate in rescue and mitigate consequences of natural disasters and accidents involving the railway sector to minimize state property losses and protect the lives and property of citizens.

The head of the railway sector management unit shall proactively propose needs for participating in protecting railway traffic order and safety, unify measures and situations requiring cooperation so that military unit commanders can proactively develop plans and scenarios for participation in rescue operations and training troops.

2- Operators of military water and land transport vehicles (including motorized and non-motorized vehicles) operating within the safety limits of railway traffic works and crossing railway bridges and crossings must strictly adhere to railway traffic safety rules.

3- When military units transport personnel, goods, equipment, and supplies via railway, they must comply with current regulations on cargo and passenger transportation.

- Military personnel transport must have a plan, with assembly points before boarding at stations and after disembarking to ensure secrecy and safety.

- Inform officers and soldiers traveling by train about regulations and train riding procedures of the railway sector. At boarding and disembarking stations; on carriages carrying troops (large numbers, not from the same unit), there must be military control and command forces to manage and guide troops, ensuring absolute safety and maintaining strict military discipline.

- Transportation of large-sized, heavy, flammable, explosive, or specially stored equipment and weapons must have command and coordination with the railway sector, following the guidance of railway staff regarding loading, unloading, and securing transportation.

4- The Ministry of National Defense shall lead coordination with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and related ministries and sectors to develop plans for purchasing specialized railway equipment for transporting weapons, ammunition, equipment, and military supplies, reporting to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision-making during each national planning period.

5- The Ministry of Transport and Communications shall assign the Vietnam Railway Union to prioritize meeting the transportation needs of the military based on its capabilities.

- In case of urgent missions or combat tasks, the railway sector should mobilize all available equipment to meet military transportation needs, coordinating with military forces to ensure absolute safety for troops, goods, and equipment transported on railway cars.

- Due to combat readiness requirements, if it is necessary to load and unload military cargo; organize troop boarding and disembarking at stations where the railway sector has stipulated no cargo loading/unloading or passenger boarding/alighting, military unit commanders need to coordinate with the railway sector to unify organizational measures and the railway sector should create the most favorable conditions for military units to implement their transportation plans at these stations.

6- Technical vocational schools under the Ministry of Transport and Communications shall plan to accept students sent by the military for training; select graduates specializing in railways to serve in the military according to state plans.

7- The Vietnam Railway Union shall cooperate and facilitate the Logistics General Department's Transport Bureau to understand railway transportation capacity to build annual railway transportation plans serving military needs, while developing plans to mobilize railway cars, equipment to meet national defense requirements during wartime.

8- Commanders of military units and heads of Vietnam Railway Union units shall be responsible for implementing this Circular. During implementation, if modifications are needed, the Vietnam Railway Union and the Transport Bureau of the Logistics General Department shall report to the leadership of both ministries for consideration and resolution.

This Circular takes effect thirty days from the date of signature./.

This Circular takes effect thirty days from the date of issuance./.