Circular No. 17/2026/TT-BQP Regulating and Guiding the Implementation of Certain Provisions of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP dated December 28, 2025 by the Government

CIRCULAR

REGULATING AND GUIDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DECREE NO. 343/2025/NĐ-CP DATED DECEMBER 28, 2025 OF THE GOVERNMENT ON HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS FOR VETERANS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS ILLNESS, INFORMATION AND FUNERAL ASSISTANCE UPON DEATH FOR RETIRED MILITARY OFFICERS

Based on Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP of the Government regulating health and welfare benefits for veterans suffering from serious illness, information and funeral assistance upon death for retired military officers;

Based on Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Defense as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP of the Government;

In accordance with the request of the Chief of the General Political Department;

The Minister of Defense promulgates this Circular to regulate and guide the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP dated December 28, 2025 of the Government on health and welfare benefits for veterans suffering from serious illness, information and funeral assistance upon death for retired military officers.

Article 1. Scope of Application

This Circular regulates the invitation form for health and welfare benefits and guides the implementation of health and welfare benefits, care when suffering from a serious illness, information and funeral assistance upon death for retired military officers as provided in Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP dated December 28, 2025 of the Government on health and welfare benefits for veterans suffering from serious illness, information and funeral assistance upon death for retired military officers.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to individuals specified in paragraph 3 of Article 2 of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP (hereinafter referred to as retired military officers), specifically:

1. Military officers at the rank of General who have retired.

2. Military officers at the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel, Captain, professional soldiers; civil servants; defense workers; defense officials; personnel engaged in critical support work with salaries equivalent to those of military personnel working at the Central Support Department, including:

a) Military officers receiving a salary of 668 dong as per Decree No. 235/HĐBT dated September 18, 1985 of the Council of Ministers on improving the wage system for workers, civil servants, and military personnel.

b) Military officers who held or previously held the position of Commander or Political Commissar (at the level of Corps, Branch, Naval Region, Marine Police Region and equivalent); heads of departments with functions to command the entire armed forces. Military officers who held or previously held a position with an additional allowance coefficient of 0.9 or higher as per Decree No. 25/CP dated May 23, 1993 of the Government on temporarily regulating the new wage system for civil servants, public sector employees, and military personnel or an additional allowance coefficient of 1.1 or higher as per Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on the wage system for cadres, civil servants, and military personnel.

c) Military officers who received a second salary increase; military officers who held or previously held the position of Deputy Commander or Deputy Political Commissar (at the level of Corps, Branch, Naval Region, Marine Police Region and equivalent); deputy heads of departments with functions to command the entire armed forces. Military officers who held or previously held a position with an additional allowance coefficient of 0.8 as per Decree No. 25/CP or an additional allowance coefficient of 1.0 as per Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP.

d) Personnel engaged in critical support work receiving a salary equivalent to that of military personnel working at the Central Support Department before retirement, holding the same salary level or position, having held positions with the same leadership allowance coefficient as military officers specified in paragraphs a, b, and c hereof.

d) Military officers at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel receiving a salary of 655 dong as per Decree No. 235/HĐBT; military officers who received their first salary increase; military officers who held or previously held command positions in Division or Provincial Military Command (hereinafter referred to as provincial level) and equivalent. Military officers who held or previously held a position with an additional allowance coefficient of 0.7 as per Decree No. 25/CP or an additional allowance coefficient of 0.9 as per Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP.

e) Military officers at the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel; military officers who held or previously held command positions in Regiment and equivalent. Military officers who held or previously held a position with an additional allowance coefficient of 0.5 as per Decree No. 25/CP or an additional allowance coefficient of 0.7 as per Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP. Professional soldiers at the rank of Colonel; defense workers, defense officials, and public sector employees with salaries equivalent to those of professional soldiers at the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.

g) Personnel engaged in critical support work receiving a salary equivalent to that of military personnel working at the Central Support Department before retirement, holding the same salary level or position, having held positions with the same leadership allowance coefficient as military officers specified in paragraphs d, e hereof.

h) Military officers at the ranks of Major, Captain; military officers who held or previously held command positions in Battalion and equivalent. Military officers who held or previously held a position with an additional allowance coefficient of 0.35 as per Decree No. 25/CP or an additional allowance coefficient of 0.5 as per Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP. Professional soldiers at the ranks of Major, Captain; defense workers, defense officials, and public sector employees with salaries equivalent to those of professional soldiers at the ranks of Major and Captain.

i) Military officers at the rank of Captain; professional soldiers at the rank of Captain; defense workers, defense officials, and public sector employees with salaries equivalent to those of professional soldiers at the rank of Captain.

k) Personnel engaged in critical support work receiving a salary equivalent to that of military personnel working at the Central Support Department before retirement, holding the same salary level or position, having held positions with the same leadership allowance coefficient as military officers specified in paragraphs h, i hereof.

3. Agencies, units, enterprises, organizations, and individuals related to the implementation of regulations and policies concerning military officers on retirement.

4. Shall not apply to the subjects specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article prior to retirement or retirement under circumstances specified in Article 3 of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP.

Article 3. Invitation for Rest and Convalescence and Rest and Convalescence Allowance

1. Invitation for Rest and Convalescence

a) The invitation for rest and convalescence shall be issued in accordance with Model Numbers 01/2025/PM-AĐDH (pink background, blue text), 02/2025/PM-AĐDH (yellow background, blue text), and 03/2025/PM-AĐDH (green background, blue text) as set forth in the Annex to this Circular. The invitation model shall be printed on both sides on offset paper with a weight of 120 gsm, size 14.5 x 21 cm, by the Department of Social Policy/Civil Affairs and distributed to relevant agencies, units, and enterprises.

b) Content of the invitation for rest and convalescence: The front shall specify the type of invitation, information about the subject, accompanying family members, rest and convalescence delegation, and time period; the back shall contain certain information for officials. The invitation for rest and convalescence is valid from January 1 to December 31 of the year indicated on the form; invitations for subjects specified in points d, e, g, h, i, k of Clause 2 of this Circular shall bear the hanging seal of the Department of Social Policy/Civil Affairs.

c) Classification of invitations, including two types: Individual invitation and Family invitation (Family invitation includes military officers who have retired and up to four family members [biological parents; in-laws; spouse or partner; biological children, adopted according to law]).

d) Annual quantity and ratio of rest and convalescence invitations

The annual number of family invitations for subjects specified in Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular shall be 100% of the total retired subjects (wherein, the number of summer vacation invitations [June, July, August] accounts for 50%; the number of festival and holiday invitations according to the Ministry of Interior regulations [hereinafter referred to as Festival and Holiday Invitations] accounts for 10%; and the number of regular invitations account for 40%).

The annual number of family invitations for subjects specified in points a, b, c, d of Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular shall be 50% of the total retired subjects (wherein, the number of summer vacation invitations [June, July, August] accounts for 40%; the number of Festival and Holiday Invitations account for 10%; and the number of regular invitations account for 50%).

The annual number of rest and convalescence invitations for subjects specified in points d, e, g of Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular shall be 10% of the total retired subjects; among which, there are 20% family invitations and 80% individual invitations (the number of summer vacation invitations [June, July, August] accounts for 15%; the number of Festival and Holiday Invitations account for 10%; and the number of regular invitations account for 75%).

The annual number of rest and convalescence invitations for subjects specified in points h, i, k of Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular shall be 5% of the total retired subjects; among which, there are 15% family invitations and 85% individual invitations (the number of summer vacation invitations [June, July, August] accounts for 5%; the number of Festival and Holiday Invitations account for 5%; and the number of regular invitations account for 90%).

Based on needs and conditions, capability to ensure, the Department of Social Policy/Civil Affairs shall annually compile, report, and propose adjustments to the number of rest and convalescence invitations for subjects specified in points d, e, g, h, i, k of Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular to fit with practical circumstances.

d) Authority to sign and delegate rest and convalescence invitations

The Director of the Department of Social Policy/Civil Affairs/TCCT shall sign the invitation for rest and convalescence Model Number 01/2025/PM-AĐDH; delegate the issuance of invitations to relevant agencies, units, and enterprises under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defense in Hanoi to the Military Region Political Commissions and the Commanders of the Capital Military District.

The Political Commander of the Military Regions and the Commander of the Capital Military District shall sign the invitation for rest and convalescence Model Numbers 02/2025/PM-AĐDH and 03/2025/PM-AĐDH; delegate the issuance of invitations to subjects specified in points d, e, g, h, i, k of Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular to subordinate units according to their delegation to the local military command.

2. Rest and Convalescence Allowance

a) The rest and convalescence allowance for subjects specified in Clause 1 of Article 4 of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP shall be implemented as the annual welfare and compensation regime for subjects receiving salaries and allowances from national budget sources within agencies, units under the Ministry of National Defense according to Circular No. 96/2025/TT-BQP dated August 25, 2025 by the Ministry of National Defense on standards, quantities, and basic food allowance rates for infantry, military branches, corps, patients in treatment, international military students; additional allowances during festivals, holidays, and duty assignments; annual welfare and compensation.

b) The rest and convalescence allowance shall be paid in the first quarter of each year. In case of disciplinary or legal violations resulting in a decision or disciplinary action by competent authorities effective in the first quarter of the year, if the allowance has not yet been paid, payment of the support allowance for rest and convalescence will be halted; if the allowance has already been paid before the effective date of the decision or disciplinary action, the amount paid shall be recovered and remitted to the national budget according to regulations.

3. Organization of Implementation and Assurance of Rest and Convalescence

a) Implementation of rest and convalescence

Based on the number of rest and convalescence invitations issued, the Department of Social Policy/Civil Affairs/TCCT shall delegate; annually, the Political Commissions of Military Regions, Commanders of the Capital Military District, and political agencies of units under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defense in Hanoi shall receive and delegate rest and convalescence invitations to relevant subjects according to the specified ratio of retired military officers managed by each unit; they shall guide agencies, units, and organizations to implement with strictness, democracy, transparency, and prioritize those who have made significant contributions, those with revolutionary service, officers with higher ranks from high to low, and officers who have not been able to go on rest and convalescence for many years.

Each year, the Political Department of the Military Command of the Capital City of Hanoi and the Provincial Military Command shall inform the Peace Preservation Teams about the number of invitations, time off, plan development, vehicle arrangements (cars), and personnel assignments for receiving and escorting retired military officers to concentrated peace preservation teams at the Peace Preservation Teams of the Armed Forces for each batch according to individual invitations that are suitable with health conditions, time frame, and ensuring safety;

The duration of peace preservation at the Peace Preservation Team is 5 days per batch/per invitation (including batches during summer holidays, New Year's Day, and regular invitations).

b) Ensuring Peace Preservation

Retired military officers who go for peace preservation according to individual invitations or family invitations shall pay meal expenses to the Peace Preservation Teams in accordance with regulations; they are guaranteed accommodation, health care, functional recovery activities combined with sightseeing as per the provisions of Circular No. 179/2013/TT-QP dated September 17, 2013 by the Ministry of National Defense on the functions, tasks, organization, and management of Peace Preservation Teams and peace preservation benefits in the Armed Forces. Retired revolutionary officers and pre-revolutionary officers are provided with accommodation as per the standards for serving officers at the rank of Colonel. In cases where retired military officers go for peace preservation by their own means, family members accompanying them shall pay meal expenses to the Peace Preservation Team and arrange their own transportation;

When retired military officers travel on their own means to take a rest, the Peace Preservation Teams directly settle train and bus fares in accordance with current guidelines of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Defense; annually, the Peace Preservation Teams are guaranteed funds for settling support expenses for those who travel by their own means and are settled according to actual expenditure;

In cases where the Military Command of the Capital City of Hanoi or Provincial Military Commands provide or rent vehicles (cars) to escort retired military officers for concentrated peace preservation at the Peace Preservation Teams, they shall be supported with funds for fuel costs based on the actual distance traveled.

Article 4. Care Regime for Severe Diseases

The care regime for severe diseases for the subjects specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Circular is implemented according to the provisions in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 5 of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP; specifically, the payment of medical examination costs shall be as follows:

1. The Military Command of the Capital City of Hanoi or Provincial Military Commands are responsible for settling medical examination costs for the Medical Examination Board.

2. The medical examination costs specified in Clause 1 of this Article are determined based on the content, requirements of the examination, the list of examined items provided by the Medical Examination Board and the fee standards for medical examinations as per the Fee Schedule for Medical Examination Certificates issued with Circular No. 243/2016/TT-BTC dated November 11, 2016 by the Minister of Finance on the collection, payment, submission, and management of fees for medical examination certificate reviews.

Article 5. Registration and Management of Retired Military Officers

The registration and management of retired military officers are carried out in accordance with the provisions in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 8 of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP; specifically, reporting procedures are as follows:

1. Annual Report

a) Content of report: Quantity, list of management and monitoring of retired military officers on the ground according to Form No. 07 in the Annex attached to Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP.

b) Reporting period: From January 1 to December 31 of each year, specific times:

The Military Command of the District reports to the Political Department of the Military Command of the Capital City of Hanoi or Provincial Military Commands before January 15 of the following year;

The Provincial Military Commands report to the Military Region's Political Department before January 20 of the following year;

The Political Departments of the Military Regions, the Military Command of the Capital City of Hanoi and political organs of units and enterprises under the Ministry of National Defense stationed in the city of Hanoi report to the Policy-Social/TCCT Office before January 30 of the following year.

2. Quarterly Report

a) Content of report: Quantity, list of monitoring changes for retired military officers on the ground according to Form No. 08 in the Annex attached to Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP.

b) Reporting period: From the first day of each quarter to the last day of the final month of the quarter, specific times:

The Military Command of the District reports to the Political Department of the Military Command of the Capital City of Hanoi or Provincial Military Commands before the end of the quarter;

The Provincial Military Commands report to the Military Region's Political Department before the 25th day of the final month of the quarter;

The Political Departments of the Military Regions, the Military Command of the Capital City of Hanoi and political organs of units and enterprises under the Ministry of National Defense stationed in the city of Hanoi report to the Policy-Social/TCCT Office before the 30th day of the final month of the quarter.

3. In addition to reporting according to the provisions in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, based on mission requirements and practical circumstances, agencies, units, and enterprises report spontaneously according to business documents from the Policy-Social/TCCT Office.

Article 6. Guarantee Fund

The guarantee fund shall ensure the implementation of regulations and policies for beneficiaries; issue invitation slips for medical care; organize meetings, provide information, and notify situations in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP and this Circular, which are guaranteed by the state budget.

Article 7. Responsibilities of Authorities, Units, and Enterprises

1. Political Bureau General Department shall direct:

a) Policy - Social Affairs Department

Shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant functional departments under the Ministry of National Defense to direct and inspect the implementation of regulations for medical care, care during serious illness, information dissemination, and funeral support for retired military personnel as per Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP and this Circular;

Shall take the lead in coordinating with Propaganda Department and relevant agencies to advise the Central Military Commission - Ministry of National Defense annually on organizing meetings, providing information, and notifying situations for retired military personnel as per paragraph 2 of Article 6 of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP;

Shall annually estimate the number of retired military personnel to be transferred to the Personnel Department for plan formulation regarding distribution of invitation slips; prepare budget estimates for printing and allocate invitation slips according to regulations to relevant authorities, units, and enterprises;

Shall establish a database on retired military personnel to ensure uniform implementation of regulations and policies, manage, and resolve issues arising during their implementation.

Shall coordinate with Finance Department under the Ministry of National Defense to advise on budget allocation for construction, renovation, upgrading, and procurement of equipment and means of transportation for medical care teams to meet requirements and tasks.

b) Personnel Department

Shall take the lead in coordinating with Policy - Social Affairs Department and relevant authorities, units, and enterprises to develop a plan for distributing invitation slips, submit it for approval by the head of the Political Bureau General Department, implement according to regulations; direct medical care teams to receive and serve beneficiaries seeking medical care.

Shall coordinate with Finance Department under the Ministry of National Defense to advise on budget allocation for construction, renovation, upgrading, and procurement of equipment and means of transportation for medical care teams to meet requirements and tasks; resolve issues arising during their implementation.

c) Propaganda Department

Shall coordinate with Policy - Social Affairs Department to advise the Central Military Commission - Ministry of National Defense annually on organizing meetings, providing information, and notifying situations for retired military personnel as per paragraph 2 of Article 6 of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP;

Shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies to prepare content for information provision and notification during department-level meetings; direct subordinate authorities, units, and enterprises on organizing such meetings and preparing related content.

Shall direct and guide subordinate authorities, units, and enterprises on organizing meetings, providing information, and notifying situations according to their level of responsibility; coordinate in resolving issues arising during their implementation.

d) People's Army Daily: Shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies annually to propose pricing for publications of the People's Army Daily, direct relevant units and enterprises to prepare budget estimates and implement according to regulations; coordinate in resolving issues arising during their implementation.

2. Logistics and Technical Support General Department shall direct:

a) Medical Department

Shall coordinate with relevant departments under the Ministry of Health to issue a list of serious illnesses for beneficiaries as per paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Circular;

Based on regulations from the Ministry of Health, military-specific characteristics, report to the Ministry of National Defense to assign tasks to medical boards within the military to conduct examinations for beneficiaries as per paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Circular. Shall direct and guide medical boards in conducting examinations according to regulations; coordinate in resolving issues arising during their implementation.

b) Oil Department: Shall direct and guide relevant authorities, units, prepare budget estimates for supporting fuel purchases for transportation of retired military personnel seeking medical care at centralized medical care teams; coordinate in resolving issues arising during their implementation.

3. Finance Department under the Ministry of National Defense

a) Shall annually, based on reports from relevant authorities, units, and enterprises, prepare budget estimates to ensure the implementation of regulations and policies for beneficiaries and printing costs for invitation slips according to Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP and this Circular; coordinate with Policy - Social Affairs Department to unify budget estimates for reporting to the head of the Ministry of National Defense for allocation in accordance with regulations.

b) Shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant authorities, units, enterprises to advise on budget allocation for construction, renovation, upgrading, and procurement of equipment and means of transportation for medical care teams.

c) Shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies to guide authorities, units, and enterprises in preparing budgets and finalizing accounts according to regulations; direct, inspect, and resolve issues arising during the implementation of various policies.

4. Units and Enterprises Directly Subordinate to the Ministry of National Defense

a) Shall direct subordinate authorities, units to disseminate, publicize, and implement regulations and policies for retired military personnel as per Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP and this Circular.

b) Shall manage retired military personnel according to their level of responsibility, compile reports, and submit them in accordance with regulations.

c) Shall direct subordinate authorities, units annually to prepare budget estimates for implementing policies and benefits for retired military personnel at the appropriate levels; report such estimates to the Finance Department under the Ministry of National Defense; organize payment of benefits and finalizing accounts according to regulations.

d) Shall frequently inspect and strictly manage situations; proactively handle and resolve issues arising from the grassroots within their authority.

5. Commander-in-Chief of Hanoi City and Military Commanders at Provincial Level

a) Direct, supervise, and inspect the reception, registration, and management of military officers who have retired; annually prepare budget estimates to ensure implementation, report according to hierarchy, and organize the application of regulations and policies for military officers who have retired as prescribed.

b) Annually advise and propose to the provincial or municipal People's Committee to organize meetings, provide information, and inform military officers who have retired about their situation; cooperate with the Department of Finance to prepare budget estimates according to regulations.

c) Timely resolve any issues that arise during implementation.

6. Military Care and Convalescence Teams

a) Promote understanding and implement regulations and policies for military officers who have retired as prescribed, in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP and this Circular.

b) Arrange reception and service for military officers who have retired to convalescence ensuring thorough care and adherence to standards and regulations.

c) Annually prepare budget estimates for accommodation, and support travel expenses (for cases where the retiree arranges their own transportation) as prescribed in Point b of Clause 3 of this Circular; settle accounts according to regulations; timely resolve any issues that arise during implementation.

Article 8. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from March 10, 2026. Regulations and policies for military officers who have retired will be implemented starting January 1, 2026, in accordance with Decree No. 343/2025/NĐ-CP; the invitation form for convalescence as stipulated in this Circular will be used from January 1, 2026.

2. The Ministry of Defense Circular No. 158/2011/TT-BQP dated August 15, 2011, concerning the implementation of certain regulations and policies to care for military officers who have retired; Article 2 of the Ministry of Defense Circular No. 13/2024/TT-BQP dated March 18, 2024, amending and supplementing certain provisions in legal documents under the authority of the Minister of Defense related to personal information disclosure when performing administrative procedures; Article 9 of the Ministry of Defense Circular No. 103/2025/TT-BQP dated September 26, 2025, amending and supplementing certain provisions in joint circulars, circulars, and decisions by the Minister of Defense on policy matters will cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

3. Any referenced documents in this Circular that are amended or replaced by other documents shall have their references implemented according to the new documents.

Article 9. Transitional Provisions

From January 1, 2026, until the effective date of this Circular, management and responsibility for implementing regulations and policies for military officers who have retired will be carried out in accordance with the provisions and guidance in this Circular; cases of disciplinary or legal violations that are subject to enforcement by a competent authority during the first quarter of each year, the cessation of payment or recovery of support funds already disbursed shall be implemented according to Point b of Clause 2 of this Circular.

Article 10. Implementation Responsibility

1. The Chief of the General Political Department and heads of agencies, units, and enterprises are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. In case of implementation issues, agencies, units, and enterprises shall report to the Ministry of Defense (through the Policy-Social Bureau/General Political Department) for consideration and resolution./.