Decree No. 215/2025/NĐ-CP stipulates measures for managing, protecting, and promoting the value of world cultural and natural heritage, underwater cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage listed in UNESCO's lists and the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage, as well as policies towards artisans and subjects of intangible cultural heritage.

DECREE

Regulations on measures for management, protection, and enhancement of the value of world cultural and natural heritage, underwater cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage listed in UNESCO's lists
and the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage
and policies
towards artisans and subjects of intangible cultural heritage Law on Local Administration Organization
No. 72/2025/QH15

 

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law No. 63/2025/QH15;

On the basis of Pursuant to the Cultural Heritage Law No. 45/2024/QH15;

The Government issues this Decree to regulate measures for management, protection, and enhancement of the value of world cultural and natural heritage, underwater cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage listed in UNESCO's lists and the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage, and policies towards artisans and subjects of intangible cultural heritage. This Decree provides detailed regulations on certain provisions of the Cultural Heritage Law No. 45/2024/QH15 dated November 23, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the Cultural Heritage Law), including Clause 3 Article 14, Clause 5 Article 17, Clause 6 Article 25, Clause 4 Article 39, Point h Clause 1 Article 83.;

At the proposal of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

This Decree applies to state agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals related to activities of managing, protecting, and enhancing the value of various types of cultural heritage and world natural heritage, underwater cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage listed in UNESCO's lists and the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage (hereinafter referred to as the National Inventory) and policies towards artisans and subjects of intangible cultural heritage. 

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. Identification of intangible cultural heritage is the activity of determining the name, type, subject, space, time, vitality, current status, characteristics, and factors affecting the intangible cultural heritage.

Article 2. Applicability

2. Documentation of intangible cultural heritage is the activity of recording and collecting intangible cultural heritage in its current state in different forms and gathering relevant materials with the aim of building a database of intangible cultural heritage for long-term preservation, retrieval, restoration, introduction, protection, and enhancement of the value of intangible cultural heritage.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

3. Practice of intangible cultural heritage is the activity of expressing cultural expressions of the community, group, or individual subjects aimed at maintaining vitality, ensuring continuity of intangible cultural heritage, content, practice procedures, constituent elements, principles, natural essence, and value of the intangible cultural heritage.

4. Expression of intangible cultural heritage is specific manifestations through language, actions, gestures, products created by the community, group, or individual during practice to convey the content, information, meaning, and value of intangible cultural heritage.

5. Transmission of intangible cultural heritage is the activity of artisans and practitioners including guidance, transmission, and instruction to subsequent generations about skills, techniques, knowledge, cultural expressions, and related content of their intangible cultural heritage through practice or purposeful training.

6. Continuity of intangible cultural heritage is the state where intangible cultural heritage is regularly practiced, created, transmitted, and recreated by the community, group, or individual subjects.

7. Vitality of intangible cultural heritage is the ability of the heritage to continue to exist and be passed down within the subject community with all constituent elements, practice procedures, content, natural essence, and value of the intangible cultural heritage.

8. Protection of intangible cultural heritage is the activity of implementing measures to ensure the vitality of intangible cultural heritage, including inventorying, identification, documentation, research, preservation, enhancement, practice, transmission, education inside or outside schools and educational institutions, as well as restoring various aspects of the heritage that need to be protected.

9. Restoration of intangible cultural heritage is the activity based on the natural essence and value of the heritage to recreate, reinforce practices, preserve elements, and expressions of the heritage that are changing or threatened with disappearance, so that the intangible cultural heritage can exist for a long time and develop.

10. Outstanding universal value of world heritage is the expression of special cultural and natural significance of world cultural and natural heritage, which is of national and international importance for present and future generations.

11. Declaration of outstanding universal value of world heritage is the affirmation by the World Heritage Committee of the value, criteria, integrity, authenticity, and sustainable management and protection of the heritage, thereby being inscribed in the World Heritage List.

12. Integrity of world heritage is the full representation of the original elements constituting the outstanding universal value of world heritage.

13. Authenticity of world heritage is the truthful and reliable representation of the original elements creating the outstanding universal cultural value of world heritage, enabling recognition of the nature, characteristics, meaning, and history of that world heritage.

14. Management plan for world heritage is a document summarizing measures to conserve the outstanding universal value of world heritage, including the allocation of specific responsibilities to all entities involved in implementing those conservation measures.

15. Regulation on protection of world heritage is a detailed document of legal provisions in the management of world heritage and protection of the outstanding universal value of world heritage; responsibilities of the parties involved in the work of managing and protecting world heritage to facilitate the implementation of all activities in the world heritage area by organizations and individuals in the most convenient manner.

14. The world heritage management plan is a consolidated document outlining measures for preserving the outstanding universal value of world heritage sites, including specific assignments of responsibility to all relevant entities involved in implementing such preservation measures.

15. The regulation on protecting world heritage is a detailed document specifying legal provisions in managing world heritage sites and safeguarding their outstanding universal value; it delineates the responsibilities of all parties involved in the management and protection of world heritage sites to facilitate organizations and individuals in conducting activities within world heritage areas as smoothly as possible.

16. Underwater cultural heritage refers to tangible cultural heritage currently located underwater with historical, cultural, and scientific value, including: cultural relics, antiques, national treasures; archaeological sites, construction works, locations; ancient human and paleontological remains related to the origin of humanity, which have been used together with their natural and archaeological surroundings. Underground pipelines, sewers, cables, and other underground facilities currently in use for human life placed underwater shall not be considered as underwater cultural heritage.

17. The UNESCO Lists on intangible cultural heritage (hereinafter referred to as the UNESCO Lists) are defined in the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereinafter referred to as the 2003 Convention), comprising: the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding (hereinafter referred to as the Urgent Safeguarding List), the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (hereinafter referred to as the Representative List), and the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices (hereinafter referred to as Good Safeguarding Practices).

Chapter II
MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE VALUE OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE UNESCO LISTS AND THE NATIONAL INVENTORY OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Article 4. Principles in the practice of intangible cultural heritage

1. The subject of intangible cultural heritage has the responsibility to ensure the continuity of the intangible cultural heritage in its practice in accordance with the value, nature, and function of the heritage; reduce the risk of loss and disappearance.

2. Ensure the preservation of the value of the heritage through its forms of expression, knowledge, skills, techniques, and spaces of practice; do not introduce inappropriate elements into the heritage.

3. Ensure the comprehensive process of practice, content, activities, and constituent elements of the heritage with the participation of the community subject in the practice of the heritage.

4. Do not disseminate or practice distorted content of the heritage.

5. Do not exploit the practice of the heritage for profit or engage in acts and activities that violate the law.

6. Ensure that the practice of intangible cultural heritage directs individuals and communities towards positive cultural values promoting comprehensive social development; preserve identity; ensure community and societal safety; protect the environment.

7. Ensure respect for the diversity of cultural expressions, the role of the community subject, and the distinctiveness of ethnic and regional characteristics. Intangible cultural heritage of different communities is equally respected.

8. Ensure respect and protection of religious, belief, custom, sacredness of rituals, and spaces of practice of intangible cultural heritage.

9. Ensure the right to practice intangible cultural heritage of the community subject.

10. Prioritize the decision-making rights of the subject of intangible cultural heritage regarding the practice of intangible cultural heritage for its long-term existence, continuity, and integrity.

Article 5. Practice and organization of transmission by the subject of intangible cultural heritage

1. The subject of intangible cultural heritage has the responsibility to maintain the transmission activities of intangible cultural heritage within and outside the community to strengthen the quantity and quality of the practice of intangible cultural heritage by artisans and practitioners.

2. Forms of transmission of intangible cultural heritage include:

a) Artisans and practitioners transmit knowledge, skills, and cultural expressions to the next generation within the community subject through the practice of intangible cultural heritage;

b) Artisans and practitioners transmit knowledge, skills, and cultural expressions to other communities through targeted training.

3. Local authorities at all levels, agencies, organizations, individuals, and communities have the responsibility to create conditions to support and ensure conditions for the transmission activities of intangible cultural heritage in the UNESCO Lists, the National Inventory, and heritage at risk of loss and disappearance.

Article 6. Research on Intangible Cultural Heritage

1. Agencies and organizations with functional and specialized expertise conducting research on intangible cultural heritage, and individuals conducting such research pursuant to Article 16 of the Law on Cultural Heritage must obtain the consent of the subject of the heritage and comply with the principles governing the practice of intangible cultural heritage as stipulated in Article 4 of this Decree, and shall be responsible under the law for their research activities.

2. Research on types of intangible cultural heritage as prescribed in Article 10 of the Law on Cultural Heritage includes the following contents: research and identification of expressions, values, subjects, current status, transmission process, practice, creation, re-creation, social functions, influencing factors, protection measures, and other contents aimed at deepening understanding of the heritage and its management, protection, and enhancement of value in daily life.

3. Agencies and organizations conducting research on intangible cultural heritage as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article must produce specific research products that are accepted according to regulations; digitize and submit the research results to the provincial-level specialized agency on culture to update into the national database on cultural heritage; publicly notify the subject of the intangible cultural heritage.

4. Products and reports on research on intangible cultural heritage conducted by individuals must be digitized and submitted to the provincial-level specialized agency on culture to update into the national database on cultural heritage; publicly notify the subject of the intangible cultural heritage.

Article 7. Documentation of Intangible Cultural Heritage

1. Agencies and organizations with functional and specialized expertise conducting documentation of intangible cultural heritage, and individuals conducting such documentation pursuant to Article 16 of the Law on Cultural Heritage must obtain the consent of the subject of the heritage and comply with the principles governing the practice of intangible cultural heritage as stipulated in Article 4 of this Decree, and shall be responsible under the law for their documentation activities.

2. Contents of documentation on intangible cultural heritage include: scores, expressions, and practices, information about the subject of intangible cultural heritage, documents, artifacts, cultural spaces related to it, and other information about intangible cultural heritage.

3. The objective of documenting intangible cultural heritage is to protect, promote, introduce, publicize, exhibit, educate, preserve long-term, and restore the heritage.

4. Forms of documentation of intangible cultural heritage include: writing, recording, filming, photographing, digitizing, or other forms.

5. Products and reports on documentation of intangible cultural heritage conducted by agencies and organizations must be accepted according to regulations; digitize and submit to the provincial-level specialized agency on culture to update into the national database on cultural heritage; publicly notify the subject of the intangible cultural heritage.

6. Products and reports on documentation of intangible cultural heritage conducted by individuals must be digitized and submitted to the provincial-level specialized agency on culture to update into the national database on cultural heritage; publicly notify the subject of the intangible cultural heritage.

Article 8. Organizing festivals and introducing intangible cultural heritage that have been inventoried and listed

1. An intangible cultural heritage festival (hereinafter referred to as the Festival) is an activity for protecting intangible cultural heritage that has been inventoried and listed, including: organizing practices and performances by the community subjects; exhibiting, introducing, promoting awareness and capacity building for the community, education, and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

2. The Festival shall be organized according to the following scale and periodicity:

a) A festival of all types of intangible cultural heritage shall be organized at the national and international level by the central agency responsible for advising and managing cultural heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Vietnam every three years;

b) A festival of a specific type of intangible cultural heritage at the national level within the country shall be organized annually by the central agency responsible for advising and managing cultural heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

c) A festival of intangible cultural heritage with a scope of two or more provincial administrative units shall be organized biennially upon the proposal of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city (hereinafter referred to as the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee) where the heritage is located, subject to the agreement of the remaining provinces and centrally governed cities, and submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration and decision;

d) A festival of one or several intangible cultural heritages within the scope of one province or centrally governed city shall be organized by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

3. Competence, procedures, and documentation for organizing the Festival:

a) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism decides on the organization of national and international festivals within and outside the country; decides on the People's Committee of the province to organize festivals involving two or more provincial administrative units;

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides on the organization of festivals within their jurisdiction;

b) Procedures, formalities, and documentation for organizing festivals at the national and international levels as stipulated in points a and b of Clause 2 of this Article shall be carried out as follows:

The central agency responsible for advising and managing cultural heritage shall submit to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism one set of documents consisting of a proposal and a plan for organizing the Festival;

Within ten working days from the date of receiving valid documents, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall issue a decision and a plan for organizing the festival;

c) Procedures, formalities, and documentation for organizing festivals involving two or more provincial administrative units as stipulated in point c of Clause 2 of this Article shall be carried out as follows:

The People's Committee of the province shall submit online, deliver directly, or send via postal service to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism one set of documents consisting of a proposal and a plan for organizing the festival;

Within three working days from the date of receiving the documents, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall check the documents and notify in writing the People's Committee of the province if the documents are incomplete or invalid. The notification must clearly state the reasons and request supplementary or amended related documents;

Within ten working days from the date of receiving the written notification from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People's Committee of the province shall be responsible for supplementing or amending the relevant documents. If the complete and valid documents are not received within the above period, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall return the documents;

Within ten working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall provide comments in writing on the organization of the festival;

d) Procedures, formalities, and documentation for organizing a festival of one or several intangible cultural heritages within the scope of one province or centrally governed city as stipulated in point d of Clause 2 of this Article shall be carried out as follows:

The provincial cultural expertise agency shall submit online, deliver directly, or send via postal service to the People's Committee of the province one set of documents consisting of a proposal and a plan for organizing the festival;

Within ten working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall issue a decision assigning tasks and a plan for organizing the festival.

4. Exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage shall be organized as follows:

a) The People's Committee of the province shall implement exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage within their jurisdiction;

b) The central agency responsible for advising and managing cultural heritage shall take the lead and coordinate to implement exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage at the national and international levels in Vietnam;

The central agency responsible for advising and managing cultural heritage shall advise the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage abroad;

c) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall comment on exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage at the national and international levels in Vietnam or abroad upon the proposal of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province;

d) Procedures, formalities, and documentation for organizing exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage as stipulated in point a of this clause shall be carried out as follows:

The provincial cultural expertise agency shall submit online, deliver directly, or send via postal service to the People's Committee of the province one set of documents consisting of a proposal and a plan for organizing exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage within their jurisdiction. Within three working days from the date of receiving the documents, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall issue a decision and a plan for organizing exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage within their jurisdiction;

đ) Procedures, formalities, and documentation for organizing exhibitions and introductions of intangible cultural heritage at the national and international levels in Vietnam or abroad as stipulated in point b of this clause shall be carried out as follows:

The central agency responsible for advising and managing state affairs on cultural heritage shall send online to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism one set of documents including a proposal and a plan to organize exhibitions and introduce intangible cultural heritage at a national or international scale in Vietnam or abroad. Within three working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall issue a decision and a plan to organize exhibitions and introduce intangible cultural heritage at a national or international scale in Vietnam or abroad.

e) The procedures, formalities, and dossier for organizing exhibitions and introducing intangible cultural heritage at a national or international scale in Vietnam or abroad as stipulated in point c of this clause shall be implemented as follows:

The People's Committee of a province shall send online, submit directly, or send via postal service to request the opinion of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism one set of documents including a proposal and a plan to organize exhibitions and introduce intangible cultural heritage at a national or international scale in Vietnam or abroad.

Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall have the responsibility to check the dossier and notify in writing to the People's Committee of a province if the dossier is incomplete or invalid; clearly stating the reasons and requesting supplementation or correction of the relevant dossier.

Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the written notification of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People's Committee of a province shall have the responsibility to supplement or correct the relevant dossier components. Upon expiration of the aforementioned period, if the valid dossier has not been received fully, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall return the dossier.

Within ten working days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall provide an opinion in writing regarding the organization of exhibitions and introduction of intangible cultural heritage at a national or international scale in Vietnam or abroad by the People's Committee of a province.

Article 9. Restoration of Intangible Cultural Heritage

1. Tasks of restoration include: restoring expressions, traditions, practices, objects, practice spaces, and related environments of intangible cultural heritage.

2. The restoration of intangible cultural heritage must ensure principles as prescribed by laws on cultural heritage and the following provisions:

a) Widespread participation and consent of the subjects of the heritage and provincial cultural expertise agencies;

b) Documentation of the restoration process of the heritage;

c) Submitting reports on results and documentation products to provincial cultural expertise agencies and incorporating them into the national database on cultural heritage.

3. Based on the results of implementing the project and approved restoration tasks, the Chairman of the People's Committee of a province shall have the responsibility to allocate resources to ensure that the heritage is maintained in practice and promoted in daily life.

Article 10. Project for Management, Protection, and Promotion of Value of Intangible Cultural Heritage

1. The management, protection, and promotion of the value of the heritage must be established as a project to be submitted to the competent authority as prescribed.

2. Types of projects according to Model No. 01 attached as Appendix I of this Decree include:

a) Project for management, protection, and promotion of value of one or more intangible cultural heritage listed in UNESCO’s Lists;

b) Project for management, protection, and promotion of value of one or more intangible cultural heritage in the National Inventory;

c) Project for emergency protection of intangible cultural heritage at risk of disappearance and loss.

3. Basic contents of the project include:

a) The necessity of establishing the project;

b) Domestic and international legal regulations related to the management, protection, and promotion of the value of the heritage;

c) Description of one or more heritages within the scope and subject of the project; individuals, communities of heritage subjects; value of the heritage;

d) Current status of practice, management, protection, and promotion of the value of the heritage;

đ) Issues, factors, and risks affecting the practice, management, protection, and promotion of the value of the heritage;

e) Proposals for measures to manage, protect, and promote the value;

g) Analysis and assessment of the impact of the project on the current status of intangible cultural heritage practice;

h) Contents, main tasks, implementation activities;

i) Implementation schedule, timeline;

k) Implementation budget; names, contents of component projects (if any);

l) Responsibilities (of agencies, organizations, individuals) for organizing implementation.

Article 11. Procedures, formalities, files, authorities for building, reviewing, and approving plans to manage, protect, and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage

1. Authorities for building and reviewing, approving plans:

a) The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee assigns the specialized agency on culture at the provincial level to build plans to manage, protect, and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage for submission to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and recommendation to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for review;

b) For plans to manage, protect, and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage distributed across areas from two provinces or centrally-run cities and above, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall take the lead in assigning the specialized agency on culture at the provincial level to coordinate with the specialized agency on culture at the provincial level of the province or centrally-run city where the heritage is located to build the plan. The specialized agency on culture at the provincial level of the province or centrally-run city shall submit the plan to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for consideration. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall take the lead in submitting the plan to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for review. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee where the heritage is located shall approve the plan after receiving the review opinion of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

c) The specialized agency on culture at the provincial level shall submit the plan to manage, protect, and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage for approval by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee after receiving the review opinion of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

2. Procedures and formalities for reviewing plans to manage, protect, and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage:

a) The specialized agency on culture at the provincial level shall send online, deliver directly, or through postal service one set of files as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

b) Within five working days from the date of receipt of the file from the specialized agency on culture at the provincial level, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for checking the file and notifying in writing to the province if the file is incomplete or invalid. The notification must clearly state the reasons and request supplementation or correction of the relevant file;

Within twenty working days from the date of receipt of the request for modification and supplementation, the specialized agency on culture at the provincial level must submit the modified and supplemented file and the document to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. If the file is not modified and supplemented within the above period, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall return the file in writing;

c) Within twenty working days from the date of receipt of a valid file, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall organize the review of the plan and send a document to the Provincial People's Committee;

3. Procedures and formalities for approving plans to manage, protect, and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage:

a) Within twenty working days from the date of receipt of the review document from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the specialized agency on culture at the provincial level shall complete the file and send online, deliver directly, or through postal service one set of files as prescribed in Clause 5 of this Article to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee;

b) Within twenty working days from the date of receipt of a valid file, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall approve the plan;

c) Within ten working days from the date of approval of the plan, the plan must be implemented and organized for execution;

4. Files for requesting review of the plan include: Document of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requesting review of the plan; draft plan; report on the current status of the heritage; minutes of meetings seeking broad consensus from the subjects of the heritage in the implementation area;

5. Files for requesting the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to approve the plan include: Petition for approval of the plan, Report on adoption and explanation of the review opinions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the draft plan after adopting and explaining the review opinions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

6. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall organize mid-term reviews and re-evaluations after two years of implementing the plan, considering adjustments (if necessary) to ensure appropriate implementation with reality; submit a report on the results of implementation to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism no later than three months after the mid-term review and finalization of the plan.

Article 12. National Action Program on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage after being Inscribed by UNESCO

1. The National Action Program on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage after being Inscribed by UNESCO (hereinafter referred to as the National Action Program) is the commitment of the State for each intangible cultural heritage inscribed by UNESCO, issued and announced at the ceremony receiving the inscription certificate of intangible cultural heritage into UNESCO's Lists by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

2. The National Action Program commits to the following contents:

a) Continuously identify values, research, inventory, and document intangible cultural heritage;

b) Create conditions for the practice, creation, and transmission of intangible cultural heritage;

c) Strengthen appropriate forms and contents of education both inside and outside schools;

d) Honor individuals and communities that have made significant contributions to the practice, transmission, protection, and promotion of the value of intangible cultural heritage;

đ) Coordinate with communication agencies and professional associations to organize programs introducing and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage.

3. The subject community of intangible cultural heritage, authorities at all levels, organizations, and individuals related to the inscribed heritage are responsible for implementing the commitments under the National Action Program in accordance with the laws on cultural heritage. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall concretize the National Action Program into projects and tasks for managing, protecting, and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage after being inscribed by UNESCO.

Article 13. National Report on Intangible Cultural Heritage

1. The National Report on Intangible Cultural Heritage is the report of a member state of the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage submitted to UNESCO as required (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Periodic National Report), including the following types:

a) The Periodic National Report on the implementation of the 2003 Convention and activities to protect heritage in the Representative List according to Model No. 02 in Appendix I promulgated together with this Decree;

b) The Periodic National Report on the protection of heritage in the Urgent Safeguarding List according to Model No. 03 in Appendix I promulgated together with this Decree;

c) Other reports as requested by UNESCO.

2. Principles and time frame for building the National Report:

a) Ensuring content in accordance with UNESCO regulations and guidelines; ensuring the accuracy and updating of data at the time of submission of the report;

b) Reporting cycle:

Every six years from the last reporting period for the Periodic National Report on the implementation of the 2003 Convention and activities to protect heritage in the Representative List;

Every four years from the date of inscription for the Periodic National Report on the protection of heritage in the Urgent Safeguarding List;

c) The content of the report is built based on the results of implementing activities to manage, protect, and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage in accordance with the laws on cultural heritage; fully and accurately reflecting intangible cultural heritage.

3. Procedures, formalities, authority for building and submitting the National Report:

a) The Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities with heritage organize the construction and submission of the report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (through the central agency advising and managing the state on cultural heritage) before September 30 of the reporting year;

b) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism organizes the construction, signs, and submits the Periodic National Report based on the opinions of the Scientific Council on Intangible Cultural Heritage established by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in accordance with the Government's Decree detailing certain provisions and measures for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Law on Cultural Heritage to the relevant UNESCO agency before December 15 of the reporting year. Report

Chapter III
POLICY FOR ARTISANS AND SUBJECTS OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Article 14. Policy towards clubs and groups practicing intangible cultural heritage

1. Clubs and groups practicing intangible cultural heritage shall be supported for establishment and operation activities when meeting the following requirements:

a) Having a registration dossier for establishment approved and endorsed by the Chairman of the People's Committee of communes, wards, or special administrative zones (hereinafter referred to as the People's Committee at the commune level), having a regulation on operation consistent with the provisions of law and local customs, a stable place for regular activities, and a management board consisting of at least five voluntary members;

b) Having a specific and regular program of activities, with at least one session per month;

c) Possessing the ability to maintain continuous practice and organize transmission to protect and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage in the locality.

2. New clubs and groups practicing intangible cultural heritage shall be supported with funding for purchasing musical instruments, props, tools, objects, and artifacts serving the practice, transmission, creation, and performance of intangible cultural heritage, as well as operational funds.

Article 15. Policy towards artisans and subjects of intangible cultural heritage

1. Monthly living allowance for National Artisans and Outstanding Artisans.

2. State-provided health insurance for National Artisans and Outstanding Artisans.

3. Support for National Artisans and Outstanding Artisans to participate in activities to transmit and popularize intangible cultural heritage and train and nurture successors.

4. Support for artisans and practitioners to guide, train, and transmit to the community.

Article 16. Policy towards artisans and subjects of intangible cultural heritage from ethnic minority groups, artisans residing in mountainous areas, border regions, islands, and artisans with disabilities, those belonging to poor households, and near-poor households.

1. Monthly living allowance and state-provided health insurance for National Artisans and Outstanding Artisans who are subjects of intangible cultural heritage from ethnic minority groups, artisans residing in mountainous areas, border regions, islands, and artisans with disabilities, those belonging to poor households, and near-poor households.

2. Funding support for National Artisans and Outstanding Artisans who are subjects of intangible cultural heritage from ethnic minority groups to participate in activities to transmit and popularize intangible cultural heritage and train and nurture successors.

3. Funding support for artisans and practitioners with the ability to guide and transmit to participate in guiding, training, and transmitting to the community.

Article 17. Procedures and formalities for monthly living allowance support for National Artisans and Outstanding Artisans

1. Receiving monthly living allowance

a) The object specified in Clause 1 of Article 15 of this Decree sends online, submits directly, or through postal service one set of documents as prescribed in Clause 5 of this Article to the People's Committee at the commune level where they are registered as permanent residents;

b) Within ten working days from the date of receiving the documents, the People's Committee at the commune level has the responsibility to check the documents and notify the individual requesting in writing if the documents are incomplete or invalid. The notification must clearly state the reasons and request supplementation or correction of relevant documents;

c) Within five working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents, the People's Committee at the commune level has the responsibility to check and compare with the original documents stipulated in this Decree; compile a list and file of each eligible recipient for monthly living allowance according to Model No. 06 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

d) The Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level examines and issues a decision on receiving monthly living allowance for eligible recipients.

2. Adjusting monthly living allowance

Within thirty working days from the date the decision conferring the title of "National Artisan" takes effect, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level reviews and issues a decision adjusting the monthly living allowance for Outstanding Artisans currently receiving monthly living allowance as prescribed. The monthly living allowance will be calculated from the effective date of the decision conferring the title.

3. Temporarily suspending monthly living allowance

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the notification document from the competent authority, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level where the permanent residence is registered decides to temporarily suspend the monthly living allowance for the object under the cases stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 19 of this Decree.

4. Ceasing to receive monthly living allowance

a) Individuals voluntarily ceasing to receive monthly living allowance send online, submit directly, or through postal service the Application for Ceasing to Receive Monthly Living Allowance according to Model No. 05 attached as Appendix I to this Decree to the People's Committee at the commune level where the monthly living allowance is currently being paid;

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the Application for Ceasing to Receive Monthly Living Allowance, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level decides to cease receiving monthly living allowance;

b) When individuals currently receiving monthly living allowance fall under one of the cases of ceasing to receive monthly living allowance as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 19 of this Decree, within five working days, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level where the monthly living allowance is currently being paid issues a decision to cease receiving monthly living allowance.

5. Documents for receiving monthly living allowance include: The application form of the person requesting monthly living allowance according to Model No. 04 attached as Appendix I to this Decree.

Article 18. Issuing health insurance cards, suspending health insurance contributions, and recovering health insurance cards

1. Adjusting the level of health insurance subsidy in cases where Outstanding Artisans are conferred the title of People's Artist by the State.

2. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune where the person receiving the subsidy is registered as a permanent resident shall decide to suspend the subsidy for health insurance contributions for cases stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 19 of this Decree.

3. The procedures for issuing health insurance cards, suspending health insurance contributions, and recovering health insurance cards for the subjects specified in this Decree shall be carried out in accordance with the laws on health insurance.

4. The documents for receiving health insurance subsidies include: The application form for health insurance subsidy of the person requesting the subsidy according to Form No. 04 attached as Appendix I to this Decree.

Article 19. Adjusting, suspending, and terminating monthly living allowances; suspending health insurance contributions and recovering health insurance cards

1. Adjusting the level of monthly living allowance and health insurance subsidy shall be implemented in cases where Outstanding Artisans are conferred the title of People's Artist by the State.

2. Suspending the receipt of monthly living allowances and the State suspending health insurance contributions for the subjects specified in this Decree shall apply in the following cases:

a) Individuals serving a criminal sentence;

b) Individuals subject to compulsory educational measures or compulsory drug rehabilitation measures under administrative violation handling laws.

3. Terminating the receipt of monthly living allowances and recovering health insurance cards for the subjects specified in this Decree shall apply in the following cases:

a) Individuals have submitted an application to terminate the receipt of monthly living allowances and health insurance subsidies according to Form No. 05 attached as Appendix I to this Decree;

b) Individuals no longer fall within the scope of subjects specified in this Decree;

c) Being revoked from the decision conferring the title or having the title stripped by the State;

d) Individuals who have died or been declared missing by a court;

đ) Individuals who have settled abroad.

4. Procedures for adjusting, suspending, and terminating the receipt of monthly living allowances; suspending health insurance contributions and recovering health insurance cards:

a) For cases stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, within 10 working days from the date the judgment takes effect or the administrative violation handling decision is enforced, the criminal enforcement agency, compulsory educational facility, compulsory drug rehabilitation facility, or relevant management agency shall notify in writing to the People's Committee of the commune where the individual is receiving benefits;

Within 15 working days of receiving the written notification from the competent authority, the People's Committee of the commune shall suspend the payment of allowances and notify the social insurance agency to suspend health insurance contributions;

b) For cases stipulated in point a of Clause 3 of this Article, individuals submit the application to terminate the receipt of monthly living allowances and health insurance subsidies online, directly, or through postal service to the People's Committee of the commune where they are receiving benefits. Within 15 working days of receiving the application, the People's Committee of the commune shall terminate the receipt of monthly living allowances and health insurance subsidies;

c) For cases stipulated in point b of Clause 3 of this Article, the People's Committee of the commune where the individual is receiving benefits shall terminate the receipt of monthly living allowances and health insurance subsidies after reviewing;

d) For cases stipulated in points c, d, and đ of Clause 3 of this Article, within 15 working days of receiving the notification or decision from the competent authority, the People's Committee of the commune where the individual is receiving benefits shall terminate the receipt of monthly living allowances and health insurance subsidies.

5. Annually, the People's Committee of the commune shall review the beneficiaries and those terminated from receiving monthly living allowances and health insurance subsidies to update and implement every six months.

Article 20. Funeral Cost Support for People's Artists and Outstanding Artists

1. When People's Artists and Outstanding Artists die, the agencies, organizations, and individuals directly organizing the funeral shall be supported by the State with funeral costs.

2. The procedures, formalities, and dossier for resolving funeral cost support upon death for People's Artists and Outstanding Artists shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on funeral cost resolution and survivor benefits.

Chapter IV
MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF WORLD HERITAGE

Article 21. Periodic Monitoring Index for the Preservation of Original Elements of World Heritage

1. The periodic monitoring index for the preservation of original elements of world heritage is used to assess the state of preservation of world heritage, serve the periodic monitoring of the preservation status of world heritage, and compile reports on the preservation status of world heritage and periodic reports on the implementation of the 1972 Convention.

2. The periodic monitoring index for the preservation of original elements of world heritage is determined by the following indices:

a) Integrity and authenticity;

b) Sustainability of architectural works and archaeological sites;

c) Conservation and development of topography and geomorphology;

d) Evolution and development of ecosystems; conservation of biodiversity, particularly endangered, rare, and valuable species prioritized for protection;

đ) Water quality;

e) Sustainability of intangible cultural heritage;

g) Other original elements constituting the outstanding universal value of world heritage that need to be monitored according to UNESCO regulations and laws on cultural heritage.

Article 22. Periodic Report on the Implementation of the 1972 Convention and the Preservation Status of World Heritage in Vietnam

1. The periodic report on the implementation of the 1972 Convention and the preservation status of world heritage includes:

a) National periodic report;

b) Periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam.

2. Principles and time for building the periodic report on the implementation of the 1972 Convention:

a) The national periodic report and the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam are built every six years;

b) The periodic report on transboundary world heritage is built within the distribution range of the heritage on Vietnamese territory, except where otherwise specified by UNESCO;

c) The form of the periodic report on the implementation of the 1972 Convention follows the regulations of UNESCO;

d) The periodic report on the implementation of the 1972 Convention must ensure compliance with UNESCO regulations; guarantee the accuracy and update of data at the time of compiling the report.

3. Authority, procedures, and formalities for building the national periodic report as stipulated in point a, Clause 1 of this Article are implemented as follows:

a) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism assigns the central agency responsible for state management of cultural heritage to organize the construction of the national periodic report;

b) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sends the national periodic report online to relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations requesting comments on the draft report;

c) Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the request letter from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations provide written comments on the draft national periodic report and send them online to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

d) Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the comment letters from relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism completes the national periodic report and sends it online to the World Heritage Centre in accordance with UNESCO regulations.

4. Authority, procedures, and formalities for building the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam as stipulated in point b, Clause 1 of this Article are implemented as follows:

a) The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Minister, head of the sector, agency, or organization at the central level assigns the head of the organization directly managing and using world heritage to take the lead and coordinate with departments, sectors, and localities where the world heritage is located to build the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam according to UNESCO regulations on content, form, and timing;

In cases where world heritage is distributed across two or more provinces, the Provincial People's Committee takes the lead in preparing the nomination dossier for world heritage according to point a, Clause 5, Article 25 of the Cultural Heritage Law and is responsible for leading and coordinating with other related localities to build the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam;

In cases of transboundary world heritage, the Provincial People's Committee assigned to lead the preparation of the nomination dossier for world heritage on Vietnamese territory according to point a, Clause 5, Article 25 of the Cultural Heritage Law is responsible for leading the construction of the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam according to point b, Clause 2 of this Article;

b) The Provincial People's Committee or the central-level ministry, sector, agency, or organization directly managing world heritage sends the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam online to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for unified opinions;

c) Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam from the Provincial People's Committee or the central-level ministry, sector, agency, or organization, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism compiles and sends the report online to relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations requesting comments on the draft report;

d) Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the request letter from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations provide written comments on the draft periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam and send them online to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

đ) Within five working days from the date of receipt of the comment letters from relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, and organizations, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sends the comments to the Provincial People's Committee or the central-level ministry, sector, agency, or organization under their jurisdiction to perfect the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam;

e) Within fifteen working days, the Provincial People's Committee or the central-level ministry, sector, agency, or organization under their jurisdiction adopts the comments, perfects the periodic report on world heritage in Vietnam under their jurisdiction, and sends it online to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

g) Within five working days, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall send online the completed Periodic Report on World Heritage in Vietnam to the World Heritage Centre in accordance with the regulations of UNESCO.

Article 23. Plan for managing World Heritage and adjusting the plan for managing World Heritage

1. Principles for establishing the plan for managing World Heritage:

a) In compliance with the 1972 Convention and the Implementation Guidelines of the 1972 Convention;

b) In compliance with the local socio-economic development strategy, cultural development strategy, natural resource conservation and biodiversity strategy, national environmental protection strategy, and other relevant strategies;

c) In compliance with the World Heritage dossier submitted and kept at UNESCO and related planning documents;

d) Ensuring the integration between World Heritage protection and environmental protection, disaster prevention and response to climate change; harmonizing the relationship between World Heritage protection and sustainable development;

đ) Ensuring transparency, public participation of communities, agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the process of establishing the management plan;

e) Protecting national sovereignty and ensuring national defense and security;

g) Being consistent with available resources and ensuring feasibility.

2. The duration of the plan for managing World Heritage is ten years, with a vision of twenty years.

3. Contents of the plan for managing World Heritage:

a) Description of World Heritage, including: individual sites, groups of sites, natural landscapes, geological features, biodiversity, and elements constituting the outstanding universal value of World Heritage; characteristics and current status of the World Heritage area and buffer zone; communities living within the World Heritage area and buffer zone; historical, cultural, scientific, and aesthetic values of World Heritage; the statement of outstanding universal value of World Heritage recognized by the World Heritage Committee;

b) Current status of World Heritage protection and management;

c) Objectives of the plan for managing World Heritage;

d) Domestic and international legal provisions related to World Heritage protection and management; mechanisms and policies applied to World Heritage protection and management;

đ) Regular monitoring of World Heritage conservation status: indicators to be monitored; monitoring cycle and time; organizations and individuals responsible for monitoring; protective measures to be implemented to prevent threats and impacts on World Heritage;

e) Identifying risks affecting World Heritage and community life to propose the establishment of a World Heritage protection regulation in accordance with Clause 26 of this Decree;

g) Rights and obligations of organizations and individuals related to World Heritage protection and management;

h) Proposals for improving organizational structure and human resources of the organization entrusted with managing and utilizing World Heritage;

i) Proposals for tasks to protect and enhance the value of World Heritage and funding sources for implementation;

k) The plan for managing World Heritage must be divided into ten-year periods to propose action plans to achieve the objectives of the management plan, while reviewing and considering adjustments after each ten-year period, ensuring consistency with the practical protection and management of World Heritage at each stage;

l) For transboundary World Heritage recognized by UNESCO as provided in point c, Clause 3, Article 24 of the Cultural Heritage Law: the scope of the Management Plan shall be established within the distribution range of World Heritage on Vietnamese territory, except where otherwise specified by UNESCO.

4. Adjustments to the plan for managing World Heritage shall be made in the following cases:

a) At the request of the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Centre;

b) There are significant changes in the World Heritage area and its buffer zone;

c) New factors or risks emerge that could adversely affect the sustainability of World Heritage.

Article 24. Competence to establish, review, approve management plans for world heritage sites and adjust management plans for world heritage sites

1. The competence to establish, review, and approve management plans for world heritage sites or transboundary world heritage sites with a distribution range within the territory of Vietnam on the territory of one province or centrally governed city shall be implemented as follows:

a) The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or the Minister, head of the sector, agency, or organization at the central level directly managing the world heritage site or transboundary world heritage site shall be responsible for organizing the establishment of the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site; approving after receiving the review opinion of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

b) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall review the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site upon the proposal of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or the Minister, head of the sector, agency, or organization at the central level directly managing the world heritage site or transboundary world heritage site and the written opinion of the National Cultural Heritage Council.

2. The competence to establish, review, and approve management plans for world heritage sites or transboundary world heritage sites with a distribution range within the territory of Vietnam on the territory of two or more provinces or centrally governed cities shall be implemented as follows:

a) The People's Committee of the province, which is the main body responsible for nominating the world heritage site as prescribed in point a, Clause 5, Article 25 of the Cultural Heritage Law, shall be responsible for leading and coordinating with other relevant localities to establish the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site; approving after receiving the review opinion of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

b) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall review the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site upon the proposal of the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province as prescribed in point a of this clause and the written opinion of the National Cultural Heritage Council.

Article 25. Procedures, formalities, dossier for reviewing and approving management plans for world heritage sites and adjusting management plans for world heritage sites

1. Procedures and formalities for reviewing management plans for world heritage sites or transboundary world heritage sites with a distribution range within the territory of Vietnam:

a) The specialized cultural agency of the province or the agency assigned by the Ministry, sector, agency, or organization at the central level to establish the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site shall submit online, deliver directly, or send through postal service one set of dossier in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article to the People's Committee of the province or the Ministry, sector, agency, or organization at the central level for consideration and propose the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review;

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the People's Committee of the province or the Ministry, sector, agency, or organization at the central level shall be responsible for checking the dossier and notifying in writing to the specialized cultural agency of the province or the agency assigned to establish the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site if the dossier is incomplete or not valid; clearly stating the reasons and requesting to supplement or amend the related dossier;

b) Within five working days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the province or the Ministry, sector, agency, or organization at the central level shall submit online, deliver directly, or send through postal service one set of dossier in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for review;

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for checking the dossier and notifying in writing to the People's Committee of the province or the Ministry, sector, agency, or organization at the central level if the dossier is incomplete or not valid; clearly stating the reasons and requesting to supplement or amend the related dossier;

Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the written notification of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People's Committee of the province or the Ministry, sector, agency, or organization at the central level shall be responsible for supplementing or amending the related dossier components. If the complete and valid dossier is not received within the above time limit, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall return the dossier;

c) Within seven working days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall issue a written request, accompanied by one set of dossier in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article, to relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, or organizations to provide comments on the draft management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site;

Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the written request of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the dossier, the ministries, sectors, agencies, or organizations shall provide written comments on the draft management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site;

d) Within thirty working days from the date of receipt of the written comments of the relevant ministries, sectors, agencies, or organizations, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for organizing the Review Board for the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site; sending the review document to the People's Committee of the province or the Ministry, sector, agency, or organization at the central level in charge of managing the world heritage site;

Within five working days from the date of receipt of the review document of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or the Minister, head of the sector, agency, or organization at the central level shall direct the specialized cultural agency of the province or the agency assigned to establish the management plan for the world heritage site or adjustment of the management plan for the world heritage site to incorporate the review opinions.

2. Procedures and formalities for approving management plans for world heritage sites:

a) Within twenty working days from the date of receipt of the directive document of the People's Committee of the province or the central ministry, agency, organization, or specialized agency on culture of the province or the agency assigned to prepare the management plan for World Heritage, submit online, deliver directly, or send via postal service one set of documents in accordance with Clause 4 of this Article to the People's Committee of the province or the central ministry, agency, or organization for examination and approval;

b) Within seven working days from the date of receipt of valid documents, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or the Minister, head of the ministry, agency, or organization at the central level shall be responsible for examining and approving the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage within their authority; report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

3. The dossier for requesting review of the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage includes:

a) Request for review according to Model No. 01 attached as Appendix II issued together with this Decree;

In case the World Heritage falls under the management authority of the People's Committee of the province and is distributed across two or more provinces or centrally-administered cities, there must be a written consensus opinion of the Chairmen of the People's Committees of the relevant provinces regarding the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage;

b) Draft management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage;

c) Summary table explaining and incorporating comments from agencies, organizations, and local communities on the content of the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage; copies of the comments.

4. The dossier for requesting approval of the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage includes:

a) Memorandum of the provincial specialized agency on culture or the agency assigned by the central ministry, agency, or organization to manage and utilize World Heritage requesting approval of the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage according to Model No. 02 attached as Appendix II issued together with this Decree;

b) Draft management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage prepared in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 23 of this Decree, which has been incorporated and revised based on the review opinions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

c) Document summarizing incorporation and explanation of the review opinions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

d) Summary table explaining and incorporating comments from agencies, organizations, and local communities on the content of the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage; copies of the comments;

đ) Draft Decision approving the management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage according to Model No. 03 attached as Appendix II issued together with this Decree.

5. The management plan and adjusted management plan for World Heritage and the Decision approving them shall be sent and kept at the following agencies and organizations:

a) UNESCO World Heritage Centre;

b) Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

c) National Committee of UNESCO Vietnam;

d) People's Committee of the province or the ministry, agency directly assigned to manage World Heritage;

đ) Provincial specialized agency on culture where the World Heritage is located;

e) Organization assigned to manage and utilize World Heritage.

Article 26. Regulations on the protection of world heritage

1. Principles for establishing regulations on the protection of world heritage:

a) To be established based on identifying factors and risks that regularly have the potential to negatively impact world heritage, thereby formulating specific provisions to protect the outstanding universal value of world heritage and facilitate production and business activities, contributing to improving the quality of life for the community;

b) To comply with the provisions of relevant legal documents;

c) To ensure transparency and broad participation and contribution from the community, organizations, and individuals related to the process of establishment;

d) To be promptly amended and supplemented during implementation to ensure appropriateness and feasibility for the activities of protecting and enhancing the value of world heritage.

2. Contents of the regulations on the protection of world heritage:

a) Provisions on general issues regarding the protection of the world heritage area and its buffer zone;

b) Provisions on specific issues such as preservation, restoration, and recovery of world heritage; support mechanisms for restoration and enhancement of relics; coordination in issuing construction permits and inspection and handling of violations; prevention of risks, natural disasters, natural disasters, fires, and explosions; organization of tourist visits; sustainable tourism development and tourism services; advertising activities; other important issues that need to be established as regulations for coordination and implementation in the protection of world heritage;

c) Specific procedures to be implemented for the provisions set out in point b of this clause;

d) Responsibilities for coordinating management and protection of world heritage distributed across two or more centrally governed provinces, assigned directly to provincial People's Committees responsible for managing world heritage and related agencies and localities;

đ) Responsibilities for coordinating the protection of world heritage between organizations entrusted with the management and use of world heritage and related organizations at the local level and the community within the world heritage site;

e) For multinational world heritage recognized by UNESCO as stipulated in point c, Clause 3, Article 24 of the Cultural Heritage Law: the scope of establishing regulations on the protection of world heritage shall be within the distribution range of the world heritage on Vietnamese territory, except where otherwise provided by UNESCO.

Article 27. Authority to establish and approve regulations on the protection of world heritage

1. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee or the Minister, head of the sector, agency, or organization at the central level entrusted with direct management of world heritage is responsible for organizing the establishment of regulations on the protection of world heritage and approving them after considering the comments of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and related ministries, agencies, organizations, and individuals;

2. In cases where world heritage under the management authority of the Provincial People's Committee but distributed across two or more centrally governed provinces, or having a distribution range on Vietnamese territory, or multinational world heritage as stipulated in point c, Clause 3, Article 24 of the Cultural Heritage Law, the authority to establish and approve regulations on the protection of world heritage shall be carried out as follows:

a) The Provincial People's Committee where the world heritage is located shall unify one locality to take the lead in drafting and submitting the regulations on the protection of world heritage, and request the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to provide comments. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee where the world heritage is located shall approve the regulations on the protection of world heritage after receiving comments from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as stipulated in point b of this clause;

b) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall provide comments on the regulations on the protection of world heritage upon the request of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee entrusted with direct management of world heritage, after receiving written comments from the National Council for Cultural Heritage.

Article 28. Procedures, formalities, and files for soliciting opinions and approving the management regulations for world heritage sites

1. Procedures and formalities for soliciting opinions on the management regulations for world heritage sites:

a) The provincial cultural expertise agency or the agency entrusted by the central ministry, department, agency, or organization to manage and utilize world heritage sites shall submit online, deliver directly, or send via postal service one set of file in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article to the provincial People's Committee, ministry, department, agency, or organization at the central level to request the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to provide comments on the management regulations for world heritage sites;

In cases where complete and valid files have not been received within five working days from the date of receiving the file, the provincial People's Committee, ministry, department, agency, or organization at the central level shall issue a document requesting the supplementation and completion of the file;

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving a valid file, the provincial People's Committee or the ministry, department, agency, or organization at the central level entrusted with the direct management and utilization of world heritage sites shall submit online, deliver directly, or send via postal service one set of file in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article to request the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to provide comments;

Within five working days from the date of receiving the file, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for checking the file and issuing a written notification to the provincial People's Committee, ministry, department, agency, or organization at the central level if the file is incomplete or invalid. The notification must clearly state the reasons and request the supplementation or modification of relevant parts of the file;

c) Within ten working days from the date of receiving a valid file, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall issue a document requesting comments, accompanied by one set of file in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article, to be sent to related ministries, departments, agencies, and organizations for comments on the content of the management regulations for world heritage sites;

Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving the document requesting comments from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the file, the ministries, departments, agencies, and organizations shall provide written comments on the content of the management regulations for world heritage sites;

d) Within twenty working days from the date of receiving the reply documents from the related ministries, departments, agencies, and organizations, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for providing comments on the management regulations for world heritage sites and sending the comment document to the provincial People's Committee or the agency entrusted by the central ministry, department, agency, or organization to manage and utilize world heritage sites;

2. Procedures and formalities for approving the management regulations for world heritage sites:

a) Within twenty working days from the date of receiving the comments from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the provincial cultural expertise agency or the agency entrusted by the central ministry, department, agency, or organization to manage and utilize world heritage sites shall submit online, deliver directly, or send via postal service one set of file in accordance with Clause 4 of this Article to the provincial People's Committee, ministry, department, agency, or organization at the central level for examination and approval;

Within twenty working days from the date of receiving a valid file, the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, the Minister, or the head of the central ministry, department, agency, or organization shall be responsible for examining and approving the management regulations for world heritage sites according to the authority stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 27 or Point a of Clause 2 of Article 27 of this Decree and report back to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

3. The file for requesting participation in commenting on the management regulations for world heritage sites includes:

a) A document requesting comments in Model No. 04 attached as Appendix II to this Decree (in cases where the world heritage site falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial People's Committee and is distributed across two or more provinces or centrally-administered cities, the document must clearly state the agreement of the Chairman of the relevant provincial People's Committee regarding the management regulations for world heritage sites);

b) Draft management regulations for world heritage sites;

c) A summary table of explanations and adoption of comments from agencies, organizations, and local communities on the content of the management regulations for world heritage sites; copies of the comments;

4. The file for requesting approval of the management regulations for world heritage sites includes:

a) A proposal from the provincial cultural expertise agency or the agency entrusted by the central ministry, department, agency, or organization to manage and utilize world heritage sites to approve the management regulations in Model No. 05 attached as Appendix II to this Decree;

b) Draft management regulations for world heritage sites that have been adopted and revised according to the comments of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

c) A summary table of adoption and explanation of comments from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; copies of the comments from the National Council for Cultural Heritage and comments from agencies, organizations, and local communities on the content of the management regulations for world heritage sites;

d) Draft Decision to Approve the Management Regulations for World Heritage Sites in Model No. 06 attached as Appendix II to this Decree.

Article 29. Tasks of organizations entrusted with managing and using world heritage sites

1. Organizations entrusted with managing and using world heritage sites shall perform the tasks prescribed in Article 33 of the Cultural Heritage Law and the following tasks:

a) Implement the information regime and prepare periodic reports on world heritage sites as stipulated in Article 22 of this Decree, annual reports on the implementation of tasks related to protecting and managing world heritage sites according to Model No. 07 attached as Appendix II to this Decree, and ad hoc reports on the implementation of tasks related to protecting and managing world heritage sites to the People's Committee of the province or ministry, agency directly responsible for managing world heritage sites, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

b) Implement the coordination regulations for managing, protecting, and enhancing the value of world heritage sites within their jurisdiction when such sites are distributed across two provinces or centrally-administered cities or more;

c) Perform other tasks assigned by competent authorities.

2. Organizations entrusted with managing and using world heritage sites shall be responsible under the law for all activities related to managing, protecting, and enhancing the value of world heritage sites.

Chapter V
MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE AFTER DISCOVERY

Article 30. Management and protection of underwater cultural heritage after discovery

1. When individuals or organizations discover underwater cultural heritage, they have the responsibility to maintain the status quo of the area containing the underwater cultural heritage and promptly report and hand over any salvaged or discovered artifacts to the local authority, state management body for culture, or state management body for transportation at the nearest location.

2. When an individual or representative of an organization reports the discovery of underwater cultural heritage, the state agency must promptly dispatch personnel to receive and record all information, and immediately report to the People's Committee of the province to organize the protection of the discovered underwater cultural heritage.

3. The People's Committee of the province must promptly organize the protection of discovered underwater cultural heritage as follows:

a) Conduct verification of the accuracy of the information reported by individuals or organizations regarding the location of the underwater cultural heritage and signs indicating the presence of underwater cultural heritage;

b) Promptly develop plans to implement protection measures for the area containing the underwater cultural heritage; direct and mobilize forces in the region to ensure the safety and security of the area containing the discovered underwater cultural heritage; prevent and promptly address any activities that harm the safety of the underwater cultural heritage through fishing, explosions, etc.;

c) Within fifteen days from receiving information about the discovery of underwater cultural heritage, report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct preliminary assessment and examination of the artifacts and areas where the underwater cultural heritage was discovered to evaluate the newly discovered underwater cultural heritage and implement appropriate management and protection measures; if the underwater cultural heritage is determined to be significant in scale, historically, culturally, scientifically, and representative of one or more historical periods, promptly report;

d) Direct the provincial specialized cultural agency to organize the acceptance and preservation of underwater cultural heritage handed over; police forces to recover underwater cultural heritage found or salvaged illegally; implement plans for the protection and management of underwater cultural heritage.

4. In cases where the location of discovered underwater cultural heritage falls within the jurisdiction of two or more provinces, the People's Committee of the province where the first discovery was made shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant provincial People's Committees to organize the protection of the discovered underwater cultural heritage according to the provisions of Clause 3 and Clause 5 of this Article.

5. In cases where discovered underwater cultural heritage cannot yet meet the conditions for excavation or salvage or is being prepared for excavation or salvage, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall be responsible for directing the protection and ensuring the safety of the area containing the underwater cultural heritage according to Point b of Clause 3 of this Article; promptly inform about the area and scope requiring protection; handle violations by organizations or individuals according to the law.

Article 31. Underwater Archaeological Excavation Project

1. The provincial cultural expertise agency shall cooperate with agencies and organizations having the function of surveying and excavating archaeological sites to establish an underwater archaeological excavation project in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article, investment laws, public investment laws, and other relevant laws, and submit it for approval by the People's Committee of the province where the underwater archaeological excavation site is located.

2. The contents of the underwater archaeological excavation project include the contents prescribed for archaeological excavation projects by the Government's detailed regulations on certain provisions and organizational measures to implement the Cultural Heritage Law and the following contents:

a) Means and methods of underwater archaeological excavation; safety measures during the underwater archaeological excavation process;

b) Pollution prevention plans, fire and explosion prevention plans;

c) Insurance for organizations and individuals participating in underwater archaeological excavation.

3. For large-scale underwater archaeological excavation projects that are significant historically, culturally, and scientifically, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee must promptly report.

Article 32. Surveying and Underwater Archaeological Excavation

1. Conducting surveying and underwater archaeological excavation must comply with the provisions of Clause 2 of Article 39 of the Cultural Heritage Law and establish an underwater archaeological excavation project in accordance with Article 31 of this Decree.

2. Vietnamese agencies and organizations conducting surveying and underwater archaeological excavation must meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 6 of Article 39 of the Cultural Heritage Law and the conditions stipulated by the Government regarding authority, procedures for establishing state ownership over assets, and handling of assets established as state-owned property. In cases where multiple Vietnamese agencies and organizations meeting these conditions wish to participate in underwater archaeological excavation, they must organize a bidding process. The bidding procedures are carried out in accordance with the law on bidding. The designation of underwater archaeological excavation contractors is conducted in accordance with the law on bidding.

3. Foreign organizations cooperating in surveying and underwater archaeological excavation in Vietnam must meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and also satisfy the following conditions:

a) There must be the main organization of a Vietnamese agency or organization as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article for each specific project;

b) They must obtain permission from competent Vietnamese authorities to participate in surveying and underwater archaeological excavation activities in Vietnam.

4. For underwater archaeological excavation projects specified in Clause 3 of Article 31 of this Decree, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall send a request for permission to conduct surveying and underwater archaeological excavation along with the proposed underwater archaeological excavation project to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and related ministries and sectors for review and submission.

Article 33. Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage During Excavation

1. Ensuring the safety of the area containing underwater cultural heritage.

2. Safeguarding the safety of underwater cultural heritage at the excavation site and during transportation to storage facilities; the excavation site itself; equipment and underwater structures.

3. Ensuring compliance with underwater archaeology procedures; preventing water environmental pollution; protecting biological resources and other natural resources.

4. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, local authorities where there is underwater cultural heritage, and organizations and individuals participating in surveying and underwater archaeological excavation shall undertake the protection of underwater cultural heritage during the surveying and excavation process.

Article 34. Handling Results After Underwater Archaeological Exploration and Excavation

1. The handling of results from underwater archaeological exploration and excavation must be carried out immediately upon completion of such activities.

2. The handling of results after exploration and excavation shall be conducted according to the following principles:

a) All underwater cultural heritage obtained during the exploration and excavation must be processed in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3 of this Article;

b) Ensuring objectivity and accuracy in accordance with the prescribed procedures and formalities;

c) A record must be established and a written report submitted to the competent state authorities for culture and other relevant state authorities.

3. The content of handling results after exploration and excavation includes:

a) Conducting an inventory, classification, and initial assessment of underwater cultural heritage, including those discovered during the process;

b) Organizing the storage and preservation of underwater cultural heritage in accordance with established procedures and regulations;

c) Formulating plans for protection, utilization, and enhancement of the value of underwater cultural heritage after exploration and excavation in accordance with the law.

4. Reports on handling results after exploration and excavation must comply with the contents of preliminary reports and scientific excavation reports as stipulated by the law on cultural heritage.

Such reports must be sent to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People's Committee of the province where the underwater cultural heritage was explored and excavated. In cases where the exploration and excavation involve ministries or sectors, the reports will be sent to those ministries or sectors.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall resolve matters within their authority based on recommendations and proposals stated in the report.

Article 35. Appraisal of Underwater Cultural Heritage After Exploration and Excavation

1. Underwater cultural heritage obtained after exploration and excavation must be appraised regarding its origin, historical, cultural, scientific, and economic value.

2. The appraisal council shall be established by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in accordance with Point b, Clause 2, Article 44 of the Law on Cultural Heritage and shall invite representatives of relevant agencies and parties to participate. The appraisal council shall operate as follows:

a) Conducting an appraisal, inspection, and evaluation of the historical, cultural, scientific, and economic value of underwater cultural heritage;

b) Statistics and classification of underwater cultural heritage that has been appraised, inspected, and evaluated;

c) Recommending necessary protective measures and handling methods for underwater cultural heritage.

3. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall consider and decide on protective measures and the enhancement of the value of underwater cultural heritage based on the report of the appraisal council.

Article 36. Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage After Exploration and Excavation

1. The transfer of management and use of items after underwater cultural heritage exploration and excavation can only be carried out after these items have been appraised and inspected in accordance with Article 35 of this Decree and the decision of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the handling of underwater cultural heritage after exploration and excavation.

2. The transfer of management and use of objects after exploration and excavation shall be conducted based on the following principles:

a) Original unique items shall be received, stored, managed, and preserved by the Government of Vietnam;

b) The remaining items shall be transferred for management and use in accordance with the ratio determined in the underwater archaeological excavation project approved by the competent authority and must be conducted openly, fairly, and objectively.

Article 37. Acceptance, storage, and preservation of underwater cultural heritage managed by the State after exploration and underwater archaeological excavation

1. For the acceptance, storage, and preservation of underwater cultural heritage managed by the State after exploration and excavation according to projects approved by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province: implement in accordance with Clause 4 of Article 45 of the Cultural Heritage Law and the approved excavation project.

2. For the acceptance, storage, and preservation of underwater cultural heritage managed by the State after exploration and excavation according to projects that are

3. Within the latest period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the decision of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the management of underwater cultural heritage after exploration and excavation, the agency or organization currently storing and the agency or organization permitted to store the underwater cultural heritage shall be responsible for transferring and accepting such underwater cultural heritage in accordance with the prescribed procedures and formalities under the law.

Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 38. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from September 17, 2025.

2. Plans, Action Programs, Management Projects, World Heritage Management Plans, and World Heritage Protection Regulations that have been issued or are being developed pursuant to Decree No. 109/2017/ND-CP dated September 21, 2017 of the Government on the protection and management of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Vietnam and Decree No. 39/2024/ND-CP dated April 16, 2024 of the Government on measures for the management, protection, and promotion of the value of intangible cultural heritage listed in UNESCO’s Lists and the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage shall continue to be implemented according to the approved plans and decisions.

3. This Decree replaces Decree No. 86/2005/ND-CP dated July 8, 2005 of the Government on the management and protection of underwater cultural heritage; Decree No. 109/2015/ND-CP dated October 28, 2015 of the Government on support for People's Artists and Meritorious Artists with low income and difficult circumstances; Decree No. 109/2017/ND-CP dated September 21, 2017 of the Government on the protection and management of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Vietnam; Decree No. 39/2024/ND-CP dated April 16, 2024 of the Government on measures for the management, protection, and promotion of the value of intangible cultural heritage listed in UNESCO’s Lists and the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage; the aforementioned Decrees shall cease to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect.

Article 39. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall guide, inspect, and supervise organizations and individuals related to the implementation of this Decree.

2. Ministers, heads of sectors, central agencies, heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees, Chairmen of the National Heritage Council, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Decree.