Decree No. 22/2005/ND-CP guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions.

DECREE

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE ON BELIEFS AND RELIGIONS

_______________

THE GOVERNMENT

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

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions dated June 18, 2004;

At the proposal of the Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs,

DECREE:

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. OBJECTS AND SCOPE OF REGULATION

These Decrees regulate the organization of belief festivals, religious organizations, religious activities of believers, monks, clergy, and religious organizations, as well as the responsibilities of state agencies in managing belief and religious activities.

Article 2. FREEDOM OF BELIEF AND RELIGION OF CITIZENS

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam respects and guarantees the freedom of belief and religion, including the right to follow or not follow any religion, for citizens. No one shall infringe upon this freedom.

STRICTLY PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

PART II
It is strictly prohibited to compel citizens to join or leave a religion, or to exploit the freedom of belief and religion to undermine national peace, independence, unity, incite violence, propagate war, disseminate information contrary to the laws and policies of the State, divide the people, ethnic groups, religions, disrupt public order, harm the lives, health, dignity, honor, property of others, obstruct the exercise of rights and duties of citizens, engage in superstitious and feudal practices, and commit other acts violating the law. All violations will be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.

Article 3. BELIEF FESTIVALS

Belief festivals

Article 4. A belief festival is a structured form of belief activity that expresses reverence, remembrance, and glorification of those who have made contributions to the country and community, ancestor worship, traditional symbols, and other folk belief activities that represent valuable historical, cultural, and social moral values.

ORGANIZATION OF FESTIVALS

a) Belief festivals being organized for the first time;

b) Belief festivals being revived for the first time after many years of interruption;

c) Regularly held belief festivals that have changes in content, time, or location compared to tradition.

2. For belief festivals not covered under Clause 1 of Article 4 of these Decrees, at least 15 days before organizing the festival, the organizer must notify in writing the People's Committee of the commune, ward, town (hereinafter referred to as the People's Committee of the commune) about the time, place, content of the festival, and the list of the Festival Organizing Board. In cases where natural disasters, epidemics, or security and public order issues may negatively impact local social life, the People's Committee of the commune shall consider and decide promptly and inform the Festival Organizing Board.

Article 5. PROCEDURE, FORMALITIES, AND TIME LIMIT FOR APPROVAL

1. For belief festivals specified in Clause 1 of Article 4 of these Decrees, at least 30 days before organizing the festival, the organizer must submit the dossier to the People's Committee of the province.

2. Documents include:

a) A report on the organization of the festival, clearly stating the historical origin of the festival, scale, time, place, plan, program, and content of the festival;, b) List of the Festival Organizing Board.

3. Within 10 days from receiving a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the province must examine and decide; if disapproval, it must respond in writing and specify the reasons.

ORGANIZATION OF RELIGIOUS BODIES

CHAPTER III
REGISTRATION OF ACTIVITIES AND RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS BODIES

PART 1
REGISTRATION OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Article 6. To conduct religious activities, organizations must submit registration dossiers to the competent state agency as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article.

a) Registration document, clearly stating the name of the organization, its formation history, development process in Vietnam, objectives, purposes, scope of activities, number of followers of the organization at the time of registration, proposed headquarters and worship places; b) Doctrine and church law and a summary of the doctrine and church law;

2. Documents include:

c) Proposed list of leaders of the organization, who must be Vietnamese citizens, capable of civil acts, and reputable within the organization.

3. Competent authority for registration:

a) The Government Committee for Religious Affairs registers organizations operating in multiple provinces and centrally-administered cities;

b) Provincial-level state management agencies for religious affairs register organizations operating in one province or centrally-administered city.

4. Time limit for response:

a) Within 60 days from receiving a valid dossier, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs must issue the registration for the organization; if refusing registration, it must respond in writing and specify the reasons;

b) Within 45 days from receiving a valid dossier, provincial-level state management agencies for religious affairs must issue the registration for the organization; if refusing registration, they must respond in writing and specify the reasons.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AFTER REGISTRATION 1. Registered organizations can:

a) Conduct religious ceremonies, perform rituals, preach, and teach religion at registered religious facilities;

Article 7. b) Elect and appoint leaders, hold classes to train doctrines;

c) Repair, renovate, and upgrade structures belonging to religious facilities;

d) Engage in charitable and humanitarian activities.

2. When conducting religious activities as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, organizations must comply with the provisions of these Decrees and related legal documents.

RECOGNITION OF RELIGIOUS BODIES

1. Registered organizations must submit dossiers to the competent state agency as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 16 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions.

a) A request for recognition of the religious organization, clearly stating the name of the organization requesting recognition, number of followers, scope of activities at the time of application, main office of the organization;

Article 8. b) Doctrine and church law of the organization;

c) Charter and regulations of the organization; d) Registration certificate for religious activities issued by the competent state agency;

2. Documents include:

đ) Confirmation document from the provincial-level state management agency for religious affairs where the main office is located, confirming stable religious activities. The period of stable religious activities starts from the date the organization began its activities and is defined as follows:

20 years for organizations established in Vietnam after the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions came into effect.

c) Charter, regulations of the organization;

d) Religious activity registration certificate of the organization issued by the competent state agency;

đ) Confirmation document from the provincial state management agency on religion regarding stable religious activities of the organization. The period of stable religious activities is calculated from the date the organization registered its activities and is defined as follows:

20 years for organizations established in Vietnam after the effective date of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions.

01 year for organizations established in Vietnam for 20 years or more prior to the effective date of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions.

For organizations established in Vietnam for less than 20 years up to the effective date of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions, the period of stable religious operation will include the time from when the organization was established until the effective date of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions, plus the time counted from the date the organization registered its activities until it reaches twenty years.

3. Time limit for response

a) Within 90 days from the date of receipt of valid files, the Prime Minister shall consider and issue a decision recognizing religious organizations as prescribed in point a, Clause 2, Article 16 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions; in case of non-recognition, a written reply must be provided with clear reasons stated;

b) Within 60 days from the date of receipt of valid files, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall consider and issue a decision recognizing religious organizations as prescribed in point b, Clause 2, Article 16 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions; in case of non-recognition, a written reply must be provided with clear reasons stated.

PART 2
ESTABLISHMENT, DIVISION, SEPARATION, MERGER, AND CONSOLIDATION
OF SUBORDINATE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Article 9. Conditions for the establishment, division, separation, merger, and consolidation of subordinate religious organizations

1. The establishment of subordinate religious organizations must meet the following conditions:

a) The organization to be established belongs to the system of religious organizations that have been approved by the State;

b) The number of believers in the locality meets the conditions stipulated in the charter and regulations of the religious organization.

2. The division and separation of subordinate religious organizations must meet the following conditions:

a) There is a document proposing division or separation from the religious organization;

b) The number of believers in the subordinate religious organization is large, the area of operation is extensive, making management difficult and organizing religious activities challenging;

c) After division or separation, the organization still belongs to the system of organizations defined in the charter and regulations that have been approved by the State.

3. The merger and consolidation of subordinate religious organizations must meet the following conditions:

a) There is a document proposing merger or consolidation from the religious organization;

b) The organization to be merged or consolidated still belongs to the system of organizations defined in the charter and regulations that have been approved by the State.

Article 10. Procedures and formalities for the establishment, division, separation, merger, and consolidation of subordinate religious organizations

1. The establishment, division, separation, merger, and consolidation of subordinate religious organizations must have a proposal document from the religious organization.

2. The proposal document for the establishment, division, separation, merger, and consolidation of subordinate religious organizations must clearly state the following contents:

a) The name of the proposed subordinate religious organization to be established; the name of the subordinate religious organization before division, separation, merger, or consolidation and the proposed name of the subordinate religious organization after division, separation, merger, or consolidation;

b) Reasons for establishment, division, separation, merger, or consolidation;

c) The current number of believers at the time of establishment; the number of believers before and after division, separation, merger, or consolidation;

d) Scope of religious activities;

đ) Material facilities and headquarters of the organization.

3. Time limit for response

a) Within 60 days from the date of receipt of valid documents, the Prime Minister shall consider, decide, and respond to the religious organization as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 17 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions;

b) Within 45 days from the date of receipt of valid documents, the People's Committee of the province shall consider, decide, and respond to the religious organization as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 17 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions.

PART 3
REGISTRATION OF RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS, MONASTERIES, AND OTHER COLLECTIVE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE ORGANIZATIONS
OTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Article 11. Registration of religious associations

1. Religious associations established solely for religious rituals do not need to register with competent state authorities when operating.

2. Religious associations not covered by Clause 1 of this Article shall submit registration files to the competent state authorities as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 19 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions.

3. Documents include:

a) A registration document, stating clearly the name of the religious organization, the name of the association, and the individual responsible for the association's activities;

b) A list of individuals managing the association;

c) Internal rules, regulations, or charters of the association, specifying the purpose of activities, organizational structure, and management system of the association.

4. After 45 days from the date of submission of complete valid files, if the competent state authority does not object, then the association may operate according to the registered content.

Article 12. Registration of monasteries, convents, and other collective spiritual practice organizations

1. The head of the monastery, convent, or other collective spiritual practice organization has the responsibility to submit files to the competent state authorities as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 19 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions.

2. Documents include:

a) A registration document, stating clearly the name of the monastery, convent, or other collective spiritual practice organization, location or workplace, and the name of the head of the monastery, convent, or other collective spiritual practice organization;

b) A list of monks or nuns;

c) Internal rules, regulations, or charters of activities, specifying the objectives, purposes of activities, organizational structure and management system, material facilities, social activities, international activities (if any) of the monastery, convent, or other collective spiritual practice organization.

3. Within 60 days from the date of receipt of valid files, the competent state authorities as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 19 of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions shall issue a registration for the monastery, convent, and other collective spiritual practice organizations; in case of refusal to issue a registration, a written reply must be provided with clear reasons stated.

PART 4
ESTABLISHMENT AND DISSOLUTION OF TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AND CLASSES FOR PROFESSIONAL RELIGIOUS ACTIVISTS

Article 13. Establishment of training institutions for professional religious activists

1. Religious organizations establishing training institutions for professional religious activists shall submit files to the Prime Minister.

2. Documents include:

a) A proposal document for establishing the institution;

b) An establishment project, including: the name of the religious organization proposing to establish the institution, the name of the institution, the proposed location of the institution accompanied by land-related documents, financial capability, material facilities, purpose, functions, tasks, scale, teaching program, draft operational regulations, draft admission regulations, admission quotas, proposed Board of Directors or Management Board accompanied by brief resumes, proposed teaching staff.

c) Written opinion of the People's Committee of the province where the proposed location for the school is situated.

3. In the training program, courses on Vietnamese history and Vietnamese law shall be mandatory subjects. The content, curriculum, and teaching staff for these courses shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

4. Within sixty days from the date of receiving complete files, the Prime Minister shall examine and decide, and respond to religious organizations.

Article 14. Dissolution of schools training specialized religious personnel

1. When religious organizations dissolve schools training specialized religious personnel, they shall submit written documents. to the Prime Minister, clearly stating the reasons and methods of dissolution.

2. Land and assets of the school upon dissolution shall be handled according to current laws.

Article 15. Conducting classes to train specialized religious personnel

1. Religious organizations conducting classes to train specialized religious personnel shall be responsible for submitting written requests to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province where the class is held. The request shall specify the name of the class, location, need for the class, duration of study, content, curriculum, participants, list of lecturers.

2. Within thirty days from the date of receiving complete files, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province shall examine and decide, and respond to religious organizations.

PART 5
INVESTING, BESTOWING, APPOINTING, ELECTING, SELECTING,
REMOVING, DISMISSING RELIGIOUS OFFICEHOLDERS

Article 16. Registration of persons being invested with office, bestowed with rank, appointed, elected, or selected

1. Religious organizations shall be responsible for registering with the Government Committee on Religion the investment with office, bestowal with rank, appointment, election, or selection of members of the Verification Council, Central Administrative Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Church, Senior Monks, Senior Nuns, Abbesses, Abbesses, and other equivalent positions in Buddhism; members of the Standing Committee, Chairpersons of various Committees of the Central Administrative Council of the Catholic Church, Cardinals, Archbishops, Assistant Archbishops, Bishops, Assistant Bishops, Auxiliary Bishops, Vicars General, Heads of religious orders in Catholicism; members of the Central Administrative Council of the Evangelical Church; members of the Management Council, Church Council, Executive Council of the Church, Deputy Priests, and equivalent positions in Caodaism; members of the Central Administrative Council of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church; Heads of schools training specialized religious personnel, and equivalent positions in other religious organizations. 2. Religious organizations shall be responsible for registering with the People's Committee of the province the investment with office, bestowal with rank, appointment, election, or selection of religious officials not covered under Clause 1 of this Article. a) The registration document of the religious organization, specifying the full name, rank, position, and scope of religious responsibility of the person being registered;

b) A brief biography confirmed by the People's Committee of the commune where the religious official resides;

3. Documents include:

c) A summary of the religious activities of the person being registered.

4. In cases of investing with office, bestowing with rank, appointing, electing religious officials with foreign elements, prior consent from the Government Committee on Religion is required.

5. Response time:

a) After forty-five days from the date of submitting complete registration files and if the Government Committee on Religion does not have any objections, the religious official may engage in religious activities according to the registered position;

b) After thirty days from the date of submitting complete registration files and if the People's Committee of the province does not have any objections, the religious official may engage in religious activities according to the registered position.

Notification of removal or dismissal of religious officials

When religious organizations remove or dismiss religious officials under their management, they shall notify in writing the state management agency specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 16 of this Decree, clearly stating the reasons for removal or dismissal, accompanied by documents regarding the removal or dismissal and related papers.

Article 17. TRANSFER OF ACTIVITY LOCATION FOR RELIGIOUS OFFICIALS AND MONKS

Notification of transfer of activity location for religious officials and monks

Section 6
1. When transferring the activity location of religious officials and monks, religious organizations shall notify in writing the People's Committee of the district, town, city, or provincial city (hereinafter referred to as the People's Committee of the district) at the place of departure no later than seven days from the date of the transfer decision.

Article 18. 2. The notification document shall specify: full name, rank, religious position of the person being transferred, reason for transfer, destination of transfer, accompanied by the decision of the religious organization regarding the transfer.

Registration of transfer of activity location for religious officials and monks

1. Before transferring the activity location of religious officials and monks, religious organizations shall be responsible for submitting registration files to the People's Committee of the district at the destination.

Article 19. a) The registration document, specifying the full name, rank, religious position of the person being transferred, reason for transfer, place of departure;

b) The decision of the religious organization regarding the transfer;

2. Documents include:

c) A brief biography confirmed by the People's Committee of the commune where the person being transferred has permanent residence.

3. After thirty days from the date of submitting complete files, if the People's Committee of the district does not have any objections, the religious official or monk may engage in religious activities at the registered location.

4. If a religious official or monk violates religious laws and has been administratively punished by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or criminally prosecuted, the transfer file shall be submitted to the People's Committee of the province at the destination. Without approval from the People's Committee of the province at the destination, the religious official or monk may not engage in religious activities at the intended transfer location.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

ANNUAL REGISTRATION OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

PART IV
OF LOCAL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

PART 1
Registration of annual religious activity programs of local religious organizations
1. Annually before October 15, the person in charge of the local religious organization shall be responsible for submitting the registration of planned religious activities for the following year to the People's Committee of the commune.

Article 20. 2. The content of the registration shall clearly specify the organizer, host of the activity, anticipated participants, content of the activity, time, and location of the activity.

1. Annually before October 15, the person responsible for the religious organization at the grassroots level shall submit the religious activity registration for the following year to the People's Committee of the commune.

2. The registration shall clearly specify the organizer, the person in charge of the activity, the anticipated composition, content, time, and location of the activity.

3. After thirty days from the date of submission of a valid registration form, if the People's Committee of the commune does not have any other opinion, the religious organization at the grassroots level may carry out religious activities according to the registered content.

Article 21. Religious activities outside the program already registered by the grassroots religious organization

1. Religious activities outside the annual registration program that do not fall under the cases prescribed in Article 18 and Article 25 of the Ordinance on Belief and Religion shall be regulated as follows:

a) Religious activities involving believers outside the district, town, city under province or outside the province, the grassroots religious organization must obtain approval from the People's Committee of the province where the religious activity takes place;

b) Religious activities involving believers within the district, town, city under province, the grassroots religious organization must obtain approval from the People's Committee of the district where the religious activity takes place.

2. The grassroots religious organization has the responsibility to send a written request to the competent state agency as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, clearly stating the person organizing the main religious activity, the expected composition, number of participants, content of the activity, time, location of the activity, and conditions for ensuring its implementation.

3. Within fifteen days from the date of receipt of a valid request, the competent state agency as prescribed in Point a and Point b of Clause 1 of this Article has the responsibility to reply in writing, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

PART 2
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ENTERING MONASTIC LIFE

Article 22. Registration of persons entering monastic life

1. The person responsible for the religious facility has the responsibility to submit the registration dossier of persons entering monastic life to the People's Committee of the commune where the religious facility is located within seven days from the date of receiving the person entering monastic life.

2. Documents include:

a) List of persons entering monastic life;

b) Curriculum vitae with confirmation from the People's Committee of the commune where the person entering monastic life has their permanent residence;

c) Written opinion of the parents or guardian (for minors entering monastic life).

PART 3
MEETINGS AND CONGRESSES OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Article 23. Meetings and congresses of grassroots religious organizations

1. Grassroots religious organizations organizing annual meetings or congresses have the responsibility to submit the dossier to the People's Committee of the district where the meeting or congress will take place.

2. Documents include:

a) A written request, clearly stating the reason for organizing the meeting or congress, the expected composition, number of participants, content, program, time, and location of the meeting or congress;

b) Report on the activities of the grassroots religious organization.

3. Within ten days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the district has the responsibility to reply in writing, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

Article 24. Meetings and congresses of central or nationwide religious organizations

1. Religious organizations organizing annual meetings or congresses at the central or nationwide level have the responsibility to submit the dossier to the Government Office of Religious Affairs.

2. Documents include:

a) A written request, clearly stating the reason for organizing the meeting or congress, the expected composition, number of participants, content, program, time, and location of the meeting or congress;

b) Written opinion of the People's Committee of the province where the meeting or congress is planned to take place;

c) Report on the activities of the religious organization;

d) Charter, regulations, or amended charter and regulations (if any).

3. Within thirty days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the Government Office of Religious Affairs has the responsibility to reply in writing, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

Article 25. Meetings and congresses of religious organizations not falling under the cases prescribed in Article 23 and Article 24 of this Decree

1. When organizing annual meetings or congresses of religious organizations not falling under the cases prescribed in Article 23 and Article 24 of this Decree, the religious organization has the responsibility to submit the dossier to the People's Committee of the province where the meeting or congress will take place.

2. Documents include:

a) A written request, clearly stating the name of the religious organization organizing the meeting or congress, the reason for organizing the meeting or congress, the expected composition, number of participants, content and program, time, and location of the meeting or congress, and other conditions for ensuring its implementation;

b) Report on the activities of the religious organization.

3. Within twenty days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the province has the responsibility to reply in writing, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

PART 4
RELIGIOUS SERVICES OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
HELD OUTSIDE THE RELIGIOUS FACILITY

Article 26. Religious services of religious organizations held outside the religious facility

1. When organizing religious services outside the religious facility, the religious organization has the responsibility to submit a written request to the competent state agency as prescribed in Article 25 of the Ordinance on Belief and Religion.

2. The written request must clearly state the name of the service, the person in charge, content, program, time, location of implementation, scale, and composition of participants.

3. Within fifteen days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the district has the responsibility to reply in writing regarding religious services prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 25 of the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

4. Within thirty days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the province has the responsibility to reply in writing regarding religious services prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 25 of the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

PART 5
PREACHING AND SPREADING RELIGION BY CLERGY AND MONKS
OUTSIDE THE RELIGIOUS FACILITY

Article 27. Preaching and spreading religion by clergy and monks outside the religious facility

1. Clergy and monks preaching and spreading religion outside the religious facility have the responsibility to submit the dossier to the People's Committee of the district where the preaching or spreading of religion is planned to take place.

2. Documents include:

a) A written request, clearly stating the reason for preaching or spreading religion outside the religious facility, content, program, time, location of implementation, organizer, and composition of participants;

b) Written opinion of the affiliated religious organization or the directly managing religious organization;

3. Within thirty days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the People's Committee of the district has the responsibility to reply in writing, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

Section 6
REPAIR, IMPROVEMENT, AND NEW CONSTRUCTION OF RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURAL WORKS
RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURAL WORKS

Article 28. Repair, improvement of religious architectural works without the need for construction permit

When repairing or improving religious architectural works without changing the architecture, load-bearing structure, and safety of the works, there is no need to apply for a construction permit, but before repair or improvement, the person responsible for the religious facility must notify in writing the People's Committee of the commune where the facility is located.

Article 29. The renovation, upgrading, and new construction of religious architectural works must apply for a construction permit.

1. To renovate, upgrade religious architectural works not covered under Article 28 of this Decree, or to construct new religious architectural works, the person responsible for the religious facility shall submit the application for a construction permit to the Provincial People's Committee.

2. Documents include:

a) Application for a construction permit;

b) Design drawings of the construction project;

c) Land use rights documents in accordance with the laws on land;

d) Written agreement of the provincial state management agency on religion.

3. Within twenty days from the date of receiving complete applications, the Provincial People's Committee shall be responsible for issuing the construction permit to the religious facility.

Section 7
ORGANIZATIONS FOR RAISING FUNDS OF RELIGIOUS FACILITIES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

Article 30. Organizations for raising funds of religious facilities and religious organizations

1. Religious facilities and religious organizations shall notify in writing at least fifteen days in advance to the competent state agencies as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article regarding the organization of fundraising activities.

2. The notification letter shall clearly specify the purpose, scope, method, time frame for implementing the fundraising, management mechanisms, and the usage of the collected assets.

3. The agency receiving notifications about fundraising activities of religious facilities and religious organizations:

a) In cases where fundraising takes place within the scope of one commune, it shall notify the People's Committee of the commune where the fundraising activity is organized;

b) In cases where fundraising extends beyond the scope of one commune but within the scope of one district, it shall notify the People's Committee of the district where the fundraising activity is organized;

c) In cases where fundraising extends beyond the scope of one district, it shall notify the People's Committee of the province where the fundraising activity is organized.

4. The state agency notified by the religious facility or religious organization about fundraising activities shall be responsible for supervising the implementation according to the contents of the notification.

5. The entity or organization conducting fundraising activities must ensure transparency and openness regarding all donations, including allocation methods; they may not take advantage of the name of the religious entity or organization to raise funds for personal interests or illegal purposes.

SECTION 8
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, BELIEVERS, MONKS, AND CLERGY
MONKS AND CLERGY

Article 31. Inviting foreign organizations and individuals to Vietnam

1. Religious organizations, believers, monks, and clergy when inviting foreign organizations and individuals to Vietnam to conduct international cooperation activities related to religion shall submit the application to the Government Office of Religion.

2. Documents include:

a) A request letter specifying the reasons for the invitation, the content of cooperative activities, the proposed program, time, and location;

b) A brief introduction of the main activities of the foreign religious organization or individual.

3. Within thirty days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the Government Office of Religious Affairs has the responsibility to reply in writing, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

Article 32. Participation in religious activities abroad

1. When religious organizations participate in religious activities abroad, they shall submit the application to the Government Office of Religion.

2. Documents include:

a) A request letter specifying the reasons, objectives, program, time, and location of the religious activities abroad that the domestic religious organizations or individuals are invited to participate in;

b) An invitation letter to participate in activities abroad.

3. Within thirty days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier, the Government Office of Religious Affairs has the responsibility to reply in writing, and in case of non-approval, the reasons must be clearly stated.

Article 33. Participation in religious training courses abroad

1. Monks and clergy participating in religious training courses abroad shall submit the application to the Government Office of Religion.

2. Documents include:

a) An application letter specifying the reasons, objectives, content, program, and duration of the training course;

b) Approval letter for training from the foreign religious organization or individual;

c) Approval letter from the directly managing religious organization.

3. Within forty-five days from the date of receiving complete applications, the Government Office of Religion shall respond in writing, and if disapproval is given, the reasons must be clearly stated.

Article 34. Departure of clergy and monks not covered under Articles 32 and 33 of this Decree

Clergy and monks departing outside the provisions of Articles 32 and 33 of this Decree shall comply with the regulations on entry and exit.

Article 35. Preaching by foreign clergy and monks in Vietnam

1. Religious organizations inviting foreign clergy and monks to preach at religious facilities in Vietnam shall submit a request letter to the Government Office of Religion, specifying the name of the clergy or monk, nationality, name of the foreign religious organization, program, time, location, organizer, and participants;

2. Within thirty days from the date of receiving the request letter, the Government Office of Religion shall respond in writing, and if disapproval is given, the reasons must be clearly stated.

CHAPTER V
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 36. Responsibilities of state management agencies on religion

1. The Government Office of Religion and local state management agencies on religion shall perform their functions, tasks, and powers in managing religion in accordance with the law.

2. In the implementation of the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions and this Decree, for cases within the authority of the Prime Minister, the Government Office of Religion shall be responsible for receiving applications, coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to review and submit to the Prime Minister for approval, and responding to religious organizations on behalf of the Prime Minister. For cases within the jurisdiction of people's committees at various levels, the corresponding state management agencies on religion shall be responsible for receiving applications, coordinating with relevant agencies to review and submit to the people's committees for approval, and responding to religious organizations.

Article 37. Effectiveness

This Decree takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

All previous regulations contrary to this Decree are hereby abolished.

Article 38. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Religious organizations, believers, monks, clergy, and other organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Decree and other related legal provisions.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city people's committees shall be responsible for implementing this Decree within their respective functions, tasks, and powers./.