Decree No. 23/2019/ND-CP On Exhibition Activities

DECREE

On exhibition activities

_______

Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization dated June 19, 2015;

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

The Government promulgates the Decree on exhibition activities.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Decree stipulates the organization and joint organization of non-commercial exhibitions held in Vietnam and exported abroad.

2. This Decree does not regulate:

a) Art and photography exhibitions;

b) Exhibitions of publications, treasures, antiques; museum system exhibitions;

c) National economic and social achievements exhibitions implemented pursuant to the Prime Minister's Decision;

d) Provincial economic and social achievements exhibitions implemented pursuant to the People's Committee's Decision of the province or city;

e) Activities of displaying works, objects, and documents owned or legally used by organizations or individuals at their offices or in their private residences within internal activities.

Article 2. Applicability

This Decree applies to Vietnamese organizations and individuals; international organizations; foreign organizations and individuals related to the exhibition activities specified in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decree.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

1. An exhibition is the act of organizing the display of works, objects, and documents concentrated over a period of time in a specific space through various forms and technical means for the purpose of introducing, announcing, and disseminating information to society and communities.

2. A non-commercial exhibition is an exhibition that does not include sales activities or seeking opportunities to conclude sales contracts.

3. Joint activities in an exhibition are activities occurring before and during the exhibition aimed at supplementing information, promoting, or enriching the exhibition activities.

Article 4. State management content regarding exhibition activities

1. Drafting and submitting to competent authorities for issuance or issuing within their authority normative legal documents on exhibition activities.

2. Developing and implementing an exhibition strategy.

3. Promoting, disseminating, and educating the law on exhibition activities.

4. Managing, directing, and implementing scientific research, training, and developing professional human resources in exhibition activities.

5. Managing, organizing implementation, exchange, and international cooperation in exhibition activities.

6. Issuing, revoking permits, and receiving notifications of exhibition organization.

7. Implementing commendation and reward work in exhibition activities.

8. Inspecting, supervising, handling complaints, denunciations, and dealing with violations in exhibition activities.

Article 5. State management agencies for exhibition activities

1. The Government uniformly manages state administration of exhibition activities.

2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible to the Government for managing state administration of exhibition activities.

3. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies are responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in managing state administration of exhibition activities; reviewing the content and providing written comments on exhibitions proposed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

4. Provincial People's Committees (hereinafter referred to as provincial People's Committees) manage state administration of exhibition activities in their localities. Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Departments of Culture and Sports assist provincial People's Committees in managing state administration of exhibition activities in their localities.

Article 6. Rights of organizations and individuals when organizing or participating in exhibition activities

1. The right to organize, participate in organizing, and invest in exhibition activities in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. The right to be protected for legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the provisions of the law.

3. The right to temporarily import, re-export, or temporarily export, re-import works, exhibits, and documents for the purpose of serving exhibitions in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 7. Obligations of organizations and individuals when organizing or participating in organizing exhibition activities

1. Only allowed to organize exhibitions when having a Permit (for exhibitions that require obtaining a Permit) or after the time limit specified in Clause 3 and Clause 4, Article 17 of this Decree, if the receiving agency does not provide a written response (for exhibitions that require sending a Notification).

2. To conduct exhibitions in accordance with the contents recorded in the Permit or Notification.

3. To comply with regulations on civilized living habits, security, public order; fire prevention and other legal regulations.

4. To comply with intellectual property law regulations and bear legal responsibility for acts infringing intellectual property rights during exhibition activities.

5. To carry out cooperative activities during exhibitions (if applicable) in accordance with the legal regulations governing such activities. To comply with regulations on organizing exhibitions in the host country when organizing or participating in organizing exhibitions abroad.

6. In cases where exhibitions are jointly implemented by multiple individuals or organizations, those individuals or organizations must unanimously authorize in writing one individual or organization to act as a representative. The representative individual or organization is responsible for signing, affixing seals (if any), submitting application documents for the Permit, sending Notifications, and being accountable for the declared contents.

7. To provide written explanations about the contents of the exhibition when requested by the competent authority, in cases where the competent authority discovers signs of violations.

Article 8. Conditions for works, exhibits, documents, and exhibition venues

Works, exhibits, documents, and exhibition venues must meet the following conditions:

1. Works, exhibits, and documents displayed must not contain any of the following contents:

a) Propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; undermining national solidarity;

b) Disclosing secrets of agencies, organizations, or individuals without their consent and other secrets prescribed by law;

c) Inciting war, fostering hatred among ethnic groups and peoples of different countries; causing religious division, damaging national unity; spreading reactionary ideas;

d) Distorting history, denying revolutionary achievements; insulting great men, national heroes, cultural figures; slandering, damaging the reputation of agencies, organizations, and the dignity and personality of individuals;

đ) Violating regulations on civilized living habits, public security, promoting violence, criminal acts, social evils harmful to health, and ecological destruction.

2. Works, exhibits, and documents displayed must not fall under cases of suspension of circulation, prohibition of circulation, recall, or confiscation.

3. Works, exhibits, and documents displayed must be consistent with the theme and content of the exhibition; have clear origins and lawful ownership or usage rights.

4. Exhibition venues must be appropriate to the scale of the exhibition, ensuring conditions for public social order, environmental hygiene, and fire prevention.

Article 9. Exhibition Content Review Board

1. The competent authority prescribed in Articles 11 and 16 of this Decree shall establish an Exhibition Content Review Board (hereinafter referred to as the Board) in the following cases:

a) Exhibitions with content not within the scope of expertise of the cultural, sports, and tourism sector;

b) National, international exhibitions or exhibitions with complex content.

2. The Board has the task of providing professional advice for the competent authority to make decisions.

3. The Board shall have an odd number of members, from three members or more, including representatives of relevant agencies, experts in related fields, among which the Chairman of the Board is the representative of the leadership of the agency issuing the Permit or receiving the Notification.

4. The Board operates on the principle of centralization, democracy, and majority decision-making. The regulations on organization and operation of the Board shall be issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Chapter II

ISSUE OF EXHIBITION ORGANIZATION PERMIT

Article 10. Exhibitions Requiring the Issuance of a Permit

1. Exhibitions organized by organizations or individuals in Vietnam to be held abroad.

2. Exhibitions organized by international organizations or foreign organizations in Vietnam.

Article 11. Authority to Issue Exhibition Organization Permits

1. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall issue permits for organizing exhibitions in the following cases:

a) Exhibitions organized by central organizations to be held abroad;

b) Exhibitions organized by international organizations or foreign organizations in Vietnam;

c) Exhibitions organized by two or more provincial-level organizations collaborating to be held abroad.

2. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Department of Culture and Sports shall issue permits for organizing exhibitions in the following cases:

a) Exhibitions organized by local organizations or individuals to be held abroad;

b) Exhibitions organized by foreign individuals in localities.

Article 12. Documents, Procedures, and Formalities for Requesting and Reissuing Exhibition Organization Permits

1. Organizations or individuals wishing to organize exhibitions shall submit one set of documents requesting an exhibition organization permit directly, through postal service, or via online public services of the competent authority issuing exhibition permits as prescribed in Article 11 of this Decree.

The documents include:

a) Application form for an exhibition organization permit (Form No. 01 attached to this Decree);

b) List of works, objects, and documents (indicating clearly the author's name, owner's name; title, quantity; material, size of the work or object, document; accompanying annotations);

c) Photographs of each work, object, and document and display layout (size 10x15 cm) printed on paper or recorded on digital storage media;

d) Agreement documents or invitation letters, notifications, contracts from the foreign side regarding the organization of the exhibition (for exhibitions prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 10 of this Decree). Lease or loan agreement documents for exhibition venues (for exhibitions prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 10 of this Decree);

đ) A copy of one of the following documents: identity card or citizen identification card of the exhibition organizer (for exhibitions organized by Vietnamese individuals); passport (for exhibitions organized by foreigners or Vietnamese residing abroad);

Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Vietnamese and certified in accordance with the provisions of the law.

e) Plan to ensure conditions for social order, environmental hygiene, and fire prevention (for exhibitions prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 10 of this Decree).

2. In case of submitting documents directly, bring the original for verification. In case of submitting documents through postal service, send certified copies. In case of submitting documents via online public services, send scanned copies from the original.

3. In case an exhibition has already been permitted but there is a change in one or more contents listed in the permit, the following procedures shall be followed:

a) In case of changes in the time or location of the exhibition: organizations or individuals must notify the competent authority detailing the changes, accompanied by the documents specified in point d, Clause 1 of this Article. The notification procedure shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 17 of this Decree;

b) In case of changing the name of the exhibition, replacing or supplementing works, objects, or documents: organizations or individuals must apply for reissue of the permit. The documents for applying for a reissued permit include: the previously issued permit; application form for an exhibition organization permit (Form No. 01 attached to this Decree); list and photographs of replaced or supplementary works, objects, or documents, as stipulated in points b and c, Clause 1 of this Article. The procedure for reissuing the permit shall be conducted as if it were the first issuance.

Article 13. Issuance of Exhibition Permit

1. The competent authority prescribed in Article 11 of this Decree shall be responsible for issuing the Exhibition Permit (Form No. 02 attached to this Decree) within a period not exceeding seven working days from the date of receipt of a valid application file.

2. In cases where the application file does not meet the conditions for issuance of the Exhibition Permit due to contents violating the provisions of Article 8 of this Decree, the competent authority shall provide a written response to the organization or individual within a period not exceeding seven working days from the date of receipt of the valid application file, stating the reasons (Form No. 03 attached to this Decree).

3. For cases where an exhibition must establish a Content Review Board as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 9 of this Decree, the time limit for the competent authority to provide a written response to the organization or individual is fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the valid application file.

4. In cases where the application file is incomplete, invalid, or requires adjustment of the exhibition content, the competent authority shall send a written request to the organization or individual to supplement the application file or adjust the exhibition content (Form No. 04 attached to this Decree). The time for organizations or individuals to supplement the application file or adjust the exhibition content shall not exceed five working days from the date of receipt of the written request from the competent authority. The deadline for issuing the second result to the organization or individual shall not exceed three working days from the date the competent authority receives the supplementary application file or the confirmation letter agreeing to adjust the exhibition content.

5. The deadlines prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article shall be calculated as follows:

a) In cases where the application file is submitted directly, it shall be calculated based on the date recorded in the Receipt issued to the applicant;

b) In cases where the application file is sent by post, it shall be calculated based on the postmark;

c) In cases where the application file is submitted through online public service, it shall be calculated based on the date automatically sent by the software confirming receipt.

Article 14. Revocation of Exhibition Permit

1. The competent authority prescribed in Article 11 of this Decree shall revoke the Exhibition Permit in cases where the organization or individual organizing the exhibition commits acts violating the provisions of Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 8 of this Decree.

2. Procedure for revoking the Exhibition Permit:

a) When a violation is discovered or reported by an agency or organization to the competent authority, the competent authority shall issue a Decision to revoke the Exhibition Permit (Form No. 05 attached to this Decree);

b) The organization or individual must return the Exhibition Permit that has been issued to the competent authority upon receipt of the Decision to revoke the Permit and must immediately cease the exhibition.

3. After the Exhibition Permit is revoked, depending on the nature and severity of the violation, the organization or individual organizing the exhibition shall be subject to administrative or criminal penalties as prescribed by law.

Chapter III

ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXHIBITION ORGANIZATION

Article 15. Exhibitions Required to Submit an Announcement of Exhibition Organization

1. Exhibitions organized by central organizations in Vietnam.

2. Exhibitions jointly organized by two or more provincial or municipal organizations in Vietnam.

3. Exhibitions organized by local organizations or individuals in their locality.

Article 16. Competence to Accept Notifications

1. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall accept Notifications for exhibitions specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 15 of this Decree.

2. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Department of Culture and Sports shall accept Notifications for exhibitions specified in Clause 3 of Article 15 of this Decree.

Article 17. Procedures for Submitting Exhibition Organization Notifications

1. Organizations and individuals shall submit Exhibition Organization Notifications directly, through postal service, or via online public services on the website of the receiving authority (Form No. 06 attached to this Decree).

2. In cases where Notifications are submitted directly, the receiving authority must issue a receipt to the submitter. In cases where Notifications are sent through postal service, the receiving authority must post information about the date and time of receipt (based on the postmark) on its website. In cases where Notifications are submitted via online public services, upon successful submission, the software will automatically send confirmation information.

3. After seven working days from the date the competent authority receives the Notification, if there is no written response from the competent authority, the organization or individual may organize the exhibition according to the contents notified.

4. For exhibitions that require the establishment of a Content Review Board as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 9 of this Decree, the processing period for the competent authority is fifteen working days from the date the competent authority receives the Notification. After this period, if there is no written response from the competent authority, the organization or individual may organize the exhibition according to the contents notified.

5. For exhibitions organized by units under central and local organizations with functions to organize exhibitions, which are carried out according to Work Plans or Decisions of the supervising authorities, such units shall submit Work Plans or Decisions instead of Exhibition Organization Notifications. These Work Plans or Decisions must ensure all contents prescribed in Section 2, Form No. 06 attached to this Decree.

Article 18. Suspension of Exhibition Activities

1. When discovering that organizations or individuals have declared false or inaccurate information in their application forms or Notifications, or violated provisions of Article 8 of this Decree, the receiving authority shall request the suspension of exhibition activities in writing (Form No. 03 attached to this Decree).

2. Organizations and individuals must immediately stop exhibition activities upon receipt of the written notice from the competent authority; they must promptly rectify consequences and propose solutions to continue organizing the exhibition, sending them to the competent authority for consideration and decision.

3. The results of the consideration and decision of the competent authority must be reflected in writing and sent to the organization or individual for implementation. The deadline for sending the written notice to the organization or individual is three days from the date the competent authority receives the proposal for continuing the exhibition from the organization or individual.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 19. Effective Date

This Decree takes effect from April 15, 2019.

Article 20. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible for organizing the implementation, inspection, and enforcement of this Decree.

2. Ministers, Heads of Ministries equivalent to ministries, Heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the Central Government, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for enforcing this Decree./

ANNEX

LIST OF DOCUMENT FORMS
(Attached to Decree No. 23/2019/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2019 of the Government)

Form No. 01

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
---------------

..., day..., month..., year...

PETITION FOR APPLICATION

ISSUE OF EXHIBITION ORGANIZATION PERMIT

Respectfully submitted to:⁽¹⁾………………………………….

1. Name of organization or individual applying for Exhibition Permit⁽²⁾(in capital letters): ...

- Address: ...

- Telephone: ...

- Establishment Decision/Legal Status Certificate (for organizations):

Number...date signed...signer...

- Identity Card/Public Service Card (for Vietnamese individuals):

Number...date issued...place issued...

- Passport (for Vietnamese individuals residing abroad and foreigners):

Number...date issued...place issued...

2. Contents of the Application for Exhibition Permit

- Exhibition name: ...

- Purpose of the exhibition⁽³⁾: ...........................................................................................

- Scale of the exhibition: ...

- Exhibition period: from day...month...year...to day...month...year...

- Exhibition venue (specify name and address): ...

- Number of works, documents, exhibits: ...(with accompanying list)

- Number of authors: ...(with accompanying list)

3. Commitment:

- Responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of the content of the application for exhibition permit;

- Comply with laws on copyright and related rights; bear legal responsibility for any infringement of copyright and related rights during the exhibition;

- Adhere to the provisions of Decree No.../2019/NĐ-CP dated...month...year...of the Government on exhibition activities and other relevant regulations when organizing exhibitions./.

_________________

⁽¹⁾Name of issuing authority.

⁽²⁾Name of organization or individual representing in case of joint exhibitions by multiple organizations or individuals.

⁽³⁾Must clearly state: "not for commercial purposes".

Form No. 02

EXHIBITION ORGANIZATION PERMIT

Based on Decree No.../2019/NĐ-CP dated...month...year...of the Government on exhibition activities;

Based on Decision No.../.../...dated...month...year...of...regulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of⁽¹⁾

Considering the application for permit of...⁽²⁾...day..., month..., year...

⁽¹⁾...issues Exhibition Permit with the following contents:

1. Name of organization or individual granted the Permit (in capital letters): ...

- Address: ...

- Telephone: ...

- Identity Card/Public Service Card number...

date issued...place issued...

- Passport number...date issued...place issued...

2. Exhibition contents

- Exhibition name: ...

- Purpose of the exhibition: not for commercial purposes

- Scale of the exhibition: ...

- Exhibition period: From day...month...year...to day...month...year...

- Exhibition venue...

- Number of works, exhibits, documents: ...(with accompanying list)

- Number of authors: ...(with accompanying list)

Organizations and individuals granted the Exhibition Permit shall be responsible for implementing the contents stipulated in this Permit and other relevant regulations when organizing the exhibition./.

_________________

⁽¹⁾ Name of the issuing authority.

⁽²⁾ Name of the organization or individual granted the Exhibition Permit.

⁽³⁾ Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, if the Permit is issued by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Department of Culture and Sports; Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or Department of Culture and Sports, if the Permit is issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Implementation Report of Production Projects of Supporting Industry Products Confirmed with Incentives

Respectfully submitted to: ⁽²⁾………………………………………………..

Pursuant to Decree No. /2019/ND-CP dated ..., 2019 of the Government on exhibition activities;

(In case of disagreement to organize the exhibition)

Considering the application for issuance of an exhibition permit/Notification of exhibition organization of⁽²⁾...day ...month ... year...

⁽¹⁾...responds as follows:

- Disagree to organize the exhibition⁽³⁾...for the following reasons:

⁽⁴⁾………………………………………………………………………………………………...

(In case of requesting to temporarily suspend the exhibition)

Pursuant to the Inspection Report dated ... day ... month ... year ... (if applicable)

⁽¹⁾ requests⁽²⁾ to temporarily suspend the exhibition⁽³⁾

After⁽²⁾ remedying the consequences and submitting a proposal for continuing the exhibition,⁽¹⁾ will consider and decide on agreeing to continue the exhibition.

___________________

⁽¹⁾ Name of the issuing authority or receiving the Notification.

⁽²⁾ Name of the organization or individual applying for the Permit or sending the Notification.

⁽³⁾ Exhibition name.

⁽⁴⁾ Reasons for disagreement, citing Article, Clause, Point in the Decree.

⁽⁵⁾ Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, if the Permit is issued by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Department of Culture and Sports; Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or Department of Culture and Sports, if the Permit is issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Form number 04

Respectfully submitted to:⁽²⁾………………………………………………

Pursuant to Decree No. /2019/ND-CP dated ..., month ..., year 2019 of the Government on exhibition activities;

Considering the application for issuance of an exhibition permit/Notification of exhibition organization of

²⁾ …day ... month ... year ….

⁽¹⁾...responds as follows:

Request⁽²⁾... to supplement documents (or adjust the contents) as follows:

⁽³⁾……………………………………………………………………………………………………

⁽¹⁾ will issue the exhibition organization permit/agree to⁽²⁾ organize the exhibition if the supplementary documents are received fully (or the agreement and commitment to adjust the exhibition content) from⁽²⁾ in accordance with the provisions.

___________________

⁽¹⁾Name of the competent authority issuing the permit or receiving the Notification of exhibition organization.

⁽²⁾ Name of the organization or individual applying for the permit or sending the Notification of exhibition organization.

⁽³⁾ List the contents that need to be supplemented (or adjusted), clearly stating the reasons, citing Article, Clause, Point in the Decree.

Form number 05

Pursuant to …;

Regarding revocation of the Exhibition Organization Permit

⁽¹⁾

Pursuant to Decree No. /2019/ND-CP dated ..., month ..., year 2019 of the Government on exhibition activities;

Pursuant to Decision No. .../.../ dated ..., month ..., year ... of ... specifying functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of⁽¹⁾

Pursuant to the Inspection Report of ... dated ..., month ..., year ... (if applicable)

DECISION:

Article 1. Revoke the Exhibition Organization Permit No. .../GP-... dated ..., month ..., year ... of⁽¹⁾ issued to:

⁽²⁾…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

- Address: ...

- Exhibition organizer: ...⁽³⁾ …………………………………………………………………………...

- At:⁽⁴⁾ …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Reason for revocation: …

12/2025/TT-BNNMT dated June 19, 2025 issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Environment⁽²⁾ shall terminate the exhibition⁽³⁾ and return the issued Permit to⁽¹⁾

Article 3. ⁽¹⁾,⁽²⁾ and organizations and individuals related shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

___________________

⁽¹⁾ Name of the authority revoking the Permit.

⁽²⁾ Name of the organization or individual whose Permit is revoked.

⁽³⁾ Name of the exhibition whose Permit is revoked.

⁽⁴⁾ Place where the exhibition is organized.

⁽⁵⁾ Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, if the Permit is issued by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Department of Culture and Sports; Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism or Department of Culture and Sports, if the Permit is issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Form number 06

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
---------------

..., date ... month ... year ...

ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXHIBITION ORGANIZATION

Respectfully submitted to:⁽¹⁾…………………………………..

1. Name of the organization/person organizing the exhibition⁽²⁾(in capital letters): …

- Address: ...

- Telephone: ...

- Identity card/Citizen identification card (for individuals): number … date of issue … place of issue …

2. Exhibition contents

- Exhibition name: ...

- Purpose of the exhibition⁽³⁾............................................................................................

- Scale of the exhibition: ...

- Exhibition period: from day ... month ... year ... to day ... month ... year ...

- Exhibition venue (specify name and address): ...

- Plan to ensure social order, environmental hygiene, and fire prevention: … (with attached documents)

- Number of exhibited works, objects, and documents: ... (with attached list)⁽⁴⁾

3. Commitment:

- Shall be responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of the notification content;

- Comply with laws on copyright and related rights; bear legal responsibility for any infringement of copyright and related rights during the exhibition;

- Shall comply with the provisions of Decree No. …/2019/ND-CP dated ..., month ..., year 2019 of the Government on exhibition activities and other relevant regulations when organizing the exhibition./.

___________________

⁽¹⁾ Name of the authority receiving the Notification.

⁽²⁾Name of organization or individual representing in case of joint exhibitions by multiple organizations or individuals.

⁽³⁾ Request to clearly state: "not for commercial purposes",

⁽⁴⁾ List of exhibited works, objects, and documents includes: photographs of each work, object, and document, along with detailed information: name of the work, object, and document; material; size; accompanying notes; author's name; owner's name.