Decree No. 234/2025/NĐ-CP on foreign military vessels coming to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels going abroad.

Regulations on foreign military vessels arriving at the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels departing abroad

Pursuant to the Maritime Code of Vietnam No. 95/2015/QH13;

Pursuant to the National Security Law No. 32/2004/QH11;

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

Pursuant to the Law on National Border No. 06/2003/QH11;

Pursuant to Law on Vietnam's Sea No. 18/2012/QH13;

Pursuant to the Customs Law No. 54/2014/QH11;

Pursuant to the Law on the Coast Guard of Vietnam No. 33/2018/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law on Border Defense of Vietnam No. 66/2020/QH14;

Pursuant to the National Defense Law No. 22/2018/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 47/2014/QH13; and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 51/2019/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law on Exit from and Entry into Vietnam for Vietnamese Citizens No. 49/2019/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Exit from and Entry into Vietnam for Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 23/2023/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives, and Auxiliary Equipment No. 42/2024/QH15;

The Government promulgates this Decree prescribing regulations on foreign military vessels arriving at the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels departing abroad.

This Decree stipulates the authority, procedures, and formalities for issuing permits; entry and exit formalities, port changes; inspection and supervision; security and safety assurance, reception work, and state management responsibilities for foreign military vessels arriving at the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam) and Vietnamese military vessels departing abroad (hereinafter referred to as Vietnamese military vessels departing abroad).

"Based on the proposal of the Minister of National Defense;"

1. Foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam; Vietnamese military vessels departing abroad and their crew members; Vietnamese state management agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the activities of foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels departing abroad.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

2. Official vessels equipped with military weapons of a country or territory; vessels of an international military organization arriving in Vietnam to conduct visits, other cooperative activities, or repairs.

Article 2. Applicability

1. A foreign military vessel is a ship belonging to the armed forces of a country and bearing external markings clearly indicating the nationality of that country, commanded by a naval officer serving that country, whose name appears in a list of officers or equivalent document certified by the competent authority of that country, and whose crew's activities must comply with military discipline orders.

2. A Vietnamese military vessel is a ship under the management of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam, bearing external markings indicating Vietnamese nationality, commanded by a People's Army of Vietnam officer, whose name appears in a list of officers or equivalent document, and whose crew's activities must comply with military discipline orders.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

3. Foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam are foreign military vessels entering the territorial sea, internal waters, and ports of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to conduct visits, other cooperative activities, or repairs.

4. Vietnamese military vessels departing abroad are Vietnamese military vessels entering the territorial sea, internal waters, and ports of another country to conduct visits, other cooperative activities, or repairs.

5. Visiting military vessels are military vessels of one country visiting another country for exchange and cooperation with the aim of strengthening friendly relations between the people and the armed forces of the two countries.

6. Military vessels conducting other cooperative activities are military vessels of one country visiting another country to carry out activities such as joint patrols; humanitarian assistance; search and rescue; survey and research of the sea; recovery of remains; anti-piracy operations (including anchoring and providing services for these activities); rest for crews; and other specialized activities agreed upon between the host country and the country sending the vessel.

7. Military vessels of one country visiting another for repairs are military vessels coming for maintenance, repair, and upkeep according to contracts with enterprises in the host country.

8. Crew members on foreign military vessels include the Group Leader (if any), Captain, sailors, and other personnel traveling on the vessel.

9. A military port is a port managed by the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and operating under the regulations of a military port.

10. Specialized state management agencies at the port include: Border Guard Port Gate; Customs Port Gate; Marine Port Authority; International Health Quarantine; Animal and Plant Quarantine at Port Gates.

11. The person handling formalities is the Group Leader, Captain, or an authorized representative.

10. The specialized state management agencies at the seaport include: Border Guard Port Gate; Customs Port Gate; Maritime Port Authority; International Health Quarantine; Animal and Plant Quarantine at the port gate.

11. The person handling the procedures is the Group Leader or Ship Captain or an authorized representative.

Article 4. Principles for application to foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam and Vietnamese military vessels going abroad

1. For foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of Article 95 of the Vietnamese Maritime Code 2015, amended and supplemented in 2018 and 2023, and the following regulations:

a) Foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam that violate the provisions of this Decree and other Vietnamese laws shall be resolved through diplomatic channels based on Vietnamese law or international treaties to which Vietnam is a party;

b) The Commander or Captain of foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam shall be responsible for the consequences resulting from the illegal acts of members on board during their operations in Vietnam;

c) Members of foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam who commit violations of Vietnamese law shall be dealt with according to Vietnamese law (except those entitled to diplomatic privileges and immunities);

d) In case of maritime accidents involving the vessel or discovery of accidents or other incidents related to maritime safety and security, the Commander or Captain of foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam shall have the responsibility to immediately notify the Border Guard at the port and report the maritime accident in accordance with the regulations;

đ) The handling of maritime accidents involving foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Vietnamese Maritime Code and relevant international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

2. For Vietnamese military vessels going abroad

a) Adhere to the Party's policies and guidelines, state policies and laws, and the Ministry of National Defense's regulations on international integration and defense diplomacy;

b) Strictly implement the approved plans for vessel activities, forces, weapons, and technical equipment by the Minister of National Defense;

c) Strictly comply with regulations on protecting state secrets and military secrets;

d) Respect and strictly adhere to the laws of the host country where the vessel arrives and international treaties to which both the host country and Vietnam are parties.

Chapter II

FOREIGN MILITARY VESSELS ARRIVING IN VIETNAM

Section 1

AUTHORITY, PROCEDURES AND FORMALITIES FOR PERMIT ISSUANCE, ENTRY, EXIT, AND PORT TRANSFER PROCEDURES

ENTRY, EXIT, PORT CHANGE

Article 5. Authority to decide

The Minister of National Defense decides to allow foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam to conduct visits and other cooperative activities or repairs.

Article 6. Procedures and formalities for permit issuance

The Minister of National Defense stipulates the procedures and formalities for issuing permits to foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam to conduct visits and other cooperative activities or repairs.

Article 7. Notification of arrival and departure of foreign military vessels at ports and use of Vietnamese marine pilots

1. At least 24 hours before the expected arrival of foreign military vessels at Vietnamese ports, the person handling the procedures must directly notify or inform via other communication means the Marine Port Control Office and the Border Guard at the port of arrival of the vessel's arrival notification.

2. At least two hours before the departure of foreign military vessels from the port, the person handling the procedures must directly notify or inform via other communication means the Marine Port Control Office and the Border Guard at the port of the vessel's departure notification.

3. When entering, leaving, or moving within Vietnamese port waters, foreign military vessels must use Vietnamese marine pilots to guide the vessel and pay pilotage fees as prescribed by Vietnamese law.

Article 8. Entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels at seaports

1. The entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels and their crew members shall be directly conducted on board the vessel. The entry and port arrival procedures shall be completed immediately upon the vessel's arrival in the area where pilots are picked up or dropped off, and must be concluded before the vessel reaches its anchorage or docks; the exit and port departure procedures must be completed no later than just before the vessel leaves the port.

2. Foreign military vessel crew members may use Military ID cards, Military Service Cards, or Crew Lists to enter and exit the country and go ashore within the province or centrally-administered city where the vessel is anchored, but these documents cannot be used to exit through other border gates.

3. The Minister of National Defense shall stipulate the types of documents required to be submitted when conducting entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels at seaports.

4. The inspection team for entry, exit, and port change procedures includes:

a) Team leader: A representative from the Border Guard Port Gate;

b) Members of the entry procedure team include representatives from: Maritime Port Authority, Customs Port Gate, International Health Quarantine, and Animal and Plant Quarantine at the Port Gate (if the vessel requires animal and plant quarantine);

c) Members of the exit and port change procedure team include representatives from: Maritime Port Authority, Customs Port Gate.

Article 9. Entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels arriving in territorial waters and inland waterways outside the seaport area

1. The entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels arriving in territorial waters and inland waterways outside the seaport area shall be carried out at the Maritime Port Authority office of the province where the vessel arrives.

2. The Minister of National Defense shall stipulate the types of documents required to be submitted when conducting entry, exit, and port change procedures for foreign military vessels arriving in territorial waters and inland waterways outside the seaport area.

Section 2

ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN MILITARY VESSELS

COMING TO VIETNAM AND SHORE LEAVE FOR CREW MEMBERS ON BOARD

Article 10. Activities of foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for visits

1. Foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for visits shall anchor and operate at seaports and military ports that have been permitted; they must comply with the provisions of this Decree, relevant Vietnamese laws, and the guidance of specialized state management agencies at the port.

2. Foreign military vessels of the same country coming to Vietnam for visits:

a) Not more than three times in one year;

b) Not more than three vessels at the same port at the same time, with a stay not exceeding seven days;

c) In special cases, the Minister of National Defense shall report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

Article 11. Activities of foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for other cooperative activities

1. Foreign military vessels entering Vietnam's territorial waters, inland waters, and seaports can only carry out agreed-upon activities between relevant Vietnamese ministries, sectors, localities, and the country owning the vessel, within the scope of activities permitted by the Ministry of National Defense.

2. Foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for other activities in territorial waters and inland waterways outside the seaport area, if they need to move beyond the permitted scope of activities, must obtain permission and can only proceed once approved by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.

In case of urgent movement due to force majeure or to rescue people, ships, or aircraft in distress, the vessel must immediately notify the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, the competent ministry, and the People's Committee of the relevant province after safely reaching its anchorage.

Article 12. Activities of foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repair

1. After being granted permission to come to Vietnam for repair, 48 hours before entering Vietnam's territorial waters, the Captain of the foreign military vessel must notify and maintain communication with the Maritime Port Authority where the vessel will arrive.

In case there are changes on board the vessel compared to the content already approved, the Captain must inform the Vietnamese enterprise receiving the vessel for repair to coordinate with relevant authorities to resolve the issue before the vessel enters for repair.

2. Foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repair may only anchor and be repaired at maritime repair facilities that have been granted permission.

The Minister of National Defense shall specify the number of military vessels from the same country that can come to Vietnam for repair simultaneously at the same facility.

3. During entry, anchoring, and repair, foreign military vessels, members on board, and the repair enterprises must comply with Vietnamese laws, port regulations, and be subject to guidance, inspection, and supervision by specialized state management agencies at the port.

4. When anchoring for repair, the use of other means on board the vessel for travel and maintenance must be approved and subject to inspection and supervision by the Border Guard of the Port and the Vietnamese Maritime Port Authority.

5. Exchange activities and visits to the vessel must be requested for permission and can only be carried out when approved by the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam.

6. The Minister of National Defense shall specify the detailed content and scope of protection provided by security enterprises for foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam for repair that require security services during anchoring and repair.

Article 13. Going ashore for members of foreign military vessels visiting Vietnam and carrying out other cooperative activities and repairs

1. Members of foreign military vessels visiting Vietnam for visits may only leave the vessel to go ashore after completing entry procedures, port arrival procedures, and must return to the vessel before the specialized state management agencies at the port complete departure procedures and port departure procedures for the vessel. When going ashore, members on board must comply with Vietnamese laws, follow instructions, and be subject to inspection and supervision by the Border Guard of the Port and local police forces where the vessel is anchored, respecting Vietnamese cultural traditions, customs, and practices. If carrying goods, they must comply with Vietnamese laws regarding customs, health, and quarantine.

2. When going ashore according to the official program of the visit, members on board must travel in groups or teams, must have a group leader; may not carry weapons, explosives, or support tools; military personnel must wear uniforms; those belonging to organizations or professions must wear their organization's or profession's uniform. The group leader has the responsibility to monitor and manage group members during the implementation of the official programs of the visit. In case a member of the group is absent and does not participate in the program as prescribed, the group leader must immediately report to the welcoming authority.

3. When going ashore for personal purposes, members on board may travel individually or in groups; may not carry weapons, explosives, or support tools; may wear civilian clothes.

4. In case the vessel is anchored in territorial waters or inland water areas outside the port area, the enterprise transporting members on board to shore must have a permit to operate in the field of marine passenger transport and have a contract with the vessel side. The means of transportation and the person operating the means of transportation must be granted a permit in accordance with Clause 3, Article 15 of this Decree.

Members on board going ashore within the province or centrally administered city where the vessel is anchored:

a) Do not need to request a Vietnamese visa;

b) When members on board wish to go ashore, the Group Leader or Captain must submit a request for permission for members of the vessel to go ashore and obtain approval from the Border Guard of the Port where the vessel is anchored, issuing a Shore Leave Permit for members of foreign military vessels. Shore leave time is from 01:00 to 24:00 daily;

c) In case members on board wish to stay overnight on shore, the Group Leader or Captain must submit a request and obtain approval from the Border Guard of the Port, issuing a permit; port gate approval, issue permit;

d) Procedures and fees for issuing a Shore Leave Permit for members of foreign military vessels are implemented in accordance with Articles 23 and 25 of Government Decree No. 77/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 3, 2017, stipulating management and security maintenance at port border gates.

Members on board going outside the province or centrally administered city where the vessel is anchored:

a) Members on board wishing to go outside the province or centrally administered city where the vessel is anchored must have a Vietnamese visa (except in cases where they hold passports exempted from Vietnamese visas) and comply with Vietnamese laws on entry and exit;

b) In case of traveling according to the official program of the visit, members on board are exempt from visa fees (for those not exempted from Vietnamese visas);

c) In case of traveling for personal purposes, members on board must pay visa fees (for those not exempted from Vietnamese visas) in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

Article 14. Foreign military ship activities shall not be carried out when arriving in Vietnam

1. Violating the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. Collecting intelligence, filming, photographing, drawing maps in restricted areas and other acts that harm national security and public order in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

3. Propagandizing, disseminating materials, books, films, cultural products without permission from the competent authority of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.

4. Transporting weapons of mass destruction, radioactive substances, chemical toxins, biological toxins, narcotics.

5. Landing people, goods, and vehicles on or off the ship contrary to Vietnamese laws on entry and exit, import and export, except in cases of rescuing victims, but must immediately report to the competent Vietnamese state management agency at the seaport.

6. Launching, receiving, or loading any aircraft or military equipment onto the ship without permission from the competent Vietnamese state management authority of the Ministry of National Defense.

7. Conducting research, measurement, fishing, trading, or disrupting communication systems, radar, impeding transportation without permission from the competent Vietnamese state management authority.

8. Causing environmental pollution, damaging equipment and facilities at sea and in seaports.

9. Using divers or underwater diving equipment without permission from the competent authority of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.

10. Automatically docking alongside another ship, entering restricted areas.

11. Disrupting public order, obstructing or resisting the execution of duties by Vietnamese authorities.

12. Training, rehearsing, demonstrating with various types of weapons, aircraft, military equipment without permission from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense.

13. Activities outside the agreed plan and other activities prohibited by Vietnamese law.

Section 3

LICENSE ISSUANCE; INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION; SECURITY,

SAFETY; FOREIGN DIPLOMACY FOR ACTIVITIES RELATED TO FOREIGN MILITARY SHIPS WHILE IN PORT

Article 15. Issuance of permits for organizations, individuals, means of transport of Vietnam and foreign countries to carry out activities related to foreign military ships

1. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense issues permits for foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam to use infantry weapons or model guns for ceremonial purposes, organizing flag-raising ceremonies or welcoming when the ship docks and departs, and using aircraft.

Foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam to use infantry weapons for ceremonial purposes while docked at the port, using model guns to serve organizational ceremonies, and using aircraft must be included in the official program, submitted along with the formal notification requesting permission to visit Vietnam and approved by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense; ensuring that when conducting infantry weapon ceremonies, there are no live rounds.

2. Foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam requiring diving, launching boats, robots, other diving equipment for technical inspection, regular maintenance of the ship must be included in the official program submitted with the formal notification requesting permission to visit Vietnam; during diving, launching boats, robots, other diving equipment, they must be subject to inspection and supervision by the Border Guard Port Gate and Maritime Port Authority where the ship is docked. In case of emergencies outside the official program related to ship safety, approval and supervision by the Border Guard Port Gate and Maritime Port Authority where the ship is docked are required.

3. All organizations, individuals, means of transport of Vietnam and foreign countries (except staff, personnel, means of transport of specialized state management agencies at seaports, military ports performing their duties) entering, operating in the area where foreign military ships are docked; boarding foreign military ships to work, carrying out other activities during the time the ship is docked at seaports, military ports, inland waters, territorial seas must have a permit issued by the Border Guard Port Gate where the foreign military ship is docked, in accordance with Article 24 and Article 25 of Decree No. 77/2017/ND-CP dated July 3, 2017 of the Government on management and protection of security and order at port gates.

Vietnamese and foreign means of transport docking alongside foreign military ships must obtain approval from the Maritime Port Authority where the ship is docked; the person controlling the means of transport docking must have a permit issued by the Border Guard Port Gate where the foreign military ship is docked.

4. Organizations, individuals, means of transport specified in Clause 3 of this Article:

a) Shall only be granted permits when carrying out activities within the official program of foreign military ships or upon request and written approval by the Commander or Captain of the foreign military ship;

b) Must comply with inspections and supervision by specialized state management agencies at seaports, military ports, and relevant functional forces.

b) Must comply with the inspection and supervision of the specialized state management agencies at the seaport, military port, and related functional forces.

Article 16. Inspection and Supervision; Ensuring Security and Safety for Foreign Military Ships Arriving in Vietnam

1. Border Guard at Port Gateways shall be the leading force, coordinating with other competent forces to ensure security and safety for foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam; inspecting and supervising the activities of foreign military ships, members disembarking from the ship, people and means entering and exiting, activities in the area where foreign military ships are moored, people boarding the ship, means approaching foreign military ships.

2. When conducting inspections and supervision, the Border Guard at Port Gateways may apply the following operational measures:

a) Directly monitoring the voyage of foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam from when they anchor in the pilotage zone until they berth at the port;

b) Checking documents for members disembarking from the ship; Vietnamese and foreign nationals boarding the ship, leaving the ship; means approaching the ship;

c) Monitoring the port area and waters, directly monitoring at the port gate and control stations where foreign military ships are moored;

d) Monitoring using technical means;

đ) Conducting mobile patrols and controls;

e) Other operational measures as prescribed by law.

3. In territorial seas and inland waters outside port areas:

a) The Ministry of National Defense shall stipulate the leading force, coordinating with other competent forces to ensure security and safety in the area where foreign military ships are moored; inspecting and supervising the activities of foreign military ships, members on board, people and means related to such activities;

b) The inspection and supervision forces may apply the inspection and supervision measures prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 17. Diplomatic Ceremonies

1. The Ministry of National Defense shall be the leading force, coordinating with local authorities where the ship arrives and relevant ministries and sectors to implement welcoming and reception ceremonies and other ceremonial activities.

2. Implementation shall follow general regulations on diplomatic ceremonies of Vietnam and current regulations on diplomatic defense ceremonies.

Chapter III

VIETNAMESE MILITARY SHIPS TRAVELING ABROAD

Article 18. Competence, Procedures, and Formalities for Issuing Permits

1. The Minister of National Defense shall decide on Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad to conduct visits, cooperative activities, or repairs.

2. The Minister of National Defense shall stipulate the procedures and formalities for issuing permits for Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad.

Article 19. Departure and Entry

The departure and entry procedures for Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 73/2020/ND-CP dated June 30, 2020 of the Government on the control of departure and entry for personnel on defense and security means entering and exiting the territory of Vietnam to perform national defense and security tasks.

Article 20. Ensuring Security and Safety

The unit shall designate the leading ship, coordinating to deploy inspection, supervision, and security measures before sending the ship abroad and ensuring security and safety for the ship, crew, and equipment throughout the outbound and return journey.

Chapter IV

STATE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

FOREIGN MILITARY SHIPS ARRIVING IN VIETNAM

AND VIETNAMESE MILITARY SHIPS TRAVELING ABROAD

Article 21. Responsibilities of the Ministry of National Defense

1. The Ministry of National Defense is the agency assisting the Government in managing state affairs concerning foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam and Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad.

2. Issuing or leading and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to submit to the competent authority for issuance of normative legal documents regarding foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam and Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad.

3. Receiving information and unifying the content and program of activities of foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam with the country having the military ship.

4. Leading and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors, provincial People's Committees to organize welcoming ceremonies according to diplomatic protocols for foreign military ships conducting visits.

5. Leading and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors, provincial People's Committees to manage foreign military ships and their members during their stay in Vietnam.

6. Leading and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to manage Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad.

7. Directing subordinate agencies and units to lead and coordinate with competent forces in ensuring security and safety for foreign military ships arriving in Vietnam; inspecting and supervising the activities of foreign military ships, members on board, and related activities involving foreign military ships; inspecting and supervising the activities of Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad, members on board, and related activities involving Vietnamese military ships traveling abroad.

8. Leading and coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to handle violations by foreign military ships in accordance with Vietnamese law and international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Direct the Vietnamese diplomatic agencies in the host country to handle the procedures for requesting diplomatic permits for the military ships visiting and coordinate the implementation of activities within the framework of the visit.

2. Provide opinions on foreign military ships coming to Vietnam and Vietnamese military ships going abroad at the request of the Ministry of National Defense.

Article 23. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Security

1. Direct subordinate agencies and units, provincial police forces to cooperate with functional forces in ensuring security and order at localities where foreign military ships are moored; review and approve visa issuance according to the provisions of the law and supervise the activities of members on foreign military ships that leave the province or centrally governed city where the ship is moored.

2. Provide opinions on granting permission to foreign military ships coming to Vietnam at the request of the Ministry of National Defense.

Article 24. Responsibilities of relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees

1. Cooperate with the Ministry of National Defense in welcoming foreign military ships visiting Vietnam when the purpose of the visit relates to the sector or field under the responsibility of the ministry, sector, or provincial People's Committee.

2. Provide opinions on granting permission to foreign military ships coming to Vietnam and implementing activities of foreign military ships coming to Vietnam at the request of the Ministry of National Defense.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 25. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from October 12, 2025.

2. The Decree number 104/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 5, 2012 of the Government concerning foreign military ships coming to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall cease to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect.3. In cases where the regulatory legal documents cited for application in this Decree are amended, supplemented, or replaced by new regulatory legal documents, they shall be applied according to the new documents.

- To be filed: VT, NC (2).