Directive No. 24/1998/CT-TTg On the construction and implementation of village covenants and regulations

DIRECTIVE

On the construction and implementation of village, commune, ward, precinct, and community customs and regulations

In recent years, along with the continuous reform and improvement of the legal system to serve the requirements of state management and social management by law, village, commune, ward, precinct, and community customs and regulations have made significant contributions to the implementation of state laws, adjusting social relationships characterized by self-governance within grassroots communities.

Currently, implementing the policy of expanding socialist democracy, promoting the people's right to mastery, especially at the grassroots level, many localities throughout the country have been and are constructing and perfecting village cultural customs and regulations based on inheriting the positive aspects of old customs, in accordance with current legal provisions. In many localities, new customs and regulations not only contribute to promoting traditional customs and elevating traditional moral standards but also serve as effective tools for campaigns to maintain public security, hygiene, environment, prevent social evils, develop production, encourage education, resolve minor disputes and violations among the people, eradicate poverty...

However, in recent times, the construction and implementation of customs and regulations in some places have not been truly democratic, merely the work of a few individuals without approval from the authorities. The content of customs and regulations still has many limitations, failing to accurately reflect the economic and social conditions and cultural traditions of each locality. In some customs and regulations, there are provisions that violate the law or revive outdated customs and practices.

The Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. The content of customs and regulations should focus on the following basic issues:

Ensuring the preservation and promotion of traditional customs, practicing civilized behavior in communication, eating, living, traveling, etc., eliminating outdated customs, developing healthy cultural activities, fostering community spirit, solidarity, mutual assistance, and support within the community;

Proposing measures to protect public property and citizens' property, protect the living environment, forests, seas, rivers, lakes, scenic spots, temples, sources of water, dikes, dams, canals, levees, culverts. Building and developing village roads, alleys, planting greenery, preventing water pollution, etc., in the locality;

Proposing measures to protect traditional customs, eliminate outdated customs in funerals, weddings, worship, festivals, etc., in the locality;

Contributing to building a civilized lifestyle and cultural families, setting standards for cultural families, new ethical rules, helping each other find good ways to handle relationships between family members;

Building solidarity, mutual assistance within the community, mobilizing family members, clans, villages to unite to eradicate poverty, develop production, improve living standards, encourage learning and skills, etc., in the locality;

Proposing appropriate measures to contribute to maintaining public order and security in the area.

2. Drafts of customs and regulations must be discussed by the people in the locality, approved by the meeting of voters or the meeting of household representatives in the village, commune, ward, precinct, community, and approved by the district People's Committee before implementation to ensure that the content of customs and regulations does not contradict current legal provisions, does not contain severe penalties, fees, and charges that may cause damage or affect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens.

3. The Minister of Justice and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, within their respective functions, tasks, and powers, shall direct and guide judicial agencies and cultural and sports agencies in localities to assist the People's Committees at the same level in managing the construction and implementation of customs and regulations, ensuring that the drafting of customs and regulations in villages, communes, wards, precincts, and communities is truly democratic and transparent under the leadership of the Party Committee and local authorities, with active participation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations at the grassroots level (Communist Youth Union, Vietnam Women's Union, Vietnam Veterans Association, Vietnam Farmers' Union, etc.).

The Ministry of Justice shall take the lead, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and relevant agencies, to pilot this Directive in some localities to draw lessons. Based on summarizing the situation of the construction and implementation of customs and regulations nationwide, the Ministry will propose to the Prime Minister measures and exemplary models of cultural activities to further strengthen state management and enhance the role of custom and regulation documents in the current period.

4. Provincial People's Committees, within their responsibilities and powers, shall submit draft resolutions to the Provincial People's Council to establish specific regulations on state management and guidelines for the content of customs and regulations based on current legal provisions and in line with the economic, cultural, and social conditions and customs of the locality.

Provincial People's Committees shall direct the implementation and monitor the enforcement of the People's Council Resolution on the above issues.

5. The People's Committee at the district level shall be responsible for approving consolidated documents of village regulations and conventions submitted by the People's Committee at the commune level, directing and guiding the implementation of such village regulations and conventions within the district's territory to ensure that their contents comply with current laws, new cultural lifestyle rules, maintaining and developing positive traditional customs at the grassroots level.

6. The People's Committee at the commune level shall be responsible for directing and supporting villages, hamlets, neighborhoods, clusters of residents in drafting village regulations and conventions with rich, practical contents that align with current laws and policies of the Party and State, and submitting them to the People's Committee at the district level for approval. The People's Committee at the commune level shall regularly inspect the organization and implementation of village regulations and conventions within its jurisdiction.

7. Mass media agencies shall intensify propaganda on the role and effectiveness of drafting and implementing village regulations and conventions, exemplary models of cultural lifestyles, in conjunction with strengthening state management through laws, promoting grassroots democracy; showcasing advanced examples, identifying and combating negative manifestations or abuses of village regulations and conventions to maintain outdated customs and backward practices.

8. The Minister, Heads of relevant agencies, Chairpersons of People's Councils, and Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels shall be responsible for enforcing this Directive./.