Decree No. 249/SL On Amending the National Flag and National Anthem

Decree No. 249/SL amends the National Flag and National Anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, specifically changing the shape of the yellow star on the national flag from curved to straight lines and adjusting the content of some words in the lyrics of the national anthem.

Document No.249/SL
Document typeDecree
Issuing authorityCentral Account
Signed byHồ Chí Minh — Chủ tịch nước
Updated18/06/2026
FieldUncategorized
Issued date30/11/1955
Effective date15/12/1955
Expiry date01/01/1960
StatusExpired
✦ Smart summary

Decree No. 249/SL amends the National Flag and National Anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, specifically changing the shape of the yellow star on the national flag from curved to straight lines and adjusting the content of some words in the lyrics of the national anthem.

Scope of application

All citizens and organizations in Vietnam

Key points

  • Citizens and organizations shall use the new National Flag with the shape of the yellow star according to straight lines instead of curved lines as before (Article 1).
  • Citizens and organizations shall sing the National Anthem with the amended content compared to the old version (Article 2).
  • The Prime Minister shall be responsible for implementing this decree.

🌐 Social impact of this document

  • Positive impact: The amendment of the National Flag and National Anthem helps to reflect the new cultural identity of the country, fostering unity among the people.
  • Negative impact: Organizations and individuals need time to get accustomed to the new versions of the National Flag and National Anthem.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What changes have been made to the National Flag of Vietnam?

The shape of the yellow star on the national flag has been changed from curved to straight lines.

Has the content of the National Anthem been changed?

Some words in the lyrics of the National Anthem have been adjusted according to Appendix No. 2.

Full text

DECREE

NUMBER 249/SL ON NOVEMBER 30, 1955

OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

PURSUANT TO DECREE NUMBER 5-SL OF SEPTEMBER 5, 1955, ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL FLAG OF VIETNAM;

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESOLUTION OF THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN SEPTEMBER 1955,

 

ISSUES THE DECREE:

Article 1: THE NATIONAL FLAG IS NOW REVISED AS FOLLOWS: THE GOLDEN FIVE-POINTED STARS ARE NO LONGER DRAWN IN CURVED LINES BUT IN STRAIGHT LINES AS SHOWN IN APPENDIX 1.

Article 2: THE LYRICS OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM ARE MODIFIED ACCORDING TO APPENDIX 2.

Article 3: THE PRIME MINISTER SHALL ENFORCE THIS DECREE.

 

 

Ho Chi Minh City

(Signed)

 

ANNEX

ATTACHMENT I TO DECREE NUMBER 249-SL

DATE OF NOVEMBER 30, 1955

 

NATIONAL FLAG

SHAPE AND COLORS:

THE FLAG IS RECTANGULAR, WITH A RED BACKGROUND AND A FIVE-POINTED GOLD STAR IN THE CENTER.

THE CENTER OF THE STAR IS PLACED AT THE EXACT CENTER OF THE FLAG, WITH ONE POINT OF THE STAR POINTING STRAIGHT UPWARDS.

DIMENSIONS:

THE WIDTH OF THE FLAG IS TWO-THIRDS THE LENGTH.

FROM THE CENTER A OF THE STAR TO THE TIP B OF THE NEAREST POINT OF THE STAR IS APPROXIMATELY ONE-FIFTH THE LENGTH OF THE FLAG.

 

ANNEX

ATTACHMENT II TO DECREE NUMBER 249-SL

DATE OF NOVEMBER 30, 1955

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PART 1:

THE VIETNAMESE ARMY ADVANCES

UNITED IN DEFENDING THE COUNTRY

THE STEPS ARE HEAVY ON THE ROUGH PATHS

THE FLAG SPATTERED WITH BLOOD OF VICTORY CARRIES THE SOUL OF THE NATION

THE SOUNDS OF GUNS OUTSIDE JOIN THE CHANTS OF THE MARCHING ARMY

THE PATH OF GLORY IS BUILT ON THE BODIES OF THE ENEMY

WE OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES TO BUILD WAR ZONES TOGETHER

FOR THE PEOPLE, WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITHOUT CEASING

RUSH TO THE BATTLEFIELD

FORWARD! ALL TOGETHER!

VIETNAM'S LAND AND PEOPLE WILL BE PERMANENT.

PART 2:

THE VIETNAMESE ARMY ADVANCES

THE GOLD STAR WAVING

GUIDES THE DESCENDANTS OF THE HOMELAND THROUGH TIMES OF ADVERSITY

TOGETHER WE STRUGGLE TO BUILD A NEW LIFE

WE RISE UP TO CRUSH THE CHAINS

FOR MANY YEARS WE HAVE SWALLOWED OUR ANGER

WE DECIDE TO SACRIFICE FOR A MORE COLORFUL LIFE

FOR THE PEOPLE, WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITHOUT CEASING

RUSH TO THE BATTLEFIELD

FORWARD! ALL TOGETHER!

VIETNAM'S LAND AND PEOPLE WILL BE PERMANENT.

 

 

 

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