Decree No. 26/2022/ND-CP on Honorary Consuls of Foreign Countries in Vietnam

DECREE

ON FOREIGN HONORARY CONSULS IN VIETNAM

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on privileges and immunities for diplomatic missions, consular posts, and representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam dated August 23, 1993;

At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

The Government issues this Decree on foreign honorary consuls in Vietnam.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. The scope of regulation of this Decree guides the provisions of Clause 2, Article 36 of the Ordinance on privileges and immunities for diplomatic missions, consular posts, and representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam in 1993 regarding the procedures for approving foreign honorary consuls in Vietnam and the operational regulations of foreign honorary consuls in Vietnam.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

a) Consular post headed by a foreign honorary consul in Vietnam, foreign honorary consul in Vietnam.

b) State agencies with competent authority, organizations, and individuals related to the approval and operation of foreign honorary consuls in Vietnam.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

1. The appointing state is the state that entrusts an individual to serve as a foreign honorary consul to perform one or more consular functions on the territory of Vietnam and is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. A consular post of a foreign country in Vietnam headed by a consular officer is a consular post headed by a foreign honorary consul appointed by the appointing state and established on the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, hereinafter referred to as the Honorary Consular Post.

3. A foreign honorary consul in Vietnam is an individual appointed by the appointing state to perform one or more consular functions of that state in a specific consular district in Vietnam and is approved in writing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hereinafter referred to as the Honorary Consul.

4. The Letter of Appointment of Honorary Consul is a document from the appointing state sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the appointment of an individual to perform the functions of an Honorary Consul for the state, legal entities, and citizens of that state in a specific consular district.

5. The Acceptance Letter of Honorary Consul is a document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approving an individual appointed by the appointing state to serve as a foreign honorary consul in a specific consular district in Vietnam.

6. The Identity Card of Honorary Consul is a personal identification document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the identity of the person appointed as a foreign honorary consul in Vietnam.

Article 3. Principles of performing consular functions

1. The Honorary Consular Post and Honorary Consul may only be permitted to perform consular functions in a specific consular district in Vietnam after being granted the Acceptance Letter of Honorary Consul by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based on compliance with international law and Vietnamese law.

2. The Honorary Consul performs some or all of the consular functions specified in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, according to the appointment of the appointing state and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3. The Honorary Consul performs consular functions not for profit or economic interest but to promote relations between the appointing state and Vietnam.

4. The Honorary Consul may simultaneously perform consular functions appointed by the appointing state and engage in profitable professional or commercial activities in Vietnam; in accordance with the provisions of international treaties to which both the appointing state and Vietnam are parties and Vietnamese law.

5. The Honorary Consular Post and Honorary Consul shall not enjoy privileges or immunities for Honorary Consuls outside the scope of performing consular functions or when conducting personal business, trade, or commerce on the territory of Vietnam, nor shall they use the title of Honorary Consul for their professional commercial activities or outside the scope of performing consular functions.

Chapter II

PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL AND TERMINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF HONORARY CONSULS

Article 4. Approval for the establishment of Honorary Consular Agencies

1. The sending State shall send a diplomatic note directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting approval for the establishment of an honorary consular agency of its country in Vietnam. The diplomatic note shall clearly state the need for establishing an honorary consular agency in Vietnam, the proposed consular district, and the name of the honorary consular agency.

2. Within ten days from the date of receipt of the diplomatic note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall seek opinions from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and relevant agencies on the proposal to establish an honorary consular agency of a foreign country in Vietnam. These agencies shall return their opinions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the Ministry's document.

3. Within thirty days after receiving the written opinions of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide on allowing the establishment of an honorary consular agency based on legal provisions, the level of consular relations in the region; the nature of the relationship and ensuring national defense security, public order and safety, in accordance with international law and practice. In cases where there are differing opinions among relevant agencies regarding this matter or if the establishment of an honorary consular agency requires further consideration from a national defense security perspective, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall report.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the sending State of the decision on approving or not approving the establishment of an honorary consular agency of a foreign country in Vietnam.

Article 5. Procedures and formalities for approval of Honorary Consuls

1. After receiving the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the establishment of an honorary consular agency in Vietnam, the sending State shall send a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting approval for the candidate for Honorary Consul, along with one set of the Honorary Consul's dossier as stipulated in Article 7, the proposed location of the honorary consular agency, and the consular functions entrusted by the sending State. If necessary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request the sending State to provide additional related information.

2. Within ten working days from the date of receipt of the diplomatic note and complete valid dossier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consult with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and relevant agencies on the approval of the Honorary Consul to ensure requirements for diplomacy, national defense security, public order and safety, economy, culture, education. These agencies shall return their opinions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the Ministry's document. Within thirty days after receiving the written opinions of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide on approving or not approving the nominated person as Honorary Consul.

3. After approving the candidate for Honorary Consul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the sending State in writing and request the sending State to submit a copy of the Letter of Accreditation for the Honorary Consul so that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue a Letter of Acceptance for the Honorary Consul. Both parties shall agree on the time for accepting the Letter of Accreditation and presenting the Letter of Acceptance for the Honorary Consul.

4. After accepting the Letter of Accreditation for the Honorary Consul and within five days after presenting the Letter of Acceptance for the Honorary Consul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify competent authorities in Vietnam about the newly approved Honorary Consul of the sending State, including personal information of the Honorary Consul, consular district, consular functions, and term of office.

5. The sending State may send a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exchange views on the establishment of an honorary consular agency of its country in Vietnam simultaneously with the request for approval of the candidate for Honorary Consul, accompanied by the Honorary Consul's curriculum vitae. In such cases, the accompanying dossier must comply with Clause 1 of Article 4 and Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Decree.

6. In cases where the sending State has already been approved to establish an honorary consular agency in Vietnam and appoints a new person as Honorary Consul, it does not need to re-exchange opinions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stipulated in Article 4 of this Decree.

Article 6. Criteria for Honorary Consular Candidates

The person approved to be an Honorary Consul must meet the following conditions:

1. Hold citizenship of the appointing State or Vietnamese citizenship. In case of holding third-country citizenship or dual/multiple citizenships, such status must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs according to the procedures stipulated in Clause 2, Article 5. Such approval may be withdrawn at any time without providing reasons. In this case, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send a diplomatic note to notify the appointing State.

2. Reside in Vietnam or have resided and worked for at least one year in the consular district.

3. Not be a civil servant, public official, or salaried employee from any state budget.

4. Arrange office premises or residence within the consular district of the honorary consulate they are expected to head.

5. Have a clear criminal record.

6. Possess financial capability and social standing.

Article 7. Application Documents for Approval of Honorary Consul

1. A diplomatic note from the appointing State sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifying the nomination of an individual as an Honorary Consul, the proposed location of the honorary consulate office, the consular district, consular functions, and the term of office of the Honorary Consul.

2. A curriculum vitae with photograph.

3. A copy of the passport.

4. A criminal record issued by the competent authority in Vietnam within a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of submission of the application for approval.

Article 8. Termination of Activities of Honorary Consul

1. An Honorary Consul terminates activities in the following cases:

a) The term of office expires and the appointing State does not notify about extending the status of Honorary Consul.

b) The Honorary Consul dies, goes missing, is detained, sentenced to imprisonment, has restricted or lost civil capacity.

c) The Honorary Consul voluntarily resigns from the position of Honorary Consul and receives approval from the appointing State.

d) The Honorary Consul's acceptance certificate is revoked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The revocation of the acceptance certificate can be carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at any time without providing specific reasons.

đ) The appointing State sends a diplomatic note notifying the termination of the activities of the honorary consulate office.

2. Except for the cases specified in point a and d of Clause 1 of this Article, the appointing State will officially notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the termination of the activities of the honorary consulate office and the Honorary Consul. Based on this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will issue a decision to terminate the activities of the honorary consulate office and/or the Honorary Consul.

3. Upon termination of activities as prescribed in this Article, the privileges and immunities granted to the honorary consulate office and the Honorary Consul under this Decree and relevant laws also cease.

4. Immediately after issuing the decision to terminate the activities of the honorary consulate office and/or the Honorary Consul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify the competent authorities in Vietnam of this matter according to the procedures stipulated in Clause 4, Article 5. The Honorary Consul is responsible for removing the signboard, national flag, and emblem of the appointing State at the office premises of the honorary consulate, on means of transportation, and returning the Honorary Consul Identity Card as stipulated in Clause 6, Article 13 of this Decree.

Chapter III

REGULATIONS ON THE ACTIVITIES OF HONORARY CONSUL

Article 9. Consular District of Honorary Consuls

1. The consular district of foreign honorary consuls in Vietnam shall be proposed by the Appointing State and must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after consultation with relevant Vietnamese authorities. The consular district is defined by the administrative units at provincial or centrally governed city level in Vietnam where the honorary consul performs their consular functions. After seeking opinions from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and other competent agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decides to approve the consular district based on international law provisions, the degree of consular relations within the area, the principle of reciprocity, the nature of the relationship, and ensuring requirements for diplomacy, national defense and security, social order and safety, economy, culture, education, and notifies the Appointing State. The request for opinions on the consular district is carried out simultaneously with the exchange of opinions on the establishment of the honorary consulate as stipulated in Article 4 of this Decree. For consular districts that may affect national defense and security, or for areas where agencies have differing opinions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will report.

2. The consular district of the honorary consulate shall not overlap with the consular district prescribed for professional consular agencies if the Appointing State has a professional consular agency in Vietnam.

3. In cases of necessity, the honorary consul may perform consular functions outside their consular district upon prior written approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4. Upon receipt of a Note Verbale requesting it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may consider deciding to allow the performance of consular functions outside the consular district; changing the consular district of the honorary consulate. The decision to permit performance outside the consular district, and the decision to change the consular district, are based on factors such as diplomatic relations, economic considerations, the principle of reciprocity, and the needs of the Appointing State to perform consular functions in that area, and according to the procedures stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article and Article 4 of this Decree.

Article 10. Rights of Honorary Consuls

While performing consular functions, honorary consuls have the following rights:

1. To directly contact and work with local authorities of Vietnam within their consular district.

2. To contact and work with central authorities of Vietnam through the diplomatic mission of the Appointing State in Vietnam (if there is one). In the absence of a diplomatic mission in Vietnam, the honorary consul may contact through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Appointing State.

3. To use means of communication such as mail, telephone, telegraph, telex, fax through Vietnam's postal and telecommunications system.

4. To recruit staff to serve consular work in accordance with relevant provisions of Vietnamese law.

5. To hoist the flag and emblem of the Appointing State at the premises of the honorary consulate and on vehicles of the honorary consul when these are used for official purposes to perform consular functions within their consular district.

6. To be facilitated by competent Vietnamese authorities to perform their functions in accordance with Vietnamese law, international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, or by agreement with the Appointing State based on the principle of reciprocity.

7. Honorary consuls, being foreigners, are granted entry and residence permits in Vietnam in accordance with Vietnamese laws on the entry and stay of foreigners.

8. To be issued, reissued, or extended an Honorary Consular Identity Card.

9. Other rights in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Article 11. Obligations of Honorary Consuls

In performing consular functions, honorary consuls shall have the following obligations:

1. To respect the laws and customs of Vietnam.

2. To arrange office premises for the honorary consulate, material resources, and other means to serve the performance of their honorary consular functions, and bear all related costs themselves.

3. To notify the local diplomatic service agency seven days prior to organizing reception activities.

4. To clearly delineate the office premises of the honorary consulate from the premises serving their personal business activities.

5. Not to use the office premises of the honorary consulate for purposes not appropriate to the performance of consular functions.

6. To keep confidential information and documents serving the performance of consular functions, and to separate and avoid mixing these with documents serving personal matters.

7. To regularly send information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs annually on the results of their work to facilitate coordination. The time for providing this information is before January 15 of the following year.

Article 12. Term of Office of Honorary Consuls

1. The term of office of honorary consuls is based on the appointment by the Appointing State and approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. At the end of the term, upon the request of the Appointing State, the honorary consul may be reappointed by the Appointing State and accepted by Vietnam. The procedures and formalities for reappointing honorary consuls are carried out according to the provisions of Articles 5, 6, and 7 of this Decree.

Article 13. Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls

1. The validity period of the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls: The first Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls has a maximum validity period of three years and must be issued at least thirty days before the expiry date of the passport. The renewed Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls has a maximum validity period of one year per renewal.

2. Competence of relevant agencies in issuing, renewing, and reissuing Diplomatic Identity Cards of Honorary Consuls

a) The National Reception Bureau under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives and processes applications for issuance, renewal, and reissuance of Diplomatic Identity Cards of Honorary Consuls located in Hanoi and provinces north of Hue.

b) The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs) receives and processes applications for issuance, renewal, and reissuance of Diplomatic Identity Cards of Honorary Consuls located in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City, and provinces south of Da Nang and Quang Nam Province.

3. Procedures for Issuing Diplomatic Identity Cards of Honorary Consuls

a) After receiving the Acceptance Certificate for Honorary Consul issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Honorary Consul directly contacts the National Reception Bureau under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs to process the issuance of the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls.

The application dossier for issuing the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls includes:

- A completed application form for the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls with a photo attached, according to the model attached to this Decree;

- One original diplomatic note from the Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Appointing State (in case the Appointing State does not have an Embassy in Vietnam) sent to the National Reception Bureau or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs requesting the issuance of the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls;

- One copy of the Acceptance Certificate for Honorary Consul issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam;

- A copy of the passport and the original for verification; or a citizen identification card, national identity card (if the Honorary Consul is a Vietnamese citizen);

- Two 3cm x 4cm portrait photographs;

- The original Diplomatic Identity Card to be renewed or replaced, in cases of replacement due to damage or renewal.

b) The processing time for issuing the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls is ten working days from the date of receipt of the complete dossier as stipulated.

4. Renewal of Diplomatic Identity Cards of Honorary Consuls

a) The Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls will be renewed sixty days before its expiration date, with a maximum validity period of one year from the previous expiration date, or thirty days before the passport expires.

b) The procedures for renewal are carried out according to the provisions of point a, Clause 3, Article 13 of this Decree.

c) The processing time for renewing the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls is ten working days from the date of receipt of the complete dossier as stipulated.

5. Reissuance of Diplomatic Identity Cards of Honorary Consuls

a) The Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls will be reissued if it is lost or damaged and cannot be used.

b) The procedures for reissuing the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls are carried out according to the provisions of point a, Clause 3, Article 13 of this Decree. The reissue dossier is specified in point a, Clause 3, Article 13 of this Decree. In the case of reissuance due to loss, the applicant must submit a report of loss of the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls.

c) The processing time for reissuing the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls is ten days for reissuance due to damage and thirty days for reissuance due to loss, from the date of receipt of the complete dossier as stipulated.

6. In the event of termination of activities as prescribed in Article 8 of this Decree, the Honorary Consul is responsible for returning the Diplomatic Identity Card of Honorary Consuls issued to the National Reception Bureau or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, except in cases where the Diplomatic Identity Card has expired.

Article 14. Machinery for Operation and Place of Business of Honorary Consuls

1. Honorary consuls may hire workers to serve in the performance of their consular functions; they shall bear full responsibility and pay all expenses related to hiring such workers in accordance with Vietnamese laws. These workers shall not perform consular functions on behalf of the honorary consul and shall not enjoy the privileges and immunities of the honorary consul.

2. Honorary consuls must have a place of business to perform their consular functions. The place of business of the honorary consul is the place of business of the honorary consulate office. Each honorary consulate office shall have only one place of business. While performing consular functions, the honorary consul must clearly distinguish between the place of business for performing consular functions and the place of business for personal commercial activities.

Article 15. Change of Place of Business of Honorary Consuls

1. In the case of planning to change the place of business of the honorary consul, the appointing State, through the honorary consul, must send a note verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informing it of this change.

2. Based on consultations with relevant authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will examine and issue a response note verbale to inform the appointing State about the change of the honorary consul's place of business.

Article 16. Privileges and Immunities Granted to Honorary Consuls

1. Honorary consuls shall enjoy privileges and immunities as stipulated in the Ordinance on Privileges and Immunities for Diplomatic Missions, Consular Offices, and International Organizations' Representative Offices in Vietnam in 1993 and international treaties to which both Vietnam and the appointing State are parties.

2. Honorary consuls shall not use diplomatic couriers, consular couriers, diplomatic bags, consular bags, or coded telegrams to communicate with the diplomatic missions, consular offices of the appointing State, or with the Government of the appointing State, except in special cases after obtaining permission from the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

3. Honorary consuls shall enjoy the right to be notified to the appointing State when they are arrested, detained, or indicted; the right not to provide evidence related to consular functions, and the immunity from prosecution for official acts performed while carrying out consular functions.

4. Members of the family of the honorary consul shall not enjoy privileges and immunities.

Article 17. Suspension of Performance of Consular Functions

1. In the event of departure from Vietnam and absence exceeding 30 consecutive days, the honorary consul must notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the absence and inability to perform their duties. The honorary consul may authorize an individual to receive necessary information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and competent Vietnamese authorities if necessary. Such authorization shall not exceed 90 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the right to reject such authorization without providing reasons. The person authorized by the honorary consul shall not perform consular functions and shall not enjoy the privileges and immunities of the honorary consul.

2. In the event that the honorary consul cannot perform their duties within a specified period, the appointing State may notify by note verbale and request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to approve a temporary substitute for the honorary consul. At the same time, the appointing State shall specify the reason, duration of substitution, and curriculum vitae of the substitute. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will approve the temporary substitute for the honorary consul in writing within ten days from the date of notification by the appointing State. Such approval may be withdrawn at any time without providing reasons. The temporary substitute for the honorary consul shall not perform consular functions and shall not enjoy the privileges and immunities of the honorary consul.

3. In any case where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken measures but cannot contact the honorary consul to request the performance of consular functions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify the appointing State and request the appointing State to appoint a new honorary consul. The approval of a new honorary consul shall be carried out in accordance with this Decree.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 18. Awards

The honorary consul who has made significant contributions to the development of friendly relations and cooperation between Vietnam and the sending state shall be considered for appropriate awards by the Vietnamese State in accordance with Vietnamese laws.

Article 19. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. To take the lead and coordinate with competent authorities in managing and coordinating work with foreign consular agencies and honorary consuls in Vietnam. Specifically:

a) The Consular Department directly manages and coordinates work with foreign honorary consular agencies and honorary consuls in Hanoi and provinces and cities north of Hue.

b) The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City directly manages and coordinates work with foreign honorary consular agencies and honorary consuls in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and provinces and cities south of Da Nang and Quang Nam Province.

2. To notify competent authorities in Vietnam about information on foreign honorary consular agencies and honorary consuls of the sending state as stipulated in Article 5 of this Decree, and when the honorary consul ceases operations as stipulated in Article 8 of this Decree.

3. To notify the foreign honorary consular agency or honorary consul about information regarding citizens of the sending state in their consular district who have been arrested, detained pending trial, or temporarily held in any form, and at the same time inform the concerned party of the rights they are entitled to.

4. To notify the foreign honorary consular agency or honorary consul when a citizen of the sending state dies in their consular district; or in cases requiring a guardian.

5. To notify the foreign honorary consular agency or honorary consul when a ship flying the flag of the sending state sinks or runs aground in Vietnam's territorial sea or internal waters, or when an aircraft or other means of transportation registered in the sending state suffers an accident on Vietnamese territory.

6. To decide on approving the establishment of a foreign honorary consular agency in Vietnam.

7. To decide on approving an honorary consul, issue an Acceptance Certificate for Honorary Consul.

8. To decide on revoking the Acceptance Certificate for Honorary Consul.

9. To coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense in accordance with this Decree and current laws.

10. To issue, extend, and reissue Diplomatic Identity Cards for Honorary Consuls to Honorary Consuls.

11. To coordinate with local diplomatic agencies in managing and creating favorable conditions for foreign honorary consuls to perform their consular functions smoothly.

Article 20. Transitional Provisions

1. Honorary consuls approved before the effective date of this Decree continue to operate until the end of their term.

2. Diplomatic Identity Cards for Honorary Consuls issued before the effective date of this Decree and still valid may continue to be used until their expiration date.

3. Applications for Diplomatic Identity Cards for Honorary Consuls submitted before the effective date of this Decree but not yet processed shall be handled in accordance with this Decree.

Article 21. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from June 1, 2022.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Decree.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within its functions and tasks, is responsible for organizing the implementation of this Decree./.