Consolidated Document number 30/VBHN-BQP stipulates the granting, promotion, and demotion of military ranks; appointment to positions, demotion, and removal from office; equivalent positions and the highest military rank corresponding to the position of non-commissioned officers and conscripts of the Vietnam People's Army.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on conferring, promoting, and demoting military ranks; appointing positions, demoting positions, dismissing from positions; equivalent positions and the highest military rank for positions of non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army.

Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BQP dated January 26, 2016, issued by the Minister of National Defense, stipulates regulations on conferring, promoting, and demoting military ranks; appointing positions, demoting positions, dismissing from positions; equivalent positions and the highest military rank for positions of non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, which took effect from March 12, 2016, has been amended and supplemented by:

Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP dated July 3, 2025, issued by the Minister of National Defense, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars of the Minister of National Defense regarding calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using Military Identification Cards and Passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; conferring, promoting, and demoting military ranks, appointing positions, demoting positions, dismissing from positions, and implementing discharge procedures for non-commissioned officers and soldiers; forms, contents, and times of activities for reserve personnel, which took effect from July 3, 2025.

Pursuant to the Law on Legislative Documents of 2008;

Pursuant to Article 8 of the Law on Military Service 2015;

Pursuant to Decree No. 35/2013/NĐ-CP dated April 22, 2013, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense;

Considering the proposal of the Chief of General Staff;

The Minister of National Defense stipulates regulations on conferring, promoting, and demoting military ranks; appointing positions, demoting positions, dismissing from positions; equivalent positions and the highest military rank for positions of non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army.^[1].

Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates regulations on conferring, promoting, and demoting military ranks; appointing positions, demoting positions, dismissing from positions; equivalent positions and the highest military rank for positions of non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army as prescribed in Clause 4 of Article 8 of the Law on Military Service 2015.

Article 2. Applicability

1. This Circular applies to relevant agencies, units, individuals, and non-commissioned officers and soldiers serving in active duty; non-commissioned officers and soldiers serving in the reserve forces.

2. Matters concerning conferring, promoting, and demoting military ranks; appointing positions, demoting positions, dismissing from positions for non-commissioned officers and soldiers during wartime shall be implemented according to separate regulations.

Article 3. Principles for promoting and demoting military ranks; appointing positions, demoting positions, dismissing from positions for non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

1. The authority with the power to decide on promoting a military rank and appointing up to a certain position also has the right to demote a military rank; demote positions, dismiss from positions for non-commissioned officers and soldiers down to that military rank and position.

2. Each time a military rank is promoted or demoted, it must be only one rank higher or lower; in special cases, multiple ranks can be promoted or demoted, but not exceeding the authority prescribed in this Circular.

Chapter II. REGULATIONS ON CONFERRING, PROMOTING, AND DEMOTING MILITARY RANKS; APPOINTING POSITIONS, DEMOTING POSITIONS, DISMISSING FROM POSITIONS; EQUIVALENT POSITIONS AND THE HIGHEST MILITARY RANK FOR POSITIONS OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS

Section 1. CONFERRING, PROMOTING, AND DEMOTING MILITARY RANKS FOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS

Article 4. Military ranks of non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

1. Non-commissioned officers of the Vietnam People's Army have three military ranks: Senior Sergeant, Corporal, and Private First Class.

2. Soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army have two military ranks: Private Second Class and Private Third Class.

Article 5. Authority to confer, promote, and demote ranks for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel

1. Confer the rank of Private Second Class

a) Battalion Commander, Regiment Commander, and equivalent positions decide to confer the rank of Private Second Class on subordinate military personnel.

b)^[2] The Commanding Officer of the Defense Area Command decides to confer the rank of Private Second Class on citizens registered for service in the reserve category of the Vietnam People's Army who have been assigned and appointed to reserve mobilization units.

2. Promote or demote ranks for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel on active duty

a) Company Commander and equivalent positions decide to promote the rank of Private First Class for subordinate enlisted personnel;

b) Battalion Commander, Regiment Commander, and equivalent positions decide to promote or demote ranks up to Corporal for subordinate non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel;

c) Division Commander and equivalent positions decide to promote or demote ranks up to Sergeant for subordinate non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

3. In cases where non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel violate discipline and no longer meet the qualifications of military personnel, they shall be disciplined with the revocation of their military status according to the regulations stipulated in the Military Unit Management Regulation of the Vietnam People's Army.

4. Promote or demote ranks for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel in the reserve

a)^[3] The Commanding Officer of the Defense Area Command decides to promote or demote ranks up to Corporal for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel registered for service in the reserve category of the Vietnam People's Army who have been assigned and appointed to reserve mobilization units;

b) The Commanding Officer of the Provincial Military Command, the Commanding Officer of the Military Command of centrally governed cities, the Commanding Officer of the Military Command of Hanoi Capital, and the Commanding Officer of the Military Command of Ho Chi Minh City (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Commanding Officer of the Provincial Military Command) decide to promote or demote ranks up to Sergeant for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel registered for service in the reserve category of the Vietnam People's Army who have been assigned and appointed to reserve mobilization units.

Article 6. Time of conferring the rank of Private Second Class

1. Citizens called up for military service in the Vietnam People's Army according to the provisions of the Law on Military Service shall be conferred the rank of Private Second Class from the day of handover and acceptance of military service; in cases where there is no centralized handover and acceptance, it shall be counted from the day the Vietnam People's Army unit accepts them.

2. Citizens admitted through military recruitment to study at schools, recognized by competent authorities as military personnel, shall be conferred the rank of Private Second Class from the day they are recognized as military personnel.

3. Enlisted reservists of the second category, when assigned and appointed to reserve mobilization units, shall be conferred the rank of Private Second Class from the day of the assignment and appointment decision.

Article 7. Period for considering promotion of ranks for non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel

1. For non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel currently working at units

a) Promotion to the rank of Private First Class: Private Second Class has served six months on active duty;

b) Promotion to the rank of Corporal

- Private First Class appointed to the position of Deputy Squad Leader or equivalent positions, regardless of time limit.

- Positions with the rank of Corporal and technical and professional enlisted personnel who have held the rank of Private First Class for six months.

c) Promotion to the rank of Sergeant

- Corporal appointed to the position of Squad Leader or equivalent positions, regardless of time limit.

- Positions with the rank of Sergeant and technical and professional non-commissioned officers who have held the rank of Corporal for six months.

d) Promotion to the rank of Sergeant First Class

- Sergeant holding the position of Squad Leader or equivalent positions appointed to the position of Deputy Platoon Leader or equivalent positions, regardless of time limit.

- Technical and professional non-commissioned officers with a secondary level education or higher, properly assigned to the establishment, who have held the rank of Sergeant for six months.

đ) Non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel who complete tasks excellently and are awarded from Labor Medal and above may be considered for promotion by one rank; those with outstanding achievements may be considered for promotion beyond the prescribed rank, position, and time limit set out in points a, b, c, and d of this clause, but not exceeding one rank above the prescribed rank for the position held.

2. For non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel who are students in training institutions

a) Students currently studying at training institutions

- Promotion to the rank of Private First Class: Have held the rank of Private Second Class for six months.

- Promotion to the rank of Corporal: Have held the rank of Private First Class for six months.

- Promotion to the rank of Sergeant: Have held the rank of Corporal for twelve months.

- Promotion to the rank of Sergeant First Class: Have held the rank of Sergeant for twelve months.

b) Graduates of non-commissioned officer command training

- Training for Squad Leader and equivalent positions; graduates with good grades or better will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant, average grades will be promoted to the rank of Corporal;

- Training for Deputy Platoon Leader and equivalent positions, graduates will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class.

c) Graduates of primary-level technical and professional training

- Training period of six months or less: Excellent grades will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant; good and average grades will be promoted to the rank of Corporal.

- Training period of more than six months: Good grades or better will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant; average grades will be promoted to the rank of Corporal.

d) Students who complete tasks excellently and are awarded from Labor Medal and above may be considered for promotion by one rank; those with outstanding achievements may be considered for promotion beyond the time limit set out in points a, b, and c of this clause;

đ) Students who do not graduate or do not complete the training program will not be considered for promotion of ranks.

3. For non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel in the reserve

a) Promotion to the rank of Private First Class: Private Second Class has served twelve months in the reserve mobilization unit;

b) Promotion to the rank of Corporal

- Private First Class appointed to the position of Deputy Squad Leader or equivalent positions.

- Positions with the rank of Corporal and technical and professional enlisted personnel properly assigned and appointed to the establishment, who have held the rank of Private First Class for twelve months or more.

c) Promotion to the rank of Sergeant

- Corporal appointed to the position of Squad Leader or equivalent positions;

- Positions with the rank of Sergeant and technical and professional non-commissioned officers properly assigned and appointed to the establishment, who have held the rank of Corporal for twelve months or more.

d) Promotion to the rank of Sergeant First Class

- Sergeant appointed to the position of Deputy Platoon Leader or equivalent positions;

- Technical and professional non-commissioned officers with a college degree or higher shall be assigned and appointed according to the establishment, having held the rank of Corporal for at least twelve months.

d) Reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers who have outstanding achievements in performing their duties and have been awarded commendations or higher may be considered for a promotion in rank; those with exceptionally outstanding achievements may be considered for a leapfrog promotion regardless of rank, position, and the time limit specified in points a, b, c, and d of this clause, but not exceeding one rank above the prescribed rank for the position they hold;

e) The period for considering a promotion in rank is calculated from when the reserve military personnel receives the decision on assignment and appointment to reserve mobilization units.

Article 8. Criteria for considering promotions in rank for non-commissioned officers and soldiers

1. For non-commissioned officers and soldiers serving on active duty

a) In accordance with the establishment positions;

b) Meeting political criteria; fulfilling assigned responsibilities and tasks; not violating discipline from reprimand level upwards;

c) Meeting the time requirement for considering a promotion in rank for each level as stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 7 of this Circular.

2. For reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers

a) Being assigned and appointed to positions in reserve mobilization units according to the establishment;

b) Meeting political criteria; complying with regulations on registering for reserve service; participating in training, exercises, readiness checks for mobilization and combat, and living conditions in reserve mobilization units; fulfilling assigned responsibilities; not violating discipline from reprimand level upwards;

c) Meeting the time requirement for considering a promotion in rank for each level as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 7 of this Circular.

Section 2. APPOINTMENT OF POSITIONS, DEMOTION, AND DISMISSAL FOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS

Article 9. Authority to appoint positions, demote, and dismiss non-commissioned officers and soldiers

1. For non-commissioned officers and soldiers on active duty

a) Battalion Commanders, Brigade Commanders, and equivalent positions decide on the appointment of positions, demotion, and dismissal of Platoon Leaders and equivalent positions for subordinates;

b) Division Commanders and equivalent positions decide on the appointment of positions, demotion, and dismissal of Deputy Platoon Leaders and equivalent positions for subordinate non-commissioned officers.

2. For reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers

a)^[4] The Commander of the Defense Command of the Region decides on the appointment of positions, demotion, and dismissal of Platoon Leaders and equivalent positions for reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers registered for reserve service who have been assigned and appointed to reserve mobilization units;

b) The Commander of the Military Command of the province decides on the appointment of positions, demotion, and dismissal of Deputy Platoon Leaders and equivalent positions for reserve non-commissioned officers registered for reserve service who have been assigned and appointed to reserve mobilization units.

Article 10. Criteria for considering appointments to positions for non-commissioned officers and soldiers

1. Meeting political criteria, fulfilling assigned responsibilities and tasks well.

2. Having the ability to fulfill responsibilities and tasks when appointed to a new position.

3. For reserve military personnel: Having been assigned and appointed to positions in reserve mobilization units according to the establishment.

Section 3. EQUIVALENT POSITIONS AND THE HIGHEST RANK FOR THE POSITIONS OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS

Article 11. Equivalent positions for non-commissioned officers and soldiers

1. Positions equivalent to Deputy Platoon Leader

a) Deputy Reconnaissance Platoon Leader of Infantry;

b) Deputy Assault Team Leader;

c) Deputy Reconnaissance Team Leader of Deep Penetration Artillery;

d) Deputy Leader of units organized at the Platoon level;

đ) Deputy Workshop Manager, Deputy Sub-workshop Manager, Deputy Station Manager of workshops, sub-workshops, stations organized at the Platoon level;

e) Deputy Warehouse Manager, Deputy Sub-warehouse Manager of warehouses, sub-warehouses organized at the Platoon level;

g) Non-commissioned officers with technical and professional qualifications at the intermediate level or higher who are properly assigned according to the establishment.

2. Positions equivalent to Squad Leader

a) Gun Crew Leader;

b) Vehicle Commander (tank, armored vehicle; self-propelled artillery; chemical);

c) Station Leader (Station 15W; Communication Vehicle; Communication; Air Defense Observation);

d) Communication Post Leader, Communication Shift Leader of Military Postal Service;

đ) Team Leader (Assault; Deep Penetration Artillery Reconnaissance; Technical Decryption and Photography; Examination; Food Processing); teams under units at the Platoon level and above;

e) Radar Operator (Missile Control Crew (crew 1); Missile Crew (crew 1); Radar (crew 1); Electronic Warfare);

g) Non-commissioned officers with technical and professional qualifications at the basic level who are properly assigned according to the establishment.

3. Positions equivalent to Deputy Squad Leader

a) Deputy Gun Crew Leader;

b) Deputy Assault Team Leader;

c) Deputy Communication Post Leader, Communication Shift Leader of Military Postal Service;

d) Team Leader (Guard, Infantry, Reconnaissance, Short-range Air Defense Missile);

đ) Team Leader of Supply, Repair, Construction Teams;

e) Team Leader who is a soldier with technical expertise properly assigned according to the establishment.

Article 12. Highest rank corresponding to positions of non-commissioned officers and soldiers

1. Deputy Platoon Leader and equivalents: Senior Sergeant.

2. Squad Leader and equivalents: Staff Sergeant.

3. Deputy Squad Leader and equivalents: Corporal.

4. Soldier: Private First Class.

Chapter III. IMPLEMENTATION

Article 13. Organization of bestowal, promotion, demotion of ranks and appointment, reduction, removal from position of non-commissioned officers and soldiers

1. For non-commissioned officers and soldiers on active duty

a) Commanders of agencies and units are responsible for organizing the implementation of bestowal, promotion, demotion of ranks and appointment, reduction, removal from position of non-commissioned officers and soldiers as stipulated in this Circular;

b) Graduates of non-commissioned officer command training, technical and professional training shall be considered for promotion of rank before graduation ceremony;

c) Decisions on bestowal, promotion, demotion of ranks and appointment, reduction, removal from position must be announced to the unit for implementation and recorded in the file, while ensuring the benefits enjoyed according to regulations.

2. For reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers

a)^[5] The Provincial Military Command Commander, the Regional Defense Command Commander, the Commune Defense Command Commander within their jurisdiction shall take the lead and coordinate with receiving units, units under Ministries and sectors responsible for building specialized reserve units with reservists registered for military service in the locality (if any) to organize the implementation of bestowal, promotion, demotion of ranks and appointment, reduction, removal from position of reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers as stipulated in this Circular;

b) Promotion decisions for reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers shall be implemented once a year on December 22 each year; appointment and dismissal decisions for reserve non-commissioned officers and soldiers shall be made based on mission requirements;

c)^[6] Decisions on bestowal, promotion, demotion of ranks and appointment, reduction, removal from position must be notified to receiving units and units under Ministries and sectors; at the same time, authorize the People's Militia Battalion of communes, wards, special zones or the People's Militia Battalion of agencies and units under Ministries and sectors to announce to the reserve mobilization unit or invite reservists with decisions to the People's Militia Battalion office to hand over the decision; record in the file, ensure the benefits enjoyed by reservists according to current regulations.

Article 14. Effective Date^[7]

1. This Circular takes effect from March 12, 2016.

2. Decision No. 129/2008/QĐ-BQP dated June 19, 2008 of the Minister of National Defense on bestowal, promotion, demotion of ranks and appointment, reduction, removal from position of non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army; Decision No. 128/2008/QĐ-BQP dated June 19, 2008 of the Minister of National Defense on ranks and equivalent positions of non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 15. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Chief of General Staff, heads of related agencies and units are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. The Director of the Personnel Department under the General Staff Headquarters is responsible for guiding and implementing this Circular./.

^{_______________________________________}

^[1] Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP amending and supplementing some articles of Circulars of the Minister of National Defense on calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using Identity Cards, Passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; bestowing, promoting, demoting ranks, appointing, reducing, removing from position, and implementing discharge for non-commissioned officers and soldiers; forms, contents, and times of activities of reserve personnel, based on the following grounds:

"On the basis of the Law on Military Service dated June 19, 2015;

On the basis of the Law on Officers of the Vietnam People's Army dated December 21, 1999; amended and supplemented on June 3, 2008, November 27, 2014, and November 28, 2024;

On the basis of the Law on Professional Soldiers, Workers, and Defense Civil Servants dated December 8, 2015;

On the basis of the Law on Reserve Mobilization Forces dated November 26, 2019;

On the basis of the Law amending and supplementing some articles of eleven laws on military and national defense dated June 27, 2025;

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing some articles of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense;

At the proposal of the Chief of General Staff;

The Minister of National Defense issues this Circular to amend and supplement some articles of the Circulars of the Minister of National Defense on calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using identification cards and passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; promoting, advancing, demoting ranks, appointing, demoting positions, dismissing from office, and implementing discharge for non-commissioned officers and conscripts; forms, contents, and times of activities for reserve soldiers.

^[2] This point is amended and supplemented according to the provisions at point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP amending and supplementing some articles of the Circulars of the Minister of National Defense on calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using identification cards and passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; promoting, advancing, demoting ranks, appointing, demoting positions, dismissing from office, and implementing discharge for non-commissioned officers and conscripts; forms, contents, and times of activities for reserve soldiers, which shall take effect from July 3, 2025.

^[3] This point is amended and supplemented according to the provisions at point b, Clause 1, Article 4 of Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP amending and supplementing some articles of the Circulars of the Minister of National Defense on calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using identification cards and passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; promoting, advancing, demoting ranks, appointing, demoting positions, dismissing from office, and implementing discharge for non-commissioned officers and conscripts; forms, contents, and times of activities for reserve soldiers, which shall take effect from July 3, 2025.

^[4] This point is amended and supplemented according to the provisions at Clause 2, Article 4 of Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP amending and supplementing some articles of the Circulars of the Minister of National Defense on calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using identification cards and passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; promoting, advancing, demoting ranks, appointing, demoting positions, dismissing from office, and implementing discharge for non-commissioned officers and conscripts; forms, contents, and times of activities for reserve soldiers, which shall take effect from July 3, 2025.

^[5] This point is amended and supplemented according to the provisions at point a, Clause 3, Article 4 of Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP amending and supplementing some articles of the Circulars of the Minister of National Defense on calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using identification cards and passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; promoting, advancing, demoting ranks, appointing, demoting positions, dismissing from office, and implementing discharge for non-commissioned officers and conscripts; forms, contents, and times of activities for reserve soldiers, which shall take effect from July 3, 2025.

^[6] This point is amended and supplemented according to the provisions at point b, Clause 3, Article 4 of Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP amending and supplementing some articles of the Circulars of the Minister of National Defense on calculating military age; issuing, managing, and using identification cards and passes; selecting and recruiting professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; promoting, advancing, demoting ranks, appointing, demoting positions, dismissing from office, and implementing discharge for non-commissioned officers and conscripts; forms, contents, and times of activities for reserve soldiers, which shall take effect from July 3, 2025.

^[7] Article 7 of Circular No. 65/2025/TT-BQP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circulars issued by the Minister of National Defense regarding age calculation for military service; issuance, management, and use of Certificates and Cards; recruitment and enlistment of professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; promotion, advancement, demotion, appointment, demotion in rank, removal from office, and implementation of discharge for non-commissioned officers and conscripts; forms, contents, and times of activities of reserve military personnel, to take effect from July 3, 2025, is stipulated as follows:

"Article 7. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from July 3, 2025.

2. Transitional provisions: Officer Certificates; Certificates for professional soldiers, workers, and defense civil servants; Non-commissioned officer and conscript Cards while on active duty; Reserve Officer Cards; Cards for reserve professional soldiers and non-commissioned officers and conscripts issued before this Circular takes effect shall continue to be valid until their expiration date, and in cases of reissue or replacement after this Circular takes effect, they shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

3. The Chief of General Staff, heads of agencies, organizations, units, and individuals related to this matter are responsible for implementing this Circular./"