Circular No. 31/2023/TT-BGTVT guiding the implementation of competition and reward work in the Transport Industry

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Competition and Commendation Work in the Transport Industry

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Pursuant to the Law on Encouragement and Reward dated June 15, 2022;

BASED ON THE DECREE NO. 56/2022/ND-CP dated August 24, 2022 of THE GOVERNMENT stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT;

The phrase "or examination" is abolished pursuant to Clause 6, Article 8 of Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2025, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars prescribing job codes, qualification standards, and salary grades for civil servants in the heritage culture, library, grassroots cultural activities, sports, fine arts, art performance, film, and cultural propaganda sectors, which takes effect from January 15, 2026.

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular to guide the implementation of competition and commendation work in the transport industry.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular details the implementation of Clause 4, Article 24; Clause 3, Article 26; Clause 3, Article 27; Clause 3, Article 28; Clause 2, Article 71; Clause 6, Article 74; Clause 2, Article 75 and Clause 1, Article 81, Clause 6, Article 84 of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Collectives, officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers under administrative agencies, public service units, enterprises under the Ministry of Transport; specialized agencies on transport under provincial People's Committees, centrally governed cities, and district-level People's Committees, urban districts, towns, and centrally governed city districts (hereinafter referred to collectively as agencies and units within the transport sector).

2. Organizations and individuals who have made contributions and achievements towards the development of the transport sector and other organizations and individuals related to the competition and commendation work of the Ministry of Transport.

Article 3. Competition Groups and Clusters of the Ministry of Transport

1. Competition groups organized by the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Transport to launch, implement competition movements, sign competition agreements, conduct mid-term and final reviews of competition movements, and propose commendations to competent authorities according to regulations.

2. Competition clusters organized by the Competition and Commendation Councils of subordinate agencies and units with legal personality under the Ministry of Transport to launch, implement competition movements, sign competition agreements, conduct mid-term and final reviews of competition movements, and propose commendations to competent authorities according to regulations.

Article 4. Title "Advanced Worker"

1. The title "Outstanding Worker" shall be awarded to officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers under and directly subordinate to agencies and units under the Ministry of Transport who meet the standards set forth in Clause 1, Article 24 of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. In cases where individuals transfer jobs, new agencies and units shall be responsible for reviewing and awarding the title "Outstanding Worker"; if the individual has worked at the previous agency or unit for six months or more, the previous agency or unit must provide comments on their work performance.

3. For individuals assigned or seconded to other agencies or units, the decision to review and award the title "Outstanding Worker" shall be made by the agency or unit that assigns or seconds them based on the individual's work results; the receiving agency or unit shall be responsible for evaluating and confirming the individual's work results during the assignment or secondment period.

4. Individuals sent for short-term training or enhancement programs lasting less than one year, who comply well with the rules of the training or enhancement institution, shall have their study results and time spent studying counted towards their work results and time at the agency or unit for the purpose of being reviewed for the title "Outstanding Worker".

In cases where individuals are sent for training or enhancement programs lasting one year or longer, who comply well with the rules of the training or enhancement institution, and achieve satisfactory grades or better, such participation shall be considered when reviewing for the title "Outstanding Worker".

5. Individuals belonging to any of the following categories shall not be eligible for the title "Advanced Worker" (during the year of application for the title):

a) Newly recruited for less than ten months;

b) Disciplined with a warning or higher.

Article 5. Competition Flag of the Ministry of Transport

The Competition Flag of the Ministry of Transport shall be awarded to collectives in the following circumstances:

1. Leading the competition movement of the competition group organized by the Ministry of Transport and meeting the standards set forth in Clause 1, Article 26 of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. Leading the competition movement on specific topics launched by the Ministry of Transport with a duration of three years or more, achieving the criteria of the competition movement upon its conclusion.

Article 6. The Title "Outstanding Labor Collective"

1. The title "Excellent Labor Collective" shall be awarded to collectives under and directly subordinate to the Ministry of Transport who meet the standards set forth in Clause 1, Article 27 of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. The title "Excellent Labor Collective" shall not be awarded to newly established units that have been operating for less than one year.

Article 7. The Title "Advanced Labor Collective"

1. The title "Advanced Labor Collective" shall be awarded to collectives under and directly subordinate to the Ministry of Transport who meet the standards set forth in Clause 1, Article 28 of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. The title "Advanced Labor Collective" shall not be awarded to newly established units that have been operating for less than one year.

Article 8. Certificate of Commendation by the Minister of Transport

The Certificate of Commendation by the Minister of Transport shall be awarded in the following cases:

1. To award or posthumously award to individuals meeting one of the criteria specified in Clause 1 or Clause 2 of Article 74 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. To award to groups, enterprises, other economic organizations meeting one of the criteria specified in Clause 3, Clause 4, or Clause 5 of Article 74 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

Article 9. Letter of Commendation

1. Certificate of Merit issued by the head of agencies and units under and affiliated with the Ministry having legal personality; Certificate of Merit issued by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board of Members, General Director, Director of enterprises under and affiliated with the Ministry to award to individuals and groups meeting one of the criteria specified in Clause 3 and Clause 4 of this Article.

2. Certificate of Merit issued by the Minister of Transport to award to individuals and groups belonging to agencies assisting the Minister, the Ministry's Office, the Inspectorate meeting one of the criteria specified in Clause 3 and Clause 4 of this Article.

3. Criteria for awarding the Certificate of Merit to individuals

a) Completing tasks satisfactorily or better; possessing good moral qualities; being united, exemplary in complying with the Party’s policies and State laws, internal regulations, and work rules of the agency or unit; consistently studying to improve professional expertise.

b) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitive campaigns initiated by the agency or unit;

c) Achieving many merits or sudden achievements in the field managed by the agency or unit.

4. Criteria for awarding the Certificate of Merit to groups

a) Completing tasks satisfactorily; maintaining unity, being exemplary in complying with the Party’s policies and State laws, effectively implementing grassroots democracy, practicing thrift, and combating waste.

b) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitive campaigns.

c) Achieving outstanding achievements.

Article 10. Commemorative Medal "For the Development of Vietnam's Transport Industry"

1. The Commemorative Medal "For the Development of Vietnam's Transport Industry" (hereinafter referred to as the Commemorative Medal) shall be awarded or posthumously awarded once to individuals working in transport industry agencies and units who have completed their assigned tasks during their career, possess good moral qualities, and have made contributions to the development of Vietnam's transport industry, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Having worked for at least 20 years for males, and at least 15 years for females.

b) Having held leadership positions at the Department/Council level or higher within the Ministry of Transport or at the Provincial Transport Department for at least five years.

c) For individuals transferred to work in transport industry agencies or units or from transport industry agencies or units to other sectors, if they have continuously worked for at least 25 years, including at least 10 years for males and at least eight years for females in the transport industry.

2. In cases stipulated in points a, b, and c of Clause 1 of this Article, if the individual has worked in remote, mountainous, border, or island areas and received regional allowances of 0.5 or more according to regulations, the actual working time in the transport industry in these areas will be multiplied by a factor of 1.5.

3. The Commemorative Medal shall be awarded or posthumously awarded once to individuals outside the transport industry who meet one of the following criteria:

a) Making significant contributions through work, leadership, guidance, and management that contribute to building and developing Vietnam's transport industry, and obtaining the unified opinion of the provincial People's Committee or relevant ministries and sectors.

b) Proposing innovative solutions or scientific research projects with practical value that significantly contribute to the development of Vietnam's transport industry, and obtaining the unified opinion of the provincial People's Committee or relevant ministries and sectors.

c) Contributing resources (intellectual, financial, or material) to build and develop Vietnam's transport industry, and obtaining the unified opinion of the provincial People's Committee or relevant ministries and sectors.

d) Making contributions to establishing and consolidating cooperative relations between Vietnam and other countries or international organizations, contributing to the development of Vietnam's transport industry.

4. Individuals who voluntarily leave their job, are disciplined with dismissal or criminal prosecution, are under disciplinary review, investigation, prosecution, trial, or serving a disciplinary sentence shall not be considered for the Commemorative Medal.

If an individual is disciplined, the period of disciplinary execution shall not be counted towards the eligibility period for the Commemorative Medal. After completing the disciplinary period for at least one year, consideration for the Commemorative Medal may resume.

5. Authority to propose the awarding of the Commemorative Medal

a) Annually, the heads of agencies and units in the transport industry shall review applications, compile lists, and propose the awarding of the Commemorative Medal to individuals under their management who meet the criteria specified in Clause 1 of this Article (including those who have retired according to regulations; in cases where agencies or units are dissolved or merged, the receiving agency or unit shall be responsible for reviewing and proposing) and related parties who meet the criteria specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

b) Annually, the Directors of Provincial Transport Departments, Directors of Provincial Transport and Construction Departments of centrally governed cities shall review applications, compile lists, and propose the awarding of the Commemorative Medal to individuals under their management who meet the criteria specified in Clause 1 of this Article and related parties who meet the criteria specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

c) The Director of the International Cooperation Department shall review applications, compile lists, and propose the awarding of the Commemorative Medal to foreign individuals, overseas Vietnamese, or individuals working for foreign organizations.

6. Individuals receiving the Commemorative Medal shall receive a certificate and emblem (logo) of the transport industry; they shall also be responsible for preserving and promoting the traditions of Vietnam's transport industry and exemplarily implementing the Party's guidelines and State policies.

Article 11. The Banner of the Ministry of Transport

The Banner of the Ministry of Transport shall be awarded to agencies and units under the Ministry of Transport; Departments of Transport; Departments of Transport and Construction; Associations and industry-level unions in the field of transport on the occasion of celebrating traditional anniversaries (on the specified round anniversary years) for those that have made significant contributions to the development of Vietnam's transport sector and meet the following criteria:

1. Actively participate in regular, practical, and effective competitive movements initiated by the Ministry of Transport.

2. Internal unity; the party organization and mass organizations recognized by competent authorities as completing tasks well; actively practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, and other social evils.

Article 12. Examination of Commendation Files

1. The Department of Organization and Cadres serves as the Standing Body of the Ministry of Transport’s Competition and Reward Council and is responsible for receiving, reviewing reward application files and reporting:

a) The Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry of Transport will consider rewards for national-level commendation titles; national-level reward forms; "Competition Flag of the Ministry"; "Transport Industry Meritorious Soldier";

b) The Minister will consider and decide on rewards for: "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Ministry of Transport Minister's Commendation", "Memorial Plaque for the Development of Vietnam's Transport Sector" and "Banner of the Ministry of Transport".

2. Application files for awarding commendation titles and reward forms at the ministerial level shall be established in one set (original copy); simultaneously, reward application files in electronic file format (Word file and PDF file) shall be sent to the email address [email protected] (except for documents containing state secrets).

a) For the title of "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Transport Industry Meritorious Soldier", and "Minister's Commendation", applications must be submitted before March 31 each year;

b) For Memorial Plaques during the traditional anniversary celebrations of the transport sector, applications must be submitted before June 1 each year;

The report on achievements of collectives and individuals proposed for commendation titles and reward forms at the ministerial level, up to the time when the Ministry of Transport (Department of Organization and Cadres) receives the reward application files, shall not exceed six months.

3. In cases where the subject proposed for commendation titles and reward forms is a collective or the head of a production or business unit, the report on achievements must include the fulfillment of tax obligations; environmental protection, labor safety, and food safety (with extracts and confirmations from competent state authorities).

4. The head of the unit proposing rewards is responsible for evaluating achievements, confirming achievements, procedures, and contents of the application files including: application files, procedures, processes, accuracy of achievements, and related matters concerning the implementation of Party policies and state laws.

Article 13. Authority to Decide on Commendations

1. For national-level and ministerial-level rewards: implement according to the provisions of the Law on Competitions and Rewards and the Government Decree detailing certain provisions of the Law on Competitions and Rewards.

2. For titles such as "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Advanced Labor Collective", "Meritorious Soldier at the Grassroots Level"; "Advanced Worker" and "Certificate of Merit" for collectives and individuals.

a) The Minister awards the title of "Outstanding Labor Collective" to advisory agencies assisting the Minister and subordinate units of the Ministry;

b) Heads of agencies and units with legal entity status under the Ministry may award the titles of "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Advanced Labor Collective" to collectives; "Meritorious Soldier at the Grassroots Level" to individuals; and "Certificate of Merit" to collectives and individuals within their jurisdiction.

Article 14. Awarding organizations

1. The Minister shall directly award or delegate to the Heads of Ministries, Heads of agencies, and units to present commendation titles and forms of reward at the ministerial level.

2. The Ministry Office takes the lead, coordinating with the Department of Organization and Cadres to organize the presentation of commendation titles and reward forms to collectives and individuals under advisory agencies assisting the Minister.

3. Agencies, organizations, and units shall organize the presentation of commendation titles and forms of reward in a solemn and frugal manner.

Article 15. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2024. This Circular replaces Circular No. 13/2018/TT-BGTVT dated March 29, 2018, issued by the Ministry of Transport guiding competition and reward work in the transport sector and Circular No. 50/2019/TT-BGTVT dated December 29, 2019, issued by the Ministry of Transport regarding the awarding of Memorial Plaques for the Development of Vietnam's Transport Sector.

2. Application files for rewards for commendation titles and reward forms within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport submitted to the Ministry of Transport (through the Department of Organization and Cadres) before this Circular takes effect shall continue to be processed according to the provisions of Circular No. 13/2018/TT-BGTVT dated March 29, 2018, issued by the Ministry of Transport guiding competition and reward work in the transport sector and Circular No. 50/2019/TT-BGTVT dated December 29, 2019, issued by the Ministry of Transport regarding the awarding of Memorial Plaques for the Development of Vietnam's Transport Sector.

3. In cases where the legal normative documents cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of the amended, supplemented, or replaced legal normative documents.

Article 16. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Department of Organization and Cadres assists the Minister of the Ministry of Transport in inspecting and urging subordinate units and Departments of Transport and Construction to implement this Circular.

2. The Director of the Ministry Office, the Director of the Ministry Inspectorate, the heads of departments, the heads of units under the Ministry, the Directors of Departments of Transport and Construction, relevant organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.