CIRCULAR

Supplementing the allowance system for officials on short-term missions abroad funded by the country

Based on actual circumstances, the Ministry of Finance supplements certain points regarding the allowance system for officials on short-term missions abroad funded by the country (as stipulated in Circular No. 37 TC/TCĐN dated June 18, 1991) concerning the classification of budgetary review and settlement for groups dispatched from production and business funds of Ministries, sectors, localities, and enterprises that self-fund as follows:

1\. The allowance system for officials on short-term missions abroad stipulated in Circular No. 37 TC/TCĐN dated June 18, 1991 and this Circular shall apply to groups going on missions abroad (to attend conferences, seminars, trade fairs, friendly visits, tours, research, surveys, negotiations to sign contracts or work internally with Vietnamese representative offices abroad, etc.) for a period not exceeding 60 days from the date of departure.

2\. Groups on missions for more than 60 days or with other purposes (for example, temporarily representing agencies or units) shall be considered as long-term missions and shall enjoy living expenses as provided for officials on long-term missions at embassies.

3\. Additional "tip" money shall be provided for high-level delegations of the Party, State, or Government led by Ministers or equivalent officials on official visits to host countries that cover food, accommodation, travel, etc., but do not provide pocket money.

The allocated amount for each member of the delegation is 20 USD per country visited.

4\. Classification of budgetary review and settlement for groups dispatched from local government budgets or production and business funds of enterprises that self-fund.

Relevant Ministries (specifically the Department of Finance) and Provincial People's Committees (specifically the Department of Finance) shall be responsible for reviewing the budget estimates and settlements of all subordinate units' and production and business establishments' outgoing groups under their management. The expenditure standards and settlement deadlines shall be unified according to the provisions of Circular No. 37 TC/TCĐN dated June 18, 1991 and this supplementary circular.

Procedures for withdrawing foreign currency from commercial accounts of agencies and units at banks or purchasing foreign currency from banks to serve outgoing groups shall follow the regulations of the State Bank of Vietnam.

Quarterly and annually, relevant Ministries and Provincial People's Committees under the central government shall compile reports on the implementation of outgoing groups and the expenditure settlement status of each group and submit them to the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance will conduct reviews of budget estimates and settlements of subordinate units of Ministries, sectors, and localities when necessary. If discrepancies are found in the settlement compared to the prescribed standards, the Ministry of Finance will require re-settlement and return the excess amount to the state budget.

5\. Supplementing the standard allowances for meals and pocket money for officials on missions abroad funded by the country in some countries (supplementing the attached annex to Circular No. 37 TC/TCĐN dated June 18, 1991:

This Circular supplements Circular No. 37 TC/TCĐN dated June 18, 1991 and takes effect from the date of issuance.