Law on Representative Agencies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Abroad No. 33/2009/QH12

LAW

The representative agency of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad

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BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM IN 1992 AS AMENDED AND COMPLEMENTED BY RESOLUTION NO. 51/2001/QH10;

The National Assembly promulgates the Law on the Representative Agency of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Abroad.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of application

This Law stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organization of the representative agency of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad (hereinafter referred to as the representative agency) and state management over the representative agency.

Article 2. The representative agency

1. The representative agency performs the official representation function of the State of Vietnam in relations with the receiving country, territory, and international organization, and unifies the management of foreign activities in accordance with Article 12 of this Law.

2. The representative agency includes diplomatic representative agencies, consular representative agencies, and representative agencies at international organizations.

3. The representative agency enjoys full privileges and immunities in accordance with international law.

Article 3. Principles of organization and operation of the representative agency

1. Implementing the foreign policy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. Being subject to the direction of the President, the Government, the Prime Minister, direct management by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and supervision by the National Assembly.

3. Operating in accordance with Vietnamese law, consistent with international law and the law of the country where the representative agency is located.

4. Organizing and operating under a chief executive system.

Article 4. Definitions

In this Law, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. Diplomatic representative agency means Embassy.

2. Consular representative agency means Consulate General and Consulate.

3. Representative agency at international organizations means Permanent Mission, Mission, Permanent Observer Mission, and other agencies with different names performing the representation function of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at intergovernmental international organizations.

4. Consular district is a part of the territory of the receiving country agreed upon by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country for the consular representative agency to perform consular functions.

5. Members of the representative agency include the head of the representative agency, diplomatic officials, consular officials, and staff of the representative agency.

6. Diplomatic official is a person holding a diplomatic post.

7. Consular official is a person holding a consular post.

8. Honorary consul is a non-professional consular official who is not a civil servant or public official of Vietnam, including Honorary Consul General and Honorary Consul.

9. Staff of the representative agency is a person undertaking administrative, technical, or service work.

Chapter II
TASKS AND POWERS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE AGENCY

Article 5. Promoting political-social and national defense-security relations

1. Collecting, evaluating, and providing information to competent authorities about the political-social and national defense-security situation of the receiving country and international organization.

2. Advising competent authorities on necessary measures to promote the development of political-social and national defense-security relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country and international organization.

3. Establishing, maintaining, and developing relations between the representative agency and agencies, organizations, and individuals in the receiving country and international organization; creating favorable conditions for the implementation of foreign policy in relations with the receiving country and international organization.

Article 6. Serving the development of the national economy

1. Studying the strategic policies, laws, trends in economic, trade, investment, development assistance, science and technology, environmental protection, education and training, tourism, human resource cooperation, and related issues of the receiving country and international organization; reporting to competent authorities on the strategic policies and decisions of the receiving country and international organization that affect Vietnam's economy.

2. Providing information and introducing the situation, capacity, and cooperation needs between Vietnamese enterprises and enterprises of the receiving country.

3. Advising competent authorities on appropriate policies, measures, and organizational implementation to develop economic relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country and international organization.

4. Participating in promoting and facilitating trade and investment cooperation; advocating and seeking development assistance and promoting Vietnamese tourism in the receiving country and international organization; promoting scientific and technological cooperation between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country; promoting the development of overseas labor markets; supporting verification of information related to business activities and legal status of enterprises in the receiving country when requested.

Article 7. Promoting cultural relations

1. Collecting, evaluating, and providing information to competent authorities about the experience in building and developing culture of the receiving country and international organization.

2. Advising on measures to promote cultural cooperation between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country and international organization.

3. Publicizing and promoting the history, culture, image of the country, and people of Vietnam in the receiving country and international organization.

4. Introducing to agencies, organizations, and the people of Vietnam the history, culture, image of the country, and people of the receiving country and activities related to culture of the international organization.

5. Supporting and creating favorable conditions for the exchange of delegations and cultural exchanges between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country and international organization.

6. Organizing or participating in organizing Vietnamese cultural events in the receiving country and international organization.

Article 8. Performing consular duties

1. Providing consular protection for the interests of the State, the rights and legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens and legal entities, and performing consular duties prescribed herein based on compliance with Vietnamese law, the law of the receiving country, and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country are parties, consistent with international law and practice.

2. Conducting consular visits and contacting, meeting with Vietnamese citizens if they are arrested, detained, imprisoned, tried, or serving a sentence in the receiving country.

3. In case Vietnamese citizens and legal entities cannot protect their legitimate rights and interests according to the laws and practices of the receiving country, the representative agency may temporarily represent them or arrange for representatives at the court or competent authority of the receiving country until another person represents them or they can protect their own rights and interests.

4. Issuing, extending, amending, supplementing, replacing, reissuing, and revoking various types of passports, travel documents, and other documents with exit and entry validity in accordance with the provisions of the law.

5. Issuing, extending, amending, supplementing, reissuing, and revoking visas and visa-exempt certificates in accordance with the provisions of the law.

6. Performing tasks related to civil status and adoption in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law and not contrary to the laws of the receiving country or international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country are parties.

7. Performing notarization and certification tasks in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country are parties; accepting and preserving valuable documents and items of Vietnamese citizens and legal entities upon request and not contrary to the laws of the receiving country.

8. Legalizing consular documents of foreign countries that have been notarized or certified by the competent authorities of the receiving country so that such documents are recognized and used in Vietnam; certifying consular documents of Vietnam that have been notarized or certified by the competent authorities of Vietnam so that such documents are recognized and used in the receiving country.

9. Cooperating with the competent authorities of the receiving country to complete procedures to assist Vietnamese citizens and legal entities in resolving issues related to inheritance or reclaiming inherited assets beneficial to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

10. Accepting complaints and evidence from Vietnamese citizens and legal entities to transfer to the competent authorities of Vietnam for consideration and resolution.

11. Performing tasks related to nationality in accordance with the provisions of the law.

12. Registering citizens with Vietnamese nationality residing in the receiving country in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law, the laws and international practice.

13. Implementing judicial assistance between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country; transferring, serving court documents and other materials of the competent Vietnamese authorities to Vietnamese citizens and legal entities in the receiving country in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law, the laws of the receiving country, or international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country are parties, if performing this task does not affect the privileges and immunities of the representative agency and its members as provided by law and international practice.

14. Assisting Vietnamese ships, aircraft with Vietnamese nationality, and other transportation means registered in Vietnam to ensure that such ships, aircraft, and transportation means enjoy full rights and benefits in the receiving country in accordance with the laws of the receiving country, consistent with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country are parties, consistent with the laws and international practice.

15. Performing quarantine, animal and plant inspection tasks in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law, the laws of the receiving country, international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country are parties, consistent with the laws and international practice.

16. Performing other consular tasks in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law and not contrary to the laws of the receiving country or international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country are parties.

Article 9. Supporting and protecting the Vietnamese community abroad

1. Propaganda and introduction of Vietnamese policies and laws related to Vietnamese people abroad.

2. Collecting and reporting to the competent authority on the situation of the community and activities to mobilize and support the Vietnamese community abroad.

3. Advising the competent authority on appropriate policies and measures to maintain the connection of the Vietnamese community abroad with the homeland; encouraging Vietnamese people abroad to preserve their national identity and participate in social life activities of the country.

4. Creating conditions and supporting Vietnamese people abroad to stabilize their lives and integrate into society in the receiving country; advising on necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese people and prevent discriminatory actions against the Vietnamese community in the receiving country.

5. Organizing or coordinating the organization of cultural activities serving the Vietnamese community abroad.

6. Advising the competent authority on appropriate forms of reward for organizations and individuals of Vietnamese people abroad who have outstanding achievements in community building and contributions to the country's development.

Article 10. Unified management of external activities

1. Directing and guiding within the scope of authority the implementation of a unified foreign policy towards representatives of Vietnamese agencies and organizations in the receiving country, international organization, and delegations sent by Vietnamese agencies and organizations to work in the receiving country, international organization.

2. Taking the lead, coordinating, organizing, and directly participating in external activities of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam organized in the receiving country, international organization.

3. Implementing appropriate measures and immediately reporting to the competent authority on the activities of representatives of agencies and organizations or Vietnamese delegations sent to work in the receiving country, international organization that are inconsistent with the foreign policy, affecting relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country, international organization.

4. Summarize, evaluate the external activities at the receiving state or international organization; recommend necessary measures to ensure that Vietnam's foreign policy is uniformly implemented abroad.

Article 11. Management of staff and material resources of representative offices

1. Management of organizational structure and staff; archival work and protection of state secrets.

2. Manage and use assets, material resources allocated and funds provided in a thrifty and effective manner.

3. Implement necessary measures to protect security and safety for members and premises of representative offices.

Article 12. Allocation of functions and tasks among representative offices

1. Representative offices perform specific functions and tasks according to the establishment decision of the Government, consistent with agreements between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving state or international organization, and in accordance with international law.

2. Diplomatic representative offices are the highest representative bodies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the receiving state.

Diplomatic representative offices may represent in one or more states or international organizations and may carry out diplomatic and consular functions delegated by another state.

Diplomatic representative offices are responsible for unified management of Vietnam’s external activities in the receiving state and have the authority to inspect the external activities of consular representative offices in the receiving state.

3. Consular representative offices perform consular functions within their consular districts and may perform these functions outside the consular district according to agreements between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving state.

Consular representative offices may carry out consular functions in one or more states or consular functions delegated by another state in the receiving state and diplomatic functions in the receiving state according to agreements between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving state.

Consular representative offices are responsible for unified management of Vietnam’s external activities in the receiving state when there is no diplomatic representative office in that state.

4. Representative offices at international organizations may represent in one or more international organizations and may carry out some consular functions in the state where the headquarters of the international organization is located according to agreements between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and that state.

Chapter III
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, STAFFING, BUDGET AND PREMISES OF REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES AND THE HEADQUARTER OF THE REPRESENTATIVE AUTHORITY

Article 13. Establishment, temporary suspension, termination of operations

1. Representative offices are established by the Government and directly managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. Based on operational requirements and foreign relations, upon agreement with the receiving state or international organization and after consultation with relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submits to the Government for decisions on establishing, temporarily suspending, or terminating the operations of representative offices.

3. After the Government's decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leads and coordinates with relevant agencies to implement and complete necessary diplomatic procedures.

Article 14. Organizational structure and staffing

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant agencies to develop plans regarding the organizational structure and staffing quotas of representative offices. The Minister of Foreign Affairs submits these plans to the Prime Minister for approval.

2. Staffing of representative offices includes officials, civil servants, and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and based on job requirements, may include officials, civil servants, and employees from other relevant agencies working under secondment arrangements in accordance with the law (hereinafter referred to as seconded officials).

3. Based on the approved plan by the Prime Minister, considering operational requirements and foreign relations, after reaching consensus with relevant agencies, the Minister of Foreign Affairs decides specifically on the organizational structure and personnel of each representative office to oversee the following areas:

a) Political affairs;

b) National defense and security;

c) Economy, trade, investment, tourism, labor, science and technology;

d) Culture, information, press, and education-training;

đ) Consular affairs and community work for overseas Vietnamese;

e) Administrative, protocol, and administrative management.

Article 15. Funding

1. The State ensures necessary funding for representative offices to fulfill assigned functions, tasks, and authorities.

2. Funding for representative offices is allocated from the state budget and distributed as follows:

a) Capital investment construction funds are allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for distribution to representative offices;

b) Regular operating funds are allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for distribution to representative offices, excluding funds designated for national defense-security;

c) Funds for specialized activities are allocated to relevant agencies responsible for those activities for distribution and implementation. The Government will provide detailed regulations on this point.

3. The allocation, management, use, and settlement of accounts for representative office funding shall be carried out in accordance with the law.

Article 16. Premises and material resources

1. Representative offices are located in the receiving state or in the state where the headquarters of the receiving international organization is located. The representative office premises must display the flag and emblem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and have a sign indicating the name of the representative office.

2. The State ensures conditions for premises, material resources, technical facilities, and equipment necessary for representative offices and their members to fulfill assigned functions, tasks, and authorities. Representative offices are equipped and use their own communication systems to maintain regular and secure contact with authorized agencies and organizations.

Chapter IV
MEMBERS OF REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES

Article 17. Qualifications for members of representative offices

1. Members of representative offices must be officials, civil servants, or employees as prescribed by law and meet the requirements set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This provision does not apply to contractual employees as stipulated in Article 29 of this Law.

2. Members of representative offices must have political, professional, vocational qualifications, language skills, and experience appropriate to job requirements.

Article 18. Diplomatic positions, consular positions

1. Diplomatic positions include:

a) Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary;

b) Ambassador;

c) Consul General;

d) Vice-Consul General;

đ) Vice-Consul;

e) First Secretary;

g) Second Secretary;

h) Third Secretary;

i) Attaché.

2. Consular positions include:

a) Consul General;

b) Deputy Consul General;

c) Consul;

d) Deputy Consul;

đ) Consular Attaché.

Article 19. Head of diplomatic mission

1. The head of a diplomatic mission is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary or the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in the absence of an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

2. The head of a Consulate General is the Consul General. The head of a Consulate is the Consul.

3. The head of a mission to an international organization is the Permanent Representative, Permanent Observer, or the Representative of the President of the State at the international organization.

Article 20. Appointment, nomination, and recall of heads of diplomatic missions

1. The President appoints and recalls the head of a diplomatic mission who is an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and the Representative of the President of the State at an international organization upon the proposal of the Prime Minister.

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs nominates and recalls the head of a diplomatic mission, except in cases provided for in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The head of a diplomatic mission in a country or international organization may be appointed or nominated concurrently as the head of a diplomatic mission in another country or international organization.

Article 21. Responsibilities of the head of a diplomatic mission

1. Direct and organize the performance of the functions and duties of the diplomatic mission and be responsible before the President, Government, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the performance of those functions and duties; direct the development and implementation of the work program and plan of the diplomatic mission.

2. Assign and arrange the work of members of the diplomatic mission in accordance with the appointment decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the requirements of the diplomatic mission; coordinate with relevant agencies to direct the work of dispatched personnel; organize the implementation and monitor the implementation of the system and policies for members of the diplomatic mission; manage labor discipline and evaluate members of the diplomatic mission; reward and punish within their authority or propose competent authorities to reward and punish; handle complaints and denunciations in accordance with the law.

3. Participate in organizing the activities of high-level delegations from Vietnam visiting and working in the receiving country or international organization.

4. Be responsible for managing and using the budget and facilities of the diplomatic mission reasonably and economically in accordance with the law.

5. Organize mid-term and final reviews and directly report to the competent authority on the activities of the diplomatic mission; propose measures to improve the organizational structure, staffing, and system and policies for the diplomatic mission to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

6. In case of emergency, have the right to decide necessary measures to protect the lives, health, property of members of the diplomatic mission and their families, documents and property of the diplomatic mission, and immediately report to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

7. In special cases, decide to repatriate members of the diplomatic mission who fail to complete their tasks or commit serious acts affecting national security, relations with the receiving country or international organization, and immediately report to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

8. Perform other tasks and exercise other powers as prescribed by law.

Article 22. Temporary head of a diplomatic mission

1. In case the head of a diplomatic mission is temporarily absent or unable to perform their duties due to other reasons, the head of the diplomatic mission designates a member of the diplomatic mission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the next highest position to temporarily head the diplomatic mission and immediately report to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs may designate another person to temporarily head the diplomatic mission.

3. In each specific case, the head of the diplomatic mission or the Minister of Foreign Affairs introduces the designated temporary head of the diplomatic mission to the receiving country or international organization.

Article 23. Appointment and recall of other members of the diplomatic mission

1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs appoints and recalls other members of the diplomatic mission.

2. Procedures for the appointment and recall of other members of the diplomatic mission are prescribed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Article 24. Responsibilities of members of the diplomatic mission

1. Comply with Vietnamese laws, implement regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic mission; protect and enhance the image, prestige, honor, and interests of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the receiving country or international organization.

2. Respect the laws and customs of the receiving country; actively contribute to strengthening friendly cooperative relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country or international organization.

3. Obey the direction and management of the head of the diplomatic mission; report and be responsible to the head of the diplomatic mission for the performance of assigned tasks.

4. Protect state secrets.

5. Shall not abuse privileges and immunities for personal gain, affecting the honor and prestige of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the diplomatic mission. During service at the diplomatic mission, shall not engage in professional activities aimed at personal profit.

Article 25. Responsibilities of family members

1. Implement provisions of Clauses 1, 2, and 4 of Article 24 of this Law.

2. Shall not abuse privileges and immunities for personal gain, affecting the honor and prestige of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the diplomatic mission.

Article 26. Benefits for members of the diplomatic mission and spouses of members of the diplomatic mission

1. Members of the diplomatic mission and spouses accompanying them on a term of duty during their service at the diplomatic mission are entitled to:

a) Salary, allowances, subsidies; housing benefits; social insurance, health insurance, and annual leave according to the law;

b) Compensation in case of injury or death;

c) Allowances and preferential treatment in case of service in areas experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, epidemics, or under particularly difficult working conditions.

2. Female members of diplomatic missions or wives of members of diplomatic missions who are dispatched for a term of duty together with the member of the diplomatic mission shall enjoy maternity leave benefits in accordance with the provisions of the law when they give birth. The maternity leave period of female members of diplomatic missions shall be counted within the term of their duty.

Article 27. Term of service

1. The term of duty of a member of a diplomatic mission is thirty-six months and may be extended in case of necessity as provided for in Clause 7, Article 32 of this Law.

2. Within three months from the end of the term of duty upon returning to the country, members of diplomatic missions, their wives or husbands who were dispatched for a term of duty together with the member of the diplomatic mission and have not yet reached the retirement age may be received and arranged to resume work at the agency or organization where they worked before being dispatched for the term of duty.

Article 28. Honorary Consul

1. In cases where there is a need for consular work but it is not yet possible to establish a consular mission or appoint consular officials, the Minister of Foreign Affairs may appoint an Honorary Consul.

2. The procedures for appointing, terminating operations, functions, duties, and powers of an Honorary Consul shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 29. Contractual Staff

1. A diplomatic mission may recruit residents of the host country as contractual staff.

2. The rights and obligations of contractual staff shall be stipulated in the recruitment contract.

Chapter V
GUIDANCE, MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION AND COORDINATION OF WORK FOR DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

Article 30. Guidance and management of diplomatic missions

1. The Government shall uniformly manage state affairs concerning diplomatic missions.

2. The President of the State, the Government, and the Prime Minister shall direct the activities of diplomatic missions.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be responsible to the Government for implementing state management over diplomatic missions; directly managing, directing, and overseeing the organizational structure and activities of diplomatic missions.

Article 31. Supervision of diplomatic missions

The National Assembly, its agencies, and National Assembly deputies shall exercise supervisory power over the activities of diplomatic missions in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 32. Responsibilities of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

1. To issue regulations within his/her authority or submit draft regulations to competent authorities for issuance regarding diplomatic missions.

2. To take the lead in researching and proposing policies for negotiations, signing, accession, and implementation of international treaties concerning diplomatic missions to the Government.

3. To submit to the Prime Minister for approval the project on the organizational structure and staffing levels of diplomatic missions.

4. To uniformly direct, inspect, and audit the implementation of foreign policy and the performance of functions and duties of diplomatic missions and their members in accordance with the provisions of the law.

5. To organize the implementation of laws concerning diplomatic missions.

6. To recommend to the Prime Minister for submission to the President for appointment and recall of Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, and Representatives of the President at international organizations.

7. To appoint, extend terms, and recall members of diplomatic missions, except in cases provided for in Clause 6 of this Article. To appoint and terminate operations of Honorary Consuls.

8. To organize and direct coordination of activities between diplomatic missions and related agencies and organizations both domestically and abroad.

9. To direct the management and use of material resources, technical equipment, and funds of diplomatic missions.

10. To award commendations, impose disciplinary actions, and handle complaints and denunciations in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 33. Coordination of work between Vietnamese agencies and organizations and diplomatic missions

1. Vietnamese agencies and organizations shall be responsible for:

a) Providing necessary information to support the diplomatic activities of diplomatic missions;

b) Timely informing diplomatic missions of planned programs and plans for external activities in the receiving country or international organization;

c) Coordinating with diplomatic missions to organize the implementation of external activities of Vietnamese agencies and organizations in the receiving country or international organization;

d) Coordinating with diplomatic missions to direct the external activities of Vietnamese agency and organization representatives in the receiving country or international organization.

2. In cases where a diplomatic mission needs to handle matters within its specialized jurisdiction, if the opinion of the diplomatic mission differs from that of the relevant agency or organization, the head of the diplomatic mission has the right to decide, while immediately reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and notifying the relevant agency or organization.

Article 34. Coordination of work between delegations dispatched abroad and diplomatic missions

Delegations dispatched abroad shall promptly inform diplomatic missions about the content and program of their activities in the receiving country or international organization for coordination purposes, and report the results of their activities to the diplomatic mission upon completion of the mission.

Article 35. Coordination of work between agencies with assigned personnel and diplomatic missions

1. Agencies with assigned personnel shall coordinate with diplomatic missions in developing work programs and plans for diplomatic missions in their specialized fields, and provide professional guidance to assigned personnel through the head of the diplomatic mission, except in special cases.

2. Diplomatic missions shall coordinate with agencies with assigned personnel to direct and manage the work of assigned personnel, and evaluate their performance in completing professional tasks.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 36. Effective Date

1. This Law takes effect from September 2, 2009.

2. The Consular Ordinance dated November 13, 1990 and the Ordinance on Vietnamese Representative Offices Abroad dated December 15, 1993 shall cease to be effective from the date this Law takes effect.

This Law was passed by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the 12th term, fifth session, on June 18, 2009./.