Joint Circular No. 37 TT/LB guides the use of proceeds from lottery sales for investment in education and healthcare at the local level.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Using Lottery Revenue

_________________________

||| The Council of Ministers issued Directive No. 290/V6 dated March 14, 1988 on the use of lottery revenue; the Ministry of Finance, State Planning Committee, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health provide detailed guidance on implementing this directive as follows:

1. Each year, the provincial finance departments in charge of centrally administered provinces, cities, and special zones shall closely coordinate with local planning, education, health, and other relevant agencies to determine the issuance plan and lottery revenue budget based on the conditions and potential for exploiting lottery revenue sources. They shall also establish plans for using these funds to invest in specific projects within the education and health sectors in their respective areas, including considering support for central facilities located in their regions. These plans shall be submitted for review and decision by the People's Committees and reported to the Council of Ministers, while simultaneously copied to the State Planning Committee and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation and inclusion in the national plan.

Lottery revenue is accumulated according to the annual budget submission plan for each province, city, and special zone at the current prescribed ratio. Of the total lottery revenue submitted to the state budget, 70% shall be allocated to supplement capital for the repair, renovation, expansion, or construction of educational facilities (schools, classrooms, etc.) and healthcare facilities (clinics, dispensaries, hospitals, etc.). The remaining portion may be considered for balanced investment in other cultural and social undertakings such as caring for the elderly, disabled individuals, and single persons, as well as community recreational activities.

Within the 70% of lottery revenue (accumulated) submitted annually to the local budget, two-thirds shall be allocated for the development of the education sector, and one-third for expanding the healthcare network in the locality.

Starting from 1988, the provincial education and health departments shall, based on approved lottery revenue plans, prepare lists of priority projects requiring repair, renovation, or new construction within their respective jurisdictions (provincial towns, districts, communes), after consulting with planning and finance departments. These lists shall then be submitted for approval by the People's Committees and incorporated into the basic construction investment plans of the provinces, cities, and special zones, taking into account material supply and labor force availability.

Investments in educational and healthcare facilities funded by lottery revenue, although supplementary, must be recorded in the national and state budget plans at all levels (central and local) and managed in accordance with state regulations governing basic construction investments.

2. The education and health sectors shall implement investment plans for constructing their facilities based on approved design and budget estimates, prioritizing projects in specific areas. Efforts should be made to achieve the goal of "one school out, one classroom out" in education and gradually improve healthcare facilities over the period from 1988 to 1990, thereby enhancing teaching quality and medical care.

During implementation, the provincial education and health departments shall closely cooperate with local finance departments and lottery companies to promote public participation in purchasing lottery tickets through extensive campaigns. Special lottery draws can be organized on significant dates such as February 27 (Vietnamese Medical Day) and November 20 (Vietnamese Teachers' Day) to encourage broad public involvement in supporting education and healthcare development.

3. To ensure the continuous growth and expansion of lottery operations nationwide, increasing revenue and expanding funding sources for the state budget, and supplementing investment for education and healthcare, the finance, education, health, and state planning departments at both central and local levels have the responsibility to seek leadership and guidance from the Party and government at all levels, as well as active support from related agencies in resolving issues regarding paper, printing, and other materials necessary for lottery ticket production. They shall also develop concrete plans and measures to enhance promotional efforts to increase public understanding of the positive purpose of socialist lotteries and encourage voluntary participation in purchasing lottery tickets.

The finance, state planning, education, and health departments at both central and local levels are responsible for directing subordinate units to implement Directive No. 290/V6 of the Council of Ministers and this joint circular. They shall regularly monitor implementation and conduct periodic reviews every six months and annually to assess progress, draw lessons, and address shortcomings to ensure the successful completion of assigned tasks.

Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be promptly reported to the joint ministries with specific details for study and resolution./.