CIRCULAR

Regulations on the Work of Protecting State Secrets in Public Security Forces

Based on the Law on Protection of State Secrets No. 117/2025/QH15;

Based on Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2026 of the Government, which provides detailed provisions for certain articles and measures to implement the Law on Protection of State Secrets;

Based on Decree No. 02/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 18, 2025 of the Government, which stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security, as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 11/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2025 of the Government;

In accordance with the proposal of the Director of the Internal Security Department;

The Minister of Public Security promulgates this Circular on regulations for protecting state secrets in public security forces.

Article 1. Scope of Application

This Circular stipulates measures for protecting state secrets and the responsibilities for protecting state secrets within public security forces.

Article 2. Determination of State Secrets, Classification Level of State Secrets, and Signing of State Secret Documents and Electronic State Secret Documents

1. The head or deputy head of a unit in the public security force at the level of team, police station, sub-district, town, special zone (hereinafter referred to as public security units) shall be responsible for determining state secrets, classification levels of state secrets, and the scope of circulation of state secrets.

2. The procedures and formalities for determining state secrets and their classification levels are as follows:

a) Officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, trainees (hereinafter referred to collectively as personnel), workers in public security forces (hereinafter referred to collectively as workers) when drafting or creating information that falls under the list of state secrets must propose to the authority specified in paragraph 1 of this Article for determining state secrets and their classification levels, based on which they shall be responsible for protecting such information during the process of drafting or creation. The proposal should include a draft document, form, report, or "Document Determining Classification Level for Objects, Locations, Speeches, Activities, or Other Forms Containing State Secrets" as well as the basis for determining the classification level and scope of circulation, number of documents;

b) In cases where personnel drafting or creating information that falls under the list of state secrets are also the authority specified in paragraph 1 of this Article, they shall determine the state secret and its classification level based on the list of state secrets when drafting or creating such information;

c) For repetitive documents like special reports and periodic reports containing the same type of information that falls under the list of state secrets, the authority specified in paragraph 1 of this Article may determine the classification level once for each type of document;

d) State secret documents (including original, main copy, draft text) must be stamped with a mark indicating their classification level, "State Secret Protection Period" stamp (if applicable); indicate the scope of circulation, number of copies, and name of personnel who drafted or created in the recipient section of the document;

d) For electronic state secret documents (except for electronically stored state secret documents), draft text of electronic state secret documents, the procedures for determining state secrets and their classification levels shall be carried out according to the provisions in paragraphs a, b, c, and d of this Article. A red mark indicating the classification level and "State Secret Protection Period" stamp (if applicable) must be created on the document according to the model specified in Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP of the Government, which provides detailed provisions for certain articles and measures to implement the Law on Protection of State Secrets;

e) Personnel with authority to sign state secret documents or electronic state secret documents shall do so according to their assigned field of responsibility or tasks;

g) State secret documents must be issued in the correct number; personnel who draft or create such documents are responsible for destroying any excess copies and ensuring that the content cannot be recovered;

h) Computers and other devices used for drafting or creating documents containing information that falls under the list of state secrets shall not be connected to a computer network (except for an independent LAN), the Internet, or telecommunications networks, unless otherwise provided by law on military secrecy and relevant laws.

3. In cases where state secrets are incorrectly determined or their classification levels are incorrectly determined, the following provisions apply:

a) Public security units that incorrectly determine state secrets or their classification levels must issue a document recalling or correcting such determination;

b) Upon receiving a request to recall a state secret document, public security units shall return the document to the unit, agency, or organization that determined it. In cases of recalling an electronic state secret document, this is done through the functions of the State Secret Electronic Document Management System; the recipient unit must completely destroy the stored electronic state secret document in accordance with regulations;

c) Upon receiving a correction regarding state secrets and their classification levels, public security units shall notify relevant units, agencies, organizations, or individuals by written communication or other appropriate means.

4. The model of the mark indicating the classification level, the "Document Determining Classification Level for Objects, Locations, Speeches, Activities, or Other Forms Containing State Secrets," and the "State Secret Protection Period" stamp are implemented in accordance with the provisions set forth in Appendix I attached to Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP.

Article 3. Copying and Photographing State Secrets Documents and Items

1. Persons authorized to copy or photograph state secrets documents and items containing state secrets classified as Top Secret include:

a) Minister of Public Security;

b) Director, Commander, and equivalent positions of units directly under the Ministry;

c) Director of Provincial Public Security Bureau;

d) Deputy of persons specified in points a, b, and c of this clause;

e) Heads and deputies of heads of Party organizations of public security units specified in points a, b, and c of this clause.

2. Persons authorized to copy or photograph state secrets documents and items containing state secrets classified as Confidential or Secret include:

a) Persons specified in paragraph 1 of this Article;

b) Heads of public sector units under the People's Public Security Force;

c) Chairpersons of Supervisory Boards, Chairpersons of Shareholder Councils, Chairpersons of Companies, General Managers of state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Public Security; heads of units within state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Public Security; representatives of state capital at state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Public Security;

d) Heads of Departments and equivalent positions; Regiment Commanders and equivalent positions; Heads of Police Stations, Posts and equivalent positions; Heads of Rural Police Stations, Neighborhood Police Stations, Special Administrative Districts and equivalent positions;

e) Deputies of persons specified in points b, c, and d of this paragraph;

f) Heads and deputies of heads of Party organizations of public security units specified in points b, c, and d of this paragraph.

3. The copying or photographing of state secrets documents and items shall be carried out as follows:

a) After being authorized by the person with authority as specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, police officers, soldiers, and workers assigned to carry out the task of copying or photographing state secrets documents and items;

b) A copy of a state secrets document from a paper document to another paper document shall be stamped “Copy of State Secrets Document” at the bottom of the last page of the document, which must include the contents within the stamp “Copy of State Secrets Document” and signed by the person with authority as specified in this Article. If necessary, the seal of the People's Public Security Force unit (if any) shall be affixed.

In case of making multiple copies, a duplicate from the first copy already stamped “Copy of State Secrets Document” may be used for reproduction, noting the unit copying, time, quantity and signed by the person with authority as specified in this Article. Then, the seal of the People's Public Security Force unit shall be affixed on all copies. For units without a separate seal, the person with authority as specified in this Article may sign directly at the stamp “Copy of State Secrets Document”;

c) A copy of a state secrets document from a paper document to an electronic document is carried out by digitizing the paper document and signing electronically by the person with authority as specified in this Article;

d) The photographing of state secrets documents or items must include “Record of Photographing State Secrets Documents or Items”, which must specify the name, type of document or item containing state secrets, level of secrecy, time, quantity, recipient, person who photographed the document or item, authority to photograph and seal of the People's Public Security Force unit (if any);

e) Police officers, soldiers, and workers shall only copy or photograph the number of copies authorized and immediately destroy excess or damaged copies, ensuring that the content of the document cannot be restored. Copies of state secrets documents or items shall be sent to the designated recipient as specified by the person with authority to copy or photograph;

f) The copying or photographing of state secrets documents or items must be recorded in “Register for Copying and Photographing State Secrets Documents” for management and tracking.

4. The copying or photographing of state secrets documents or items shall be carried out at a location ensuring safety as directly managed by the head of the People's Public Security Force unit.

5. Equipment used to copy or photograph state secrets documents or items must ensure security and safety, not connected to any computer network (except for independent LAN), Internet, telecommunications networks, unless otherwise provided by law on cryptographic matters and other relevant laws.

6. The model of the stamp “Copy of State Secrets Document”; the format of “Record of Photographing State Secrets Documents or Items”; the format of “Register for Copying and Photographing State Secrets Documents” and the electronic signature form of the person with authority on an electronically signed state secrets document shall be in accordance with the provisions set out in Appendix II attached to Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP.

Article 4. Statistics, Storage, and Preservation of State Secrets Documents and Materials

2. Transportation of state secrets documents and materials is regulated as follows:

3. The transfer of state secrets documents and materials to another location is regulated as follows:

4. The receipt of state secrets documents and materials is regulated as follows:

5. The transfer and receipt of state secrets documents and materials (excluding electronic state secrets documents) are regulated as follows:

6. The sending and receipt of electronic state secrets documents are regulated as follows:

2. The transportation of state secrets documents and materials shall be regulated as follows:

a) State secrets documents and materials shall be contained in pages, devices, and stored using appropriate materials to ensure they are not damaged during the transportation process;

b) State secrets documents and materials shall be transported by means of security ensured by the head of the People's Public Security Unit as specified;

c) Personnel tasked with transporting state secrets documents and materials shall bear responsibility for their protection throughout the transportation process.

3. The transfer of state secrets documents and materials shall be regulated as follows:

a) Prior to transferring state secrets documents and materials, they must be registered in the "State Secrets Transfer Register" or through the State Secrets Document Management Electronic System. Documents classified as "Top Secret" may not be summarized;

b) State secrets documents and materials shall be sealed or packaged separately. Sealing paper must be durable, water-resistant, non-transparent, and adhere firmly without being easily removed; outside the seal, it should bear the letter "A", "B", or "C" corresponding to the highest level of secrecy of the contained document or material;

In cases where state secrets documents and materials are transferred directly to a person responsible for handling them, they must be sealed with the notation "Openable only by the named individual";

4. The receipt of state secrets documents and materials shall be regulated as follows:

a) Upon receiving state secrets documents and materials, they must be registered in the "State Secrets Receipt Register" or through the State Secrets Document Management Electronic System. Documents classified as "Top Secret" may not be summarized and can only be opened by the head or deputy of the head of the People's Public Security Unit who has been authorized to receive state secrets;

b) In cases where state secrets documents and materials are received in a sealed envelope marked "Openable only by the named individual", personnel receiving them shall record the seal number in their log, not open the envelope, and forward it to the person named on the envelope. If the named person is absent and the envelope bears an "Urgent" stamp, it should be forwarded to the head or deputy of the head of the People's Public Security Unit for handling;

c) In cases where state secrets documents and materials are received without proper protection measures, they shall be handled by the head or deputy of the head of the People's Public Security Unit receiving the document or material, or the named person (in case of direct delivery), with notification to the sending party for corrective action;

d) In cases where state secrets documents and materials received show signs of tampering, opening, substitution, loss, damage, or other issues, both the sender and receiver shall prepare a record of the incident, report it to the competent authority of the sender and receiver, and inform the sending party about the issue for joint resolution;

5. The transfer and receipt of state secrets documents and materials (excluding electronic state secrets documents) shall be regulated as follows:

a) The transfer and receipt of state secrets documents and materials must be acknowledged in the "State Secrets Transfer Register" or "Secret Document Transfer Register";

b) The transfer and receipt of state secrets documents and materials must be acknowledged in the "State Secrets Receipt Register" or "Secret Document Transfer Register";

c) In cases where a large number of state secrets documents and materials are transferred, it shall be done through an Inventory Transfer Record. The content of the inventory record must include information on the sender and receiver; quantity of classified documents and materials categorized by level of secrecy; condition of the documents and materials at the time of transfer and receipt; list of documents and materials attached to the inventory record (indicating number, code; date, month, year issued; issuing agency or organization; summary, level of secrecy);

d) The sender and receiver of state secrets documents and materials shall verify the quantity and inspect the sealing and packaging of the documents and materials. In cases where there is a shortage in quantity or errors in sealing and packaging, the receiver shall request the sender to make up for it before recording it in the log and signing off.

6. The sending and receipt of electronic state secrets documents shall be regulated as follows:

a) Electronic state secrets documents must be numbered, have their issuance time recorded, and marked with a red secrecy indicator before being sent through the functions of the State Secrets Document Management Electronic System (excluding digitized electronic state secrets documents);

b) Electronic state secrets documents (excluding digitized electronic state secrets documents) shall be signed by the authorized person's digital signature and the People's Public Security Unit's digital signature in accordance with legal provisions;

c) Computers used to send and receive state secrets electronic documents shall not be connected to the computer network (except for independent LAN), Internet, telecommunications network, unless required by provisions of laws on military secrecy or other relevant laws;

d) The sender is responsible for checking, monitoring, ensuring that state secrets electronic documents are sent to the correct recipient;

đ) Upon receipt of state secrets electronic documents, the recipient shall verify the integrity of the document, the quantity of documents, the number of pages per document, and any attached documents (if applicable), and register through the State System for Managing State Secrets Electronic Documents;

In case of discovering errors or non-compliance with the requirements set forth in this clause, the recipient must promptly provide feedback through the State System for Managing State Secrets Electronic Documents to inform the sender, handle according to regulations, or report to the competent authority of the recipient for resolution;

e) The recovery of state secrets electronic documents shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP;

7. State secrets electronic documents printed for delivery or receipt must bear the stamp “Printed Copy of State Secrets Electronic Document” on the document. Personnel responsible for printing state secrets electronic documents shall perform their assigned tasks and immediately destroy any excess copies, defective copies to ensure they cannot be restored;

8. In cases where state secrets documents (excluding state secrets electronic documents) are registered in an Electronic Register of State Secrets Documents (Electronic Register of State Secrets Documents Out or Electronic Register of State Secrets Documents In created on a computer), and the State System for Managing State Secrets Electronic Documents, they must contain all content as per the model “Electronic Register of State Secrets Documents Out”, “Electronic Register of State Secrets Documents In”. Computers used to register state secrets documents shall not be connected to the computer network (except for independent LAN), Internet, telecommunications network, unless required by provisions of laws on military secrecy and other relevant laws;

9. For state secrets documents (excluding state secrets electronic documents) marked with “Document Recovery”, units of the People's Public Security or personnel who have received such state secrets documents must return them to the competent authority within the time limit specified on the document;

10. The models for “Electronic Register of State Secrets Documents Out”, “Electronic Register of State Secrets Documents In”, “Transfer Register of State Secrets”, seal symbols indicating secrecy level, “Document Recovery” stamp, “Open Only by Named Individuals” stamp, and “Printed Copy of State Secrets Electronic Document” are implemented in accordance with the provisions set forth in Appendix III attached to Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP;

Article 6. Carrying state secrets documents out of storage

1. The carrying of state secrets documents and items out of storage for domestic work purposes is regulated as follows:

a) Personnel carrying state secrets documents and items out of storage to serve domestic work tasks must serve the purpose of handling and resolving assigned duties;

b) Upon completion of the task, personnel carrying state secrets documents and items out of storage for domestic work purposes must return such documents and items to the place of storage.

2. The carrying of state secrets documents and items out of storage for overseas work purposes is regulated as follows:

a) Personnel must report and obtain approval from the Minister or Deputy Minister of Public Security to carry state secrets documents and items out of storage for overseas work purposes;

b) The content of the report required under point a of this clause includes: name, position, unit of the person seeking permission; type, summary content, secrecy level of the document or item; purpose of use; time and location of work; measures to protect state secrets;

c) During the period of carrying state secrets documents and items out of storage for overseas work purposes, personnel must report to the head of the delegation, implement preservation measures, ensure safety. In case of discovery that state secrets have been disclosed or lost, they must immediately report to the head of the directly managing People's Public Security unit, the head of the delegation to take measures and mitigate consequences;

d) Upon completion of the task, personnel carrying state secrets documents and items out of storage for overseas work purposes must report to the authority specified in point a of this clause, the head or deputy head of the directly managing People's Public Security unit regarding the management and use of state secrets, and hand over such documents and items to the directly managing People's Public Security unit. In cases where personnel carrying state secrets documents and items out of storage for overseas work purposes are also the direct managers of such documents and items.

3. State secrets documents carried out of storage must be contained, transported using means and equipment that ensure safety as specified by the head of the directly managing People's Public Security unit responsible for the documents and items;

4. The head or deputy head of the directly managing People's Public Security unit responsible for state secrets documents shall decide on measures to protect state secrets during the period of carrying out storage, prevent disclosure or loss of state secrets.

Article 7. Provision and Transfer of State Secrets to Vietnamese Organs, Organizations, and Individuals

1. The authority to decide on the provision and transfer of state secrets to Vietnamese organs, organizations, and individuals is as follows:

a) The person authorized under paragraph 1 of Clause 3 of this Circular decides on the provision and transfer of state secrets classified as Top Secret, Confidential, and Secret;

b) The person authorized under paragraph 2 of Clause 3 of this Circular decides on the provision and transfer of state secrets classified as Confidential and Secret.

2. State secrets may only be provided and transferred to Vietnamese organs, organizations, and individuals who are assigned tasks directly related to state secrets.

3. The procedures for providing and transferring state secrets to Vietnamese organs, organizations, and individuals shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 of Article 15 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets.

Article 8. Provision and Transfer of State Secrets to Foreign Organs, Organizations, and Individuals

1. The authority to decide on the provision and transfer of state secrets to foreign organs, organizations, and individuals is as follows:

a) The authority to decide on the provision and transfer of Top Secret state secrets shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions at point (a) of paragraph 1 of Clause 16 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets;

b) The Minister of Public Security, Deputy Ministers of Public Security decide on the provision and transfer of state secrets classified as Confidential and Secret within their jurisdiction.

2. State secrets may only be provided and transferred to foreign organs, organizations, and individuals participating in international cooperation programs or performing official duties related to state secrets.

3. The procedures for providing and transferring state secrets to foreign organs, organizations, and individuals shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Article 16 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets.

Article 9. Organization of Meetings, Seminars, and Sessions with Classified Content within the Public Security Force

1. The authority to permit the use of state secrets at meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content within the Public Security Force is as follows:

a) In cases without foreign elements, the use of state secret content in meetings, seminars, and sessions must be permitted by the person authorized to provide and transfer state secrets according to the classification levels specified in paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Circular;

b) In cases with foreign elements, the use of state secret content in meetings, seminars, and sessions must be permitted by the person authorized to provide and transfer state secrets according to the classification levels specified in paragraph 1 of Article 8 of this Circular.

2. The decision of the person authorized to permit the use of state secrets at meetings, seminars, and sessions with foreign elements shall be made in writing.

In cases where internal meetings within units are repetitive such as case review meetings or daily briefings, and the content has the same level of secrecy, the person authorized under this point may make a single decision and specify it in writing or in the working regulations of the Public Security unit or locality.

3. Meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content within the Public Security Force shall be organized in a closed meeting room at the workplace of the Public Security unit. In cases where they are held outside the premises, the head or deputy head of the Public Security unit decides to organize such meetings, seminars, and sessions and is responsible for requesting technical forces to inspect and ensure security and safety measures for the venue and during the course of the meeting, seminar, or session in accordance with regulations.

4. Equipment and devices used at meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content

a) Meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content must use equipment and devices that have been inspected and secured by technical forces before installation; except for equipment provided by the main force. In cases where such meetings are held online, the transmission must be protected in accordance with laws on the main force or other relevant laws;

b) Personnel attending meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content at levels Top Secret and Confidential shall not bring devices with recording, audio, or video capabilities into such meetings. For meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content at level Secret, the use of such devices is decided by the person presiding over the meeting in accordance with relevant laws;

c) The head or deputy head of the Public Security unit presiding over meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content decides on the use of technical equipment to prevent external intrusion and recording; uses equipment for audio and video recording for work purposes and manages recordings according to regulations on protection of state secrets.

5. Protection plan for meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content

a) The person presiding over meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content is responsible for directing the review and inspection of participants;

b) For meetings, seminars, and sessions with Top Secret classified content, the Public Security unit presides over deciding on the deployment of security forces outside; implementing security and safety checks for participants; anticipating complex situations that may affect security and safety during the organization of such meetings, seminars, and sessions and formulating response plans;

c) For meetings, seminars, and sessions with classified content organized for two days or more, rooms are sealed after each day's session.

6. The recovery of state secrets documents and items after a conference, seminar, or meeting as provided for in Clause 2, Article 17 and Point d, Paragraph 1, Article 18 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets; where state secrets documents and items are not recovered, they must be signed for upon transfer.

7. Participants at a conference, seminar, or meeting with content involving state secrets must ensure that their composition is in accordance with Point b, Paragraph 1, Article 17 and Point c, Paragraph 1, Article 18 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets and are responsible for protecting and using state secrets in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Protection of State Secrets and this Circular.

Article 10. Extension of the Period for Protecting State Secrets

1. State secrets that, upon expiration of their protection period, if declassified could cause harm to national interests, must be extended in their protection period.

2. The extension of the period for protecting state secrets as provided for in Paragraph 1, Article 19 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets is as follows:

a) Not later than 60 days before the expiration of the protection period for state secrets, the head or deputy head of the People's Public Security Unit shall determine that state secrets require an extension of their protection period;

b) The extension of the protection period for state secrets may be no more than 10 years for Confidential state secrets, 20 years for Secret state secrets, and 30 years for Top Secret state secrets;

c) Not later than 15 days from the date of extension, the People's Public Security Unit shall notify relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals in writing.

3. The extension of the period for protecting state secrets as provided for in Paragraph 2, Article 19 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets is as follows:

a) Before the expiration of the protection period for state secrets, the head or deputy head of the People's Public Security Unit shall determine that state secrets require an extension of their protection period;

b) The People's Public Security Unit must notify relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals in writing.

4. State secrets after being extended must be marked with "Extension of the Period for Protecting State Secrets," and have a written document or other form indicating the extension.

5. Agencies, units, personnel, organizations, or individuals related to the People's Public Security Unit, upon receiving notification of the extension, shall bear responsibility for marking, using a written document or other appropriate form to indicate the extension of state secrets under their management.

6. For electronic documents containing state secrets, the extension of the protection period is carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 2 and 3 hereof; after extending the protection period for state secrets, the People's Public Security Unit and relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals must create a red "Extension of the Period for Protecting State Secrets" stamp, clearly indicating the extended protection period on the electronic document containing state secrets to indicate the extension of state secrets under their management.

7. The model of the "Extension of the Period for Protecting State Secrets" stamp is in accordance with the provisions set forth in Appendix IV attached to Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP.

Article 11. Adjustment of Classification Level

1. Adjustment of classification level is the act of increasing or decreasing the classification level that has been determined for state secrets.

2. The adjustment of classification level must be based on the list of state secrets in various sectors and fields issued by the Prime Minister.

3. The head or deputy head of a People's Public Security Unit determines the classification level of state secrets with authority to decide on the adjustment of the classification level of state secrets.

4. After deciding on the adjustment of the classification level, the People's Public Security Unit must adjust the classification level and affix a seal or use another form to indicate the increase or decrease in the classification level.

5. Within fifteen days from the date when the person with authority as specified in Clause 3 of this Article decides on the adjustment of the classification level, the People's Public Security Unit must notify relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in writing.

6. The People's Public Security Unit receiving a notification regarding the adjustment of the classification level shall be responsible for affixing a seal or using another form to indicate the corresponding adjustment of the classification level within its jurisdiction.

7. In the case of classified electronic documents, the adjustment of the classification level is carried out in accordance with Clauses 3 and 5 of this Article, and after adjusting the classification level, the People's Public Security Unit and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals must create a red seal indicating the specific time of the adjustment on the electronic document of state secrets determining the adjustment of the classification level for state secrets within its jurisdiction.

8. The model of the seal for adjusting the classification level is carried out in accordance with the provisions in Appendix IV attached to Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP.

Article 12. Declassification

1. State secrets are declassified under the following circumstances:

a) State secrets are automatically declassified when the confidentiality period for state secrets as stipulated in Article 19 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets and the extended confidentiality period as stipulated in Article 20 of the same law expire;

b) No longer included in the list of state secrets;

c) State secrets are declassified before their expiration to serve the needs of protecting national interests, ethnic interests, economic and social development, integration, and international cooperation.

2. For cases as specified in point b of Clause 1 of this Article, the People's Public Security Unit determines the state secret must be sealed, have a written document or another appropriate form indicating declassification and notify relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in writing.

3. Declassification for cases as specified in point c of Clause 1 of this Article is regulated as follows:

a) The head or deputy head of the People's Public Security Unit with authority to determine state secrets has the authority to decide on declassification and establish a declassification committee;

b) The declassification committee includes: representatives of leadership from the People's Public Security Unit determining the state secret as the chairman of the declassification committee, representatives from the unit directly drafting or creating the state secret, and other members designated by the person with authority as specified in point a of this clause;

c) The declassification committee is responsible for reviewing the full declassification or partial declassification of state secrets, reporting to the person with authority as specified in point a of this clause on the decision to declassify in writing;

d) State secrets after being declassified must be sealed and have a written document or another appropriate form indicating declassification; if only part is declassified, the decision to declassify must fully reflect the content of the information declassified;

e) The declassification file must be stored including: the decision establishing the declassification committee; state secrets requesting declassification; minutes of the meeting of the declassification committee; decisions on declassification and related documents (if any).

4. Agencies, organizations, and individuals receiving a notification regarding declassification shall perform the following tasks:

a) Seal or use another appropriate form to indicate declassification for state secrets received;

b) Seal or use another appropriate form to indicate declassification for state secrets created using state secrets that have been declassified by agencies, organizations, and individuals sending them

and notify the People's Public Security Unit, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in writing. 5. In cases of electronic documents as specified in point c of Clause 1 of this Article, the declassification is carried out in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article.

6. After declassifying an electronic document of state secrets, the People's Public Security Unit and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals must create a "Declassified" seal in red, indicating the specific time of declassification on the electronic document of state secrets determining the declassification for state secrets within their jurisdiction.

7. The model of the "Declassified" seal is carried out in accordance with the provisions in Appendix IV attached to Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP.

7. The model of the "Declassification" stamp shall be implemented according to the regulations set forth in Appendix IV attached to Decree No. 63/2026/NĐ-CP.

Article 13. Destruction of State Secrets Documents and Materials

1. State secrets documents and materials shall be destroyed in the following cases:

a) When it is not necessary to retain them, and destruction will not cause harm to national and ethnic interests;

b) If they are not destroyed immediately, it will cause harm to national and ethnic interests.

2. The destruction of State secrets documents and materials must meet the following requirements:

a) To prevent the leakage or loss of state secrets;

b) The destruction process must affect the State secrets documents and materials in such a way as to change their shape, functionality, effect, and content;

c) After destruction, the State secrets documents and materials cannot be restored to their original shape, functionality, effect, or content.

3. The authority and procedure for destroying State secrets documents and materials classified as Top Secret in cases specified at point a of clause 1 of this Article are as follows:

a) The person with authority as stipulated in clauses 1 and 2 of Paragraph 3 of this Circular has the authority to decide on the destruction of Top Secret State secrets documents and materials within their jurisdiction;

b) The person with authority to decide on the destruction shall establish a destruction committee;

c) The destruction committee for State secrets documents and materials includes: representatives of the leadership of the People's Public Security Unit directly holding the State secrets documents and materials as the chairman; personnel directly holding the State secrets documents and materials, and representatives from relevant agencies or organizations;

d) The destruction committee shall be responsible for reviewing the State secrets documents and materials proposed for destruction, reporting to the person with authority as stipulated in point a of clause 3 of this Article for decision-making;

d) The records of destruction must be kept including: the decision on establishing the destruction committee; list of State secrets documents and materials proposed for destruction; minutes of the meeting of the destruction committee; decisions on destruction, minutes of the destruction process, and other relevant documents (if any).

4. The authority and procedure for destroying State secrets documents and materials classified as Confidential or Secret in cases specified at point a of clause 1 of this Article are as follows:

a) The person with authority as stipulated in clauses 1 and 2 of Paragraph 3 of this Circular has the authority to decide on the destruction of Confidential or Secret State secrets documents and materials within their jurisdiction;

b) The People's Public Security Unit directly holding the State secrets documents and materials shall be responsible for reviewing, listing, and proposing a list of State secrets documents and materials that need to be destroyed, and submitting a document requesting approval from the person with authority as stipulated in this point;

c) The list of State secrets documents and materials proposed for destruction must include: number, code, summary of the document or material; date, month, year of issuance or creation; level of secrecy; issuing agency or organization;

d) The document requesting destruction shall specify the quantity of State secrets documents and materials proposed for destruction, categorize them by levels of Confidentiality and Secrecy, provide reasons for proposing destruction, form of destruction, location of implementation, and means of transportation (if any);

d) The records of destruction of State secrets documents and materials must be kept including: the document requesting destruction from the People's Public Security Unit; approval from the person with authority to allow destruction; list of State secrets documents and materials proposed for destruction.

5. In cases where State secrets documents and materials as specified in point b of clause 1 of this Article are destroyed, the personnel currently managing such documents or materials may decide on immediate destruction and report in writing to the head of the People's Public Security Unit about the destruction.

Article 14. Responsibilities of Public Security Organs at All Levels in the Work of Protecting State Secrets

1. The Internal Security Department shall be responsible for advising and assisting the Minister of Public Security:

a) Implementing state management over the protection of state secrets;

b) Assessing the list of state secrets; synthesizing opinions from public security organs at all levels on proposals to amend or supplement the list of state secrets in the fields of national security, public order, and social safety;

c) Summarizing semi-annual work on protecting state secrets within the People's Public Security and annual work on protecting state secrets nationwide;

d) Organizing inspections of compliance with laws and regulations on protecting state secrets for organs, organizations, localities, and public security organs at all levels in conjunction with The Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department, the Technical Operations Bureau, the Telecommunications and Military-Civil Fusion Bureau, and other relevant units;

d) Assigning specialized staff to carry out tasks related to protecting state secrets within the People's Public Security.

2. The Inspectorate of the Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for inspecting compliance with laws and regulations on protecting state secrets.

3. Directly Subordinate Public Security Organs shall have the responsibility to:

a) Organize the implementation of work related to protecting state secrets within their jurisdiction;

b) Cooperate with the Internal Security Department in reviewing, proposing amendments or supplements to the list of state secrets in the fields of national security, public order, and social safety when required or upon identifying issues or inconsistencies;

c) Advise, guide organs, departments, and enterprises under their jurisdiction on implementing work related to protecting state secrets;

d) Assign part-time staff to carry out tasks related to protecting state secrets in the advisory and compilation department or other suitable departments.

4. Public Security Organs at Provinces and Municipalities shall have the responsibility to:

a) Implement responsibilities as stipulated in points a, b, and c of paragraph 3 of this Article;

b) Implement state management over the protection of state secrets within their jurisdiction;

c) Assign specialized staff to carry out tasks related to protecting state secrets under the Internal Security Department and assign part-time staff at subordinate units in the advisory and compilation department or other suitable departments.

5. When a People's Public Security unit undergoes organizational changes such as dissolution or merger, the receiving People's Public Security unit responsible for managing state secret documents and materials from the dissolved or merged unit shall be responsible for carrying out work related to protecting these state secrets.

Article 15. Responsibilities of the Head of a People’s Public Security Unit Directly Managing State Secrets

1. Directing, inspecting, and urging the implementation of legal provisions and guidelines on protecting state secrets within the units under their jurisdiction.

2. Directing, handling according to authority, and promptly reporting to competent authorities when state secrets are leaked or lost within their jurisdiction.

3. Organizing the recovery of state secret documents and materials when personnel assigned to manage state secrets in the unit cease employment, transfer duties, retire, pass away, or for other reasons are no longer tasked with managing state secrets.

4. Publicizing regulations on protecting state secrets, organizing signatories to protect state secrets for specialists and non-People’s Public Security personnel engaged under a contract to perform tasks that involve access to state secrets managed by the People’s Public Security unit.

Article 16. Responsibilities of Personnel in Contact with and Directly Managing State Secrets

1. Personnel who have access to state secrets shall perform the following responsibilities:

a) Comply with legal provisions, departmental regulations on protecting state secrets, and internal agency regulations;

b) Implement measures for protecting state secrets;

c) Use state secrets solely for their intended purpose;

d) Fulfill requirements and instructions from the agency directly managing such state secrets.

2. Personnel who directly manage state secrets shall perform the following responsibilities:

a) Fulfill responsibilities as stipulated in paragraph 1 of this Article;

b) Propose authorities to decide on applying measures for protecting state secrets they are directly managing;

c) In case of discovering violations during the protection of state secrets, personnel who directly manage such secrets must take appropriate actions to handle the situation and report to responsible persons for resolution. They shall also inform units, agencies, or organizations determining the secrecy level to take remedial measures;

d) Before leaving their position, transferring duties, retiring, or for any other reason where they are not assigned to continue managing state secrets, they must hand over state secrets to competent authorities and commit to protecting such secrets.

Article 17. Information and Reporting System on State Secrets Protection Work

1. Every six months and annually, public security units and localities report their work in protecting state secrets to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Internal Security Department).

2. Special reports shall be made immediately after a leak or loss of state secrets is discovered, upon detection of violations of laws on protecting state secrets, or at the request of the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security and the Internal Security Department, and submitted to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Internal Security Department).

Article 18. Effective Date

1. This Circular comes into effect from April 28, 2026.

2. The Circular No. 104/2021/TT-BCA dated November 8, 2021, of the Minister of Public Security on state secrets protection work in public security forces and Circular No. 24/2025/TT-BCA dated April 8, 2025, of the Minister of Public Security amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 104/2021/TT-BCA shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular comes into effect.

3. Where the legal texts referred to in this Circular are amended, supplemented, replaced, or newly promulgated, relevant contents within this Circular will be changed and applied according to such amended, supplemented, replaced, or newly promulgated legal texts.

Article 19. Implementation Responsibility

1. The Internal Security Department is responsible for monitoring, guiding, inspecting, and urging the implementation of this Circular.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry of Public Security, provincial public security chiefs, and relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

3. During the implementation process, if any difficulties or obstacles arise, public security units and localities shall report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Internal Security Department) for guidance.