Consolidated Document number 49/VBHN-BQP on economic-defense zones

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Independence - Freedom - Happiness _________________

 

DECREE

On Economic-Military Zones

 

Decree No. 22/2021/NĐ-CP dated March 19, 2021 of the Government on Economic-Military Zones, which took effect from May 5, 2021, was amended and supplemented by:

Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative authorities, which took effect from August 7, 2025.

Pursuant to the Law on the Organization of the Government No. 63/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on the Organization of Local Administrative Authorities No. 72/2025/QH15;

Based on Decree No. 168/2018/NĐ-CP dated December 28, 2018 of the Government on defense work at central ministries and localities;

Pursuant to the Planning Law dated November 24, 2017;

Pursuant to the Law on Public Investment dated June 13, 2019;

Pursuant to the Investment Law dated June 17, 2020;

Pursuant to the Law on Construction dated June 18, 2014; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Construction dated June 17, 2020;

"Based on the proposal of the Minister of National Defense;"

The Government issues this Decree on Economic-Military Zones.[1]

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Decree stipulates the construction of Economic-Military Zones; the organization and management of activities of Economic-Military Units; investment, financial mechanisms, and policies for entities participating in the construction of Economic-Military Zones; responsibilities of agencies, organizations in constructing and managing Economic-Military Zones.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Economic-Military Units and Military Enterprises directly implement tasks of building and managing Economic-Military Zones.

2. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, and individuals participating in the construction and management of Economic-Military Zones.

3. Agencies, organizations, enterprises, and individuals related to the construction and management of Economic-Military Zones.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Decree, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. The planning component of Economic-Military Zones is part of the national master plan, the national marine space plan, regional plans, established by the Ministry of National Defense at the request of the agency responsible for planning to integrate into the national master plan, the national marine space plan, and regional plans.

2. The construction plan for Economic-Military Zones is a document prepared by the Ministry of National Defense to detail the planning component of Economic-Military Zones approved by the competent authority in the national master plan, the national marine space plan, and regional plans, serving as a basis for Economic-Military Units to carry out their construction tasks.

3. Investment projects within Economic-Military Zones are a collection of proposals for medium-term and long-term capital investment activities within Economic-Military Zones according to the approved construction plan for Economic-Military Zones over a specified period.

4. Establishing new Economic-Military Zones is a decision by the Minister of National Defense to establish new Economic-Military Zones consistent with the planning component of Economic-Military Zones in the national master plan, the national marine space plan, regional plans, and other relevant plans approved by the competent authority in accordance with the law on planning.

5. Completion of the construction of Economic-Military Zones is a decision by the Minister of National Defense upon completion of the construction objectives of Economic-Military Zones.

Article 4. Objectives of Building Economic-Military Zones

1. Consolidating national defense and security in strategic areas, border regions, seas, and islands, forming a solid defensive perimeter to fulfill the mission of protecting the country.

2. Organizing the arrangement and resettlement of residents in border, sea, and island areas of significant importance for national defense and security within the regional defense system, forming clusters, villages, hamlets, and communes.

3. Developing socio-economic activities in conjunction with strengthening national defense and security in Economic-Military Zones to gradually improve the material and spiritual living standards of the people.

Article 5. Tasks of building the Economic-Zone Defense Area

1. Building a strong defense and security base; stabilizing economic and social development; constructing defensive positions on strategic areas as a solid foundation for the people and other forces to participate in economic and social development along the land border, sea, maritime zones, and islands.

2. Coordinating with local party committees and authorities to build essential infrastructure to stabilize production for the people, ensuring social welfare; organizing and arranging residential points, fixed farming, and settlement areas in border regions, islands, and distant island groups to ensure sustainable poverty reduction goals and stability in national defense and security.

3. Establishing models for agricultural promotion, forestry promotion, fishery promotion, industry promotion, and supporting production development as initial factors for the development of commodity economy and services; organizing supply services for materials and product consumption (two-end services); transferring production technology to the people; organizing effective land exploitation in border areas, islands, remote areas, and extremely difficult areas that play a significant role in national defense and security. Building economic bases in difficult maritime and island areas to serve as a link between the mainland and islands, archipelagos; organizing marine service activities to support fishermen in producing at sea to strengthen civilian activities in maritime and island areas, affirming sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the sea.

4. Propaganda and mobilization of the people to firmly grasp and effectively implement the Party's policies and the State's laws; struggle against the propaganda, distortion, and incitement tactics of hostile forces and illegal proselytism activities; bringing radio, television, culture, healthcare to the grassroots level; creating conditions for ethnic minority children to attend school; providing medical care for the people; nurturing and training cadres for localities; restoring, preserving, and developing traditional cultures of ethnic minorities in the area.

5. Cooperating with forces in the area to build the whole-people defense posture linked with the people's security posture; participating in search and rescue, disaster prevention, mitigation, and response, epidemic control, maintaining political security, social order, and safety in border, maritime, and island areas of the country.

Chapter II

BUILDING THE ECONOMIC-ZONE DEFENSE AREA

 

Section 1. COMPONENT OF THE ECONOMIC-ZONE DEFENSE AREA PLANNING

Article 6. Responsibilities for establishing the planning component of the Economic-Zone Defense Area

1. The Ministry of National Defense shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees to review and establish the planning component of the Economic-Zone Defense Area as prescribed in Article 8 of this Decree, and submit it to the planning organization agency for integration into the national master plan, national marine space plan, and regional plans.

2. Relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees shall be responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense to establish and review the planning component of the Economic-Zone Defense Area.

3. The planning organization agency shall be responsible for integrating the planning component of the Economic-Zone Defense Area into the national master plan, national marine space plan, and regional plans in accordance with the law on planning.

Article 7. Basis for establishing the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area

1. Tasks of national-level planning, national marine space planning, regional planning approved by the Government and the Prime Minister.

2. Plans regarding defense needs, the ability to combine defense with socio-economic activities and socio-economic activities with defense during peacetime, emergency defense situations, and war conditions.

3. Provincial planning, sectoral planning, and other related planning.

4. The previous planning of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area.

Article 8. Procedure for establishing the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area

The Ministry of National Defense organizes the establishment of the planning component according to the following procedure:

1. Selecting consulting units with legal personality that meet the professional capacity requirements to develop the contents of the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area as stipulated in Article 4 of Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP dated May 7, 2019 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Planning Law (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP).

2. Military regions, military branches, and military corps coordinate with provincial People's Committees on the scope and scale of each Economic-Zone - National Defense Area to ensure synchronization, effectiveness, and compatibility with national-level planning, regional planning, provincial planning, and other related planning.

3. Developing the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area and sending it to relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees for comments as stipulated in Article 29 of Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP.

4. Compiling a summary report on the adoption and explanation of comments from relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees and completing the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area (if applicable).

5. Organizing the review of the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area as stipulated in Article 10 of this Decree.

6. Completing the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area based on the conclusions of the Review Board and submitting it to the planning organization agency to integrate it into the overall national planning, national marine space planning, and regional planning.

Article 9. Content of the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area

1. Objectives for building and developing the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area.

2. Determining the number, scale, location, organizational structure of Economic-Zone - National Defense Areas along land borders, seas, and islands.

3. Analyzing and evaluating the current socio-economic development status, defense situation, and security; forecasting factors, conditions, resources, trends, and scenarios for development; proposing guiding viewpoints, goals, and priority development directions.

4. Analyzing and evaluating the current status of natural-social conditions, resources, and specific characteristics of each region and province, and assessing environmental impacts when establishing the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area.

5. Directions for developing advantages of regions and provinces; plans for development, arrangement, selection, and distribution of development resources within the territory of regions and provinces with Economic-Zone - National Defense Areas.

6. Directions for building the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area, including: Identifying defense zones, socio-economic activities linked with defense, security, agriculture, rural development, concentrated production areas; identifying centers and residential points within the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area.

7. Directions for developing infrastructure.

8. Directions for environmental protection, cultural-sports and tourism development, natural resource exploitation and protection, disaster prevention and response, and adaptation to climate change within the territory of regions and provinces.

9. List and order of implementation of priority projects.

10. Solutions and resources for implementing the planning component.

11. Presenting the plan of the planning component of the Economic-Zone - National Defense Area on a map at a scale of 1/1,000,000 and extracting a map at a scale of 1/500,000 for each Economic-Zone - National Defense Area.

Article 10. Review of the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas

1. The Minister of National Defense shall establish the Review Board for the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas and organize the review of the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas in accordance with Articles 33 to 38 of Decree No. 37/2019/NĐ-CP.

2. Members of the Review Board for the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas include the chairman and members of the board, among which:

a) The Chairman of the Board is a leader from the Ministry of National Defense;

b) Members of the Board are leaders of agencies under the Ministry of National Defense, leaders of military regions, corps, and formations related to the matter;

c) Leaders of relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees shall be invited to participate in the Board.

3. Documents for reviewing the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas include:

a) A proposal requesting the review of the planning component;

b) An explanatory report on the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas as stipulated in Article 9 of this Decree;

c) Specialized reports and accompanying appendices;

d) Maps including administrative maps; location and regional relationship maps; current status and planning maps of key infrastructure systems, centers, and residential points within Economic-Zone - Defense Areas; territorial organization maps of major economic and social activities within Economic-Zone - Defense Areas; maps implemented at the scale specified in Clause 11 of Article 9 of this Decree;

đ) A report on incorporating and explaining comments from relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees;

e) Other related documents and materials.

4. Contents of the review of the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas:

a) Legal basis, scientific foundation, reliability of information, data, and figures used to develop the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas;

b) Compatibility of the main objectives, indicators, resource allocation schemes in the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas with national socio-economic development strategies; defense and security goals and tasks; defensive deployment in the defense area;

c) Consistency of the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas with the national master plan, national marine space plan, regional plans, provincial plans, sectoral plans, and other related plans where the Economic-Zone - Defense Areas are located;

d) Implementation solutions for the planning component, feasibility, and management measures for implementing the planning component.

Article 11. Adjustment of the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas

1. The Ministry of National Defense shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees to propose adjustments to the content of the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas when there are the following grounds:

a) Adjustments in the content of national-level, regional, provincial, sectoral, and other related plans that change the objectives, scale, content, and organizational orientation of the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas;

b) Due to requirements for defense and security tasks.

2. Procedures for proposing adjustments and documents for requesting adjustments to the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures for developing the planning component as stipulated in Article 8 and Clause 3 of Article 10 of this Decree. Based on the Ministry of National Defense's proposal for adjusting the planning component of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas, the agency responsible for preparing the plan shall consolidate and implement adjustments to the national master plan, national marine space plan, and regional plans in accordance with the law on planning.

3. For adjustments that do not alter the objectives of the planning component of Economic-Zone -Defense Areas, the Minister of National Defense shall decide on adjustments to the construction plan for Economic-Zone - Defense Areas.

Section 2. PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ECONOMIC-MILITARY ZONES

Article 12. Authority to Organize the Plan for Constructing Economic-Military Zones

1. The Ministry of National Defense shall direct military regions, military corps, and military groups to cooperate with provincial People's Committees to establish plans for constructing Economic-Military Zones.

2. Military regions, military corps, and military groups shall direct the Economic-Military Zone Task Force to select consulting organizations to prepare plans for constructing Economic-Military Zones under their management.

3. Consulting organizations must meet the conditions regarding capacity and experience appropriate to the tasks they undertake according to the provisions of the law.

Article 13. Tasks for Preparing Plans for Constructing Economic-Military Zones

1. Basis for establishing tasks:

a) Components of the planning for Economic-Military Zones at the national level, national marine space planning, regional planning approved by competent authorities;

b) Relevant legal normative documents;

c) Reports reviewing and evaluating the results of implementing the planning period before.

2. Main contents of the tasks for preparing plans for constructing Economic-Military Zones include:

a) Basis for preparing plans;

b) Requirements regarding the content and methods of preparing plans;

c) Costs for preparing plans;

d) Time limit for preparing plans;

e) Responsibilities of related agencies in preparing plans.

3. The Ministry of National Defense shall review and approve the tasks and budget estimates for preparing plans for constructing Economic-Military Zones.

Members of the review council for tasks for preparing plans for constructing Economic-Military Zones include: The Chairman of the Council is the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense; the Secretary of the Council is the agency responsible for managing labor production and economic construction of the military; members of the Council are leaders of related agencies within the Ministry of National Defense.

4. The budget for preparing plans for constructing Economic-Military Zones shall be sourced from regular state budget expenditures.

Article 14. Procedure for Preparing Plans for Constructing Economic-Military Zones

Based on the tasks and budget estimates for preparing plans for constructing Economic-Military Zones that have been approved, military regions, military corps, and military groups shall direct the Economic-Military Zone Task Force to implement:

1. Select consulting units that meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 12 of this Decree; analyze, evaluate, and forecast factors, conditions, resources, and development context; assess the current socio-economic development, defense, and security situation, propose guiding viewpoints, goals, and priority directions for development.

2. Coordinate with all levels of People's Committees on the location and scale of each project to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and compliance with the overall planning of the locality.

3.[2] Complete the plan for constructing Economic-Military Zones and submit it for comments from all levels of People's Committees as prescribed.

4. Incorporate and explain local opinions, complete the plan for constructing Economic-Military Zones, and report to the Ministry of National Defense for review.

5. Complete the plan for constructing Economic-Military Zones and report to military regions, military corps, and military groups for submission to the Minister of National Defense for approval.

Article 15. Requirements Regarding the Content of Plans for Constructing Economic-Military Zones

1. Consistent with components of the planning for Economic-Military Zones in the national master plan, national marine space planning, regional planning approved by competent authorities; consistent with the socio-economic development situation of the locality, relevant plans; ensuring defense and security along borders and defense areas.

2. For coastal and island Economic-Military Zones: In addition to meeting the requirements stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, the content of plans for constructing coastal and island Economic-Military Zones must be consistent with the Sustainable Development Strategy for Vietnam’s Marine Economy, national marine space planning, socio-economic development, and ensuring defense and security at sea and on islands.

3. The plan for constructing Economic-Military Zones shall be based on regional defense plans, population resettlement and stabilization plans, poverty reduction targets, improved health, cultural, and spiritual life of the people in Economic-Military Zones.

Article 16. Contents of the Plan for Building Economic-Zone - Defense Areas

1. Develop a plan for arranging and stabilizing the population.

2. Develop a land use plan.

3. Develop investment project plans.

4. Evaluate the suitability of the development of Economic-Zone - Defense Areas with environmental protection work and develop environmental protection solutions.

5. Develop and utilize resources to implement the plan.

6. Develop special mass mobilization and propaganda work plans.

7. Develop other plans as prescribed by the Ministry of National Defense.

Article 17. Adjustment of the Plan for Building Economic-Zone - Defense Areas

1. Basis for adjusting the plan:

a) There is an adjustment in the planning component of the Economic-Zone - Defense Areas;

b) There is an adjustment in the national master plan, national marine space plan, regional plan, provincial plan, sectoral plan, and other related plans;

c) Due to requirements for defense and security tasks.

2. Procedure and process for adjusting the plan:

a) When there are bases as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, the Economic-Zone - Defense Area Team reports to the Military Region Command, Corps Command, or Service Command on the content of the adjustment to the plan for building Economic-Zone - Defense Areas;

b) The Military Region Command, Corps Command, or Service Command agrees with the People's Committee of the relevant province on the content of the adjustment to the plan for building Economic-Zone - Defense Areas;

c) The Military Region Commander, Corps Commander, or Service Commander reports to the Minister of National Defense to decide on the adjustment to the plan.

3. Documents for requesting adjustment to the plan include:

a) A proposal for adjusting the plan;

b) An integrated report explaining the adjusted plan;

c) Specialized plan reports and accompanying appendices.

Section 3. OPENING NEW, TERMINATING ECONOMIC-ZONE - DEFENSE AREAS

Article 18. Opening New Economic-Zone - Defense Areas

1. The Minister of National Defense decides to open new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas when there are the following bases:

a) The planning component of the Economic-Zone - Defense Areas is integrated into the national master plan, national marine space plan, and regional plan;

b) Urgency regarding defense and security tasks, socio-economic development;

c) Socio-economic conditions of the locality.

2. Conditions for opening new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas:

a) Written agreement by the Provincial People's Committee on opening new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas;

b) Within the medium-term public investment plan and the ability to ensure state budget funds.

3. Procedure for opening new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas:

a) The Military Region, Corps, or Service sends a document along with the proposal for opening new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article to the Provincial People's Committee where the new area is expected to be opened to seek opinions.

Within 15 days from the date of receipt of the document from the Military Region, Corps, or Service, the Provincial People's Committee is responsible for providing written comments on the urgency, appropriateness, scope, and scale of the new Economic-Zone - Defense Area proposed to be opened;

b) Prepare a report to submit to the Minister of National Defense on the opening of new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas.

4. Documents for proposing to open new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas include:

a) A proposal for opening new Economic-Zone - Defense Areas from the Military Region, Corps, or Service;

b) A document from the Provincial People's Committee;

c) Other relevant legal documents.

Article 19. Termination of Construction of Economic-Military Zones

1. The Minister of National Defense decides to terminate the construction of Economic-Military Zones when the construction objectives of the Economic-Military Zones have been completed.

2. The Ministry of National Defense directs military regions, military branches, and military corps to conduct summaries and evaluations of the results of implementing the construction objectives and tasks of the Economic-Military Zones.

3. Military regions, military branches, and military corps direct the Economic-Military Zone Teams to cooperate with People's Committees at all relevant levels to implement procedures for terminating the construction of Economic-Military Zones and hand over infrastructure projects to local management.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ECONOMIC-MILITARY ZONE TEAMS' ACTIVITIES

 

Section 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND DISSOLUTION OF ECONOMIC-MILITARY ZONE TEAMS

Article 20. Establishment of Economic-Military Zone Teams

1. The Minister of National Defense decides to establish Economic-Military Zone Teams to fulfill tasks and manage one or more Economic-Military Zones.

2. Conditions for establishing Economic-Military Zone Teams:

a) Decision to open new Economic-Military Zones;

b) Decision on location of deployment;

c) Decision on organizational structure and staffing of Economic-Military Zone Teams.

3. Procedures and formalities for establishing Economic-Military Zone Teams:

a) Military regions, military branches, and military corps prepare proposals to the Minister of National Defense regarding the establishment of Economic-Military Zone Teams;

b) The Minister of National Defense decides to establish Economic-Military Zone Teams with organizational structures suitable for assigned functions and tasks;

c) Based on the decision of the Minister of National Defense, military regions, military branches, and military corps coordinate with provincial People's Committees to unify the scale and location of deployment of Economic-Military Zone Teams.

Article 21. Organizational Structure of Economic-Military Zone Teams

1. Economic-Military Zone Teams are military units established by the Ministry of National Defense to achieve the goals and tasks of constructing Economic-Military Zones.

2. The Minister of National Defense decides on the organization and staffing of Economic-Military Zone Teams, ensuring compatibility with the organizational and staffing structure of the military.

Article 22. Functions and Tasks of Economic-Military Zone Teams

1. Functions:

a) Economic-Military Zone Teams are military units that simultaneously perform combat, work, and production functions; combining national defense with economic and social development and vice versa, in accordance with the law;

b) Participate in labor production, economic construction, infrastructure development, agricultural and forestry production, creating a foundation for people to stabilize their lives in particularly difficult areas, remote areas, border regions, islands, and seas within strategic zones; carry out mass mobilization work, ensure public security and social order, consolidate the national defense and security posture; coordinate activities at sea and on islands within the assigned area; organize economic activities, population relocation, stable settlement, environmental protection, and readiness for combat situations;

c) Manage and command subordinate agencies and units and coordinate joint combat operations according to plans.

2. Tasks:

a) Fulfill combat readiness, training, and unit construction tasks;

b)[3]Coordinate with Provincial Military Command, Regional Defense Command, and Commune Military Command to build and protect defensive zones;

c) Construct Economic-Military Zones according to decisions of the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense;

d) Fulfill tasks related to labor production and economic construction combined with military and national defense tasks in the Economic-Military Zone area;

đ) Carry out mass mobilization and special propaganda work, building strong political security and social order areas, consolidating the national defense and security posture;

e) Take the lead and coordinate with local authorities to implement agricultural, forestry, fishery, and industrial promotion activities; coordinate with local authorities in the stationed area to build clusters of residential points along land borders, seas, and islands;

g) Organize citizen reception, complaint resolution, anti-corruption measures, thrift, and waste prevention, and handle violations of laws related to the unit's management field according to the law;

h) Implement investment construction, financial, asset, and allocated capital management according to the law and the Ministry of National Defense;

i) Manage and command subordinate agencies and units;

k) Implement ethnic and religious policies of the Party and State, coordinate with local authorities to improve the material and cultural life of ethnic minorities;

l) Build comprehensive strong units; be ready to fulfill other tasks assigned by competent authorities.

3. The Minister of National Defense specifies the specific functions and tasks of Economic-Military Zone Teams.

Article 23. Rules on the operation of the Economic-Military Unit

1. The Minister of National Defense shall issue rules on the operation and coordination with forces stationed in the area that are appropriate to the functions, tasks, and practical situation of the Economic-Military Unit.

2. The rules on the operation and coordination of the Economic-Military Unit shall include the following main contents:

a) Tasks of the Economic-Military Unit;

b) Working hours and working relationships;

c) Mechanism for coordinating work with forces stationed in the area.

Article 24. Reorganization and Dissolution of the Economic-Military Unit

1. The Minister of National Defense shall decide to reorganize the Economic-Military Unit when:

a) There is a change in organizational structure or personnel establishment;

b) There is a change in function or task.

2. The Minister of National Defense shall decide to dissolve the Economic-Military Unit when the objectives of building the Economic-Military Zone have been completed or due to military or defense requirements. In cases where there are economic legal entities within the Economic-Military Unit, dissolution shall be carried out in accordance with relevant laws.

3. Procedures for reorganization and dissolution of the Economic-Military Unit:

a) Military regions, military branches, and military corps shall prepare proposals to the Minister of National Defense regarding the reorganization or dissolution of the Economic-Military Unit;

b) The Minister of National Defense shall decide on the reorganization or dissolution of the Economic-Military Unit.

4. Military regions, military branches, and military corps shall implement the Minister of National Defense's decision; in cases of dissolution, the Economic-Military Unit shall organize the handover to local authorities for management and use of all infrastructure projects and facilities built within the Economic-Military Zone.

Section 2. MANAGEMENT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE ECONOMIC-MILITARY UNIT

Article 25. Implementation of Tasks Related to Labor Production and Economic Construction Combined with Military and Defense Tasks in the Economic-Military Zone

1. Directly organizing increased production to improve the living conditions of officers and soldiers at the unit.

2. Organizing the development of small-scale household economic models; in areas with suitable land conditions, organizing large-scale economic models to attract local residents to participate in work.

3. Participating in implementing projects and constructing works of the Economic-Military Unit and localities.

4. Economic-Military Units participating in labor production and economic construction combined with defense and social-economic activities; utilizing resources and infrastructure to produce products contributing to improving the living standards of officers and soldiers and building social-economic life in the area of deployment.

Article 26. Project Development in the Economic-Military Zone

1. The Economic-Military Unit is the project investor for public investment projects according to the plan for developing the Economic-Military Zone approved by the Ministry of National Defense.

Projects using capital from other investors shall be implemented in accordance with laws on investment and construction and related laws; competent authorities shall coordinate with the Economic-Military Unit before approving investment policies and registering investments for projects within the Economic-Military Zone.

2. As the project investor, the Economic-Military Unit is responsible for establishing a project management board, preparing investment projects for approval by the competent authority; directly managing and implementing projects within the Economic-Military Zone in accordance with relevant laws.

3. Requirements for investment projects for the development of the Economic-Military Zone:

a) Must be consistent with the approved plans for each Economic-Military Zone;

b) Shall not affect military and defense tasks and local development;

c) Based on the nature, content, capital sources, progress, and development goals of the Economic-Military Zone, the investor may implement one or more investment projects according to the medium-term and annual investment plans.

Article 27. Management of Investment Projects in Economic-Zone Defense Areas

1. The Economic-Defense Group shall directly manage infrastructure projects funded by state budget within the Economic-Zone Defense Area that are linked to the production activities of the Economic-Defense Group. After the completion and commissioning of the project, the Economic-Defense Group shall prepare annual state budget estimates for maintenance and repair of the works, report to the competent authority for approval by the Minister of National Defense.

2. For infrastructure projects funded by the state budget within the Economic-Zone Defense Area that are not linked to the production activities of the Economic-Defense Group, after the completion of the project, they shall be handled as follows:

a) The Economic-Defense Group shall organize the handover to local authorities for management and use;

b) The entity responsible for management and use shall be responsible for preparing annual state budget estimates for maintenance and repair of the works, report to the competent authority for decision-making; receive the handover, manage and use the works in accordance with the laws on management and use of public assets;

c) The People's Committee of the province where the Economic-Zone Defense Area is located shall be responsible for ensuring funds for maintenance, repair, and technical infrastructure and social infrastructure works handed over from the Economic-Defense Group.

Article 28. Land Management in Economic-Zone Defense Areas

1. People's Committees at all levels shall be responsible for coordinating with the Economic-Defense Group to manage land in the Economic-Zone Defense Area in accordance with the laws on land.

2. When establishing components of the planning of the Economic-Zone Defense Area, military regions, military branches, and military corps shall issue documents to reach consensus with the People's Committee of the province regarding the allocation of defense land and leasing of land to achieve the goal of building the Economic-Zone Defense Area.

3. Land in the Economic-Zone Defense Area shall be used as follows:

a) For land allocated to the Economic-Defense Group for economic and social development: The Economic-Defense Group shall be responsible for coordinating with People's Committees at all levels to accept, compensate, and clear land to implement the planning and construction plans of the Economic-Zone Defense Area in accordance with the laws on land;

b) For land used for production and business operations: The Economic-Defense Group shall prepare production and business projects, request the People's Committee of the province to lease land to implement the project in accordance with the laws on land;

c) For land used for defense purposes: Based on the decision to establish the Economic-Defense Group, the location of deployment, approved plans and investment projects, the Economic-Defense Group shall handle procedures to request the People's Committee of the province to decide on land allocation, issue certificates of land use rights, and manage and use the land in accordance with the laws on land.

Article 29. Management of Population, Residency, Security, and Public Order in Economic-Zone Defense Areas

1.[4] The Economic-Defense Group shall coordinate with local military and police agencies to advise People's Committees at all levels on the arrangement and resettlement of population in the Economic-Zone Defense Area in accordance with the planning and construction plans of the Economic-Zone Defense Area; prioritize the stable resettlement of internal provincial population, ensuring compliance with the planning and construction plans of the Economic-Zone Defense Area, and linking with economic and social development, national defense, and security.

In cases where it is necessary to accept residents from outside the province to reside in the Economic-Zone Defense Area, the People's Committees of the province and commune shall coordinate with the Economic-Defense Group on the arrangement and resettlement of population in the Economic-Zone Defense Area.

2. The Economic-Defense Group shall be responsible for advising the local party committees, governments, and relevant agencies on the establishment of model villages, communes, and hamlets in the Economic-Zone Defense Area in accordance with the provisions of the law and local customs and traditions.

3. Local police agencies shall be responsible for managing the population, ensuring security and public order, and social safety in the Economic-Zone Defense Area in accordance with the law.

Article 30. Assistance to People in Organizing Production and Sustainable Poverty Reduction

1. The economic-military unit shall organize and guide the people in the economic-military zone to develop agricultural, forestry, and fishery production, and to develop household economies.

For centralized production economic-military units, every effort shall be made to attract local ethnic groups, particularly those residing in the area, to participate in work.

2. Forms of assistance to people in organizing production and sustainable poverty reduction include:

a) Construction of civil works, transportation, water conservancy, electricity, and clean water projects;

b) Coordination with local authorities to implement measures for agricultural extension, forestry extension, fishery extension, training, and technology transfer services to promote production for the people in the project area;

c) Advising local authorities on implementing national target programs, projects to achieve the goal of stabilizing living conditions and sustainable poverty reduction for the people;

d) Bringing culture and healthcare to villages to improve the cultural and spiritual life and health of the people and to implement social welfare;

đ) Accepting people from other places to settle down according to the plan of the Government or localities;

e) Other forms of production.

3. Ensuring residential land and production land, supporting the people:

a) The economic-military unit shall coordinate with local authorities to review residential land and cultivated land within the economic-military zone to arrange sufficient residential and production land for the people in accordance with the laws on land;

b) Creating conditions to help ethnic groups clear land to have enough production land and develop household economies;

c) Coordinating with local authorities, village elders, and headmen to mobilize the people to be confident in production, to settle down permanently on the assigned land;

d) Providing subsidies and support to the people to overcome difficulties during the production process.

4. Protecting and developing forests in the economic-military zone:

a) The economic-military unit shall be responsible for participating in forest protection and development, fire prevention, and firefighting activities in the area; organizing the implementation of forest protection and development projects; combining forest protection and development with settlement programs and environmental protection;

b) The economic-military unit shall coordinate with local forestry agencies to build projects, develop plans for forest protection and development, and allocate forest land to the people for production organization.

Article 31. Mass Mobilization Work in the Economic-Military Zone

1. Cooperating with public security organs and forces stationed in the area to advise party committees and local authorities on propaganda and mobilization to make the people understand the plots and tactics of hostile forces; resolutely struggle against hostile forces opposing the Party and government, undermining national solidarity, and causing political instability and social disorder.

2. Propaganda and mobilization to make the people recognize the role of leadership of the Party and State, all levels of party committees and local authorities in building the economic-military zone, improving material and cultural-social living standards for the people; consolidating and strengthening the people's trust in the Party and the regime, building the whole-people defense posture, the people's security posture, and the people's heart posture.

3. Advising party committees and local authorities to enhance leadership capabilities, management methods, and propaganda and mobilization of the people to implement the Party's policies and the State's laws.

4. Building and utilizing information dissemination systems, regularly updating news to the people.

5. Cooperating with local authorities to build cultural and educational institutions, prioritizing literacy eradication, preventing re-illiteracy, universal education, and helping village cadres improve their administrative management and socio-economic development skills.

6. Assisting local authorities in building medical facilities and implementing military-civilian medical cooperation programs.

7. Helping the people develop the economy and improve their material and spiritual lives.

8. Regularly maintaining close contact, closely linking, and thoroughly understanding customs, traditions, aspirations, internal situations among the people. Organizing classes to teach ethnic languages to economic-military unit officers and soldiers to carry out mass mobilization work.

Chapter IV

INVESTMENT, FINANCIAL MECHANISMS AND POLICIES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE ECONOMIC-MILITARY ZONE CONSTRUCTION

 

Article 32. Investment Mechanism in Economic-Military Zones

1.[5] Based on the construction plan for Economic-Military Zones, the Ministry of National Defense shall develop medium-term and annual public investment plans in accordance with the laws on public investment for Economic-Military Zones, to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consolidation and reporting to the competent authority as prescribed.

2. Ministries, sectors, localities assigned by the Government to manage and implement programs and projects shall coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense to develop plans to integrate programs and projects to be implemented within Economic-Military Zones.

3. The Economic-Military Task Force shall take the lead and coordinate with local authorities to determine the list of investment projects and integrated projects within Economic-Military Zones in accordance with State regulations and those of the Ministry of National Defense.

Article 33. Sources of Capital for Building Economic-Military Zones

1. State budget capital:

a) Public investment capital as stipulated by the Law on Public Investment, including: Capital for Economic-Military Zones; capital integrated from national target programs, programs, and projects within the area;

b) The Ministry of National Defense is responsible for allocating defense funds to match and integrate with local funds to implement necessary and urgent projects and works that link economic and social development with national defense and security;

c) People's Committees of provinces with Economic-Military Zones are responsible for allocating local budget funds to integrate and match with defense funds to implement necessary and urgent projects and works that link economic and social development with national defense and security at the local level.

2. Capital raised from enterprises, organizations, and individuals of all economic components participating in projects or works in Economic-Military Zones in accordance with the law.

3. Other sources of capital.

Article 34. Plan for Utilizing Investment Capital for Building Economic-Military Zones

1. The use of capital for medium-term and annual public investment plans to implement the goal of building Economic-Military Zones must comply with the laws on public investment.

2. The allocation and utilization of capital for national target programs, programs, and projects must be consistent with the objects and scope of each program and project as prescribed by the laws on investment and state budget.

3. The Ministry of National Defense shall prepare capital demand plans for each phase, coordinating with ministries, agencies managing national target programs, programs, and projects, and People's Committees of relevant provinces to allocate investment capital for the construction of Economic-Military Zones.

4. The State encourages localities, organizations, and individuals to participate in investment for production, business, and technical infrastructure and social infrastructure construction in Economic-Military Zones in line with the Economic-Military Zone construction plan.

Article 35. System and Policies in Economic-Military Zones

The Ministry of National Defense shall take the lead and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities to establish systems and policies for forces performing tasks in Economic-Military Zones as follows:

1. For personnel under the establishment of the Economic-Military Task Force, land support for housing to stabilize their lives and work in the Economic-Military Zone area shall be provided; they shall also enjoy preferential benefits as prescribed by the State and the Ministry of National Defense.

2. Young intellectuals voluntarily participating in the construction of Economic-Military Zones shall enjoy preferential benefits as prescribed by relevant laws.

3. Workers and employees working in Economic-Military Zones in remote, border, and island areas shall be supported by the State in paying health insurance premiums and other preferential policies as prescribed by law.

Article 36. Financial Support in Economic-Zone Defense Areas

1. The economic-defense team shall be supported with funds for purchasing, repairing medical equipment, educational facilities, transportation means, communication devices, fuel, and other materials and equipment; support for implementing social policy work, propaganda, mobilizing the masses, settlement stabilization, sustainable poverty reduction, vocational training for people in economic-zone defense areas.

2. National defense security enterprises assigned the task of building economic-zone defense areas shall be supported with social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance for workers.

3. Households legally residing in economic-zone defense areas shall enjoy provisions on loan support, poverty reduction support, housing support, essential living infrastructure, and health insurance according to the law.

4. Young intellectuals volunteering and military personnel completing their compulsory military service to work in economic-zone defense areas shall enjoy benefits and preferential policies according to the law.

Chapter V

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ECONOMIC-ZONE DEFENSE AREAS

 

Article 37. State Management Responsibilities for Economic-Zone Defense Areas

1. The Government shall uniformly manage state affairs concerning economic-zone defense areas.

2. The Ministry of National Defense shall be responsible before the Government for uniformly managing state affairs concerning economic-zone defense areas.

Relevant ministries and ministerial-level agencies within the scope of their tasks and authorities shall have the responsibility to coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense to assist the Government in managing state affairs concerning economic-zone defense areas.

3. Provincial People's Committees with economic-zone defense areas shall have the responsibility to coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense in managing economic-zone defense areas.

Article 38. Contents of State Management over Economic-Zone Defense Areas

1. Issuing legal normative documents on economic-zone defense areas; regulations, policies, state management mechanisms, implementation organization, inspection, and supervision of planning, plans, and compliance with laws regarding activities in economic-zone defense areas.

2. Organizing management, training, enhancing capabilities, and qualifications for military personnel, national defense workers, and civilians in economic-zone defense areas.

3. Managing investment and construction, finance, accounting; utilizing resources effectively in economic-zone defense areas.

4. Managing land use plans in economic-zone defense areas.

5. Compiling, statistics, and reporting periodically or urgently to competent authorities about the activities of the economic-defense teams.

6. Inspecting, auditing, rewarding, handling complaints, accusations, and dealing with violations of law in the construction and management of economic-zone defense areas.

Article 39. Responsibilities of the Ministry of National Defense

1. Leading the development of the planning component of economic-zone defense areas, reporting to the agency organizing the planning for review and integration into the national overall plan, national maritime space plan, regional plan as stipulated by the law on planning.

2. Implementing the planning component of economic-zone defense areas.

3. Organizing the preparation, reviewing, approving plans and projects for constructing economic-zone defense areas.

4. Issuing directives and guidelines for military regions, military branches, and military corps to implement the task of building economic-zone defense areas; organizing the implementation of inspections, audits, complaint resolution, and handling of violations of law related to planning and construction projects in economic-zone defense areas; managing, training, enhancing capabilities, and qualifications for national defense cadres, workers, and civilians in economic-zone defense areas.

5. Managing investment projects and capital; using investment resources effectively in economic-zone defense areas.

6.[6] Coordinating with the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries and sectors to develop financial support policies for economic-defense teams and forces directly participating in the construction of economic-zone defense areas.

7. Directing military regions, military branches, and military corps to guide economic-defense teams to implement construction goals and tasks in economic-zone defense areas according to approved plans and programs.

8. Directing economic-defense teams to perform the following tasks:

a) Cooperating with People's Committees at all levels with economic-zone defense areas to implement investment and construction plans in economic-zone defense areas;

b) Cooperating with local party committees, governments, and forces to effectively carry out mass mobilization work, consolidate national defense and security, and build a solid defensive area;

c) Establishing coordination regulations with local governments and forces on the territory according to Clause 2, Article 23 of this Decree.

Article 40. Responsibilities of Ministries and Ministerial-Level Agencies

1.[7] The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense to develop medium-term plans and annual plans to ensure sufficient capital for implementing national target programs, projects, and plans to build Economic-Military Zones in accordance with laws on public investment; to establish and guide financial support systems, preferential policies, management, and use of financial support funds in accordance with Articles 35 and 36 of this Decree as stipulated by laws on state budget; to establish systems and policies for forces participating in building Economic-Military Zones.

2.[8] (is repealed).

3.[9] The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and People's Committees of relevant provinces to implement planning for population resettlement, formulate policies to support migration and stabilize border populations along land, sea, and island borders; coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and People's Committees of relevant provinces to allocate resources from national target programs, projects within the Economic-Military Zone; submit to competent authorities for decision or approval on land use plans to implement components of planning and construction of Economic-Military Zones.

4. [10](is repealed).

5.[11] The Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and related ministries and sectors to develop programs, proposals, and policies for ethnic minorities in the Economic-Military Zone; coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and People's Committees of relevant provinces to allocate resources from national target programs, projects within the Economic-Military Zone.

6. The Ministry of Public Security shall take the lead and advise local party committees and governments on managing the population, ensuring and maintaining political security and social order and safety within the Economic-Military Zone.

7. The Ministry of Health shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and People's Committees of relevant provinces to effectively implement the Military-Civilian Medical Cooperation Program within the Economic-Military Zone.

8. [12] (is repealed).

9. [13]The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union shall cooperate with the Ministry of National Defense to establish policies and systems to implement projects enhancing young intellectuals' voluntary work at Economic-Military Zones.

10. Relevant ministries and ministerial-level agencies within their respective duties and powers shall be responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense and People's Committees of relevant provinces to implement integrated programs, proposals, and projects within the Economic-Military Zone.

Article 41. Responsibilities of Provincial People's Committees and Municipal People's Committees under Central Government

1. Participate in the process of establishing and reviewing components of planning, plans, and investment projects within the Economic-Military Zone in accordance with local socio-economic development planning, land use planning, and other relevant planning.

2. Take the lead and coordinate with Economic-Military Zone Management Boards to manage, arrange, and stabilize the population within the Economic-Military Zone; maintain political security and social order and safety in the area.

3. Coordinate with military regions, military corps, military groups, and Economic-Military Zone Management Boards to integrate national target programs, projects within the area to achieve set goals effectively.

4. Participate in the implementation of investment projects, supervise infrastructure construction; receive, manage, and use infrastructure facilities effectively linked to daily life, education, healthcare, production, and processing for the people.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS [14]

 

Article 42. Effective Date

This Decree takes effect from May 5, 2021.

Decree No. 44/2009/NĐ-CP dated May 7, 2009 of the Government on Building Economic-Military Zones; Clause 1, Article 8 of Decree No. 164/2018/NĐ-CP dated December 21, 2018 of the Government on Combining National Defense with Socio-Economic Development and Socio-Economic Development with National Defense; Decision No. 83/2010/QĐ-TTg dated December 15, 2010 of the Prime Minister on Issuing Financial Mechanisms and Policies for Economic-Military Zones; Circular Joint No. 246/2010/TTLT-BQP-BKH dated December 23, 2010 of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Planning and Investment guiding the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 44/2009/NĐ-CP dated May 7, 2009 of the Government on Building Economic-Military Zones; Decision No. 133/2004/QĐ-BQP dated September 21, 2004 of the Minister of National Defense on Regulations Governing the Activities of Economic-Military Zone Management Boards shall cease to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect.

Article 43. Responsibility for Implementation

The Minister, Heads of Ministerial-Level Agencies, Heads of Government Agencies, Chairmen of Provincial and Municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for enforcing this Decree./.

 

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE _____________ Number: 49/VBHN-BQP   Place of Receipt: - Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers (for comments); - Comrades in leadership of the Ministry of National Defense; - Agencies and units under the Ministry of National Defense; - Department of Legal Affairs and Civil Servants/Ministry of Justice; - C41, C50, C79; - Official Gazette; Government Portal, Ministry of National Defense Portal (for publication); - To be filed: VT, NCTH.Hang88.

CERTIFIED CONSOLIDATED DOCUMENT   Hanoi, September 6, 2025   DEPUTY MINISTER DEPUTY MINISTER General Nguyen Tan Cuong

 

 

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[1] Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing some articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-tier local administration is promulgated based on the following grounds:

"Based on the Law on Organization of the Government No. 63/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Local Administration Organization No. 72/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on National Defense No. 22/2018/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Militia and Self-Defense Forces No. 48/2019/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law on National Defense and Security Education No. 30/2013/QH13;

Pursuant to the Law on Compulsory Military Service No. 78/2015/QH13;

Pursuant to the Law on Reserve Mobilization Forces No. 53/2019/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law on Professional Soldiers, Defense Workers, and Defense Officials No. 98/2015/QH13;

Pursuant to the Law on Vietnam Coast Guard No. 33/2018/QH14;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of 11 Laws in the Field of National Defense No. 98/2025/QH15;

"Based on the proposal of the Minister of National Defense;"

The Government promulgates this Decree amending and supplementing some articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-tier local administration."

[2] This clause is amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing some articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-tier local administration, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[3] This clause is amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing some articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-tier local administration, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[4] This clause is amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing some articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-tier local administration, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[5] This clause is amended and supplemented in accordance with Clause 4, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[6] This clause is amended and supplemented in accordance with Clause 5, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[7] This clause is amended and supplemented in accordance with Point a, Clause 6, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[8] This clause is repealed in accordance with Clause 7, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[9] This clause is amended and supplemented in accordance with Point b, Clause 6, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[10] This clause is repealed in accordance with Clause 7, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[11] This clause is amended and supplemented in accordance with Point c, Clause 6, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[12] This clause is repealed in accordance with Clause 7, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[13] This clause is amended and supplemented in accordance with Point c, Clause 6, Article 4 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025.

[14] Article 10 of Decree No. 220/2025/NĐ-CP amending and supplementing certain articles of several Decrees in the field of national defense and military when organizing two-level local administrative bodies, which takes effect from August 7, 2025, provides as follows:

"Article 10. Effective Date

This Decree takes effect from August 7, 2025.”