Decree No. 59/2025/NĐ-CP stipulates criteria and standards for considering promotion to general rank beyond regular progression or ahead of schedule for officers of the Vietnam People's Army.

DECREE

REGULATIONS ON CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR PROMOTING GENERAL RANKS IN ADVANCE OF THE REGULAR TIME LIMIT FOR OFFICERS OF THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE'S ARMY

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law on February 18, 2025;

Pursuant to the Law on Officers of the Vietnamese People's Army dated December 21, 1999; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Officers of the Vietnamese People's Army dated June 2, 2008; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Officers of the Vietnamese People's Army dated November 27, 2014; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Officers of the Vietnamese People's Army dated December 28, 2024;

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

The Government promulgates this Decree stipulating criteria and standards for promoting general ranks in advance of the regular time limit for officers of the Vietnamese People's Army.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Decree stipulates criteria and standards for promoting general ranks in advance of the regular time limit for officers of the Vietnamese People's Army as prescribed in Clause 4, Article 17 and Clause 3, Article 18 of the Law on Officers of the Vietnamese People's Army.

Article 2. Applicability

This Decree applies to officers serving in the Vietnamese People's Army holding positions or titles with the highest rank being general; relevant agencies, units, and individuals.

Article 3. Principles of Implementation

1. Promotion of general ranks in advance of the regular time limit shall be implemented uniformly and synchronously throughout the military, timely and accurately motivating cases with particularly outstanding and outstanding achievements in combat and work.

2. Promotion of general ranks in advance of the regular time limit shall only be considered when the current rank of the officer is two or more ranks lower than the highest rank of the position or title they hold; within the term of holding a position, promotion can only be considered for one rank in advance. Promotion of general ranks before the regular time limit shall be considered when the current rank of the officer is lower than the highest rank of the position or title they hold.

3. The criteria for medals, particularly outstanding and outstanding achievements for promotion of general ranks in advance of the regular time limit are achievements obtained in combat, support for combat, and work recognized through forms of commendation or state honors and awards according to the provisions of the Law on Competition and Commendation (excluding commendations based on years of service or contributions over time).

4. The time of awarding medals, state honors, and state awards must fall within the term of holding the current rank. In cases where an officer achieves multiple achievements during the term, only the highest achievement will be applied for promotion in advance or before the regular time limit.

Article 4. Criteria and Standards for Promoting General Ranks in Advance

1. Officers whose current rank is two or more ranks lower than the highest rank of the position or title they hold, and who have achieved particularly outstanding achievements, may be considered for promotion in advance if awarded one of the following commendations:

a) Medals: Gold Star Medal, Ho Chi Minh Medal, Independence Medal First Class, Military Merit Medal First Class, Labor Medal First Class, National Defense Medal First Class, Combat Medal First Class;

b) State Honors: Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Hero of Labor;

c) Ho Chi Minh Award.

2. Consideration shall take place after the officer has received a commendation decision.

3. Special cases not provided for in Clause 1 of this Article shall be reviewed and decided by the competent authority.

Article 5. Criteria and standards for considering promotion to general rank ahead of schedule

1. An officer may be considered for promotion to general rank ahead of schedule when:

a) The officer meets the criteria and standards for exceptional promotion to general rank as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 4 of this Decree but the current military rank is one grade lower than the highest military rank corresponding to the position or title held. The consideration shall take place after the officer receives an award decision;

b) The officer achieves outstanding results and is awarded one of the following honors: Second-Class Independence Medal, Third-Class Independence Medal; Second-Class Military Service Medal, Third-Class Military Service Medal; Second-Class Labor Medal, Third-Class Labor Medal; Second-Class Homeland Protection Medal, Third-Class Homeland Protection Medal; Second-Class Military Merit Medal, Third-Class Military Merit Medal; Bravery Medal. The period for promotion ahead of schedule shall not exceed twenty-four months.

2. In special cases not provided for in Clause 1 of this Article, the competent authority shall consider and decide.

Article 6. Effectiveness

This Decree takes effect from March 3, 2025.

Article 7. Responsibility for Implementation

The Minister, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, and relevant individuals are responsible for implementing this Decree.