Decree No. 61/2023/NĐ-CP on drafting and implementing village customs and regulations

DECREE

ON THE BUILDING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF VILLAGE REGULATIONS AND COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Law on Implementing Democracy at the Grassroots Level dated November 10, 2022;

At the proposal of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

The Government issues the Decree on the building and implementation of village regulations and community agreements.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Decree stipulates on:

a) Principles for building and implementing village regulations and community agreements;

b) Scope of content and form of village regulations and community agreements;

c) Drafting, approval, recognition, amendment, supplementation, replacement, suspension of implementation, or abolition of village regulations and community agreements;

d) Responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and individuals in building and implementing village regulations and community agreements.

2. This Decree applies to:

a) Community according to Article 2, Clause 3 of the Law on Implementing Democracy at Grassroots Level;

b) Agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the building and implementation of village regulations and community agreements.

Article 2. Village Regulations and Community Agreements

Village regulations and community agreements are documents stipulating social norms including behavioral rules decided upon by the community; they must not contravene laws and societal morals; their purpose is to regulate self-governed social relations within the community and be recognized by the People's Committee at the commune level.

Article 3. Purpose of Building and Implementing Village Regulations and Community Agreements

1. To promote the role of self-management of the community in maintaining social order and safety, protecting natural resources and the environment, linked with grassroots democracy, contributing positively to state management through law.

2. To protect, maintain, and promote traditional cultural values, good customs and practices; to limit and gradually eliminate backward customs and practices; to build a civilized lifestyle within the community.

Article 4. Principles for Building and Implementing Village Regulations and Community Agreements

1. In accordance with the Party's guidelines and policies, and state laws; they shall not duplicate contents already regulated in legal normative documents.

2. Originating from the self-management needs of the people, based on voluntariness, agreement, consensus, transparency, and openness within the community; fully exercising the people's right to self-determination and their responsibility towards the community.

3. Respecting the autonomy, cultural diversity, and freedom of belief and religion of the community.

4. Consistent with societal morals, good customs and practices; protecting, maintaining, and promoting traditional cultural values; building new cultural values, civilized behavior codes suitable to the specific circumstances of the community.

Article 5. Scope of Content of Village Regulations and Community Agreements

Depending on self-management requirements, economic and social conditions, customs, and practices in each locality, ensuring selective inheritance of appropriate contents from existing village regulations and community agreements, and in line with the purposes and principles set out in Articles 3 and 4 of this Decree, the community may choose one or more of the following contents to include in the scope of village regulations and community agreements:

1. Suitable measures and methods to help residents participate in state administration and social management, ensuring and promoting the democratic rights of the community; encouraging and creating conditions for the community to fulfill citizens' rights and obligations well.

2. Good customs and practices and measures to limit and eventually eliminate backward and superstitious customs and practices; preserving and promoting the value of national cultural heritage; practicing civilized lifestyles in interactions, living, traveling, weddings, funerals, and festivals; preventing domestic violence, building happy families; developing healthy cultural activities.

3. Measures to contribute to protecting state, community, and citizen property; protecting the ecological environment; ensuring security and order, preventing social evils in the area; building and promoting the spirit of solidarity, mutual assistance, and support within the community; eradicating poverty, developing the economy, improving living standards; promoting education, talent development, lifelong learning movements; promoting vocational guidance, skill training, and local industry and agriculture promotion.

4. Appropriate reward and punishment measures to ensure compliance with village regulations and community agreements without replacing legal enforcement measures.

5. Other necessary contents determined by the community.

Article 6. Forms of Village Agreements and Community Agreements

1. Village Agreements and Community Agreements are expressed in written form, with signatures confirming from the Village Head (Ward Head of Ward People's Group), the Chairman of the Mass Mobilization Committee at the community, and two representatives of households in the community; it is encouraged that the representatives be village elders, headmen, or respected individuals within the community. After being recognized, Village Agreements and Community Agreements must bear the stamp of the People's Committee of the commune.

2. The choice of name between "Village Agreement" or "Community Agreement" is determined by consensus of the community.

3. Village Agreements and Community Agreements may be divided into preface, chapters, sections, articles, clauses, points, or other suitable structures according to their content; they should be presented concisely, clearly, specifically, easily understood, memorable, and executable.

4. The language used in Village Agreements and Community Agreements is Vietnamese.

5. In cases where a community has multiple ethnic groups of Vietnam living together and using different languages, translating Village Agreements and Community Agreements from Vietnamese into the languages of one, some, or all of these ethnic groups is decided by the community when drafting, soliciting opinions, and approving according to Articles 8, 9, and 10 of this Decree.

Chapter II

DRAFTING, RECOGNITION, SUSPENSION OF IMPLEMENTATION, AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION, REPLACEMENT, OR ABOLITION OF VILLAGE AGREEMENTS AND COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

Article 7. Proposing Content for Village Agreements and Community Agreements

Proposing content for Village Agreements and Community Agreements is carried out through one of the following forms:

1. When the Village Head or Ward Head proposes the basic content expected to be stipulated in the Village Agreement or Community Agreement, they must first reach agreement with the Chairman of the Mass Mobilization Committee at the community before presenting it to the community for discussion and decision.

2. When citizens residing in the community propose the basic content expected to be stipulated in the Village Agreement or Community Agreement, they must request the Village Head or Ward Head to coordinate with the Chairman of the Mass Mobilization Committee at the community to solicit opinions through one of the following methods:

a) Distributing opinion forms to households in the community in accordance with Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 19 of the Law on Implementing Democracy at the Grassroots Level;

b) Collecting consensus opinions directly at community meetings in accordance with Article 18 of the Law on Implementing Democracy at the Grassroots Level;

c) Online voting or other appropriate methods consistent with the level of information technology application and chosen by the community.

3. If the citizen proposal under Clause 2 of this Article receives agreement from 10% or more of the total number of households in the community, the Village Head or Ward Head will present it to the community for discussion and decision. If the citizen proposal under Clause 2 of this Article does not reach 10% agreement from the total number of households in the community but is deemed beneficial to the community and approved by the Mass Mobilization Committee at the community, the Village Head or Ward Head will present it to the community for discussion and decision.

Article 8. Drafting Content for Village Agreements and Community Agreements

The drafting of Village Agreements and Community Agreements after proposing content is carried out as follows:

1. The Village Head or Ward Head leads and coordinates with the Chairman of the Mass Mobilization Committee at the community to select participants and establish a Drafting Team for Village Agreements and Community Agreements.

2. The Drafting Team for Village Agreements and Community Agreements includes members who are representatives of political-social organizations, social-professional organizations, respected individuals within the community, people with good moral character, life experience, and knowledge of laws, culture, customs, and traditions of the locality. For communities in areas with ethnic minority populations, the Drafting Team must include village elders, headmen, and individuals who know the ethnic language.

3. Under the direction of the Village Head or Ward Head, the Drafting Team is responsible for organizing the drafting of Village Agreements and Community Agreements in accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5, and 6, soliciting opinions, approving, and preparing recognition documents for Village Agreements and Community Agreements in accordance with Articles 9, 10, and 11 of this Decree.

Article 9. Soliciting Opinions on Draft Village Regulations and Community Agreements

1. The draft village regulations and community agreements must be publicly posted at the cultural house - sports area of the community, public bulletin boards, community activity centers, or other convenient locations for households and residents to access, understand, and provide feedback before being presented to the community for discussion and voting. The posting period shall be determined by the community but shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of posting.

2. The Village Head or Ward Chief shall organize the solicitation of opinions from households and residents of the community regarding the draft village regulations and community agreements through one or more of the following methods:

a) Sending copies of the draft village regulations and community agreements to each household;

b) Using lawful telecommunications networks and social media platforms selected by the community, ensuring compatibility with the level of information technology application within the community;

c) Setting up suggestion boxes for collecting opinions;

d) Soliciting opinions during community meetings, conferences, political organization activities, political-social organizations, and other community organizations or other suitable forms. The selection of methods for soliciting opinions shall be decided and implemented by the Village Head or Ward Chief, in coordination with the Chairman of the People's Committee of the community, based on actual conditions in the community.

3. In necessary cases, the Village Head or Ward Chief may solicit opinions from relevant agencies and organizations in writing.

4. The drafting team of the village regulations and community agreements shall be responsible for compiling and perfecting the draft village regulations and community agreements based on the opinions of households and residents of the community, and relevant agencies and organizations.

Article 10. Approving Village Regulations and Community Agreements

Village regulations and community agreements are approved when more than fifty percent (50%) of the total number of household representatives in the community agree, and this approval is carried out through one of the following methods:

1. Approval at a community meeting according to the following provisions:

a) At least fifty percent (50%) of the total number of households in the community must attend the meeting;

b) The procedures and formalities for organizing the meeting shall be conducted in accordance with Article 18 of the Law on Implementing Democracy at the Grassroots Level.

2. Approval through the distribution of ballots to collect opinions from each household in the community according to the following provisions:

a) Opinion collection can only occur after a community meeting cannot be held due to failing to meet the ratio specified in point a of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) The results of opinion collection must be publicly disclosed after consolidation using a suitable method chosen by the Village Head or Ward Chief;

c) The procedures and formalities for collecting opinions shall be conducted in accordance with Article 19 of the Law on Implementing Democracy at the Grassroots Level.

Article 11. Recognizing Village Regulations and Community Agreements

1. The People's Committee of the commune has the authority to recognize village regulations and community agreements.

2. Village regulations and community agreements are recognized when they meet the following conditions:

a) The scope of content and form comply with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 of this Decree;

b) They adhere to the principles, procedures, and formalities stipulated in Articles 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this Decree.

3. The procedures and formalities for recognizing village regulations and community agreements shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 20 and 21 of the Law on Implementing Democracy at the Grassroots Level and the following provisions:

a) The Village Head or Ward Chief shall submit the recognition request file to the People's Committee of the commune no later than five (5) working days from the date of the community meeting approving the village regulations and community agreements or the end of the ballot collection period;

b) After receiving the recognition request file, the Social and Cultural Officer of the commune shall take the lead, coordinating with the Legal and Household Registration Officer to advise the People's Committee of the commune to issue a recognition decision within no more than five (5) working days from the date of receipt of the complete request file; if necessary, the Social and Cultural Officer may propose that the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune convene a meeting with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, the Village Head or Ward Chief, and the Chairman of the People's Committee of the community to consider and decide on recognition. The recognition decision on village regulations and community agreements shall be made according to Model No. 03 attached to this Decree.

If village regulations and community agreements are not recognized, the People's Committee of the commune must respond in writing and specify the reasons.

4. The recognition request file includes:

a) A recognition request letter from the Village Head or Ward Chief according to Model No. 01 attached to this Decree;

b) The resolution or minutes of the meeting or minutes of the opinion collection session approving the village regulations and community agreements according to Model No. 02 attached to this Decree;

c) The draft village regulations and community agreements that have been approved.

5. Village regulations and community agreements of the community become effective from the date the People's Committee of the commune issues the recognition decision.

Article 12. Suspension of Implementation of Village Agreements and Community Agreements

1. Village agreements and community agreements shall be suspended in whole for cases specified in Point a below, or in part for cases specified in Points b and c of this Clause:

a) Failure to comply with the procedures and formalities for drafting, soliciting opinions, and approving as stipulated in Articles 8, 9, and 10 of this Decree;

b) Content that does not align with the purpose and principles of establishing and implementing village agreements and community agreements as stipulated in Articles 3 and 4 of this Decree;

c) Content that does not conform to the principles of establishing and implementing village agreements and community agreements as stipulated in Article 4 of this Decree, and which, if implemented, would cause significant damage and serious impact on the reputation of the community.

2. Within three (3) working days from the date of receiving written feedback from the Village Head or Ward Chief, household, resident citizen, or through the results of reviews, inspections, and post-supervision recommendations from relevant agencies and organizations discovering cases as specified in Clause 1 of this Article, the People's Committee at the commune level:

a) Shall issue a written response to the person providing feedback or recommendation stating that the feedback or recommendation lacks basis;

b) Shall issue a decision suspending the implementation of the entire village agreement or community agreement simultaneously guiding the community to draft, solicit opinions, and approve the village agreement or community agreement to meet the conditions for recognition according to the procedures and formalities stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 11 of this Decree for cases specified in Point a of Clause 1 of this Article;

c) Shall issue a decision suspending the implementation of part of the village agreement or community agreement simultaneously guiding the community to amend, supplement, replace the content, and recognize the village agreement or community agreement according to the provisions of Clause 4 of Article 13 of this Decree for cases specified in Points b and c of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The decision to suspend the implementation of the entire or part of the village agreement or community agreement must clearly state the reasons for suspension, the deadline for completing the procedures for drafting, soliciting opinions, and approving to request recognition of the village agreement or community agreement, or the deadline for drafting, soliciting opinions, approving, and recognizing the amended, supplemented, or replaced content of the village agreement or community agreement.

The decision to suspend the implementation of the village agreement or community agreement shall be carried out according to Model No. 04 attached to this Decree.

4. The People's Committee at the commune level shall send the Decision to suspend the implementation of the village agreement or community agreement to the Village Head or Ward Chief to notify the community and simultaneously send it to the People's Council of Vietnam Fatherland Front at the commune level.

5. The decision to suspend the implementation of the village agreement or community agreement shall take effect from the date of signing and cease to be effective when there is a decision recognizing the village agreement or community agreement that has been implemented according to the procedures and formalities for drafting, soliciting opinions, and approving, or a decision recognizing the amended, supplemented, or replaced village agreement or community agreement of the People's Committee at the commune level becomes effective.

6. For cases specified in Point a of Clause 1 of this Article, the community shall complete the procedures for drafting, soliciting opinions, and approving the village agreement or community agreement to obtain recognition as prescribed.

Article 13. Amendment, Supplement, and Replacement of Village Agreements and Community Agreements

1. Village agreements and community agreements shall be amended, supplemented, or replaced when they fall under any of the following circumstances:

a) Village agreements and community agreements as specified in Points b and c of Clause 1 of Article 12 of this Decree;

b) The community deems it necessary to amend, supplement, or replace them.

2. For cases specified in Point a of Clause 1 of this Article, the community shall implement amendments, supplements, or replacements according to the requirements set forth in the decision to suspend the implementation of the village agreement or community agreement.

3. For cases specified in Point b of Clause 1 of this Article, the proposal for amendments, supplements, or replacements shall be carried out according to the provisions of Article 7 of this Decree.

4. The procedures for drafting, soliciting opinions, approving, and recognizing village agreements and community agreements that have been amended, supplemented, or replaced as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be conducted according to the procedures and formalities stipulated in Articles 8, 9, 10, and 11 of this Decree.

Article 14. Abolishing Village Agreements and Community Agreements

1. Village Agreements and Community Agreements shall be abolished entirely in any of the following cases:

a) Containing content contrary to legal provisions, infringing upon national security, public order, social safety, interests of the State, lawful rights and interests of organizations and individuals; not conforming to local customs, social morals, and ethics; seriously affecting the reputation of the community;

b) Temporarily suspended from implementation according to point a, Clause 1, Article 12 of this Decree but have exceeded the deadline for completing the procedures for drafting, soliciting opinions, and passing to obtain recognition as stipulated in the decision temporarily suspending implementation, while the community has not completed these procedures;

c) Not meeting the passing ratio prescribed in Article 10 of this Decree and the community does not re-conduct the passing process to meet the prescribed ratio.

2. Village Agreements and Community Agreements shall be partially abolished when they are partially temporarily suspended from implementation according to points b and c, Clause 1, Article 12 of this Decree but have exceeded the deadline for amending, supplementing, and replacing the content as stipulated in the decision temporarily suspending implementation, while the community has not carried out such amendments, supplements, or replacements.

3. Within five (5) working days from the date of receiving written feedback from the Village Head or Ward Chief, household heads, residents living in the community, or through the results of reviews, inspections, and supervisory recommendations from relevant agencies and organizations discovering cases as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article, the People's Committee of the commune:

a) Shall issue a written response to the person providing feedback or recommendation stating that the feedback or recommendation lacks basis;

b) Shall issue a decision to abolish the entire Village Agreement or Community Agreement in cases prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article;

c) Shall issue a decision to partially abolish the Village Agreement or Community Agreement in cases prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.

4. The decision to abolish must be sent by the People's Committee of the commune to the Village Head or Ward Chief to notify the community and simultaneously send it to the People's Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the commune level.

The decision to abolish Village Agreements and Community Agreements shall be implemented according to Model No. 05 attached to this Decree.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION OF VILLAGE AGREEMENTS AND COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

Article 15. Information, Promotion, and Evaluation of Implementation of Village Agreements and Community Agreements

1. Village Agreements and Community Agreements that have been recognized by the People's Committee of the commune must be promptly and widely disseminated by the Village Head or Ward Chief to households and residents living in the community to know and implement them through public posting at the community cultural house - sports area, community activity points, and at least one of the following methods:

a) Community meetings;

b) Information on the grassroots information network;

c) Sending copies to each household;

d) Through legal telecommunications networks and social media operating legally according to the law, ensuring suitability with the level of application of information technology in the community;

đ) Through the activities of legal education and dissemination conducted by legal propagandists; grassroots mediation activities conducted by mediators and reputable persons in the community;

e) Other appropriate forms based on the actual conditions of the community.

2. The Village Head or Ward Chief shall take the lead and coordinate with the Chairman of the Mass Mobilization Committee in the community to organize activities to disseminate the contents of Village Agreements and Community Agreements to households and residents living in the community.

3. People's Committees at all levels and agencies, organizations shall support the community in organizing information dissemination, communication, and implementation of Village Agreements and Community Agreements.

4. The review and evaluation of the implementation of Village Agreements and Community Agreements shall be conducted annually by the community according to the following regulations:

a) Time: National Solidarity Day (November 18) or another important day agreed upon by the community;

b) Form: A meeting or integrated into a community meeting chaired by the Village Head or Ward Chief, coordinated with the Chairman of the Mass Mobilization Committee in the community;

c) Content: Reviewing the content; evaluating the implementation of Village Agreements and Community Agreements; promptly commending, rewarding, and encouraging; urging, reminding, and criticizing households and residents living in the community; proposing amendments, supplements, and replacements to Village Agreements and Community Agreements.

Article 16. Statistics and Reports on the Development and Implementation of Village Agreements and Community Regulations

1. Statistics and reports on the development and implementation of village agreements and community regulations shall include the following contents:

a) The situation regarding the development and implementation of village agreements and community regulations (specific assessment of the impacts of implementing village agreements and community regulations on the lives of community residents); difficulties, obstacles, and limitations in developing and implementing village agreements and community regulations at the local level (if any);

b) The number of village agreements and community regulations that have been recognized or not recognized;

c) The number of village agreements and community regulations that have been amended, supplemented, or replaced;

d) The number of village agreements and community regulations that have been temporarily suspended or abolished;

đ) Other related contents (if any).

2. The Provincial People's Committee assigns the lead agency to compile and report based on the statistics, compilation, and reporting according to the contents stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article from the Commune People's Committee and the District People's Committee.

3. Before November 30 each year, the Provincial People's Committee sends a report on the situation of developing and implementing village agreements and community regulations to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consolidation and reporting.

4. The interim and final reviews on the development and implementation of village agreements and community regulations shall be carried out according to the plan and guidance of the competent authority.

Article 17. Responsibilities of Households and Citizens Residing in the Community in Developing and Implementing Village Agreements and Community Regulations

1. Households and citizens residing in the community have the responsibility to elect representatives of their households to participate in meetings, discussions, and decisions on the contents of village agreements and community regulations within the community; strictly implement the contents of village agreements and community regulations that have been approved by the community and recognized by the Commune People's Committee.

2. Households and citizens residing in the community have the responsibility to understand, respect, comply with, and implement village agreements and community regulations that have been recognized.

3. When discovering violations of village agreements and community regulations, households and citizens residing in the community have the responsibility to remind, request the cessation of violation behaviors and rectify consequences, or report and propose solutions to the Village Head or Ward Chief, Head of the Mass Mobilization Front Board in the community, or the head of political and social organizations in the community for consideration and resolution according to regulations.

4. When discovering that village agreements and community regulations do not ensure procedures, formalities for proposal, drafting, soliciting opinions, approval, or contain contents contrary to legal provisions, or are inconsistent with local customs, traditions, and social morals, households and citizens residing in the community have the right to propose and report to the Village Head or Ward Chief, Head of the Mass Mobilization Front Board in the community, the Commune People's Committee, the Commune Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and the People's Inspection Board to review and propose amendments, supplements, replacements, temporary suspension, or abolition of village agreements and community regulations.

Article 18. Responsibilities of the Commune People's Committee and the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee in Developing and Implementing Village Agreements and Community Regulations

1. The Commune People's Committee has the responsibility:

a) Within no more than two working days from the date of issuing the decision recognizing the agreement, the Commune People's Committee shall send the recognized village agreement or community regulation to the Village Head or Ward Chief for organization and implementation, and to the Commune Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee for mobilizing the community to implement;

b) To inspect and monitor the organization and implementation of village agreements and community regulations at the local level;

c) To carry out information dissemination, propaganda, popularization, and education on laws related to the development and implementation of village agreements and community regulations; enhance the awareness of the community about the development and enforcement of recognized village agreements and community regulations;

d) To train and improve the professional capacity of individuals assigned the task of organizing the implementation of laws on the development and implementation of village agreements and community regulations;

đ) To support and encourage the application of information technology, science and technology, material infrastructure, technical equipment, and ensure other necessary conditions for the development and organization of implementation of village agreements and community regulations in the area;

e) To promptly commend and reward outstanding examples and achievements in the development and good implementation of village agreements and community regulations; to detect and handle strictly within their authority any agencies, units, organizations, or individuals violating laws on the development and implementation of village agreements and community regulations;

g) To periodically review village agreements and community regulations recognized in the area annually to direct the amendment, supplementation, replacement, temporary suspension, or abolition if necessary.

2. The Chairman of the Commune People's Committee has the responsibility to organize the implementation of village agreements and community regulations in the area.

Article 19. Responsibilities of Village Heads, Ward Chiefs, and Heads of Mass Organizations in Community Building and Implementation of Village Agreements and Community Regulations

1. Responsibilities of Village Heads and Ward Chiefs:

a) Organize the implementation of tasks proposed, draft, seek opinions, approve, and propose recognition of village agreements and community regulations of the community;

b) Organize the implementation of village agreements and community regulations of the community after being recognized by the People's Committee at the commune level;

c) Collect, reflect, and propose to the People's Committee at the commune level to resolve suggestions of the community regarding the building and implementation of village agreements and community regulations;

d) Annually evaluate the implementation of village agreements and community regulations; review, identify, propose amendments, supplements, replacements, or requests to temporarily suspend or abolish village agreements and community regulations;

đ) Implement proposals and decisions of the People's Committee at the commune level regarding amendments, supplements, replacements, temporary suspension, or abolition of village agreements and community regulations of the community;

e) Annually report on the results of building and implementing village agreements and community regulations of the community to the People's Committee at the commune level.

2. Responsibilities of Heads of Mass Organizations in Communities:

Article 20. Responsibilities of Relevant Organizations and Individuals in Building and Implementing Village Agreements and Community Regulations

1. The Vietnam Fatherland Front at all levels and its member organizations shall publicize and mobilize the people to participate in building, implementing, and supervising the implementation of village agreements, community regulations, and laws on building and implementing village agreements and community regulations.

2. The Vietnam Fatherland Front at the commune level shall be responsible for guiding and supervising the organization of the community to discuss, decide, and implement the contents of village agreements and community regulations within their jurisdiction.

3. Relevant agencies, units, and organizations within the scope of implementation of village agreements and community regulations shall emphasize the exemplary role of leaders, managers, officials, civil servants, employees under their management in implementing and coordinating to ensure the implementation of village agreements and community regulations.

4. Mediators at the grassroots level may refer to and apply village agreements and community regulations to mediate conflicts and disputes during mediation according to the law on grassroots mediation.

5. Legal propagandists and educators at all levels shall publicize and disseminate laws on building and implementing village agreements and community regulations in communities.

6. Encourage village elders, headmen, heads of clans, senior citizens, religious dignitaries, and other respected individuals in the community to set examples, publicize, mobilize, remind households and residents in the community to implement village agreements and community regulations.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 21. Responsibilities of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies

1. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the agency responsible before the Government for state management over the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations with the following responsibilities:

a) Issuing or submitting to competent authorities for issuance of normative legal documents on the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations;

b) Directing, guiding, and monitoring the implementation of laws on the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations;

c) Publicizing, disseminating, and educating about laws on the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations;

d) Training and enhancing professional skills in the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations;

đ) Guiding the recording of progressive customs and practices; mobilizing to eliminate and not apply backward customs and practices in village agreements and community regulations;

e) Inspecting, auditing, resolving complaints and denunciations, responding to suggestions and reflections, rewarding, and handling violations in the implementation of laws on the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations nationwide;

g) Statistics, reporting, summarizing, and concluding on the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations nationwide.

2. The Ministry of Justice shall coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and relevant agencies and organizations in directing and guiding activities related to inspection, handling, or recommending handling of village agreements and community regulations containing illegal content, infringing upon human rights and citizens' rights.

3. The Committee for Ethnic Affairs shall coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to guide the recording of progressive customs and practices; mobilizing to eliminate and not apply backward customs and practices in village agreements and community regulations in ethnic minority areas.

4. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government within their functions, tasks, and powers shall cooperate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to direct and guide the construction and implementation of village agreements and community regulations suitable to the sectors they manage.

Article 22. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the provincial level

1. Implement state management over construction and implementation of community covenants and regulations within their jurisdiction.

2. Direct relevant specialized agencies under the People's Committee at the provincial level and People's Committees at various levels according to the division of authority to implement state management over construction and implementation of community covenants and regulations as stipulated in this Decree and other related legal provisions.

3. Based on actual conditions and the local budget balance capacity, propose to the Provincial People's Council to decide on providing financial support for the construction and implementation of community covenants and regulations from the local budget in accordance with the law.

Article 23. Financial Implementation

1. The State budget ensures funds for state management activities and supports communities in constructing and implementing community covenants and regulations in accordance with the laws on the State budget and the current budget decentralization.

2. Funds for constructing and implementing community covenants and regulations are self-funded by the community.

3. Encourage organizations and individuals to provide financial support and necessary conditions for constructing and implementing community covenants and regulations in accordance with the law.

Article 24. Transitional Provisions

1. Community covenants and regulations that have been approved or recognized before the effective date of this Decree and comply with the provisions of Article 4 of this Decree shall continue to be implemented until they are amended, supplemented, replaced, or abolished as prescribed.

2. For community covenants and regulations that have been approved or recognized before the effective date of this Decree but do not comply with the provisions of Article 4 of this Decree, the community must establish new covenants and regulations to replace them by December 31, 2023.

Article 25. Implementation Provisions

1. This Decree takes effect from August 16, 2023.

2. Decision No. 22/2018/QĐ-TTg dated May 8, 2018 of the Prime Minister on the construction and implementation of community covenants and regulations ceases to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect.

3. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Decree./.