Decree 63/2026/NĐ-CP Providing Detailed Provisions for Certain Articles and Measures to Implement the Law on Protecting State Secrets

DECREE

Detailed provisions for certain articles and measures to implement

The Law on Protecting State Secrets

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

Based on Decree No. 117/2025/QH15 on Protecting State Secrets;

In accordance with the proposal by the Minister of Public Security;

The Government promulgates this Decree to provide detailed provisions for certain articles and measures to implement The Law on Protecting State Secrets.

Article 1. Scope of Application

1. This Decree provides detailed provisions for Articles 10, 11, 13, 14, paragraph 4 of Article 17, paragraph 6 of Article 20, paragraph 6 of Article 21, paragraph 6 of Article 22, paragraph 7 of Article 23, and point d of paragraph 3 of Article 24 of the Law on Protecting State Secrets (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Law").

2. This Decree provides measures to guide the implementation of the Law regarding the authority to sign state secrets documents, electronic state secrets documents; registration and management of electronic state secrets documents; recovery of electronic state secrets documents; sending and receiving electronic state secrets documents; transfer of state secret documents or carriers containing state secrets when going abroad for work purposes; types of seals and certificates used in state secrecy protection work.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

1. "Electronic State Secrets Register" is an electronic register created to record and manage documents and carriers containing state secrets.

2. "State Secrets Electronic Document Management System" is an information system established by an agency or organization to implement the digitization of document drafting, issuance, and management; it has the function of automatically creating and closing seal templates on electronic state secrets documents and automatically verifying digital signatures.

Article 3. Determination of State Secrets, Level of Secrecy of State Secrets, Signing of State Secrets Documents, Electronic State Secrets Documents

1. The procedure for determining the status of state secrecy and the level of secrecy of state secrets is as follows:

a) Persons who draft or create information included in the list of state secrets must propose to the head or deputy head of their agency or organization to determine the status of state secrecy, the level of secrecy, and the confidentiality period for state secrets as stipulated in paragraph 2 of Article 19 of the Law on Protecting State Secrets. They are responsible for protecting information included in the list of state secrets during the drafting and creation process based on the proposed level of secrecy, scope of circulation, number of documents at the proposal, report form, or "Document Determining the Level of Secrecy of Objects, Locations, Speeches, Activities, or Other Forms Containing State Secrets" and are responsible for protecting information included in the list of state secrets during the drafting and creation process;

b) Documents containing state secrets (including original copies, main texts, draft documents) must be stamped with a seal indicating the level of secrecy, a confidentiality period stamp (if applicable); indicate the scope of circulation, number of documents, name of the drafter in the recipient section of the document;

c) In cases where the person who drafts or creates information included in the list of state secrets is also authorized to determine the status and level of secrecy of state secrets, they shall use the list of state secrets to determine the status and level of secrecy of state secrets based on the list of state secrets;

d) In cases where electronic state secrets documents (except for electronically digitized state secrets documents), draft electronic state secrets documents, the procedure for determining the status and level of secrecy of state secrets shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of points a, b, and c of paragraph 1 of this article and must create red-colored seals indicating the level of secrecy and red-colored stamps indicating the confidentiality period (if applicable) on the document according to the templates specified in this Decree;

d) The authority to sign state secrets documents, electronic state secrets documents is stipulated in the confidentiality protection regulations of the agency or organization;

e) Documents containing state secrets shall be issued and distributed only in the correct number; persons who draft, create, distribute such documents are responsible for destroying any excess copies, damaged copies ensuring they cannot be restored.

2. In cases where the status of state secrecy is incorrectly determined or the level of secrecy is incorrectly determined, the agency or organization that made the determination must issue a document to recover or correct the incorrectly determined status and level of secrecy.
Agencies, organizations, individuals receiving documents recovering state secrets have the responsibility to return the state secrets received according to the request of the determining agency or organization. In cases where they receive a correction document regarding the status and level of secrecy, agencies, organizations receiving such information must notify in writing to relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

3. The positions of components on documents containing state secrets (including electronic state secrets documents); seal templates indicating the level of secrecy; template for determining the level of secrecy of objects, locations, speech, activities, or other forms containing state secrets; confidentiality period stamp template shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions set forth in Appendix I of this Decree.

Article 4. Recovery of State Secrets Electronic Documents

The recovery of state secrets electronic documents (including drafts) is regulated as follows:

1. The agency or organization determining the state secrecy must create a red confidentiality indicator and a "Recovery Document" mark in red on the state secrets electronic document, specifying the recovery period at the "Recovery Document" mark and shall be responsible for recovering the document through the State Secrets Electronic Document Management System according to the specified time.

2. The agency or organization, individual receiving the state secrets electronic document marked with a "Recovery Document" has the following responsibilities:

a) Cancel the state secrets electronic document on the State Secrets Electronic Document Management System according to the recovery period indicated at the "Recovery Document" mark and notify the sender through the State Secrets Electronic Document Management System;

b) In case the state secrets electronic document is downloaded or stored on a computer or other device, the agency or organization receiving the document shall be responsible for completely canceling the state secrets electronic document stored on that computer or device;

c) In case the state secrets electronic document is printed as a paper copy, the agency or organization receiving the document shall be responsible for returning the paper copy to the sender and notify the sender in writing.

Article 5. Copying and Photographing State Secrets Documents

1. Copying of state secrets documents refers to the act of reproducing or creating another version according to the content of the state secrets document. Copying of state secrets documents includes: copying from a paper document to a paper document, and copying from a paper document to an electronic document.

2. Photographing of state secrets documents is the act of recording images of the state secrets documents or objects containing such information.

3. The regulation for copying state secrets documents is as follows:

a) A copy of a state secrets document, being a paper document, must be stamped with "Copy of State Secrets Document" in accordance with the provisions of this Decree, and signed by an authorized person, if any, affixing their seal on behalf of the agency or organization.
In case multiple copies are made, the agency or organization shall make duplicates from the first copy that has been stamped with "Copy of State Secrets Document" and signed by an authorized person. Subsequently, they shall stamp each additional copy with the seal of the agency or organization. For agencies or organizations without a specific seal, the authorized person may sign directly on the "Copy of State Secrets Document" stamp;

b) A copy of a state secrets document from paper to electronic document is carried out by digitizing the paper document and signing it with an authorized person's digital signature;

c) Copies of state secrets documents are sent to the designated recipient as approved by the authorized person.

4. The regulation for photographing state secrets documents is as follows:

a) A record must be made in writing according to the format specified in this Decree; such written record shall accompany the photographed document and be sent to the designated recipient;

b) Photographs of state secrets documents are sent to the designated recipient as approved by the authorized person.

5. Copying and photographing must be recorded in the "Register for Copying and Photographing State Secrets Documents" for management purposes. Only the number of copies permitted shall be copied; the person performing the copying or photographing is responsible for immediately destroying any excess or damaged copies that cannot be restored.

6. Copies made according to the provisions of this Decree have legal value equivalent to the original.

7. Copying and photographing state secrets documents must be conducted at a location ensuring security as designated by the head of the agency or organization directly managing the state secrecy.

8. Equipment used for copying and photographing state secrets documents shall not be connected to any computer network (except an independent LAN), internet, telecommunications network, unless otherwise provided by law on cryptographic matters and other relevant laws.

9. Cryptographic copying is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on cryptographic matters.

10. The format for the "Copy of State Secrets Document" stamp; the format for the written record of photographing state secrets documents; the format for the register of copying and photographing state secrets documents; and the form of digital signature by an authorized person on a copy of an electronic document with state secrecy are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Appendix II to this Decree.

Article 6. Transportation, Delivery, and Receipt of State Secrets Documents and Materials

1. The transportation of state secrets documents and materials (excluding transportation through postal services) shall be regulated as follows:

a) State secrets documents and materials are contained in devices and stored using appropriate materials to ensure they do not suffer damage during transportation;

b) State secrets documents and materials are transported by means and equipment that guarantee safety, as specified by the head of the state secret management agency or organization;

c) The person assigned with the task of transportation is responsible for safeguarding state secrets documents and materials throughout the transportation process.

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

a) Before delivering state secrets documents and materials, they must be registered in the "State Secrets Outgoing Register" or through the State Secret Document Management Electronic System. Documents classified as "Top Secret" may not have their contents summarized;

b) State secrets documents and materials to be delivered are to be sealed or packed separately. The envelope material should be strong, durable, water-resistant, and non-transparent; the adhesive must be strong and difficult to remove; outside the envelope, it shall bear a stamp "A", "B", or "C" corresponding to the highest level of secrecy of the document or material inside.
In cases where state secrets documents and materials are delivered directly to a person responsible for handling them, they should be stamped with "Openable Only by Named Recipient".

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

a) After receiving state secrets documents and materials, they must be registered in the "State Secrets Incoming Register" or through the State Secret Document Management Electronic System. Documents classified as "Top Secret" may not have their contents summarized and can only be opened by the head of the agency or organization, or his deputy, who has received the secret document;

b) In cases where state secrets documents and materials are delivered in envelopes marked with "Openable Only by Named Recipient", the recipient shall record this in the register using the external envelope markings without opening the envelope. If the named recipient is absent and the envelope bears an "Urgent" stamp, it should be transferred to the head or deputy of the agency or organization responsible for handling;

c) In cases where state secrets documents and materials are delivered but not handled in accordance with confidentiality regulations, they shall be transferred to the head or deputy of the agency or organization receiving the document, or the named recipient (in case of direct delivery), for resolution. At the same time, the sender must be informed so that corrective measures can be taken;

d) In cases where state secrets documents and materials are found to have been tampered with, opened, replaced, lost, or damaged upon receipt, both the sender and recipient shall prepare a record of the incident, report it to the relevant authority of the sending party and receiving party; simultaneously, inform the sender about the issue so that joint resolution can be made.

4. The delivery and receipt of state secrets documents and materials (excluding electronic document deliveries) shall be regulated as follows:

a) Delivery and receipt of state secrets documents and materials going out may be recorded in the "State Secrets Outgoing Register" or "Secret Document Transfer Register";

b) Delivery and receipt of state secrets documents and materials coming in may be recorded in the "State Secrets Incoming Register" or "Secret Document Transfer Register";

c) For large quantities of state secrets documents and materials, a Receipt and Dispatch Record shall be used. The content of the Receipt and Dispatch Record must include information on the sender and recipient; the quantity of state secrets documents and materials categorized by their level of secrecy; the condition of state secrets documents and materials at the time of delivery and receipt; a list of state secrets documents and materials attached to the record (number, code; date, month, year issued; issuing agency; summary, level of secrecy);

d) The sender and recipient of state secrets documents and materials must verify the quantity and check the sealing and packaging of state secrets documents and materials. In case of missing quantities or errors in sealing and packaging, the recipient shall request the sender to send additional copies for processing before recording them in the register and signing for receipt.

5. The delivery and receipt of electronic state secrets documents shall be regulated as follows:

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

b) Electronic state secrets documents (excluding digitized ones) must be signed by an authorized person's digital signature and the agency or organization’s digital signature;

c) Computers used for sending and receiving electronic state secrets documents shall not be connected to any network, including LANs, the Internet, or telecommunications networks, except as provided by laws on cryptographic management or other relevant laws;

d) The sender is responsible for checking, monitoring, ensuring the integrity of the electronic state secrets document, and sending it to the correct recipient;

e) Upon receipt of an electronic state secrets document, the recipient must check its integrity, quantity, number of pages per document, attached documents (if any), stamp the received electronic state secrets document, and register it through the State Secret Document Management Electronic System.
In case of errors or non-compliance with the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the recipient shall promptly report via the State Secret Document Management Electronic System to the sender for resolution according to regulations or report to the relevant authority of the receiving agency for handling.

6. When printing electronic state secrets documents for delivery and receipt, they must be stamped with "Printed Copy of an Electronic State Secrets Document" as per the model specified in this Decree. A printed copy of an electronic state secrets document prepared according to the provisions of this Decree has legal validity equivalent to that of the original or official copy of a state secrets document.

7. In the case of state secrets documents or items registered using an "Electronic State Secrets Registration Book" and a "State Secrets Document Management System," all content must be fully ensured according to the model of the "Outward State Secrets Registration Book" and the "Inward State Secrets Registration Book." Computers used for registering state secrets documents or items shall not be connected to any computer network (except an independent LAN), internet, telecommunications network, except as provided by laws on military secrecy and other relevant laws.

8. In the case of state secrets documents marked with a "Document Recovery Seal" (excluding provisions in Article 4 of this Decree), the agency, organization, or individual who has received the state secrets document must return it to the principal agency, organization within the time limit specified on the document.

9. The transfer, exchange, and receipt of cryptographic materials for protecting state secrets information shall be conducted in accordance with laws on military secrecy.

10. The models of the "Outward State Secrets Registration Book," "Inward State Secrets Registration Book," "State Secrets Transfer Register," "Confidentiality Level Seal," "Document Recovery Seal," "New Name Unsealing Seal," "Electronic Document Confidentiality Print Seal," and "Inward Electronic Document Confidentiality Seal" shall be in accordance with the provisions of Annex III to this Decree.

Article 7. Carrying State Secrets Documents or Items Out of Storage

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

a) State secrets documents or items carried out of storage must serve the purpose of handling and resolving assigned tasks;

b) Upon completion of the task, the person who carried out the state secrets documents or items from storage for domestic work purposes shall return them to the place of storage.

2. The carrying out of state secrets documents or items from storage for foreign work purposes is regulated as follows:

a) The person carrying out state secrets documents or items from storage for foreign work purposes must obtain permission in writing from the competent authority as specified in paragraph 2 of Article 14 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets;

b) The written request to carry out state secrets documents or items from storage for foreign work purposes shall specify their name, position, and workplace; type, summary content, confidentiality level of the document or item; purpose of use; time and place of work; measures for protecting state secrets;

c) Upon completion of the task, the person who carried out state secrets documents or items from storage for foreign work purposes shall report to the head or deputy head of the agency or organization directly managing such documents or items on the management and use of state secrets and return them to the agency or organization that directly manages them, except where the person carrying the documents or items is also the direct manager of the state secrets.

3. State secrets documents or items carried out of storage must be contained, transported, and handled using secure means as specified by the head of the agency or organization directly managing such secrets and must be protected during the period outside the place of storage to prevent leakage or loss of state secrets.

Article 8. Venue, Protection Scheme, and Equipment for Meetings, Seminars, or Conferences with State Secrets

1. Meetings, seminars, or conferences with state secrets content shall be held in a closed meeting room at the office premises of the agency or organization. In case they are organized outside the office premises, the head or deputy head of the agency or organization decides to organize such meetings and is responsible for requesting inspection by the Ministry of Public Security or provincial public security authorities on security and safety both inside and outside the venue where the meeting, seminar, or conference will take place; meetings, seminars, or conferences organized by the Ministry of National Defense or the Office of the Chief Staff Committee are handled by relevant authorities of the Ministry of National Defense or the Office of the Chief Staff Committee.

2. Equipment and devices used in meetings, seminars, or conferences with state secrets content

a) Meetings, seminars, or conferences with state secrets content must use equipment and devices that have been inspected for security and safety by the Ministry of Public Security or provincial public security authorities before installation, except those provided by the Office of the Chief Staff Committee; meetings, seminars, or conferences organized by the Ministry of National Defense or the Office of the Chief Staff Committee are handled by relevant authorities of the Ministry of National Defense or the Office of the Chief Staff Committee.
In case a meeting, seminar, or conference with state secrets content is held online, the transmission must be protected in accordance with laws on chief staff or other relevant laws;

b) Participants shall not bring devices with recording, transmitting, audio-recording, and video-recording functions into meetings, seminars, or conferences with state secrets content at Top Secret or Confidential level;

c) Permission for participants to carry and use equipment and devices with recording, transmitting, audio-recording, and video-recording functions in meetings, seminars, or conferences with state secrets content at Secret level is decided by the head of the meeting, seminar, or conference;

d) The head or deputy head of the agency or organization organizing a meeting, seminar, or conference with state secrets content decides on the use of technical equipment for recording and video-recording; blocking activities that may intrude and intercept information from outside.

3. Protection Scheme for Meetings, Seminars, or Conferences with State Secrets Content

a) The head of the meeting, seminar, or conference with state secrets content is responsible for directing the review and inspection of participants;

b) For meetings, seminars, or conferences at Top Secret level, the agency or organization organizing such events decides on the deployment of security personnel outside; implementing security and safety checks on participants; anticipating complex situations that may affect security and safety during the meeting, seminar, or conference and formulating response plans;

c) For meetings, seminars, or conferences with state secrets content lasting two days or more, the room shall be sealed after each day of the meeting.

Article 9. Extension of State Secrets Protection Period for Electronic Documents

1. The authority responsible for determining state secrets has the duty to extend the protection period for electronic documents with state secrets content.

2. The procedure for extending the protection period for electronic documents with state secrets content is carried out in accordance with Article 20, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets.

3. After the extension of the protection period for an electronic document with state secrets content, the agency or organization extending it must create a red stamp “Extension of State Secrets Protection Period” on the electronic document and specify the extended protection period in this stamp.

4. No later than 15 days from the date of extension, the agency or organization extending the protection period for an electronic document with state secrets content shall notify relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals by written communication about the extension.

5. Relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals upon receiving notification about the extension of state secrets protection must create a red stamp “Extension of State Secrets Protection Period” on the electronic document to confirm the extension of state secrets within their jurisdiction.

6. The format for the stamp “Extension of State Secrets Protection Period” is prescribed in Appendix IV of this Decree.

Article 10. Adjustment of the Classification Level of State Secrets Electronic Documents

1. The person authorized to determine the classification level of state secrets shall have the authority to decide on the adjustment of the classification level of state secrets electronic documents.

2. After adjusting the classification level, the state secrets electronic document must create a red "Classification Level Adjustment" mark on the state secrets electronic document.

3. Within fifteen days from the date of adjusting the classification level, the agency or organization that adjusted the classification level of the state secrets electronic document shall notify relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

4. Relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals upon receiving notification regarding the adjustment of the classification level are responsible for creating a red "Classification Level Adjustment" mark on the state secrets electronic document to indicate the corresponding adjustment of the state secret within their management scope.

5. The model of the "Classification Level Adjustment" mark shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions in Appendix IV of this Decree.

Article 11. Declassification of State Secrets Electronic Documents

1. In cases where declassification is required for state secrets electronic documents as specified at Point b, Clause 1, Article 22 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets, the agency or organization determining the state secrets electronic document must create a red "Declassification" mark on the state secrets electronic document to indicate the declassification and notify relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in writing.

2. In cases where declassification is required for state secrets electronic documents as specified at Point c, Clause 1, Article 22 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets, it shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions in Clause 3, Article 22 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets and the following provisions:

a) After declassification, the state secrets electronic document must create a red "Declassification" mark on the state secrets electronic document, except where only part of the content of the state secrets electronic document is being declassified;

b) Within fifteen days from the date of the decision to declassify the state secrets electronic document, the agency or organization making the decision must notify relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in writing.

3. Agencies, organizations, and individuals receiving notification regarding the declassification of state secrets electronic documents shall perform the following responsibilities:

a) Create a red "Declassification" mark on the state secrets electronic document received to indicate the declassification, except where only part of the content of the state secrets electronic document is being declassified;

b) Create a red "Declassification" mark on the state secrets electronic document indicating the declassification for state secrets electronic documents created using state secrets that have been declassified by an agency or organization and notify relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in writing.

4. The model of the "Declassification" mark shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions in Appendix IV of this Decree.

Article 12. Procedures for Destruction of Top Secret and Confidential State Secrets Documents

1. The procedures for destroying state secrets documents and objects containing top secret and confidential information as specified at Point a, Clause 1, Article 23 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets are as follows:

a) The agency or organization directly holding the state secrets document has the responsibility to review, compile a list (including drafts), and identify state secrets documents and objects that need to be destroyed;

b) The agency or organization directly holding the state secrets document must submit a written proposal to the person authorized as specified at Point a or Point b of Clause 3, Article 23 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets for the decision on destruction.

2. The proposal for destruction shall indicate the quantity (classified by top secret and confidential) of state secrets documents and objects proposed for destruction, the reasons for proposing destruction, the form of destruction, the location where destruction will be carried out, and any means of transportation (if applicable).

3. The list of state secrets documents and objects proposed for destruction shall include: number, code, summary of the document or object; date, month, year of issuance or creation; classification level; issuing agency or organization.

4. The records of destroying state secrets documents and objects shall be kept, including: the proposal for destruction by the agency or organization; the opinion of the person authorized to approve the destruction; the list of state secrets documents and objects proposed for destruction.

Article 13. Assignment of Personnel to Perform State Secrets Protection Duties

1. The Central Party Office and central-level party organs; central-level party committees; organs under the Central Committee; the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front; the National Assembly Office; the Office of the President; ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, and subordinate organs of the Government; the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate; the Audit Agency; provincial party committees, municipal party committees, people's committees of provinces and cities shall be responsible for assigning personnel to perform specialized state secrets protection duties in their offices or units, administrative departments, or integrated departments.

2. The Ethnic Affairs Committee, National Assembly Committees are responsible for assigning personnel to perform part-time state secrets protection duties.
Units subordinate to, directly under the jurisdiction of organs and organizations specified in Clause 1 of this Article; National People's Congress Delegation, People's Councils, Vietnamese Fatherland Front at provincial level, people's procuratorates, provincial courts; party committees, people's councils, Vietnamese Fatherland Front, people's committees at commune level are responsible for assigning personnel to perform part-time state secrets protection duties in their offices or units, administrative departments, or integrated departments.

3. The assignment of specialized and part-time state secrets protection duties by the armed forces and cryptology forces shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Public Security.

4. Personnel performing specialized and part-time state secrets protection duties must meet the following standards:

a) Possess good moral character, have sufficient political qualifications, understand regulations on state secrets protection to advise the head of the organ or organization in directing, implementing, and guiding state secrets protection work, and strictly adhere to the Party's policies, laws, and regulations;

b) Observe assignments and instructions from organs and organizations and fully fulfill assigned responsibilities.

Article 14. Reporting System for State Secrets Protection Work

1. The heads of organs and organizations specified in Clause 1 of Article 13 of this Decree shall implement a reporting system on state secrets protection work within their jurisdiction to the Ministry of Public Security for consolidation and submission to the Prime Minister as follows:

a) Regular annual reports or at the request of the Ministry of Public Security;

b) Urgent reports immediately after discovering breaches or leaks of state secrets or at the request of the Ministry of Public Security;

c) The deadline for finalizing data in the annual reporting system: from December 15th of the previous year to December 14th of the reporting period;

d) Submit regular annual reports to the Ministry of Public Security by December 20th of the reporting year.

2. Content of state secrets protection work reports

a) Analysis and evaluation of relevant situations concerning state secrets protection work;

b) Results of implementing state secrets protection work; strengths, weaknesses, difficulties, obstacles, causes, and lessons learned in guidance and implementation;

c) Situation and data on breaches or leaks of state secrets; causes and measures taken to address and mitigate consequences;

d) Forecasting situation; key tasks for state secrets protection and proposals.

3. National People's Congress Delegation, provincial people's councils, Vietnamese Fatherland Front at provincial level; party committees, people's councils, people's committees, Vietnamese Fatherland Front at commune level shall implement the reporting system on state secrets protection work in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.
People's Committees at commune level are responsible for consolidating the situation and state secrets protection work of party committees, people's councils, and Vietnamese Fatherland Front at commune level to be submitted to the provincial people's committee.
People's Committees at provincial and municipal levels are responsible for consolidating the situation and state secrets protection work of provincial party committees, municipal party committees, National People's Congress delegations, people's councils, and Vietnamese Fatherland Front at provincial level to be submitted to the Ministry of Public Security.

4. The Ministry of Public Security is responsible for assisting the Government in submitting annual reports on state secrets protection work nationwide.

Article 15. Enforceability

1. This Decree shall come into force on March 1, 2026.

2. Decree No. 26/2020/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2020 of the Government, which provides detailed provisions for certain articles of the State Secrets Protection Law, and Circular No. 24/2020/TT-BCA dated March 10, 2020 issued by the Minister of Public Security to implement forms used in state secrets protection work, shall cease to be enforceable from the date this Decree comes into force.

Article 16. Transitional Provisions

1. Copies and reproductions of state secret documents or media produced in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 26/2020/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2020 of the Government, which provides detailed provisions for certain articles of the State Secrets Protection Law, that are made before March 1, 2026, shall continue to be used, managed, stored, and protected in accordance with the provisions of the State Secrets Protection Law and this Decree.

2. Agencies, organizations using the Electronic Document Management System for state secrets to draft, issue, distribute, and manage electronic documents of state secrets have the responsibility to supplement and improve the functions of the system in accordance with the provisions of this Decree, completing such tasks before March 1, 2027.

Article 17. Implementation Responsibility

The Minister, Heads of Ministries at the same level, Heads of agencies under the Government, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities, and relevant agencies, organizations, units, and individuals shall bear the responsibility for implementing this Decree.