Decree No. 88/2012/NĐ-CP on the activities of foreign press, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam regarding information and journalism.

 DECREE

REGULATIONS ON THE INFORMATION AND PRESS ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN MEDIA, FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE AGENCIES, AND FOREIGN ORGANIZATIONS IN VIETNAM

Based on the Law on the Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Press Law dated December 28, 1989 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Press Law dated June 12, 1999;

Pursuant to the Publishing Law dated December 3, 2004 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Publishing Law dated June 3, 2008;

Pursuant to the Cinema Law dated June 29, 2006 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Cinema Law dated June 18, 2009;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Entry, Exit, Stay of Foreigners in Vietnam dated April 28, 2000;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on privileges and immunities for diplomatic missions, consular posts, and representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam dated August 23, 1993;

At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

The Government promulgates this Decree stipulating the information and press activities of foreign media, foreign representative agencies, and foreign organizations in Vietnam,

Chapter 1.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

This Decree stipulates the information and press activities of foreign media, foreign representative agencies, and foreign organizations in Vietnam and the responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities in managing such activities.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

1. Foreign media refers to news agencies, radio stations, television stations, printed newspapers, online newspapers, and other types of foreign media.

2. Permanent foreign media office refers to the representative office of foreign media in Vietnam, hereinafter referred to as the permanent office.

3. Foreign correspondent refers to reporters and editors working for foreign media.

4. Permanent foreign correspondent refers to foreign correspondents assigned by foreign media to work at the permanent office in Vietnam under the status of permanent correspondent, hereinafter referred to as permanent correspondent.

5. Non-permanent foreign correspondent refers to foreign correspondents entering Vietnam to conduct short-term information and press activities without enjoying the status of permanent correspondent, hereinafter referred to as non-permanent correspondent.

6. Press assistant refers to Vietnamese citizens working under formal contracts for the permanent office in Vietnam to support permanent correspondents and the permanent office in their information and press activities in Vietnam.

7. Collaborator refers to Vietnamese citizens or foreigners residing and legally working in Vietnam hired by the permanent office to assist permanent correspondents and the permanent office in specific information and press activities for a certain period.

8. Foreign representative agency refers to diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of intergovernmental international organizations, and other foreign agencies authorized to perform consular functions in Vietnam.

9. Foreign organization refers to representative offices of non-governmental organizations and other foreign organizations in Vietnam.

10. Information and press activities of foreign media in Vietnam refer to activities of collecting information, materials, images, recording audio, filming, photographing, interviewing, visiting localities and facilities, and other activities aimed at serving the writing of news articles, production of supplements, special issues, magazines, reports about Vietnam by foreign media, excluding film genres regulated by the Cinema Law.

11. Foreign informational publications refer to bulletins, press releases, supplements, documents, leaflets, brochures, maps, calendars, pictures, sound tapes, sound discs, video tapes, video discs, and other informational publications issued and circulated in Vietnam by foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations.

12. Press conference refers to meetings and gatherings organized in Vietnam by agencies, organizations, delegations, and individuals from foreign countries inviting representatives of the press and Vietnamese citizens to attend for the purpose of announcing, declaring, explaining, or providing information on matters within their jurisdiction that relate to their tasks and interests.

Article 3. Principles for the operation of foreign press and information activities of foreign representative offices and organizations in Vietnam

1. All press and information activities of foreign media, foreign representative offices, and foreign organizations in Vietnam shall only be permitted to proceed after obtaining approval from the competent authorities as stipulated in this Decree and must comply with current Vietnamese laws.

2. Any violations of the provisions of this Decree shall be handled according to the current legal regulations of Vietnam.

Chapter 2.
FOREIGN MEDIA INFORMATION ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM

PART 1. NON-RESIDENT CORRESPONDENTS

Article 4. Procedures for granting permission for non-resident correspondents' information and press activities

1. Foreign correspondents wishing to engage in information and press activities in Vietnam must submit one set of application documents directly, through postal mail, fax, or email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, consular offices, or other agencies authorized to perform consular functions of Vietnam abroad (hereinafter referred to collectively as Vietnamese agencies abroad) at least ten working days before the planned entry date into Vietnam.

The application documents for information and press activities in Vietnam include:

a) An application for information and press activities in Vietnam based on a form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of the foreign correspondent's passport.

2. Within ten working days from the receipt of the application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Vietnamese agencies abroad will provide a written response approving or not approving the foreign correspondent. In case of approval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue a Press Activity Permit to the foreign correspondent.

3. After entering Vietnam, the foreign correspondent must visit the journalist guidance agency (the Foreign Journalist Guidance Center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or another agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive the Press Activity Permit and receive operational guidance.

Article 5. Information and press activities of non-resident correspondents

1. When engaging in information and press activities in Vietnam, non-resident correspondents must carry the Press Activity Permit issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their passports; they must operate in accordance with the purpose and program recorded in the Permit and follow the guidance of the journalist guidance agency.

2. The activity program of non-resident correspondents may be adjusted or supplemented upon approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 6. Foreign correspondents accompanying foreign visitor groups

1. For foreign correspondents accompanying foreign visitor groups invited by Party and State leaders or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report on the visit, the Vietnamese host organization is responsible for handling necessary entry-exit procedures and informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination. Foreign correspondents are permitted to report on activities according to the official program of the foreign visitor group.

If a foreign correspondent requests to engage in information and press activities outside the official program of the foreign visitor group, the correspondent must submit an application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must comply with the regulations applicable to non-resident correspondents as stipulated in Articles 4 and 5 of this Decree.

2. For foreign correspondents accompanying foreign visitor groups invited by other Vietnamese agencies to report on the visit, the Vietnamese host organization needs to handle procedures with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as for non-resident correspondents and operate under the guidance of the Foreign Journalist Guidance Center (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or another agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PART 2.

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE, PERMANENT CORRESPONDENT

Article 7. Procedures for Establishing a Permanent Representative Office

1. Foreign press agencies wishing to establish a permanent representative office in Vietnam shall submit one set of application documents directly or through postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Vietnamese representative offices abroad.

The application documents for establishing a permanent representative office in Vietnam include:

a) A request letter from the head of the foreign press agency or a person authorized by the head of the foreign press agency according to a form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of the Certificate of Legal Entity of the foreign press agency that has been legalized, except in cases where legalization is exempted under international treaties to which both Vietnam and the relevant country are parties or on the principle of reciprocity.

c) Basic information about the foreign press agency.

2. Within sixty days from the date of receiving complete and valid application documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue a Permit to establish a permanent representative office in Vietnam to the foreign press agency if approved.

Article 8. Procedures for Appointing a Permanent Correspondent

1. Foreign press agencies wishing to appoint a permanent correspondent shall submit one set of application documents directly or through postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Vietnamese representative offices abroad.

The application documents for appointing a permanent correspondent include:

a) A request letter for appointing a permanent correspondent from the head of the foreign press agency or a person authorized by the head of the foreign press agency according to a form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) Personal information of the person appointed as a permanent correspondent.

c) A copy of the passport of the person appointed as a permanent correspondent.

d) If the person appointed as a permanent correspondent is the spouse of a member of a foreign diplomatic mission and enjoys diplomatic or consular privileges and immunities, the foreign diplomatic mission must provide a written commitment to waive such privileges and immunities from the date of approval as a permanent correspondent.

2. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete and valid application documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Vietnamese representative offices abroad must issue a written notification of approval or disapproval of the appointment of a foreign correspondent by a foreign press agency as a permanent correspondent.

3. In case a visa is required, the foreign correspondent must go to the Vietnamese representative office abroad to complete the procedures for obtaining an entry visa after being approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work as a permanent correspondent in Vietnam.

Article 9. Activities of a Permanent Representative Office

1. Within thirty working days from the date of receiving the approval document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the permanent correspondent of the permanent representative office must visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hand over the Letter of Appointment from the foreign press agency and receive the Permit to establish a permanent representative office in Vietnam issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. The Director of the Permanent Representative Office is the legal representative of the Permanent Representative Office.

3. The Permanent Representative Office may be located in Hanoi or another centrally governed city or province with the written consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committee of the city or province where the Permanent Representative Office is planned to be established.

The Permanent Representative Office may appoint a permanent correspondent in a different location from its headquarters with the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committee of the city or province where the Permanent Representative Office proposes to appoint a permanent correspondent. The Permanent Representative Office is responsible for the activities of the permanent correspondent in various locations.

When there is a need to appoint a permanent correspondent in a different location within Vietnam, the foreign press agency shall submit one set of application documents directly or through postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The components of the application documents are similar to those for appointing a permanent correspondent to work at the Permanent Representative Office as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Decree.

After receiving the application documents for appointing a permanent correspondent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall seek the opinion of the People's Committee of the city or province where the Permanent Representative Office plans to appoint a permanent correspondent. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving the request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for providing a written response to the foreign press agency.

4. The Permanent Representative Office must notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the location of its headquarters thirty days before officially operating at that location. When changing the location of its headquarters, the Permanent Representative Office must notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least thirty working days in advance.

5. If the Permanent Representative Office requires a seal; application for temporary residence certificates, travel permits, and other requirements serving its information and press activities in Vietnam, it must submit a request letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduce it to the competent authorities in Vietnam to complete necessary procedures according to current Vietnamese laws.

6. The Permit to establish a Permanent Representative Office becomes automatically invalid if the Permanent Representative Office does not have any permanent correspondents operating in Vietnam for a continuous period of 180 days.

7. The Permanent Representative Office must notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of its closure at least thirty working days before closing the office and return the Permit to establish a Permanent Representative Office to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least three working days before closing the office.

8. When there is a need to replace or supplement permanent correspondents, the Permanent Representative Office must comply with all necessary procedures as stipulated in Article 8 of this Decree.

9. When there is a need to appoint additional correspondents for the Permanent Representative Office, the Director of the Permanent Representative Office must submit a request letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stipulated in Articles 4 and 5 of this Decree for non-permanent correspondents. Additional correspondents do not enjoy the status of permanent correspondents.

10. Parents, spouses, children, and other relatives of permanent correspondents do not enjoy the status of permanent correspondents and must comply with all current Vietnamese laws.

Article 10. Entry Visa for Resident Correspondents

The issuance, refusal to issue, or cancellation of entry visas for resident correspondents shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law on entry, exit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam. A new visa shall be issued to a resident correspondent if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs permits them to continue enjoying the status of a resident correspondent in Vietnam.

Article 11. Dual Assignment of Resident Correspondents

1. A resident correspondent may be permitted to concurrently serve as a resident correspondent for the permanent office of another foreign news agency in Vietnam. A foreign news agency may appoint its resident correspondent from another country to concurrently serve as a resident correspondent in Vietnam.

2. The regulations applicable to resident correspondents also apply to resident correspondents with dual assignments. In cases where a resident correspondent is proposed to concurrently serve as a resident correspondent for the permanent office of another foreign news agency, approval letters from the news agency of the resident correspondent are required.

Article 12. Foreign Journalist Card

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a Foreign Journalist Card to resident correspondents, valid for up to 12 months, consistent with the duration of their entry-exit visa. A resident correspondent requesting a Foreign Journalist Card must submit one set of application documents directly or via postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The application documents for a Foreign Journalist Card include:

a) An application letter for a Foreign Journalist Card by the resident correspondent according to the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of the resident correspondent's passport.

c) Two recent passport-sized photographs (3 cm x 4 cm) of the resident correspondent.

2. If a resident correspondent requests a replacement Foreign Journalist Card due to damage or loss, they must submit one set of application documents directly or via postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The application documents for a replacement Foreign Journalist Card include:

a) An application letter for a replacement Foreign Journalist Card by the resident correspondent according to the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of the resident correspondent's passport.

c) Two recent passport-sized photographs (3 cm x 4 cm) of the resident correspondent.

d) The original Foreign Journalist Card (in case of damage).

đ) A lost card declaration form confirmed by the police authority (in case of loss).

3. At least 15 working days before the expiration date of the Foreign Journalist Card, a resident correspondent must complete the renewal procedures for the Foreign Journalist Card if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs permits them to continue serving as a resident correspondent. A resident correspondent requesting a renewal of the Foreign Journalist Card must submit one set of renewal application documents directly or via postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The application documents for renewing a Foreign Journalist Card include:

a) A notification letter from the authorized representative of the foreign news agency continuing to assign the resident correspondent in Vietnam according to the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) The resident correspondent's Foreign Journalist Card.

c) A copy of the resident correspondent's passport.

4. Within three working days from receiving the application documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall complete the issuance, replacement, or renewal of the Foreign Journalist Card. In case of refusal to issue, replace, or renew the Foreign Journalist Card, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign journalist in writing.

5. When engaging in information and journalism activities in Vietnam, resident correspondents must carry their Foreign Journalist Card, passport, and present them to Vietnamese authorities upon request.

6. When a resident correspondent ceases operations in Vietnam, the permanent office must notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in writing at least 15 working days before the cessation of operations and must return the Foreign Journalist Card to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to the resident correspondent's departure from Vietnam.

Article 13. Information and press activities of resident correspondents

1. For requests to interview high-ranking leaders of Vietnam, the resident office shall submit one set of application documents directly, via postal service, or fax to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. For requests to meet and interview leaders of ministries, agencies, and sectors of Vietnam, the resident office shall submit one set of application documents directly, via postal service, or fax to the relevant ministries, agencies, and sectors, and simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within five working days from the date of receipt of the application documents, the ministries, agencies, and sectors shall be responsible for responding in writing to the resident office.

3. For information and press activities at local levels in Vietnam, the resident office shall submit one set of application documents directly, via postal service, or fax to the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city, and simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within five working days from the date of receipt of the application documents, the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city shall be responsible for responding in writing to the resident office. Resident correspondents may only conduct information and press activities at the local level upon written approval from the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

4. The application documents for information and press activities include:

a) An application letter for information and press activities according to a form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of the foreign journalist card of the resident correspondent.

Article 14. Press Assistants of the Resident Office

1. The resident office is permitted to hire press assistants to support its activities and those of resident correspondents. The resident office shall submit one set of application documents directly or via postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for hiring press assistants. Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the application documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be responsible for responding in writing to the resident office.

The application documents for obtaining permission to work as a press assistant include:

a) An application letter for obtaining permission to work as a press assistant from the Head of the resident office according to a form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) Personal information with confirmation from the local authority for the person proposed to obtain permission to work as a press assistant.

c) Two passport-sized photographs (3 cm x 4 cm) of the person proposed to obtain permission to work as a press assistant.

2. Press assistants are permitted to perform supporting tasks for the information and press activities of resident correspondents and the resident office such as photography, videography, translation, and administrative support tasks for the activities of the resident office. Press assistants do not enjoy the status of resident correspondents and are not allowed to conduct information and press activities on behalf of resident correspondents.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the agency providing press assistants to resident offices. Recruitment, employment, and management of press assistants must comply with current Vietnamese laws.

Article 15. Collaborators of the Resident Office

1. When there is a need to hire collaborators, the resident office shall submit one set of application documents directly or via postal service to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the application documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be responsible for responding in writing to the resident office.

The application documents for obtaining permission for collaborators include:

a) An application letter for obtaining permission to work as a collaborator for the resident office from the Head of the resident office according to a form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) Personal information of the person appointed as a collaborator.

c) One passport-sized photograph (3 cm x 4 cm) of the person appointed as a collaborator.

2. The resident office is only permitted to hire and use collaborators after receiving written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Collaborators of the resident office are only permitted to perform supporting tasks for the information and press activities of resident correspondents and the resident office, such as videography, photography, and translation in specific activities and for a certain period of time, and they are not allowed to act as substitutes for resident correspondents.

3. In cases where the collaborator is the spouse of a member of a foreign diplomatic mission and enjoys diplomatic or consular privileges and immunities, the foreign diplomatic mission must provide a formal written commitment to waive such privileges and immunities.

PART 3.

IMPORT AND EXPORT OF FOREIGN MEDIA EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES

Article 16. Import and Export of Foreign Media Equipment and Devices

1. Foreign media are permitted to temporarily import and re-export duty-free for a limited period the necessary equipment for information and media activities in Vietnam such as cameras, video recorders, audio recorders, and other devices in accordance with current Vietnamese laws.

2. Foreign media are permitted to import and export, install, and use direct satellite news and image transmission equipment; broadcast internationally through the national telecommunications network in accordance with current Vietnamese laws.

Chapter 3.
INFORMATION AND MEDIA ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN VIETNAM

Article 17. Publication and Circulation of Foreign Information Publications

1. The publication and circulation of foreign information publications shall be carried out in accordance with the Press Law, the Publishing Law, and other relevant current Vietnamese laws.

2. When requesting to publish and circulate information publications in Vietnam, foreign representative agencies and organizations must submit a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications. For foreign representative agencies, the request must also be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification.

3. Procedures for permission to publish and circulate foreign information publications shall be implemented according to regulations set forth by the Ministry of Information and Communications. Activities stipulated in this Article and any changes from the initial request may only proceed after written approval from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Article 18. Press Conferences

1. When organizing a press conference in Hanoi, foreign representative agencies and organizations must submit a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications at least two working days before the press conference. For foreign representative agencies, the request must also be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification.

2. When organizing a press conference in other provinces of Vietnam, foreign representative agencies and organizations must submit a written request to the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city at least two working days before the press conference.

3. Press conferences of foreign delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of Party and State leaders or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be conducted according to the official program of the delegation. The host agency has the responsibility to notify the Ministry of Information and Communications at least one working day before the press conference to coordinate.

4. For press conferences of foreign delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of other Vietnamese ministries, sectors, localities, and state agencies, the host agency must submit a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications or the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city at least two working days before the press conference.

5. Procedures for permission to organize press conferences shall be implemented according to regulations set forth by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

6. The Ministry of Information and Communications and the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city have the right to refuse or terminate a press conference if there are signs of violation of Vietnamese laws.

7. In cases of urgent press conferences, after receiving a request from foreign representative agencies or organizations, Vietnamese competent authorities will consider each case individually.

Article 19. Posting news articles and speeches on Vietnamese mass media

1. When there is a need to post news articles and speeches on central mass media, foreign representative offices, or foreign organizations, they must submit a request letter along with the content of the news articles and speeches to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The request letter must clearly state the purpose, content, name of the speaker/writer, and the expected publishing media. For foreign representative offices, the request letter along with the content of the news articles and speeches must also be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification.

2. When there is a need to post news articles and speeches on local mass media, foreign representative offices, or foreign organizations, they must submit a request letter along with the content of the news articles and speeches to the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city. The request letter must clearly state the purpose, content, name of the speaker/writer, and the expected publishing media.

3. The procedures for permission to post news articles and speeches on mass media shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Article 20. Displaying paintings, photographs, and other forms of information outside the premises of foreign representative offices and foreign organizations

1. When there is a need to display paintings, photographs, and other forms of information outside the premises of foreign representative offices and foreign organizations located in Hanoi, they must submit a request letter to the Ministry of Information and Communications. For foreign representative offices, the request letter must also be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification.

In cases where foreign representative offices and foreign organizations have their headquarters in other locations within Vietnam and require such activities, they must submit a request letter to the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

2. The procedures for permission to display paintings, photographs, and other forms of information shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

3. Activities stipulated in this Article and any changes from the initial proposal may only be conducted after obtaining written approval from the Ministry of Information and Communications or the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

Article 21. Hanging posters, billboards, screens outside the premises of foreign representative offices and foreign organizations; screening films, exhibitions, and other promotional activities inviting Vietnamese citizens to participate

1. When there is a need to hang posters, billboards, screens outside the premises of foreign representative offices and foreign organizations in Hanoi, and when there is a need to screen films, exhibitions, and other promotional activities inviting Vietnamese citizens to participate in Hanoi, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations must submit a request letter to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. For foreign representative offices, the request letter must also be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification.

When there is a need for such activities in other locations within Vietnam, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations must submit a request letter to the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

2. The procedures for permission to hang posters, billboards, screens, screen films, exhibitions, and other promotional activities shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

3. Activities stipulated in this Article and any changes from the initial proposal may only be conducted after obtaining written approval from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city.

Chapter 4.
STATE MANAGEMENT OF FOREIGN MEDIA ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. State management and licensing of foreign media activities include:

a) Granting permission for foreign journalists to engage in information and press activities in Vietnam;

b) Granting permission for foreign media to establish permanent offices in Vietnam and employ foreign journalists, press assistants, and contributors;

c) Managing the information and press activities of foreign journalists and permanent offices in Vietnam;

d) Coordinating with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, provincial people's committees, and centrally governed city people's committees to address operational and technical requirements; requirements for importing and exporting operational and technical equipment; requirements for entry-exit, residence, travel; providing press assistants to permanent offices and other requirements serving foreign media activities in Vietnam.

2. Coordinating with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to address operational requirements of foreign representative offices and foreign organizations' information and press activities in Vietnam.

3. Directing the implementation of regulations concerning foreign media activities within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4. Taking the lead and coordinating with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, provincial people's committees, and centrally governed city people's committees to compile and report annually on the implementation of regulations concerning foreign media activities within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 23. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Communications

1. Managing and issuing permits for information and press activities of foreign representative offices and organizations including:

a) Publishing and circulating foreign informational publications;

b) Holding foreign press conferences in Vietnam;

c) Posting news articles and speeches on Vietnamese mass media outlets.

d) Displaying paintings, photographs, and other forms of information outside the premises of foreign representative offices and organizations in Hanoi.

2. Directing the implementation of regulations concerning information and press activities of foreign representative offices and organizations within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

3. Leading and coordinating with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees under the central government to regularly compile and report annually on the implementation of regulations concerning information and press activities of foreign representative offices and organizations within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Article 24. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

1. Managing and issuing permits for hanging banners, posters, and screens outside the premises of foreign representative offices and organizations in Hanoi; screening films, exhibitions, and other promotional activities in Hanoi that invite Vietnamese citizens to participate, organized by foreign representative offices and organizations.

2. Directing the implementation of regulations concerning information and press activities of foreign representative offices and organizations within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

3. Leading and coordinating with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees under the central government to regularly compile and report annually on the implementation of regulations concerning information and press activities of foreign representative offices and organizations within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Article 25. Responsibilities of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities

Provincial people's committees under the central government are responsible for receiving, reviewing, and resolving information and press activities of foreign journalists, foreign representative offices, and organizations in their localities; coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to manage and handle violations related to information and press activities of foreign media, foreign representative offices, and organizations in their localities.

Article 26. Responsibilities of Ministries, Agencies Equivalent to Ministries, and Government Agencies

Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies are responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to manage and handle violations related to information and press activities of foreign media, foreign representative offices, and organizations.

Chapter 5.
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 27. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from December 20, 2012.

2. This Decree replaces Decree No. 67/CP dated October 31, 1996 issued by the Government regarding "Regulations on the Activities of Information and Press of Foreign Journalists and Organizations in Vietnam."

3. The Ministers, Heads of Ministries equivalent to ministries, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees under the central city, are responsible for enforcing this Decree./.