Circular No. 88/2023/TT-BQP stipulates the colors, flags, insignias, and signals of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport of the Border Guard Force.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the colors, flags, insignia, and signals of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport of the Border Guard Force

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Pursuant to the Law on Border Guards of Vietnam 2020;

Pursuant to Decree No. 82/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government stipulating military insignia, rank insignia, badges, and uniforms of the Vietnam People's Army;

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense;

At the proposal of the Commander of the Border Guard Force;

The Minister of National Defense promulgates this Circular stipulating the colors, flags, insignia, and signals of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport of the Border Guard Force.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the colors, flags, insignia of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport; priority signals of vessels entitled to priority of the Border Guard Force; responsibilities of relevant agencies, units, and individuals.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to relevant agencies, units, organizations, and individuals and to agencies, units, and individuals under the Border Guard Force equipped with vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

1. Vessels of the Border Guard Force are waterborne means of operation, including: Ships, boats, rafts, speedboats, and other floating means equipped for tasks of managing and protecting the national border, maintaining public security in border areas; search and rescue operations, and other tasks.

2. Aircraft of the Border Guard Force are airborne means of operation, including: Transport helicopters and other flying equipment equipped for tasks of managing and protecting the national border, maintaining public security in border areas; search and rescue operations, and other tasks.

3. Motorcycles of the Border Guard Force are automobiles, motorcycles, trailer trucks, tracked vehicles, power supply stations, specialized vehicles, and transport vehicles equipped for tasks of managing and protecting the national border, maintaining public security in border areas; search and rescue operations, and other tasks.

4. Other means of transport of the Border Guard Force are types of means not included in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article, equipped for tasks of managing and protecting the national border, maintaining public security in border areas; search and rescue operations, and other tasks.

5. Flags of the Border Guard Force are identification marks used by officers and soldiers of the Border Guard Force when performing tasks.

6. Insignia of the Border Guard Force are identification marks painted, affixed, marked, or drawn on vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport of the Border Guard Force.

7. Priority signals are signals emitted according to regulations from horns or lights mounted on vessels when performing urgent tasks; participating in search and rescue operations.

Article 4. Prohibited Acts

1. Exploiting, using, or forging the colors, flags, insignia, and signals of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport of the Border Guard Force in violation of laws and regulations of the Ministry of National Defense, infringing upon the lawful rights and interests of organizations and individuals.

2. Arbitrarily changing the original condition and functional effects; failing to comply with procedures and regulations regarding the use of colors, flags, insignia, and signals of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transport of the Border Guard Force.

Chapter II

COLORS, FLAGS, INSIGIA, AND SIGNALS OF VESSELS, AIRCRAFT, MOTORCYCLES, AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORT OF THE BORDER GUARD FORCE

Article 5. Colors

1. Colors of vessels

a) Vessels performing tasks of managing and protecting the national border, maintaining public security in border areas: The hull of the vessel (the dry side), cabin painted light gray; deck painted green; both sides of the dry side painted with the phrase "BIÊN PHÒNG VIỆT NAM - VIETNAM BORDER GUARD"; both sides of the bow painted with insignia, registration number 30 cm away from the insignia; size of numbers and letters equal to 1/4 height of the dry side, arranged symmetrically; style of numbers and letters in uppercase, font "VnHelventlnsH" yellow reflective.

b) Vessels for search and rescue operations: The hull of the vessel (the dry side) painted orange, cabin painted white; deck painted green; both sides of the dry side painted with the phrase "BIÊN PHÒNG VIỆT NAM - VIETNAM BORDER GUARD"; both sides of the bow painted with insignia, registration number 30 cm away from the insignia; size of numbers and letters equal to 1/4 height of the dry side, arranged symmetrically; style of numbers and letters in uppercase, font "VnHelventlnsH" white.

c) Vessels for logistical support and other tasks: Follow the provisions at point a Clause 1 of this Article.

(Details specified in Appendix I, attached herewith).

2. Colors of aircraft

a) Body of the aircraft: Lower body painted green (from below the protruding window sill of the aircraft down to the belly of the aircraft up to the cockpit window glass); upper body painted white (from below the protruding window sill of the aircraft up to the back of the aircraft up to the cockpit window glass and the wings of the aircraft).

b) Nose of the aircraft: Painted with insignia of the Border Guard Force, from below the cockpit window down to the belly of the aircraft, size of insignia equal to 2/5 lower body (green part), aircraft number and symbol painted 30 cm away from the insignia towards the nose of the aircraft; painted with the phrase "BIÊN PHÒNG VIỆT NAM" above, "VIETNAM BORDER GUARD" below, letters in uppercase, font "VnHelvetlnsH" yellow reflective, 30 cm away from the insignia towards the tail of the aircraft; size of numbers and letters equal to 1/2 insignia.

c) Wings of the aircraft: Main wing, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer painted white; top of the vertical stabilizer painted with the National Flag of Vietnam, size equal to 2/3 area of the vertical stabilizer.

(Details specified in Appendix II, attached herewith).

3. Colors of motorcycles and other means of transport based on current equipment status.

Article 6. Flags

1. Border Guard patrol flags are made of Polyester fabric, with a right-angled triangle shape, green background, yellow tassels on the longer right-angle side and hypotenuse; the national emblem in the middle above two rows of yellow letters "TUẦN TRA BIÊN PHÒNG" and "BORDER PATROL" in uppercase font, Vietnamese font "VnHelvetlnsH"; specific dimensions for each type of vehicle as follows:

a) Type for watercraft

For ships and boats: The longer right-angle side is 105 cm, shorter right-angle side is 70 cm; diameter of the national emblem is 20 cm, letter height is 08 cm, the bottom edge of the second row of letters "BORDER PATROL" is 05 cm from the bottom edge of the flag, yellow tassel length is 3.5 cm; hung on a pole 180 cm high at the bow of the vessel.

For small boats, speedboats, and other floating vehicles: The longer right-angle side is 60 cm, shorter right-angle side is 40 cm, diameter of the national emblem is 16 cm, letter height is 06 cm, the bottom edge of the second row of letters "BORDER PATROL" is 04 cm from the bottom edge of the flag, yellow tassel length is 2.5 cm; hung on a pole 120 cm high at the bow of the vessel.

b) Type for motorcycles and other vehicles of the Border Guard: The longer right-angle side is 37 cm, shorter right-angle side is 25 cm, embroidered national emblem in the middle with a diameter of 6.5 cm, letter height is 03 cm, the bottom edge of the second row of letters "BORDER PATROL" is 02 cm from the bottom edge of the flag, yellow tassel length is 02 cm; hung on a pole 50 cm high in front, to the left according to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

(Details specified in Appendix III issued together with this Circular).

2. Urgent flags: Made of Polyester fabric, with an isosceles triangle shape, green background, long side 37 cm, base 23 cm; with yellow tassels 02 cm on both sides of the isosceles triangle; embroidered national emblem in the middle with a diameter of 09 cm, a yellow arrow 20 cm long pointing towards the base of the triangle. The flag is hung on a pole 50 cm high in front, to the left according to the direction of travel of the vehicle and can only be used in emergency situations as prescribed by law and the Ministry of National Defense.

(Details specified in Appendix IV issued together with this Circular).

Article 7. Emblem

1. A shield-shaped emblem on a green background, width equal to 2/3 of the height, outer red border, inner yellow border; above has a five-pointed star in yellow, directly below the star are two rows of yellow letters "BIÊN PHÒNG VIỆT NAM" and "VIETNAM BORDER GUARD" in uppercase font, Vietnamese font "VnHelvetlnsH"; in the center is a small red-bordered circle; inside is an image of a Border Guard soldier riding a horse, below are three wave-like grooves; below the emblem is an image of rice flowers, between the two rice flowers is a half gear wheel in yellow; the height of the shield is equal to 2/5 of the height of the position where it is painted or affixed on the vehicle.

(Details specified in Appendix V issued together with this Circular).

2. Arrangement of emblems on different types of vehicles

a) For ships and aircraft: Painted 30 cm away from the letters "BIÊN PHÒNG VIỆT NAM - VIETNAM BORDER GUARD" towards the bow.

b) For motorcycles and other vehicles: Painted or arranged centrally on both sides of the body, in front of the vehicle (not applicable to motorbikes).

Article 8. Priority signals for vessels

Vessels are equipped with devices and emit priority signals when performing urgent tasks; participating in search and rescue operations as prescribed by law and the Ministry of National Defense.

Chapter III

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AGENCIES AND UNITS

Article 9. The General Staff Department

1. Direct the Training Department:

a) Guide the Border Guard units to review the quantity of vessels requiring adjustment in color and emblems; the number of vessels, equipment for emitting priority signals, and usage permits; compile, report, and propose according to regulations.

b) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to review reports and proposals from the Border Guard units regarding the contents guided in point a, Clause 1 of this Article.

c) Coordinate with competent agencies to inspect and direct the implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

2. Direct the Standards - Measurement - Quality Control Department:

Guide units to organize calibration of priority signal emission equipment to ensure accuracy, effectiveness, and safety.

Article 10. General Department of Technical Services

1. Organize to ensure, install, maintain, repair, issue, replace, and recover priority signal equipment according to the decision of the General Staff.

2. Coordinate to guide, direct, and inspect Border Guard Forces in implementing the provisions of this Circular according to their functions and tasks.

Article 11. Border Guard Command

1. Organize to review and compile the financial and equipment requirements for implementing the contents stipulated in Articles 5, 6, and 7 of this Circular; report to the General Staff to propose the Ministry of National Defense for consideration and decision.

2. Annually, compile the needs for using, preserving, maintaining, replacing, repainting colors, flags, insignia, and priority signal equipment of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transportation; report to the General Staff (through the Training Department) for consideration and decision.

3. Continuously urge and inspect the agencies and units under its management to use colors, flags, insignia, and priority signal equipment of vessels, aircraft, motorcycles, and other means of transportation in accordance with the intended purpose, legal regulations, and this Circular.

Article 12. Financial Department of the Ministry of National Defense

1. Take the lead and guide the Border Guard Forces and related agencies and units to prepare the budget for implementing this Circular.

2. Ensure annual funding for units according to the budget assigned by the Ministry of National Defense.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 13. Transitional Provisions

1. Documents related to the colors of vessels issued before the effective date of this Circular must be proposed for issuance or replacement when the vessel's colors change.

2. In cases where agencies and units specified in this Circular have changes in name but not in function or mission, the responsibility of such agencies and units shall be carried out under their new names.

Article 14. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from January 6, 2024.

2. The following documents and contents become invalid from the date this Circular takes effect:

a) Decision No. 838/QĐ-BQP dated June 21, 1997, of the Minister of National Defense on the models, colors, and usage regulations for uniforms, unit nameplates, and military flags of the Border Guard Forces.

b) The provisions at Section I, Section II Part B (Registration Number Regulations for Military Vessels Managed by the Border Guard Command) of Appendix I issued together with Circular No. 32/2017/TT-BQP dated January 24, 2017, of the Minister of National Defense on the registration, management, and use of military vessels.

3. The patrol flag and urgent work flag prescribed in Clause 5 of Appendix III of the Internal Management Regulations for the People's Army of Vietnam issued together with Circular No. 193/2011/TT-BQP dated November 23, 2011, of the Minister of National Defense shall not apply to the Border Guard Forces from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 15. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Chief of the General Staff, the Commander of the Border Guard Forces, heads of agencies and units, and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. The Commander of the Border Guard Forces is responsible for directing, inspecting, and compiling reports on the implementation of this Circular./.