Decision No. 90/2003/QD-BBCVT on the issuance of commemorative postage stamps

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the issuance of commemorative postage stamps

__________________________

THE MINISTER OF POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Pursuant to the Telecommunications Law dated May 25, 2002,

Pursuant to Decree No. 90/2002/NĐ-CP dated November 11, 2002 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications,

At the proposal of the Director of the Post Department,

DECISION:

Article 1. This Decision promulgates the "Regulations on the Issuance of Commemorative Postage Stamps."

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature.

Article 3. The Heads of the Office, Inspectorate, Postal Department, Legal Department, International Cooperation Department, Planning and Finance Department, Directors of Regional Posts and Telecommunications and Information Technology Departments, and heads of related enterprises and organizations are responsible for implementing this Decision.

REGULATIONS

On the issuance of commemorative postage stamps
(Issued together with Decision No. 90/2003/QĐ-BBCVT dated May 15, 2003 of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications)

Chapter 1:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Purpose and Significance

1. These regulations are issued to strengthen state management in planning and developing programs and topics for the issuance of commemorative postage stamps (hereinafter referred to as commemorative stamps); guide individuals and organizations in proposing topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps; create favorable conditions for Vietnam Post in related activities; and serve users and stamp collectors.

The issuance of these regulations also aims to unify management of the issuance of commemorative stamps, improve the quality and value of Vietnamese commemorative stamps through diversification of content and types of topics issued annually.

2. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications shall implement state management over activities related to planning and developing programs and topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps through managing the following specific contents:

- Topics for issuing commemorative stamps;

- Time of issuance of commemorative stamps;

- Frequency of issuance of commemorative stamps; procedures for proposing the issuance of commemorative stamps; responsibilities for building and deciding on programs and topics for stamps.

All organizations and individuals involved in related activities must comply with the provisions set forth in this document.

Article 2. Explanation of terms

In this regulation, some terms used are understood as follows:

1. Commemorative postage stamp: a postage stamp with content related to a historical, economic, political, cultural, scientific, or social event or a person issued on the occasion of a commemoration or relevant event.

2. Commemorative postage stamp publication: a postage stamp publication with content related to a historical, economic, political, cultural, scientific, or social event or a person issued on the occasion of a commemoration or relevant event. Commemorative postage stamp publications specified in this document include aerogrammes, pre-printed envelopes, and pre-printed postcards.

3. Commemorative stamp topic: a theme about historical, economic, political, cultural, scientific, or social events and persons selected for the issuance of commemorative stamps.

Chapter 2:

TOPIC FOR THE ISSUANCE OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS

Article 3. General provisions on commemorative stamp topics.

Topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps must relate to or be associated with the following issues:

- Persons and events related to Vietnamese history, economy, politics, culture, science, and society;

- Persons and events related to foreign history, economy, politics, culture, science, and society that have relevance or impact on Vietnam; persons and events related to world history, economy, politics, culture, science, and society that have significant meaning for humanity.

Article 4. Topic on domestic historical events

Topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps on domestic historical events must reflect:

- Major historical events with great significance in the process of national construction and defense;

- Representative and prominent events of each period, marking important milestones in the development of the country;

- Representative historical events with regional and global influence.

Article 5. Topic on domestic economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events

Topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps on domestic economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events must reflect:

- Major policies, guidelines, and programs of the Party and State during each period of national development;

- Representative and significant economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events during each period of national development;

- Vietnamese cultural traditions and ethnic identity;

- The aspirations, emotions, and will of the Vietnamese people.

Article 6. Topic on domestic figures

Topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps on domestic figures must introduce:

- Outstanding figures who have made significant contributions to the country in various fields such as economy, politics, culture, science, and society;

- Prominent revolutionaries, patriots, and heroes in each period of national development;

- Outstanding scientists and cultural figures who have made significant contributions to the scientific and cultural heritage of Vietnam and the world.

Article 7. Topic on world historical events

Topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps on world historical events must reflect:

- Significant world historical events with global impact;

- World historical events marking important milestones in human development.

Article 8. Topic on world economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events

Topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps on world economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events must reflect:

- Significant world economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events with global scale, marking important milestones in human development;

- World economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events with significant impact or close relevance to Vietnam.

Article 9. Topic on world figures

Topics for the issuance of commemorative stamps on world figures must introduce:

- Great thinkers and prominent figures representing progressive trends in each period of human development;

- Prominent figures of national liberation movements, social progress, and world peace;

- Outstanding scientists and cultural figures who have made significant contributions to advanced human science and culture.

Chapter 3:

TIME AND FREQUENCY OF ISSUE OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS

Article 10. Time and frequency of issue

1. Commemorative stamp topics on historical events in Vietnam and abroad shall be issued on the occasion of the anniversary day of establishment or traditional day of such events at time intervals that are multiples of 50 years.

2. Commemorative stamp topics on economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events in Vietnam and abroad shall be issued before the occurrence of the event, on the occasion of the event, or on the anniversaries of the event at time intervals that are multiples of 50 years.

3. Commemorative stamp topics on individuals in Vietnam and abroad shall be issued on the occasion of their birthday or death anniversary or related events at time intervals that are multiples of 50 years.

Article 11. Other times and frequencies of issue

The Posts and Telecommunications Ministry decides the issuance of commemorative stamps on the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State, and the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as well as on individuals, historical, economic, political, cultural, scientific, and social events in Vietnam and abroad with special significance, with issuance frequencies different from those specified in Article 10 of this Regulation.

Chapter 4:

PROCEDURES FOR PROPOSING THE ISSUE OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS

Article 12. For organizations and individuals in Vietnam and abroad

1. The Posts and Telecommunications Ministry encourages all organizations and individuals in Vietnam and abroad to propose topics for issuing Vietnamese commemorative stamps.

2. Proposals for topics for issuing commemorative stamps must be in writing. The proposal document should clearly state the topic name, number of stamp samples, issue date, purpose, significance of issuance, summary of the topic content, and other related proposals. At the same time, the proposing organization or individual must submit relevant primary materials related to the topic.

3. The proposal document for commemorative stamp topics must be signed and stamped by the leader or authorized person of the Ministry, department, provincial People's Committee, city People's Committee, or organization (if it is an agency or organization); clearly stating the full name and address (if it is an individual).

4. Proposals for commemorative stamp topics must be submitted to the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry or Vietnam Post at least 15 months prior to the proposed issue date of the stamp topic. In exceptional cases, the minimum submission period shall not be less than 12 months.

Article 13. Responsibilities for developing and deciding on the program of stamp topics

1. The program of stamp topics for issuance includes the topic name, number of stamp samples to be issued, and the issue date for each topic.

2. Annually, based on the guidance of the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry and proposals from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals, Vietnam Post studies, proposes, and develops the program of commemorative stamp topics to be submitted to the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry.

3. The Posts and Telecommunications Ministry decides on the annual program of commemorative stamp topics based on the proposal of Vietnam Post and proposals from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

Chapter 5:

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 14. Implementation

1. Based on this Regulation, the Posts and Telecommunications Vietnam organizes implementation, issues procedures, and guides subordinate units in implementation.

2. Organizations and individuals proposing topics for issuing commemorative stamps according to Article 12 of this Regulation.

3. During the implementation process, if there are arising issues, organizations and individuals should report them to the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry for consideration and resolution.