Circular No. 71/2018/TT-BTC dated August 10, 2018 of the Ministry of Finance on prescribing the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam, organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests

THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Circular No. 71/2018/TT-BTC dated August 10, 2018 of the Ministry of Finance on prescribing the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam, organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests^[1]

Pursuant to the June 25, 2015 Law on the State Budget;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 163/2016/ND-CP of December 21, 2016, guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on the State Budget;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 145/2013/ND-CP of October 29, 2013, prescribing the organization of anniversaries; ceremonial protocol for conferment and receipt of commendation forms and emulation titles; state ceremonies for external affairs and reception of foreign guests;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 76/2010/QD-TTg of November 30, 2010, on the organization and management of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam;

Pursuant to Directive No. 297-CT of November 26, 1986, of the Ministers’ Council (now the Government) on spending for reception of foreign guests;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 87/2017/ND-CP of July 26, 2017, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department for Non-Business and Administrative Finance;

The Minister of Finance promulgates the Circular prescribing the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam, organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1.Scope of regulation

This Circular prescribes the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam, organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests by state agencies, public non-business units, political organizations, socio-political organizations and organizations using state budget funds (below collectively referred to as agencies and units).

Article 2.Subjects of application

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and other central state agencies (below collectively referred to as central agencies).

2. People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities (below collectively referred to as local administrations).

3. Political organizations and socio-political organizations.

4. State agencies and public non-business units.

5. Organizations using state budget funds.

Article 3.Funding sources for implementation of the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam, organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests

1. The state budget.

2. Revenues from non-business activities of public non-business units.

3. Contributions, donations and financial aid of foreign and domestic organizations, enterprises and individuals.

4. Collected charge amounts retained in accordance with the law on charges and fees (in case there are written permissions of competent authorities for use of retained charge amounts for reception of foreign guests, international conferences and seminars in Vietnam and reception of domestic guests).

Article 4.General provisions on the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests, organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests

1. General provisions on the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests and organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam

a/ When inviting foreign delegations and international organizations to make working visits to Vietnam or organizing international conferences and seminars in Vietnam (below collectively referred to as international conferences), ministries, central agencies and local administrations shall comply with the Government’s Decree No. 145/2013/ND-CP of October 29, 2013, prescribing the organization of anniversaries; ceremonial protocol for conferment and receipt of commendation forms and emulation titles; state ceremonies for external affairs and reception of foreign guests (below referred to as Decree No. 145/2013/ND-CP); and the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 76/2010/QD-TTg of November 30, 2010, on the organization and management of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam (below referred to as Decision No. 76/2010/QD-TTg);

b/ Expenses for foreign delegations on working visits to Vietnam shall be proposed by agencies assuming the prime responsibility for reception of these delegations in accordance with this Circular and international practices on the principle of reciprocity and stated in delegation reception plans or schedules;

c/ Agencies and units receiving foreign delegations or organizing international conferences or regular briefing meetings on border affairs shall use available meeting halls and rooms, vehicles and physical foundations and human resources to serve guests; and may hire outside services only in case of shortage of these facilities and resources as approved by their heads;

d/ Spending levels for reception of international guests shall be based on the grades of international guests specified in the Directive No. 297-CT of November 26, 1986, of the Ministers’ Council (now the Government), on spending for reception of foreign guests, state ceremonies for reception of foreign guests under the Government’s Decree No. 145/2013/ND-CP of October 29, 2013, the guidance in the Appendix to this Circular, and relevant regulations of the Government.

2. General provisions on reception of domestic guests

a/ State agencies and units shall practice thrift in spending for reception of domestic guests; the guest reception shall be organized in an unostentatious manner and participants must be directly related persons only;

b/ The funding sources specified in Article 3 of this Circular may not be used to purchase gifts for working domestic delegations. All expenses for guest reception must comply with the prescribed regimes and norms and be paid for eligible subjects, transparently publicized and prescribed in internal spending regulations of agencies and units. Heads of host agencies and units shall personally take responsibility for unlawful spending items, if any;

c/ The organization of banquets for or reception of domestic guests by high-ranking leaders of the Party and the State shall be approved by heads of agencies assigned to organize such banquets or reception.

3. The spending levels specified in this Circular are inclusive of taxes and service charges (if any) prescribed by law.

Chapter II

MECHANISM OF SPENDING FOR RECEPTION OF FOREIGN GUESTS ON WORKING VISITS TO VIETNAM WITH ALL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE COUNTRY PAID BY THE VIETNAMESE SIDE

Article 5.Spending for picking up and seeing off guests at airports

1. Spending for flower offering for delegation heads and their spouses, for special-grade guests, and grade-A or -B delegation heads at the level of VND 500,000/person.

2. Spending for hiring of airport lounges for special-grade guests and grade-A and -B guests at the rental rates stated in lawful and valid invoices in accordance with law.

Article 6.Norms on cars serving guests

1. For special-grade guests: To use cars for state protocol under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ regulations and relevant current regulations.

2. For grade-A guest delegations: To arrange one car for the delegation head and one car for every three persons including deputy heads and members. For deputy heads and members who are ministers and deputy ministers or equivalent, to arrange one car for one person and every two persons, respectively. To arrange multi-seat cars for escorts.

3. For grade-B and -C guest delegations: To arrange one car for the delegation head. For deputy heads who are deputy ministers or equivalent, to arrange one car for every two persons. To arrange multi-seat cars for members.

4. Norms on escort and pilot cars: To comply with Decree No. 145/2013/ND-CP. The Ministry of Public Security shall arrange vehicles for this task.

5. Car rents shall be paid based on car rent contracts and lawful and valid invoices in accordance with law.

Article 7.Norms on accommodations

1. For special-grade guests: Norms on accommodation rent shall be approved by heads of agencies or units assigned to act as host.

2. For grade-A guest delegations

a/ Delegation heads: VND 5.5 million/person/day;

b/ Delegation deputy heads: VND 4.5 million/person/day;

c/ Delegation members: VND 3.5 million/person/day.

3. For grade-B guest delegations

a/ Delegation heads and deputy heads: VND 4.5 million/person/day;

b/ Delegation members: VND 2.8 million/person/day.

4. For grade-C guest delegations

a/ Delegation heads: VND 2.5 million/person/day;

b/ Delegation members: VND 1.8 million/person/day.

5. For other international guests: VND 800,000/person/day.

6. The rent rates specified in Clauses 1 thru 5 of this Article are inclusive breakfast. In case accommodation rents are exclusive of breakfast, host agencies or units shall pay for breakfasts at the maximum level equal to 10% of the daily food ration payment per person per day for each guest grade. The total expenses for accommodation rent in case accommodation rent rates are exclusive of breakfast and breakfast for guests must not exceed the maximum spending level for accommodation prescribed above.

7. Payments shall be made based on lawful and valid contracts and invoices in accordance with law.

Article 8.Norms on daily meal (including lunch and dinner)

1. Expenses for daily meal prescribed in this Article are inclusive of those for drinks (drinks made in Vietnam are recommended), specifically as follows:

a/ For special-grade guests: Heads of agencies and units assigned to act as host shall approve spending levels in delegation reception agendas or plans;

b/ For grade-A guest delegations: VND 1.5 million/day/person;

c/ For grade-B guest delegations: VND 1 million/day/person;

d/ For grade-C guest delegations: VND 800,000/day/person;

dd/ For other international guests: VND 600,000/day/person.

2. In case staff of host agencies or units are required to accompany guest delegations during meal time, they may have their meals paid like delegation members.

3. Payments shall be made based on lawful and valid invoices in accordance with law.

Article 9.Organization of banquets

1. For special-grade guests: Heads of agencies and units assigned to act as host shall approve spending levels in delegation reception agendas or plans.

2. For grade-A, -B and -C guests: To hold banquets only once for each delegation. The maximum spending level must not exceed the level of spending for daily meals prescribed in Article 8 of this Circular.

3. The spending level for banquets mentioned in Clause 2, Article 9 of this Circular is inclusive of expenses for drinks (drinks made in Vietnam are recommended).

4. The spending level for banquets applicable to foreign delegation members also applies to Vietnamese delegation members and interpreters participating in the guest reception. The list of Vietnamese delegation members shall be made based on the delegation reception agenda or plan approved by a competent authority.

5. Payments shall be made based on lawful and valid contracts and invoices in accordance with law.

6. On the date of banquet, the spending level for remaining meal (lunch or dinner) (if any) is equal to 50% of the daily meal norm prescribed in Article 8 of this Circular.

Article 10.Norms on courtesy reception and working sessions

1. For special-grade guests: Heads of agencies assigned to act as host shall approve spending levels in reception agendas or plans.

2. For other guest delegations, the spending levels for courtesy reception and working sessions (inclusive of drinks, fruits and cakes) are as follows:

a/ For grade-A guest delegations: VND 150,000/person/working session (half day);

b/ For grade-B guest delegations: VND 80,000/person/working session (half day);

c/ For grade-C guest delegations and other international guests: VND 60,000/person/working session (half day).

3. The spending levels for courtesy reception applicable to foreign delegation members prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article also apply to Vietnamese delegation members and interpreters participating in the guest reception. The list of Vietnamese delegation members shall be approved by units assigned to act as host.

4. Payments for courtesy reception and working sessions shall be made based on lawful and valid invoices in accordance with law.

Article 11.Spending for translation and interpretation

1. For translation

a/ For translation from one of the 6 official languages of the United Nations (including Arabian, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) into Vietnamese: VND 150,000/page (350 words);

b/ For translation from Vietnamese into one of the 6 official languages of the United Nations: VND 180,000/page (350 words);

c/ For any language other than the official languages of the United Nations, depending on its popularity in localities of host agencies or units, heads of these agencies or units may decide to increase the spending for translation by at most 30% of the translation spending level prescribed at Point a or b, Clause 1 of this Article.

2. For interpretation

a/ For consecutive interpretation: VND 250,000/hour/person, equivalent to VND 2 million/day/person working 8 hours;

b/ For simultaneous interpretation: VND 500,000/hour/person, equivalent to VND 4 million/day/person working 8 hours;

c/ In special cases of organizing big international conferences or bilateral conferences, negotiations for conclusion of agreements or treaties, specialized conferences, reception of special-grade or grade-A guest delegations which require interpreters having qualifications higher than those specified at Point b, Clause 2 of this Article for simultaneous interpretation to ensure quality of these conferences, heads of conference-organizing agencies or units shall decide on appropriate spending levels for such interpretation within budget estimates assigned by competent authorities;

d/ In case of necessity to hire interpreters to participate in the reception of delegations participating in an international conference, the conference-organizing agency or unit shall decide on a case-by-case basis to pay expenses for travel (if any), accommodations and daily meals of such interpreters which must not exceed the spending level for the reception of foreign delegation members.

3. If a host agency or unit has no employee qualified for translation or interpretation for an international conference, it may outsource the translation or interpretation  under Clauses 1 and 2, Article 11 of this Article.

In case a host agency or unit assigns its staff members to do translation and interpretation work, those staff members may receive payments equal up to 50% of the spending level for translation and interpretation specified in Clauses 1 and 2, Article 11 of this Article. Heads of agencies and units shall decide on spending level on a case-by-case basis and specify this in their internal spending regulations.

Article 12.Spending for cultural and art activities and gifts

Based on the nature of work and foreign relation requirements for each foreign delegation working in Vietnam, heads of host agencies or units may decide on spending for cultural and art activities and gifts in an economical and unostentatious manner, specifically as follows:

1. Spending for cultural and art activities

a/ For special-grade guest delegations: Heads of agencies or units assigned to act as host shall approve spending levels in reception agendas or plans;

b/ For grade-A, -B and -C guest delegations: Heads of agencies or units assigned to act as host shall approve spending levels in reception plans on a case-by-case basis, but each delegation may be invited to only one art performance and the spending level must comply with booking office prices or prices indicated in performance contracts.

2. Spending for gifts

Gifts are products made in Vietnam which show national cultural identity. Specific spending levels for gifts are as follows:

a/ For special-grade guest delegations: Heads of agencies assigned to act as host approve spending levels in reception agendas or plans;

b/ For grade-A guest delegations:

-For delegation heads: VND 1.3 million/person. In case a delegation head is accompanied by his/her spouse, the spending level for gifts for the latter is VND 1.3 million/person.

- In a special case, the head of the host agency shall consider and decide on gifts for official members and entourage members in the delegation reception agenda or plan upon request or according to diplomatic practice between the two countries at the level of VND 500,000/person.

c/ For grade-B guest delegations:

-For delegation heads: VND 900,000/person. In case a delegation head is accompanied by his/her spouse, the spending level for gifts for the latter is VND 900,000/person.

- In a special case, the head of the host agency shall consider and decide on gifts for official members and entourage members in the delegation reception agenda or plan to meet foreign relation requirements or according to diplomatic practice between the two countries at the level of VND 500,000/person.

Article 13.Spending levels and norms for foreign delegations paying working visits to localities and grassroots institutions

1. When it is necessary for guests to pay working visits to localities or grassroots institutions under programs or plans decided by competent authorities, the spending levels for reception are as follows:

a/ Host agencies or units shall pay all expenses for taking guests from where they stay to localities or grassroots institutions and meal and accommodation expenses for guests during their working days in localities or grassroots institutions at the spending levels specified Articles 6, 7 and 8 of this Circular; and expenses for interpretation (if any) under Article 11 of this Circular;

b/ Agencies or units of the localities or the grassroots institutions where guests visit and work shall pay expenses for courtesy reception of guests and working sessions under Article 10 of this Circular. Expenses for interpretation (if any) shall be paid at the levels specified in Article 11 of this Circular.

2. Spending levels for Vietnamese officials assigned to accompany guests on working visits to localities:

- Vietnamese officials may enjoy working-trip allowances provided in the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC of April 28, 2017, providing working-trip allowances and spending mechanism for conferences (below referred to as Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC).

- In case Vietnamese officials have to stay at the same hotels as international delegations, they may rent rooms with two persons/room at the actual price of standard rooms at such hotels. When there are odd persons of different sexes, these persons each may rent a room at the actual price of standard rooms at hotels where foreign delegations stay.

Article 14.Spending for sightseeing visits

1. Based on characteristics of work and foreign relation requirements for each delegation, heads of host agencies or units may decide to organize sightseeing visits for guests in reception plans approved by competent authorities in an economical and unostentatious manner.

2. Spending levels for taking guests from where they stay to scenic places and for meals and accommodation for guests during days of sightseeing are those specified in Clause 2, Article 5, and Articles 6, 7 and 8, of this Circular and apply also to accompanying Vietnamese officials the number of whom shall be approved by heads of host agencies or units.

Article 15.Responsibility to pay expenses for reception of a visiting delegation working with different agencies and units

1. When a visiting delegation works with different agencies and units under programs or plans approved by competent authorities, the host agency or unit shall pay expenses for picking up and seeing off guests, meals, accommodations and travel at the spending levels specified in Articles 5 thru 9 of this Circular.

2. Agencies and units named in the delegation’s working agenda shall pay expenses for the reception of the delegation during the time it works with them under plans approved by competent authorities at the spending levels specified in Articles 10 and 11 of this Circular.

Chapter III

MECHANISM OF SPENDING FOR RECEPTION OF FOREIGN GUESTS ON WORKING VISITS TO VIETNAM WITH EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE COUNTRY PARTIALLY PAID BY THE VIETNAMESE SIDE

Article 16.For foreign delegations on working visits to Vietnam which pay meal and accommodation expenses themselves while having reception expenses paid by the Vietnamese side

1. For special guests: Reception expenses shall be approved by heads of agencies assigned to act as host in reception programs or plans.

2. For grade-A, -B and -C guests:

a/ Host agencies or units may pay expenses for reception of guests as follows:

Expenses for the reception at airports, travel during guests’ working visits in Vietnam, courtesy reception at working sessions, translation; cultural and art activities, and gifts. When necessary to meet foreign relation requirements, heads of agencies and units assigned to act as host may decide on spending for inviting guests to a banquet or cordial meal which shall be approved in the delegation reception agenda or plan.

b/ Norms on spending for reception and spending levels applicable to each grade of guest must comply with Articles 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of this Circular.

3. When it is necessary for guests to pay working visits to localities or grassroots institutions under programs and plans approved by competent authorities, spending levels for reception must comply with Article 13 of this Circular (except expenses for meal and accommodations paid by guests themselves).

4. For a delegation which works with different agencies and units under programs and plans approved by competent authorities, spending levels for reception must comply with Article 15 of this Circular.

Article 17.Spending for reception of ambassadors and chief representatives of international organizations at the end of their working terms in Vietnam

Agencies or units may hold farewell parties for ambassadors and chief representatives of international organizations at the end of their working terms in Vietnam at the maximum level of VND 1 million/person, including also representatives of the Vietnamese side. This spending level is inclusive of expenses for drinks (drinks made in Vietnam are recommended); and spending for gifts for them which is capped at VND 900,000/person.

Article 18.Spending for foreign delegations working in Vietnam that pay all expenses themselves

Receiving agencies and units may pay for courtesy reception during working sessions of delegations at the spending levels specified Article 10 of this Circular.

Chapter IV

MECHANISM OF SPENDING FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES HOSTED ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS BY VIETNAM WITH VIETNAMESE PARTY OR STATE LEADERS TAKING THE CHAIR

Article 19.General provisions on the mechanism of spending for international conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam with Vietnamese Party or State leaders taking the chair

1. International conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam referred to in this Chapter include:

a/ Conferences of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN);

b/ Conferences of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC);

c/ Conferences of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA);

d/ Conferences of Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), the Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Summit, and the World Economic Forum on the Mekong region (WEF-Mekong) in Vietnam;

dd/ Other similar conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam with Vietnamese Party and State leaders taking the chair.

2. Spending levels and norms for conferences, seminars, group meetings, forums and sideline events on lists of events approved within the framework of conferences held on a rotational basis as mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article must comply with Articles 20 thru 25 of this Circular.

Article 20.Spending for holding summits

1. For participants and delegations participating in summits

a/ For those whose expenses are entirely covered by the Vietnamese side: Specific expenses and spending levels for these subjects must comply with decisions of Party or State leaders taking the chair of international conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam or decisions of the Prime Minister;

b/ Foreign delegations whose expenses are not covered by the Vietnamese side shall pay by themselves meal, accommodation and travel expenses (not covered by the state budget).

2. For officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving summits

a/ Summit service allowance:

- Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs (including also security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs) directly serving summits are entitled to an allowance according to lists approved by competent persons at the level of between VND 150,000 and VND 300,000 per person per day (including also public holidays and weekends as prescribed). The number of officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving a summit and specific allowance level for each of them shall be stated in the summit-organizing plan. In case a person performs different tasks on a day, he/she may enjoy only the highest allowance.

- The number of days for which a person is entitled to allowance is the number of days during which the summit is officially held. In case his/her task is required to be performed earlier or completed later than the official duration of the summit, he/she may receive the allowance calculated based on the actual number of days during which he/she performs the task under the competent person’s decision as stated in the summit-organizing plan. The total period for calculating the allowance must not exceed 15 days. Night-time and overtime work shall not be paid.

b/ Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving summits held in localities other than where they reside and having received the task performance allowance are not entitled to the lodging allowance under Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC;

c/ Spending for renting rooms must comply with Clause 2, Article 13 of this Circular. In special cases to meet the foreign relation requirements and ensure security and safety for guests under plans stated in summit-organizing plans, expenses for renting rooms may be paid according to actual invoices within estimates approved by competent authorities;

d/ In case of necessity, conference-organizing committees may provide meals at fixed places for all security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs directly serving summits under summit-organizing plans. The spending level is VND 260,000/person/day (including drinks). No monetary allowance is provided to those who cannot have the meals at the fixed places;

dd/ Spending for payment of mobile phone charge for officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving summits: A fixed spending level of between VND 300,000 and VND 500,000 per person shall be applied for the whole duration of summit depending on their assigned tasks. The fixed spending level for payment of mobile phone charge for each working position is stated in summit-organizing plans.

Article 21.Spending for holding ministerial meetings

1. For participants and delegations participating in ministerial meetings

a/ For those whose expenses are entirely covered by the Vietnamese side:

Specific expenses and spending levels for these subjects must comply with decisions of Party or State leaders taking the chair of international conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam or decisions of the Prime Minister.

b/ Foreign delegations whose expenses are not covered by the Vietnamese side shall pay by themselves meal, accommodation and travel expenses (not covered by the state budget).

2. For officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving ministerial meetings

a/ Meeting service allowance:

- Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs (including also security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs) directly serving meetings (including public holidays and weekends as prescribed) are entitled to an allowance according to lists approved by competent persons at the level of between VND 150,000 and VND 300,000 per person per day. The number of officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving a meeting and specific allowance level for each of them shall be stated in the meeting-organizing plan. In case a person performs different tasks on a day, he/she may enjoy only the highest allowance.

- The number of days for which a person is entitled to allowance is the number of days during which the meeting is officially held. In case his/her task is required to be performed earlier or completed later than the official duration of the meeting, he/she may receive the allowance calculated based on the actual number of days during which he/she performs the task under the competent person’s decision as stated in the meeting-organizing plan. The total period for calculating the allowance must not exceed 7 days. Night-time and overtime work shall not be paid.

b/ Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving meetings held in localities other than where they reside and having received the task performance allowance are not entitled to the lodging allowance under Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC;

c/ Spending for renting rooms must comply with Clause 2, Article 13 of this Circular. In special cases to meet the foreign relation requirements, ensure security and safety for guests under plans stated in meeting-organizing plans, expenses for renting rooms may be paid according to actual invoices within estimates approved by competent authorities;

d/ In case of necessity, meeting-organizing committees may provide meals at fixed places for all security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs directly serving meetings under meeting-organizing plans. The spending level is VND 260,000/person/day (including drinks). No monetary allowance is provided to those who cannot have the meals at the fixed places;

dd/ Spending for payment of mobile phone charge for officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving meetings: A fixed spending level of between VND 200,000 and VND 300,000 per person shall be applied for the whole duration of the meeting depending on their assigned tasks. The fixed spending level for payment of mobile phone charge for each working position is stated in meeting-organizing plans.

Article 22.Spending for organizing sideline activities of summits

1. For summit participants

a/ Participants in sideline activities of summits shall pay by themselves airfares; meal, accommodation and travel expenses; fees; and other expenses. In special cases, these expenses shall be paid under decisions of Party or State leaders taking the chair of international conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam or decisions of the Prime Minister;

b/ Spending for drinks, fruits and cakes: VND 100,000/person/working session;

c/ Spending for banquets: For each sideline event, only one banquet may be held. Spending level: VND 1.4 million/person (including drinks);

2. For officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving sideline activities of summits

a/ Conference service allowance:

- Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs (including also security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs) directly serving conferences  are entitled to an allowance according to lists approved by competent persons at the level of between VND 150,000 and VND 300,000 per person per day (including also public holidays and weekends as prescribed). The number of officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving a conference and specific allowance level for each of them shall be stated in the conference-organizing plan. In case a person performs different tasks on a day, he/she may enjoy only the highest allowance.

- The number of days for which a person is entitled to allowance is the number of days during which the conference is officially held. In case his/her task is required to be performed earlier or completed later than the official duration of the conference, he/she may receive the allowance calculated based on the actual number of days during which he/she performs the task under the competent person’s decision as stated in the conference-organizing plan. The total period for calculating the allowance must not exceed 7 days. Night-time and overtime work shall not be paid;

b/ Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving conferences held in localities other than where they reside and having received the task performance allowance are not entitled to the lodging allowance under Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC;

c/ Spending for renting rooms must comply with Clause 2, Article 13 of this Circular. In special cases to meet the foreign relation requirements, ensure security and safety for guests under plans stated in conference-organizing plans, expenses for renting rooms may be paid according to actual invoices within estimates approved by competent authorities;

d/ In case of necessity, conference-organizing committees may provide meals at fixed places for all security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs directly serving conferences under conference-organizing plans. The spending level is VND 260,000/person/day (including drinks). No monetary allowance is provided to those who cannot have the meals at the fixed places;

dd/ Spending for payment of mobile phone charge for officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving conferences: The fixed spending level for ministerial meetings prescribed at Point dd, Clause 2, Article 21 of this Circular shall be applied.

Article 23.Spending for holding sub-ministerial meetings (senior officials meetings (SOM), senior economic officials meetings (SEOM) and other similar meetings)

1. For participants and delegations participating in meetings

a/ For those whose expenses are entirely covered by the Vietnamese side: Specific expenses and spending levels for these subjects must comply with decisions of Party or State leaders taking the chair of international conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam or decisions of the Prime Minister.

b/ Foreign delegations whose expenses are not covered by the Vietnamese side shall pay by themselves meal, accommodation and travel expenses (not covered by the state budget).

2. For officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving meetings

a/ Meeting service allowance:

- Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs (including also security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs) directly serving meetings are entitled to an allowance according to lists approved by competent persons at the level of between VND 150,000 and VND 300,000 per person per day (including also public holidays and weekends as prescribed). The number of officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving a meeting and specific allowance level for each of them shall be stated in the meeting-organizing plan. In case a person performs different tasks on a day, he/she may enjoy only the highest allowance.

- The number of days for which a person is entitled to allowance is the number of days during which the meeting is officially held. In case his/her task is required to be performed earlier or completed later than the official duration of the meeting, he/she may receive the allowance calculated based on the actual number of days during which he/she performs the task under the competent person’s decision as stated in the meeting-organizing plan. The total period for calculating the allowance must not exceed 15 days. Night-time and overtime work shall not be paid.

b/ Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving conferences held in localities other than where they reside and having received the task performance allowance are not entitled to the lodging allowance under Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC;

c/ Spending for renting rooms must comply with Clause 2, Article 13 of this Circular;

d/ In case of necessity, conference-organizing committees may provide meals at fixed places for all security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs directly serving meetings under meeting-organizing plans. The spending level is VND 260,000/person/day (including drinks). No monetary allowance is provided to those who cannot have the meals at the fixed places;

dd/ Spending for payment of mobile phone charge for officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving meetings: The fixed spending level prescribed at Point dd, Clause 2, Article 20 of this Circular shall be applied.

Article 24.Other expenses for activities related to the organization of conferences

1. Expenses for developing websites (if any) to serve conferences

These expenses must comply with the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 194/2012/TT-BTC of November 15, 2012, guiding spending levels for creation of e-information to maintain regular operation of agencies and units funded by the state budget.

2. Expenses for training and refresher courses and drills for organizing activities serving conferences.

Expenses for organizing training and refresher courses and drills for organizing activities serving conferences and other training activities for officials, drivers, service staffs, liaison officers and volunteers serving conferences must comply with the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 36/2018/TT-BTC of March 30, 2016, guiding the estimation, management, use and finalization of funds for training of officials, civil servants and public employees, and be prescribed in conference-organizing plans and fund estimates approved by competent authorities.

3. Expenses for translation and interpretation as prescribed in Article 11 of this Circular.

4. Expenses for payment of remunerations for speakers and scholars delivering presentations at conferences; hiring of (domestic and foreign) experts and consultants and workers to serve the conference preparation and organization

a/ For foreign speakers, scholars, experts and consultants:

Depending on the level of necessity, heads of host agencies or units shall decide to invite speakers and scholars and hire experts and consultants who are foreigners to serve the organization of conferences. Remunerations for foreign speakers, scholars, experts and consultants shall be decided by heads of host agencies or units based on agreements and depending on the nature and scope of work, professional qualifications and working experience of the invited and hired people and must be within funding sources for conference organization.

b/ For Vietnamese speakers, scholars, experts and consultants: Remunerations must comply with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs’ Circular No. 02/2015/TT-BLDTBXH of January 12, 2015, prescribing salaries for Vietnamese consultants which serve as a basis for estimating costs of state capital-using bidding packages for consultancy service provision under time-based contracts. Daily remuneration levels for Vietnamese speakers, scholars, experts, consultants and workers shall be decided by heads of host agencies or units within the capacity of funding sources for conference organization.

5. Expenses for overtime pay (excluding days for which the conference service allowance has been paid) must comply with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Finance’s Joint Circular No. 08/2005/TTLT-BNV-BTC of January 5, 2005, guiding the payment of nighttime and overtime pay for officials, civil servants and public employees (below referred to as Joint Circular No. 08/2005/TTLT-BNV-BTC).

6. Expenses for payment of domestic working trip allowance for conference-organizing sections must comply with Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC.

7. Ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and agencies and units assigned to organize rotational conferences shall decide on specific levels of other actual expenses for activities directly serving conferences which are not yet specified in this Circular and other legal documents, ensuring availability of lawful and valid bidding dossiers, contracts, invoices and documents as prescribed by law. These expenses include:

a/ Expenses for holding conferences, seminars, working group meetings, forums and sideline events on lists of events approved within the framework of rotational conferences;

b/ Expenses for ensuring security and order; health, epidemic prevention, food safety and hygiene, and environmental sanitation; and general services;

c/ Expenses for cultural and art activities to welcome and serve conference participants;

d/ Expenses for purchase or making of tokens and souvenir articles for conference participants under plans approved by competent authorities;

dd/ Expenses for gifts, to be paid at the spending level specified at Point c, Clause 2, Artice 12 of this Circular;

e/ Expenses for renting vehicles, equipment and places for holding conferences;

g/ Expenses for stationery, telephones, vehicle fuels, document printing, public communications, photo taking and printing, and drinks for conference participants;

h/ Expenses for purchase or rent of property and equipment to serve conferences;

i/ Other expenses for activities directly serving the holding of conferences under approved plans.

Article 25.Special expenses and spending levels for international conferences held on a rotational basis

1. Expenses

In addition to the expenses specified in this Circular, other expenses arising according to common practices of international conferences held on a rotational basis shall be covered according to spending norms applicable to these conferences.

2. Spending levels

International conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam must comply with the provisions on spending levels in Articles 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of this Circular. In case special spending levels are required, they must comply with decisions of Party or State leaders taking the chair of international conferences hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam or decisions of the Prime Minister.

Chapter V

MECHANISM OF SPENDING FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES HOSTED BY VIETNAM (EXCEPT THOSE HELD ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS SPECIFIED IN CHAPTER IV OF THIS CIRCULAR) AND FOR NEGOTIATION DELEGATIONS

Article 26.For international conferences hosted by Vietnam for which expenses are  entirely covered by the Vietnamese side

1. For invited guests being international delegation members whose expenses are entirely covered by the Vietnamese side, the expenses and spending levels specified in Chapter II of this Circular shall be applied.

2. Expenses for tea breaks (also applicable to Vietnamese participants and interpreters) must comply with Article 10 of this Circular.

3. Spending for Vietnamese officials welcoming and receiving international guests and serving international conferences

a/ Expenses for renting rooms:

- These expenses must comply with the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC of April 28, 2017, and internal spending regulations of host agencies or units.

- If, due to foreign relations requirements, Vietnamese officials need to stay at the hotels where international guests are received and international conferences are held, they may rent a room for every two of them at the actual price of standard rooms. When there are odd persons of different sexes, these persons may each rent a room at the actual price of standard rooms at the hotels where foreign guests are received and international conferences are held.

b/ Travel expenses and lodging allowance must comply with Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC, and internal spending regulations of host agencies or units;

c/ Expenses for overtime pay (if any) must comply with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Joint Circular No. 08/2005/TTLT-BNV-BTC;

d/ Particularly for ministerial or higher-level meetings, Vietnamese officials are entitled to the following:

- Meals: When authorities competent to approve programs or plans on reception of delegations and holding of meetings permit the provision of meals at fixed places for service staffs (security, guards, health workers, assistants, drivers, receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs stated in meeting-organizing plans) during the official time of meetings, the meal spending level shall be VND 260,000/person/day. No monetary allowance is provided to those who cannot have the meals at the fixed places.

- Task performance allowance for officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs (including also security guards, drivers (except drivers of rented cars), receptionists, volunteers, liaison officers and other supporting staffs) directly serving meetings are entitled to an allowance at the level of between VND 100,000 and VND 200,000 per person per day (including public holidays and weekends as prescribed) according to lists approved by competent persons. The number of officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving a meeting and specific allowance level for each of them shall be stated in the meeting-organizing plan. In case a person performs different tasks on a day, he/she may enjoy only the highest allowance.

- The number of days for which a person is entitled to allowance is the number of days during which the meeting is officially held. In case his/her task is required to be performed earlier or completed later than the official duration of the meeting, he/she may receive the allowance calculated based on the actual number of days during which he/she performs the task under the competent person’s decision as stated in the meeting-organizing plan. The total period for calculating the allowance must not exceed 7 days. Night-time and overtime work shall not be paid.

Officials, civil servants, public employees and staffs serving meetings held in localities other than where they reside and having received the task performance allowance are not entitled to the lodging allowance under Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC.

4. Other expenses for activities directly serving meetings must comply with this Circular and be within spending estimates approved by competent persons, specifically as follows:

a/ Remunerations for speakers and scholars (if any) must comply Clause 4, Article 24 of this Circular;

b/ Expenses for translation and interpretation must comply with Article 11 of this Circular;

c/ Expenses for papers, pens, stationery, printing of documents, public communication, decoration and hiring of meeting halls or rooms and equipment (if any), making meeting flags and badges, translation and interpretation, security guards, medicines and other necessary expenses for meetings must be shown in lawful and valid invoices and documents in accordance with law and within spending estimates approved by competent persons.

Article 27.International conferences jointly held in Vietnam by Vietnamese and foreign sides

1. Spending estimates for these conferences must clearly specify expenses to be paid by the foreign side and those by the Vietnamese side to avoid overlapping spending.

2. Expenses to be incurred by the Vietnamese side shall be paid under the current spending mechanisms and at the spending levels specified in Article 26 of this Circular.

Article 28.International conferences held in Vietnam and entirely funded by the foreign side

Agencies and units collaborating with international organizations in holding conferences may not use the funding sources specified in Article 3 of this Circular to pay expenses for these international conferences.

Article 29.Spending for Vietnamese officials, civil servants and public employees joining delegations of negotiation on border and territory affairs; Vietnam’s accession to international organizations; and conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements

1. For delegations to negotiations held in the country

a/ Norms on accommodation:

- These norms must comply with Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC.

- When accommodations at hotels where negotiations are held are required for Vietnamese officials joining negotiation delegations, these officials may rent a room for every two of them at the actual price of standard rooms. When there are odd persons of different sexes, these persons may each rent a room at the actual price of standard rooms at hotels where negotiations are held.

b/ Allowance: Depending on time requirements and complexity of each negotiation, the head of the agency or unit in charge of negotiations shall decide on an allowance of VND 200,000/person/working session for all members and supporting staffs of the negotiation delegation during preparatory and official negotiation sessions, and arrange such allowance within the cost estimate assigned by the competent authority;

c/ Lodging allowance, travel expenses and other expenses for negotiation delegations must comply with Circular No. 40/2017/TT-BTC, and internal spending regulations of agencies or units in charge of holding negotiations.

2. For delegations to negotiations held abroad

a/ Depending on time requirements and complexity of each negotiation, the head of the agency or unit in charge of negotiation shall decide on an allowance of VND 150,000/person/working session to delegation members during the time they participate in preparatory meetings at home, and arrange such allowance within the cost estimate assigned by the competent authority;

b/ Other expenses for Vietnamese delegations to negotiations held abroad must comply with the current regulations on working trip allowances for state officials and civil servants on short-term overseas working trips funded by the state budget.

Chapter VI

SPENDING FOR RECEPTION OF DOMESTIC GUESTS

Article 30.Spending for drinks

The spending level for drinks: VND 30,000/session (half day)/person.

Article 31.Spending for meals

1. The spending level for meals: VND 300,000/person (drinks included).

2. Competence to specify guests entitled to be invited to meals

a/ Ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and other central agencies may specify guests to be invited to meals suitable to characteristics of operation of agencies attached to their ministries or sectors, ensuring thrift and efficiency;

b/ Provincial-level People’s Committees may base on practical local conditions and budgets to specify guests to be invited to meals for each type of provincial agency and submit them to provincial-level People’s Councils before promulgation, ensuring thrift and efficiency;

c/ When ministries, sectors and localities have not issued regulations specifying guests entitled to be invited to meals, heads of host agencies or units may base on the spending levels specified in this Circular to specify guests to be invited to meals and spending levels for meals in conformity with the financial autonomy and accountability regime applicable to each type of agency or unit. Agencies may only use funds allocated to them under the financial autonomy regime and other lawful funding sources to pay for meals for invited guests and this must be stated in their internal spending regulations, ensuring thrift, efficiency and suitability with characteristics of their operation;

d/ For public non-business units that can ensure their regular operation funds and investments and those that can ensure their regular operation funds themselves: Heads of host units shall consider and decide on guests entitled to be invited to meals which must be stated in their internal spending regulations, ensuring thrift, efficiency and suitability with characteristics of their operation.

Article 32.Spending for ethnic minority language interpreters for reception of ethnic minority guests

In case of necessity to hire interpreters to translate Vietnamese into ethnic minority languages or vice versa, the spending level for hiring interpreters is equal to that for hiring ethnic minority guides-cum-interpreters specified in the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 109/2016/TT-BTC of June 30, 2016, prescribing the estimation, management, use and finalization of funds for statistical surveys and national census and statistics.

Chapter VII

ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 33.Competence to specify spending levels for reception of foreign guests, organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests of the ministries, localities, agencies and units

1. For spending for reception of foreign guests and organization of international conferences and meetings

Based on the budget funding capacity and actual prices, ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and other central agencies, and provincial-level People’s Councils shall specify spending levels for reception of foreign guests and organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam by their attached agencies and units which must not exceed the spending levels specified in this Circular.

2. For spending for reception of domestic guests

Based on the budget funding capacity and actual prices, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies and other central agencies, and provincial-level People’s Councils shall specify spending levels for reception of domestic guests by their attached agencies and units, ensuring thrift and wastefulness combat.

3. State agencies exercising the autonomy and accountability for use of state budget funds for administration and public non-business units implementing the mechanism of financial autonomy shall base themselves on the specific spending levels specified by ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and government-attached agencies and provincial-level People’s Councils as mentioned in Clauses 1 and 2, Article 33 of this Circular to decide on spending levels for reception of foreign guests, organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam and reception of domestic guests in compliance with the Government’s regulations on autonomy and accountability of state agencies for use of state payrolls and state budget funds for administration and mechanism of financial autonomy for public non-business units in different fields.

4. In case ministries, sectors and localities have not issued documents specifying spending levels for reception of foreign guests, organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam and reception of domestic guests, heads of host agencies and units shall base themselves on the spending levels specified in this Circular to decide on specific spending levels in internal spending regulations of their agencies and units which must not exceed the spending levels specified in this Circular. The welcoming and reception of guests must ensure thrift and avoid wastefulness and be within costs estimates assigned by competent authorities and compliant with the Government’s regulations on autonomy and accountability of state agencies for use of state payrolls and state budget funds for administration and mechanism of financial autonomy for public non-business units in different fields.

Article 34.Estimation, allocation, management of use, and finalization of funds

The estimation, allocation, management of use and finalization of funds for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam; organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam; and reception of domestic guests working at agencies and units must comply with the Law on the State Budget and its guiding documents. This Circular additionally provides as follows:

1. Estimation of funds for organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam

a/ Annually at the time of making spending estimates under the Law on the State Budget, ministries, agencies and units assigned to organize international conferences or meetings in Vietnam shall work out plans on organization of conferences or meetings and events, then submit them to competent authorities for approval;

b/ Based on approved plans and spending items and levels specified in this Circular, ministries and central agencies shall estimate funds for organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam and include them in their budget estimates for submission to the Ministry of Finance for summing up and submission to competent authorities for decision in accordance with the Law on the State Budget;

c/ The Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security shall take the initiative in including estimates of funds for guaranteeing security for international delegations on working visits to Vietnam in their annual budget estimates (formulation of security plans, means and equipment; fuels for escort and pilot cars).

2. Control of spending and finalization of state budget funds for reception of foreign guests working in Vietnam; spending for organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam

a/ State budget funds for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam and spending for organization of international conferences and meetings in Vietnam shall be subject to control under current regulations and finalized for each delegation or conference or meeting based on plans approved by competent authorities and lawful and valid invoices and documents in accordance with law;

b/ Reporting on state budget funds for organization of international conferences and meetings hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam with Vietnamese Party or State leaders taking the chair:

Within 60 days after the end of an international conference or meeting hosted on a rotational basis by Vietnam with Vietnamese Party or State leaders taking the chair, the ministry, agency or unit assigned to take the prime charge of organizing activities within such conference’s or meeting’s framework shall sum up and report on the use of state budget funds for conference or meeting organization to the Ministry of Finance for reporting to the Prime Minister.

3. For funding sources mobilized in accordance with law and contributions and financial aid of organizations, enterprises and individuals at home and abroad (in cash and in kind) (if any) for organization of international conferences and meetings

a/ The management and use of mobilized funding sources, contributions and financial aid of organizations, enterprises and individuals at home and abroad must comply with this Circular and regulations of donors. These mobilized funding sources, contributions and financial aid shall be sum up and reported as funding sources for preparation and organization of international conferences and meetings;

b/ Upon the completion of the preparation and organization work, units assigned to manage mobilized funding sources, contributions and financial aid shall report to their managing agencies on amounts collected and spent according to the spending mechanism and remit the remainder (if any) into the state budget; and report on amounts collected and used in kind;

c/ In case allocated state budget funds are enough for organization of conferences and meetings under the spending mechanism approved by competent authorities, mobilized funding sources, contributions and financial aid shall be remitted into the state budget (except those to be spent according to specific requirements of donors or contributors).

4. State enterprises and other units may apply the provisions of this Circular to spending for reception of foreign guests, organization of international conferences and meetings, and reception of domestic guests as suitable to their operation characteristics.

5. Upon detecting expenses spent for reception of foreign guests, organization of international conferences and meetings and reception of domestic guests at variance with the regulations, superior management agencies, finance agencies at all levels, inspectorates and state audit offices may exclude them from accounting balance sheets and request spending agencies or units to refund or recover them for remittance into the state budget in case they have been covered by the state budget. Persons that have ordered the payment of such expenses shall fully refund them to the spending agencies or units and, depending on the severity of their violations, be handled in accordance with current regulations.

Article 35.Effect

1. This Circular takes effect on November 1, 2018.

2. To annul the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 01/2010/TT-BTC of January 6, 2010, prescribing the mechanism of spending for reception of foreign guests on working visits to Vietnam, organization of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam, and reception of domestic guests.

3. When the legal documents prescribing spending mechanism and norms referred to in this Circular for application are revised or replaced with new ones, the revising or replacing documents shall prevail.

4. Allowances for officials, civil servants, public employees and workers in agencies and units specified in this Circular shall be paid until the end of 2020. From 2021 on, to comply with general regulations on salary regime under Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW dated May 21, 2018, of the 7^thplenum of the Party Central Committee (the 12^thCongress), on reform of salary policies for officials, civil servants, public employees, armed forces personnel and enterprise employees.

5. Any problems arising in the course of implementation of this Circular should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Finance for study and solution.

For the Minister of Finance
Deputy Minister
TRAN VAN HIEU

Appendix on grades of international guests

(To the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 71/2018/TT-BTC of August 10, 2018)

1. Special guests:

Delegation heads, including heads of state; heads of state cum leaders of ruling parties having official relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam in the name of delegations of party-state or party-government; heads of governments, deputy heads of state; deputy heads of state cum leaders of ruling parties; chairpersons of national assemblies or congresses; chairpersons of upper houses (senates); chairpersons of lower houses (houses of representatives); president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; presidents of unions of parliaments (president of the European Parliament, etc.); and presidents of regional parliaments (president  of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization, etc.).

2. Grade-A guests:

Delegation heads, including deputy prime ministers; vice chairpersons of national assemblies and equivalent post holders such as vice chairpersons of upper houses, vice chairpersons of lower houses, vice president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, vice presidents of unions of parliaments (vice president of the European Parliament, etc.); and vice presidents of regional parliaments (vice president  of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization, etc.); president and vice president(s) of the World Union of Youth and Students; chairwoman and vice chairwomen of the World Women Union; president of the Committee for Protection of World Peace; president, vice president(s) and secretary general of the World Federation of Trade Unions; president and vice president(s) of the Federation of Veterans; successors of emperors (kings) or empresses (queens); United Nations secretary general; foreign ministers; presidents or secretaries general of inter-governmental organizations (EU, EC, ASEAN, APEC,  etc.); presidents or secretaries general of international financial organizations (WB, IMF, ADB, MIB, MBES, etc.); and chairpersons of joint committees.

3. Grade-B guests:

Delegation heads, including ministers and deputy ministers and equivalent post holders such as trade union leaders; presidents of central youth unions; chairwomen of central women unions; president and secretary general of the World Olympiad Committee; presidents of veteran federations of other countries, etc.

Deputy secretaries general of inter-governmental organizations; vice presidents of international financial organizations (WB, IMF, ADB, MIB, MBES, etc.).

4. Grade-C guests:

Delegation heads, including officials of department or lower level and equivalent positions; pilots, navigators and art troupes and physical training and sports delegations.

Vice presidents of organizations; vice president(s) of the World Olympiad Committee, vice president(s) and secretary general of the Asia Sports Council.

Arts troupes and physical training and sports delegations are entitled to spending norms on meals for grade-B guests; navigators and pilots are entitled to spending norms on meals for grade-A guests.

5. Other foreign guests:

Foreign trainees attending short-term training courses organized by Vietnam; foreign guests other than those specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Appendix.

For foreign trainees invited by Vietnam under bilateral agreements, those agreements shall be complied with.-