Decree 18/2022/ND-CP on diplomatic ceremonies

DECREE

On diplomatic ceremonies^[1]

Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government; and the November 22, 2019 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration;

Pursuant to the June 20, 2017 Law on Guards;

At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

The Government promulgates the Decree on diplomatic ceremonies.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

1. This Decree provides for diplomatic ceremonies, covering:

a/ Welcoming and receiving foreign high-ranking delegations who pay state-level visits, official visits, working visits, unannounced visits or private visits or are in transit; welcoming and receiving ministers, heads of parliamentary bodies or holders of equivalent titles and a number of other international delegations;

b/ Seeing off and welcoming back Party and State leaders who visit, and attend international conferences in, foreign countries; sending letters and telegrams of congratulations, telegrams of condolence, and telegrams of sympathy of high-ranking leaders;

c/ Performing ceremonies reserved for heads of foreign representative missions, including heads of diplomatic missions, heads of consulates, and heads of representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam.

2. In special cases, lead agencies shall propose competent authorities to decide on organization of the welcoming and reception of other guests.

Article 2. Subjects of application

This Decree applies to Party and State agencies, armed forces units, and related organizations and individuals when performing the diplomatic ceremonies specified in Article 1 of this Decree.

Article 3. Interpretation of terms

For the purpose of this Decree, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. “High-ranking leaders of the Party and the State” include the Party General Secretary, the President, the Prime Minister and the Chairperson of the National Assembly.

2. “Party and State leaders” include high-ranking leaders of the Party and the State, members of the Political Bureau, members of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, Vice Presidents, Deputy Prime Ministers, and Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly.

3. “Foreign high-ranking guests” include Heads of State, Heads of State-cum-Heads of ruling Party, Deputy Heads of State, and Deputy Heads of State-cum-Leaders of ruling Party; Heads of Government and Deputy Heads of Government; Heads of Parliament, Deputy Heads of Parliament and holders of equivalent titles; and a number of other foreign guests as defined in this Decree.

4. “Head of Parliament” means the Head of the Legislative Body of a State, who may be the Chairperson of the National Assembly, the President/Speaker of the Senate, the President/Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, or holder of an equivalent title.

5. “Heads of parliamentary bodies” include Heads of Councils and Specialized Committees of the Parliament and holders of equivalent titles.

6. “State visit”, “official visit”, “working visit”, “unannounced visit”, or “private visit” means the title of a visit by a foreign high-ranking guest, indicating the nature and significance of the visit:

a/ “State visit” means a visit for which the highest-level state ceremonies are applied and reserved for a visiting Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party as guest of the Party General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; or for a visiting Head of State as guest of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

b/ “Official visit” means a visit by a foreign high-ranking guest to Vietnam at the official invitation of a Leader of the Party or State of Vietnam with ceremonies and protocol measures lower than those applicable to a state visit and specified in this Decree;

c/ “Working visit” means a visit by a foreign high-ranking guest to Vietnam at the working invitation of a Leader of the Party or State of Vietnam under a working agenda for which the two sides exchange opinions and agree to apply fast-track and simple protocol measures;

d/ “Unannounced visit” means a working visit by a foreign high-ranking guest to Vietnam under the agreement with a Leader of the Party or State of Vietnam to exchange opinions on exclusive issues in the relationship between the two sides, which will not be reported in the mass media;

dd/ “Private visit” means a visit for private purposes which may concurrently be combined with the purpose of strengthening bilateral ties through personal relations between a Leader of the Party or State of Vietnam and the foreign high-ranking guest.

7. “State-level welcome ceremony”, “Official welcome ceremony”, “State-level talks”, “Official talks”, “State banquet”, and “Official banquet” mean the main activities in the agenda of a foreign high-ranking guest’s visit that are hosted by a counterpart Leader of the Party or State of Vietnam.

8. “High-level meeting” or “audience” means a meeting of a foreign high-ranking guest with a Leader of the Party or State of Vietnam.

9. “Lead agency” means an agency that has the prime responsibility for organizing activities of welcoming and receiving foreign guest delegations and organizing international events.

10. “Special case” means a case in which the lead agency proposes application of a number of protocol measures specified in this Decree or those applicable to higher-level guests provided in this Decree in order to meet the requirements of political tasks and such proposal is approved by a competent agency.

11. “Foreign representative offices” include diplomatic missions, consulates and representative offices of international organizations belonging to the United Nations system, and intergovernmental international organizations outside the United Nations system in Vietnam.

12. “Head of foreign diplomatic mission” means the head of a diplomatic mission, who may be a resident Ambassador to Vietnam or a non-resident Ambassador (below collectively referred to as Ambassador).

13. “Head of consulate” means the head of a consulate in a locality (below collectively referred to as Consul General).

14. “Head of representative office of international organization in Vietnam” means the head of an international organization belonging to the United Nations system or an intergovernmental international organization outside the United Nations system (below collectively referred to as chief representative).

15. “Decennial anniversary” or “other anniversary” means an anniversary of a commemorative event:

a/ “Decennial anniversary” is the anniversary ending with digit “0”;

b/ “Other anniversary” is the anniversary ending with other digits.

16. “Honor guard posting” means the composition of two or a number of honor guards; “Honor guard formation” means the arrangement of honor guards into two rows.

Article 4. Principles of performance of diplomatic ceremonies

1. Agencies assuming the prime responsibility for organizing diplomatic ceremonies shall comply with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam as well as international law and practices.

2. The organization of diplomatic ceremonies shall be carried out uniformly in the entire political system composed of Party and State agencies to meet political and external requirements of the Party and the State, affirming the position and leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the Vietnamese political system.

3. Lead agencies shall propose measures of diplomatic ceremonies on the basis of peering and reciprocity; and pay special attention to dealing with the differences between the political systems, customs and cultures of Vietnam and the guest countries.

4. For special cases, separate schemes shall be prepared and reported to competent authorities for decision.

Chapter II

WELCOMING AND RECEIVING FOREIGN HIGH-RANKING DELEGATIONS ON STATE VISITS OR OFFICIAL VISITS

Article 5. Titles of high-level visits

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall reach agreement with the guest country on the title of each visit by the Head of State, the Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party, the Head of Government, a Deputy Head of State, a Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of the ruling Party, or a Deputy Head of Government, specifically as follows:

a/ The Head of State may make a visit titled as state visit, official visit, unannounced visit or private visit; a Deputy Head of State may make a visit titled as official visit, working visit, unannounced visit or private visit;

The title of state visit shall apply only to visits to Vietnam by the Head of State, and the Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party of his/her country;

In a year, no more than 3 delegations on state visit shall be received. Three to 6 months before a visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam shall reach agreement on its agenda with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the guest country;

b/ The Head of Government or a Deputy Head of Government of the guest country may make a visit titled as official visit, working visit, unannounced visit or private visit.

2. The National Assembly’s Committee on External Relations shall reach agreement with the guest country on the title of each visit by its Head of Parliament or Deputy Head of Parliament as official visit, working visit, unannounced visit or private visit.

Article 6. Welcoming and receiving a Head of State on a state visit

1. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Department of External Relations of the Office of the President, and the Director of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

b/ Ceremonials:

Rolling out a red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of State;

Arranging a formation of honor guards standing along two sides of the red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of State;

Giving flowers to the visiting Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband;

Allowing representatives of the guest country’s community to welcome the guest delegation at the airport if so requested by the foreign representative mission.

2. State-level welcome ceremony:

a/ The President hosts the welcome ceremony;

b/ Participants: The Wife/Husband of the President (if the visiting Head of State is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), a Deputy Prime Minister, a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country; and leaders of ministries and sectors corresponding to members of the guest delegation and meeting the welcoming and reception requirements;

c/ Welcoming ceremonials:

The President and his/her Wife/Husband welcome the visiting Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband at the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of State;

Children give flowers to the visiting Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband;

Children wave the flags of the two countries;

d/ Ceremonials of reviewing the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army:

The President and the visiting Head of State step onto the saluting dais; the Wife/Husband of the President and the Wife/Husband of the visiting Head of State are invited to the first positions of the row of Vietnamese officials;

The Military Band plays the National Anthem of the guest country and the National Anthem of Vietnam; a 21-gun salute is fired when the National Anthems of the two countries are played on the principle of reciprocity or according to the approved scheme;

The Head of the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army greets, reports, and invites the visiting Head of State to review the Honor Guard;

The President and the visiting Head of State review the Honor Guard;

The Honor Guard wishes good health to the visiting Head of State;

The President introduces the Vietnamese officials who participate in the welcome ceremony to the visiting Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband. The visiting Head of State introduces the official members of his/her delegation to the President and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Director of the Directorate of State Protocol introduces a number of Ambassadors (if invited) to the two Heads of State and their Wives/Husbands;

The President and the visiting Head of State return to the saluting dais. The Wife/Husband of the President and the Wife/Husband of the visiting Head of State are invited to take the positions behind the saluting dais;

The Honor Guard holds a military parade;

dd/ After the welcome ceremony, the President and his/her Wife/Husband pose for souvenir photos with the visiting Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband;

The President and the visiting Head of State enter the small meeting room or the state-level meeting room. The Wife/Husband of the President holds a separate reception for the Wife/Husband of the visiting Head of State;

Arranging an honor guard formation in the main hall;

e/ In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the official welcome ceremony is held at the National Assembly Building. No gun salute is fired when the National Anthems of the two countries are played. No parade is held after the Honor Guard is reviewed.

3. Small meeting and state-level talks:

a/ The President and the visiting Head of State hold a small meeting before holding talks as agreed upon by the two sides;

b/ The President and the visiting Head of State co-host the talks;

c/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and suit the contents of the talks;

d/ During the small meeting and talks, posting the honor guards.

4. High-level meeting:

Arranging a high-level meeting for the visiting Head of State with the Party General Secretary, the Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, and a number of other leaders as suitable to the specific requirements and conditions of the visit.

5. State banquet:

a/ The President hosts the banquet;

b/ Rolling out a red carpet from the door of the banquet hall to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of State; arranging an honor guard formation at the lobby; posting honor guards;

c/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: the Wife/Husband of the President (if the visiting Head of State is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), the Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, the President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Procurator General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, cabinet members, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the Chairperson of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the President of the Vietnam-guest country Friendship Association, the President of the Vietnam-guest country Friendship Parliamentarians Group, members attending the state-level welcome ceremony and talks, former Vietnamese Ambassadors to the guest country, a number of personalities, intellectuals, and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country;

The Vietnamese side’s members to be invited to the state banquet correspond to members of the guest delegation and meet political requirements of the visit;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, businesses’ representatives (if any), and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

d/ Ceremonials:

The Military Band plays the National Anthem of the guest country and the National Anthem of Vietnam to open the banquet;

The President delivers a welcome speech;

The visiting Head of State gives a response speech;

dd/ Organizing an art performance at the banquet.

6. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony.

7. A number of other special measures may be taken according to the diplomatic protocol scheme, such as: inviting local people to participate in the welcome ceremony at the airport or the Presidential Palace; inviting the President and his/her Wife/Husband to attend a number of official activities along with the visiting Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband; inviting a number of Ambassadors to attend the state-level welcome ceremony and state banquet; and organizing an art performance at the Hanoi Opera House.

Article 7. Welcoming and receiving a Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party on a state visit as holder of both titles

1. The welcoming and reception of the Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party on a state visit at the invitation of both the Party General Secretary and the President shall be organized as follows:

a/ The Party General Secretary hosts the state-level welcome ceremony, talks and banquet for the Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party (below referred to as the Head of the guest delegation);

b/ The President co-hosts the state banquet with the Party General Secretary, and has a private audience with and an informal feast for the Head of the guest delegation.

2. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: the Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country, a Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the Party Central Committee, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Protocol Department of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Director of the relevant Regional Department of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Director of the Department of External Relations of the Office of the President, and the Director of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b/ Ceremonials: The ceremonials are the same as those for the Head of State on state visit as specified at Point b, Clause 1, Article 6 of this Decree.

3. State-level welcome ceremony:

a/ The Party General Secretary hosts the welcome ceremony.

b/ Participants: the Wife/Husband of the Party General Secretary (if the Head of the guest delegation is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), a Deputy Prime Minister, a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country; and leaders of ministries and sectors corresponding to the members of the guest delegation and meeting the welcoming and reception requirements;

c/ Welcoming ceremonials:

The Party General Secretary and his/her Wife/Husband welcome the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband at the parking places of their cars;

Children give flowers to the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband;

Children wave the flags of the two countries;

d/ Ceremonials of reviewing the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army:

The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation step on the saluting dais; the Wife/Husband of the Party General Secretary and the Wife/Husband of the Head of the guest delegation are invited to the first positions of the row of Vietnamese officials;

The Military Band plays the National Anthem of the guest country and the National Anthem of Vietnam; a 21-gun salute is fired when the National Anthems of the two countries are played on the principle of reciprocity or according to the approved scheme;

The Head of the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army greets, reports, and invites the Head of the guest delegation to review the Honor Guard;

The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation review the Honor Guard;

The Honor Guard wishes good health to the Head of the guest delegation;

The Party General Secretary introduces Vietnamese officials who participate in the welcome ceremony to the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband. The Head of the guest delegation introduces the official members of his/her delegation to the Party General Secretary and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Director of the Directorate of State Protocol introduces the Ambassadors (if invited) to the Party General Secretary and his/her Wife/Husband and to the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation return to the saluting dais. The Wife/Husband of the Party General Secretary and the Wife/Husband of the Head of the guest delegation are invited to take the positions behind the saluting dais;

The Honor Guard holds a military parade;

dd/ After the welcome ceremony, the Party General Secretary and his/her Wife/Husband pose for souvenir photos with the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation enter the small meeting room or state-level meeting room. The Wife/Husband of the Party General Secretary holds a separate reception for the Wife/Husband of the Head of the guest delegation;

Arranging an honor guard formation in the main hall.

e/ In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the official welcome ceremony is held at the National Assembly Building. No gun salute is fired when the National Anthems of the two countries are played. No parade is held after the Honor Guard is reviewed.

4. Small meeting and state-level talks:

a/ The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation hold a small meeting before holding talks as agreed upon by the two sides;

b/ The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation co-host the talks;

c/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and suit the contents of the talks;

d/ During the small meeting and talks, posting honor guards.

5. High-level meeting:

Arranging a high-level meeting for the Head of the guest delegation with the President, the Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, and a number of other leaders as suitable to the requirements and specific conditions of the visit.

6. State banquet:

a/ The Party General Secretary and the President host the banquet;

b/ Rolling out a red carpet from the door of the banquet hall to the parking place of the car of the Head of the guest delegation; arranging an honor guard formation at the lobby; posting honor guards in front of the banquet hall;

c/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: the Wife/Husband of the Party General Secretary and the Wife/Husband of the President (if the Head of the guest delegation is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), the Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Procurator General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the cabinet members, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the President of the Vietnam-guest country Friendship Association, the President of the Vietnam-guest country Friendship Parliamentarians Group, members attending the state-level welcome ceremony and talks, former Vietnamese Ambassadors to the guest country, and a number of personalities, intellectuals and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country;

The Vietnamese side’s members to be invited to attend the state banquet correspond to members of the guest delegation and meet the political requirements of the visit;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, businesses’ representatives (if any), and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

d/ Ceremonials:

The Military Band plays the National Anthem of the guest country and the National Anthem of Vietnam to open the banquet;

The Party General Secretary delivers a welcome speech;

The Head of the guest delegation gives a response speech;

dd/ Organizing an art performance at the banquet.

7. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony.

8. A number of other special measures may be taken according to the protocol scheme as for the Head of State paying a state visit as specified in Clause 7, Article 6 of this Decree or according to a separate scheme approved by a competent authority.

Article 8. Welcoming and receiving a Head of State on an official visit

1. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Department of External Relations of the Office of the President, and Director of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

b/ Ceremonials:

Rolling out a red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of State;

Arranging a formation of honor guards to stand on two sides of the red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of State;

Giving flowers to the visiting Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband.

2. Official welcome ceremony:

a/ The President hosts the official welcome ceremony;

b/ Participants: the Wife/Husband of the President (if the visiting Head of State is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country, and leaders of ministries and sectors corresponding to the members of the guest delegation and meeting the welcoming and reception requirements;

c/ Ceremonials for welcoming and reviewing the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army: The ceremonials are the same as those for the Head of State on a state visit as specified at Points c, d and dd, Clause 2, Article 6 of this Decree, but no gun salute is fired when the National Anthems of the two countries are played;

d/ In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the official welcome ceremony is held at the National Assembly Building. No parade is held after the Honor Guard is reviewed.

3. Small meeting and official talks:

a/ The President and the visiting Head of State hold a small meeting before holding talks as agreed upon by the two sides;

b/ The President and the visiting Head of State co-host the talks;

c/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and suit the contents of the talks;

d/ During the small meeting and talks, posting honor guards.

4. High-level meeting:

Arranging a high-level meeting for the visiting Head of State with the Party General Secretary, the Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, and a number of other leaders as suitable to the requirements and specific conditions of the visit.

5. Official banquet:

a/ The President hosts the banquet;

b/ Rolling out a red carpet from the door of the ballroom to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of State; arranging an honor guard formation at the lobby; posting honor guards;

c/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: the Wife/Husband of the President (if the visiting Head of State is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband); members participating in the official welcome ceremony and talks, and former Vietnamese Ambassadors to the guest country. In case of necessity, a number of personalities, intellectuals and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country are invited;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, businesses’ representatives (if any), and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

d/ Ceremonials:

The President delivers a welcome speech;

The visiting Head of State gives a response speech;

dd/ Organizing an art performance at the reception.

6. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony.

Article 9. Welcoming and receiving a Head of State cum Head of ruling Party on an official visit as holder of both titles

1. The welcoming and reception of the Head of State cum Head of the ruling Party an official visit at the invitation of both the Party General Secretary and the President shall be organized as follows:

a/ The Party General Secretary hosts the welcome ceremony, talks and official banquet for the Head of State cum Head of the ruling Party (below referred to as the Head of the guest delegation);

b/ The President co-hosts the official banquet together with the Party General Secretary, and has a private audience with and an informal feast for the Head of the guest delegation.

2. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: the Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country, a Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the Party Central Committee, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Protocol Department of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Director of the relevant Regional Department of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Director of the Department of External Relations of the Office of the President, and the Director of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

b/ Ceremonials: The ceremonials are the same as those for the Head of State on official visit as specified at Point b, Clause 1, Article 8 of this Decree.

3. Official welcome ceremony:

a/ The Party General Secretary hosts the welcome ceremony;

b/ Participants: the Wife/Husband of the Party General Secretary, if the Head of the guest delegation is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband, the Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Chairperson of the Office of the President or an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country, and leaders of ministries and sectors corresponding to the members of the guest delegation and meeting the welcoming and reception requirements;

c/ Ceremonials of welcoming and reviewing the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army: The ceremonials are the same as those for the Head of State cum Head of ruling Party on a state visit as specified at Points c, d and dd, Clause 3, Article 7 of this Decree but no gun salute is fired when the National Anthems of the two countries are played;

d/ In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the official welcome ceremony is held at the National Assembly Building. No parade is held after the Honor Guard is reviewed.

4. Small meeting and official talks:

a/ The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation hold a small meeting before holding talks as agreed upon by the two sides;

b/ The Party General Secretary and the Head of the guest delegation co-host the talks;

c/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and suit the contents of the talks;

d/ During the small meeting and talks, posting honor guards.

5. High-level meeting:

Arranging a high-level meeting for the Head of the guest delegation with the President, the Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, and a number of other leaders as suitable to the requirements and specific conditions of the visit.

6. Official banquet:

a/ The Party General Secretary and the President host the reception;

b/ Rolling out a red carpet from the door of the ballroom to the parking place of the car of the Head of the guest delegation; arranging an honor guard formation at the lobby; posting honor guards in front of the ballroom;

c/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: the Wife/Husband of the Party General Secretary and Wife/Husband of the President (if the Head of the guest delegation is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband); members participating in the welcome ceremony and official talks, and former Vietnamese ambassadors to the guest country. In case of necessity, a number of personalities, intellectuals and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country are invited;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, businesses’ representatives (if any), and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

d/ Ceremonials:

The Party General Secretary delivers a welcome speech;

The Head of the Guest Delegation gives a response speech;

dd/ Organizing an art performance at the reception.

7. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony.

8. A number of other special measures may be taken according to the protocol scheme for welcoming the guest delegation as approved by a competent authority.

Article 10. Welcoming and receiving a Head of ruling Party who holds no state position as guest of the Party General Secretary

The welcoming and reception of the Head of ruling Party who holds no state position as guest of the Party General Secretary according to the title of the visit shall be carried out under a separate scheme. Based on the political requirements of the visit, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations shall coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in proposing ceremonial measures (corresponding to those applicable to a state visit, an official visit, a working visit, an unannounced visit, or a private visit), and submitting them to competent authorities for approval.

Article 11. Welcoming and receiving a Head of Government on an official visit

1. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol, and the Director of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

b/ Ceremonials:

Rolling out a red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Government;

Arranging a formation of honor guards standing along two sides of the red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Government;

Giving flowers to the visiting Head of Government and his/her Wife/Husband.

2. Official welcome ceremony:

a/ The Prime Minister hosts the official welcome ceremony;

b/ Participants: the Wife/Husband of the Prime Minister (if the visiting Head of Government is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), the Minister-Chairperson of the Government Office, an accompanying Minister, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country; and leaders of ministries and sectors corresponding to the members of the guest delegation and meeting the welcoming and reception requirements;

c/ Welcoming ceremonials:

The Prime Minister and his Wife/Husband welcome the visiting Head of Government and his/her Wife/Husband at the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Government;

Children give flowers to the visiting Head of Government and his/her Wife/Husband;

Children wave the flags of the two countries;

d/ Ceremonials of reviewing the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army:

The Prime Minister and the visiting Head of Government step onto the saluting dais; the Wife/Husband of the Prime Minister and the Wife/Husband of the visiting Head of Government are invited to the first places of the row of Vietnamese officials;

The Military Band plays the National Anthem of the guest country and the National Anthem of Vietnam;

The Head of the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army greets, reports, and invites the visiting Head of Government to review the Honor Guard;

The Prime Minister and the visiting Head of Government review the Honor Guard;

The Honor Guard wishes good health to the visiting Head of Government;

The Prime Minister introduces the Vietnamese officials participating in the welcome ceremony to the visiting Head of Government and his Wife/Husband. The visiting Head of Government introduces his/her delegation’s members to the Prime Minister and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Director of the Directorate of State Protocol introduces the Ambassadors (if invited) to the Prime Minister and the visiting Head of Government and their Wives/Husbands;

The Prime Minister and the visiting Head of Government return to the saluting dais. The two Wives/Husbands are invited to stand behind the saluting dais;

The Honor Guard holds a military parade;

dd/ After the welcome ceremony, the Prime Minister and his/her Wife/Husband pose for souvenir photos with the visiting Head of Government and his/her Wife/Husband at the Government Headquarters;

The Prime Minister and the visiting Head of Government enter the small- meeting room or official meeting room. The Wife/Husband of the Prime Minister holds a separate reception for the Wife/Husband of the visiting Head of Government;

Arranging a formation of honor guards in the main hall;

e/ In case of unfavorable weather conditions, the official welcome ceremony is held at the Government Headquarters. No parade is held after the Honor Guard is reviewed.

3. Small meeting and official talks:

a/ The Prime Minister and the visiting Head of Government hold as small meeting before holding talks as agreed upon by the two sides;

b/ The Prime Minister and the visiting Head of Government co-host the talks;

c/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and suit the contents of the talks;

d/ During the small meeting and talks, posting honor guards.

4. High-level meeting:

Arranging a high-level meeting for the visiting Head of Government with the Party General Secretary, the President, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, and a number of other leaders as suitable to the specific requirements and conditions of the visit.

5. Official banquet:

a/ The Prime Minister hosts the reception.

b/ Rolling out a red carpet from the door of the ballroom to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Government; arranging an honor guard formation at the lobby; posting honor guards.

c/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: the Wife/Husband of the Prime Minister (if the visiting Head of Government is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), members participating in the official welcome ceremony and talks, and former Vietnamese Ambassadors to the guest country. In case of necessity, a number of personalities, intellectuals and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country are invited;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, businesses’ representatives (if any) and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country.

d/ Ceremonials:

The Prime Minister delivers a welcome speech;

The visiting Head of Government gives a response speech;

dd/ Organizing an art performance at the reception.

6. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony.

Article 12. Welcoming and receiving a Head of Parliament on an official visit

1. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: A leader of the National Assembly’s Committee on External Relations or a leader of the Office of the National Assembly, a representative of the relevant Parliamentary Friendship Group, and the Director of the Office of the National Assembly’s Protocol Department;

b/ Ceremonials:

Rolling out the red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Parliament;

Giving flowers to the visiting Head of Parliament and his/her Wife/Husband.

2. Official welcome ceremony:

a/ The Chairperson of the National Assembly hosts the welcome ceremony;

b/ Participants: the Wife/Husband of the Chairperson of the National Assembly (if the visiting Head of Parliament is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Committee on External Relations and the Secretary General-Chairperson of the Office of the National Assembly, a number of leaders of agencies of the National Assembly and Government, the relevant Parliamentary Friendship Group, a number of National Assembly deputies corresponding to the official members of the guest delegation, and a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs;

c/ Welcome ceremonials:

Rolling out the red carpet from the door of the National Assembly Building to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Parliament. Arranging an honor guard formation standing along two sides of the red carpet;

The Chairperson of the National Assembly and his/her Wife/Husband welcome the visiting Head of Parliament and his/her Wife/Husband at the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Parliament;

Giving flowers to the visiting Head of Parliament and his/her Wife/Husband;

d/ After the welcome ceremony, the Chairperson of the National Assembly and his/her Wife/Husband pose for souvenir photos with the visiting Head of Parliament and his/her Wife/Husband. The Chairperson of the National Assembly and the visiting Head of Parliament enter the small meeting room or the meeting room; the Wife/Husband of the Chairperson of the National Assembly and the Wife/Husband of the visiting Head of Parliament bid farewell at the parking place of the latter’s car.

3. Official talks:

a/ The Chairperson of the National Assembly and the visiting Head of Parliament co-host the talks;

b/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and conform to the contents of the talks;

c/ Posting honor guards during the small meeting and talks.

4. High-level meeting:

Arranging high-level meetings between the visiting Head of Parliament and the Party General Secretary, the President, the Prime Minister and a number of other leaders according to specific requirements and conditions of the visit.

5. Official banquet:

a/ The Chairperson of the National Assembly hosts the banquet;

b/ Rolling out the red carpet from the entrance door of the banquet hall to the parking place of the car of the visiting Head of Parliament. Arranging an honor guard formation at the lobby; posting honor guards.

c/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: the Wife/Husband of the Chairperson of the National Assembly (if the visiting Head of Parliament is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), and participants at the official welcome ceremony and talks. In case of necessity, to invite a number of National Assembly deputies, personalities, intellectuals, and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, representatives of businesses (if any) and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

d/ Ceremonials:

The Chairperson of the National Assembly delivers a welcome speech;

The visiting Head of Parliament gives a response speech;

dd/ Organizing an art performance at the banquet.

6. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony at the airport.

Article 13. Welcoming and receiving a Deputy Head of State on an official visit

1. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: A Vice Chairperson of the Office of the President, a leader of the Directorate of State Protocol, a leader of the External Relations Department of the Office of the President, and a leader of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b/ Ceremonials:

Rolling out the red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the visiting Deputy Head of State;

Giving flowers to the visiting Deputy Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband.

2. Official welcome ceremony:

a/ The Vice President hosts the welcome ceremony;

b/ Participants: the Vice President’s Wife/Husband (if the visiting Deputy Head of State is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the President, participants in the official talks, a leader of the External Relations Department of the Office of the President and a leader of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

c/ Welcome ceremonials:

Rolling out the red carpet along the stairs from the main entrance of the Presidential Palace to the parking place of the car of the visiting Deputy Head of State. Arranging an honor guard formation standing along two sides of the red carpet;

The Vice President and his/her Wife/Husband welcome the visiting Deputy Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband at the parking place of the car of the visiting Deputy Head of State;

Children give flowers to the visiting Deputy Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Vice President introduces the Vietnamese side’s participants in the welcome ceremony;

The visiting Deputy Head of State introduces members of the guest delegation;

d/ After the welcome ceremony, the Vice President and his/her Wife/Husband pose for souvenir photos with the visiting Deputy Head of State and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Vice President and the visiting Deputy Head of State enter the meeting room;

The Wife/Husband of the Vice President and the Wife/Husband of the visiting Deputy Head of State bid farewell at the place where their cars park.

3. Official talks:

a/ The Vice President and the visiting Deputy Head of State co-host  the talks;

b/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and conform to the contents of the talks.

4. High-level meeting: as agreed by the two sides.

5. Official banquet:

a/ The Vice President hosts the banquet;

b/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: The Vice President’s Wife/Husband (if the visiting Deputy Head of State is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), and participants in the official welcome ceremony and talks. In case of necessity, to invite a number of officials, personalities, intellectuals, and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

c/ Ceremonials:

The Vice President delivers a welcome speech;

The visiting Deputy Head of State gives a response speech;

d/ Organizing an art performance at the banquet.

6. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony at the airport.

Article 14. Welcoming and receiving a Deputy Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party on an official visit as holder of both titles

1. The welcome and reception of a visiting Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party on an official visit at the invitation of the Party Central Committee and the Vice President shall be organized as follows:

a/ The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat hosts the official welcome ceremony, talks and banquet for the Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party (below referred to as the Head of the guest delegation);

b/ The Vice President co-hosts the official banquet  together with the Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat; and holds a private audience with and an informal feast for the Head of the guest delegation.

2. Welcome ceremony at the airport:

a/ Participants: the Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations or an equivalent title holder, a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the President, a leader of the Directorate of State Protocol, a leader of the relevant Regional Department under the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, a leader of the Protocol Department under the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, a leader of the External Relations Department of the Office of the President, and a leader of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

b/ Ceremonials:

Rolling out the red carpet from the foot of the airstair to the parking place of the car of the Head of the guest delegation;

Giving flowers to the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband.

3. Official welcome ceremony:

a/ The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat hosts the welcome ceremony;

b/ Participants: the Wife/Husband of the Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, if the Head of the guest delegation is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband, the Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the President, participants in the official talks, a leader of the relevant Regional Department under the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, a leader of the External Relations Department of the Office of the President, and  a leader of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

c/ Welcome ceremonials:

Rolling out the red carpet along the stairs from the main entrance of the Presidential Palace to the parking place of the car of the Head of the guest delegation. Arranging an honor guard formation standing along two sides of the red carpet;

The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and his/her Wife/Husband welcome the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband at the parking place of the latter’s car;

Children give flowers to the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat introduces Vietnamese side’s participants in the welcome ceremony;

The Head of the guest delegation introduces members of the guest delegation;

d/ After the welcome ceremony, the Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and his/her Wife/Husband pose for souvenir photos with the Head of the guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband;

The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and the Head of the guest delegation enter the meeting room;

The Wife/Husband of the Political Bureau’s member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and the Wife/Husband of the Head of the guest delegation bid farewell at the place where their cars park.

4. Official talks:

a/ The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and the Head of the guest delegation host the talks;

b/ The Vietnamese side’s participants in the talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and conform to the contents of the talks.

5. High-level meeting: as agreed by the two sides.

6. Official banquet:

a/ The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and the Vice President host the banquet;

b/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: the Wife/Husband of the Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and the Wife/Husband of the Vice President  (if the Head of the guest delegation is accompanied by his/her Wife/Husband), and participants in the official welcome ceremony and talks. In case of necessity, to invite a number of officials, personalities, intellectuals, and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

c/ Ceremonials:

The Political Bureau’s Member-Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat delivers a welcome speech;

The Head of the guest delegation gives a response speech;

d/ Organizing an art performance at the banquet to welcome the guest delegation.

7. Seeing-off ceremony at the airport: Participants and ceremonials are the same as those for the welcome ceremony at the airport.

Article 15. Welcoming and receiving a Deputy Head of Government, Deputy Head of Parliament or Minister of Foreign Affairs of a guest country on an official visit

1. Welcome and seeing-off ceremonies at the airport:

a/ A department-level leader of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and sees off the visiting Deputy Head of Government or the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

b/ A department-level leader of the Office of the National Assembly welcomes and sees off the visiting Deputy Head of Parliament.

2. Welcome ceremony, talks and banquet:

a/ A Deputy Prime Minister, a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly or the Minister of Foreign Affairs hosts official activities for his/her counterpart;

b/ Welcome ceremony: The host welcomes and poses for photos with the visiting Deputy Head of Government, Deputy Head of Parliament or Minister of Foreign Affairs;

c/  The Vietnamese side’s participants in the welcome ceremony and talks correspond to the official members of the guest delegation and conform to the contents of the talks;

d/ Banquet:

The Vietnamese side: participants in the official welcome ceremony and talks. In case of necessity, to invite a number of personalities, intellectuals, and representatives of businesses with numerous cooperation ties with the guest country;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages and a number of diplomats of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

The host delivers a toast speech;

The Head of the guest delegation gives a response speech;

In special cases, an art performance may be organized during the banquet.

3. High-level meeting: as agreed by the two sides.

Chapter III

WELCOMING AND RECEIVING FOREIGN HIGH-RANKING DELEGATIONS ON WORKING VISITS, UNANNOUNCED VISITS OR PRIVATE VISITS OR IN TRANSIT

Article 16. Welcoming and receiving foreign high-ranking guests on working visits

1. The welcome and reception of the Head of Government of a guest country on a working visit shall be carried out as for an official visit but without the official welcome ceremony, street decorations, honor guard formation at the airport, and motorcycle escort.

2. The welcome and reception of the Head of Parliament of a guest country on a working visit shall be carried out as for an official visit but without the official welcome ceremony and motorcycle escort.

3. The welcome and reception of a Deputy Head of State, Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party, Deputy Head of Government, or Deputy Head of Parliament of a guest country on a working visit shall be carried out as for an official visit but without the official welcome ceremony.

4. Luncheon or dinner party for a working visit:

a/ Participants:

The Vietnamese side: participants in welcome and seeing-off ceremonies and working sessions;

The guest side: official members of the guest delegation, a number of entourages, and staff members of the diplomatic mission of the guest country;

b/ The host delivers a toast speech, and the Head of the guest delegation gives a response speech.

Article 17. Welcoming and receiving foreign high-ranking guests on unannounced visits

The welcome and reception of foreign high-ranking guests on unannounced visits shall be carried out as for working visits with a smaller number of participants. The protocol measures must comply with approved reception schemes.

Article 18. Welcoming and receiving foreign high-ranking guests on private visits

The welcome and reception of foreign high-ranking guests on private visits must comply with the following regulations:

1. For a Head of State or Head of Government on a private visit: The Director of the Directorate of State Protocol and the Director of the relevant Regional Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcome and see off the guest at the airport.

2. For a Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party on a private visit: The Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Committee on External Relations welcomes and sees off the guest at the airport.

3. For a Deputy Head of State or Deputy Prime Minister on a private visit: A leader of the Directorate of State Protocol and a leader of the relevant Regional Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcome and see off the guest at the airport.

4. For a Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party on a private visit: A representative of the leadership of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations welcomes and sees off the guest at the airport.

5. For a Head of Parliament or Deputy Head of Parliament on a private visit: A department-level leader the Office of the National Assembly welcomes and sees off the guest at the airport.

6. In special cases, an equivalent title holder on the Vietnamese side receives and holds a feast for the Head of the guest delegation.

Article 19. Welcoming and receiving foreign high-ranking guests in transit

The welcome and reception of foreign high-ranking guests in transit must comply with the following regulations:

1. For the Head of State of a guest country in transit at Noi Bai airport: The Chairperson of the Office of the President or an equivalent title holder welcomes and receives the guest.

2. For the Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party of a guest country in transit at Noi Bai airport: The Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations welcomes and receives the guest.

3. For the Head of Government of a guest country in transit at Noi Bai airport: A Minister or an equivalent title holder welcomes and receives the guest.

4. For the Deputy Head of State of a guest country in transit at Noi Bai airport: A Vice Chairperson of the Office of the President or an equivalent title holder welcomes and receives the guest.

5. For the Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party of a guest country in transit at Noi Bai airport: The Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations or an equivalent title holder welcomes and receives the guest.

6. For the Deputy Head of Government of a guest country in transit at Noi Bai airport: A Vice Chairperson of the Government Office or an equivalent title holder welcomes and receives the guest.

7. For a parliamentary delegation of a guest country or an international parliamentary organization in transit at Noi Bai airport: A leader of the National Assembly’s Committee on External Relations or a leader of the Office of the National Assembly welcomes and receives the delegation or organization.

8. For a foreign high-ranking guest in transit at a local airport: A leader of the concerned province or centrally run city welcomes and receives the guest

9. If the foreign high-ranking delegation wishes to take a sojourn, the lead agency shall coordinate with the foreign representative mission to arrange accommodation and travel for the delegation.

10. As agreed by the two sides, the holder of the equivalent title or of the title one rank lower than that of the guest may host a working session with and hold a banquet for the delegation.

Chapter IV

WELCOMING AND RECEIVING MINISTERS, HEADS OF PARLIAMENTARY BODIES AND OTHER GUESTS

Article 20. Welcoming and receiving ministers, heads of parliamentary bodies or equivalent title holders

1. Welcoming and receiving a Minister or an equivalent title holder:

a/ A leader of the Directorate or Department in charge of external relations or the unit in charge of reception of the inviting ministry or agency welcomes and sees off the delegation at the airport;

b/ The Minister or equivalent title holder who invites the guest hosts the welcome, reception, talks and banquet;

c/ High-level meeting: as agreed by the two sides;

d/ Participants in official activities shall be decided by the Minister or equivalent title holder who invites the guest.

2. Welcoming and receiving a head of parliamentary body or an equivalent title holder:

a/ A department-level leader of the Office of the National Assembly welcomes and sees off the delegation at the airport;

b/ The Chairperson of the relevant Committee of the National Assembly or equivalent title holder who invites the guest hosts the welcome, reception, talks and banquet;

c/ High-level meeting: as agreed by the two sides;

d/ Participants in official activities shall be decided by the Chairperson of the relevant Committee of the National Assembly or equivalent title holder who invites the guest.

3. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and branches in, formulating regulations on welcome and reception ceremonies for Ministers of National Defense, Ministers of Public Security and leaders of the armed forces of guest countries visiting Vietnam in conformity with international practices and Vietnam’s levels of guest welcome and reception specified in this Decree.

Article 21. Welcoming and receiving other guests

1. For the President of the European Council on an official visit or a working visit as guest of the President, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for the Head of State of a guest country on a visit of the same title to Vietnam.

2. For the President of the European Commission on an official visit or a working visit as guest of the Prime Minister, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for a Head of Government of a guest country on a visit of the same title to Vietnam. For a Vice President of the European Commission on an official visit or a working visit as a guest of a Deputy Prime Minister, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for a Deputy Head of Government of a guest country on a visit of the same title to Vietnam.

3. For the Secretary-General of the United Nations on an official visit or a working visit as guest of the President, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for the Head of State of a guest country on a visit of the same title but without National Anthem playing and honor guard review. For a Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations on an official visit or a working visit as guest of a Vice President, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for the Deputy Head of State of a guest country on a visit of the same title to Vietnam.

4. For the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and a number of other inter-parliamentary forums on an official visit or a working visit as guest of Chairperson of the National Assembly, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for the Head of Parliament of a guest country on a visit of the same title to Vietnam. For a Vice President of the IPU on an official visit or a working visit as guest of a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for a Deputy Head of Parliament of a guest country on a visit of the same title to Vietnam.

5. For the successor to the King or Queen of a guest country who is the guest of a Vice President, the welcome and reception level and ceremonies are the same as those for the Deputy Head of State of a guest country on a visit to Vietnam.

6. Leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall host the welcome and reception of other members of foreign royal families who are guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

7. The welcome and reception of members of foreign royal families who lead economic, cultural and social delegations and leaders of specialized international organizations outside the United Nations system shall be hosted by leaders of inviting ministries and sectors.

8. The welcome and reception of leaders of specialized international organizations outside the United Nations system shall be hosted by leaders of inviting ministries or sectors.

9. For the Secretary-General of ASEAN who is the guest of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the welcome level and ceremonies are the same as those for the delegation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of a guest country on an official visit.

10. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for organizing the welcome and reception of former Heads of State, Heads of Government, Deputy Heads of State and Deputy Prime Ministers of guest countries visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the President, the Prime Minister, Vice Presidents or Deputy Prime Ministers.

11. The National Assembly’s Committee on External Relations and the Office of the National Assembly shall host the welcome and reception of former Heads of Parliament and Deputy Heads of Parliament of guest countries, former Secretaries-General of AIPA, IPU and inter-parliamentary organizations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the Chairperson or Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly.

12. The welcome and reception of former Heads of State, Heads of Government, Heads of Parliament, Deputy Heads of State, Deputy Heads of Government, and Deputy Heads of Parliament of guest countries shall be hosted by inviting agencies.

13. The reception of the Head of a guest delegation by Party and State leaders shall be arranged depending on specific requirements and conditions of the visit.

Chapter V

SPECIFIC PROTOCOL REGULATIONS ON THE WELCOME AND RECEPTION OF FOREIGN GUEST DELEGATIONS

Article 22. Wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs, wreath-laying ceremony at and visit to the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

1. The wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument and the wreath-laying ceremony at and visit to the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum shall be arranged as agreed by the two sides.

2. For the Head of State, Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party, Head of Government, or Head of Parliament of a guest country on a state visit, an official visit, or a working visit:

a/ At the Monument, leaders of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command welcome and guide the delegation; to arrange an honor guard formation. During the minutes’ silence, the Military Band plays the song “Hon tu si”;

b/ At the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, leaders of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command welcome and guide the delegation to lay wreaths and visit the Mausoleum; to arrange an honor guard formation standing along two sides of the stands and in front of the Mausoleum. During the minutes’ silence, the Military Band plays the song “Lanh tu ca”.

3. For other foreign guests of ministerial or equivalent or higher levels, leaders of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command shall guide the delegation to lay wreaths at the Monument, and lay wreaths at, and visit the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Article 23. Accompanying persons and order of protocol

1. Accompanying persons:

a/ The Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations accompanies the Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party of a guest country on a state visit or an official visit; in special cases, to invite a Political Bureau’s Member or a member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat to accompany the delegation;

b/ The Chairperson of the Office of the President or a Minister or an equivalent title holder accompanies the Head of State of a guest country on a state visit or an official visit;

c/ A Minister or an equivalent title holder accompanies the Head of Government of a guest country on an official visit in Hanoi; the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country accompanies during trips to other localities;

d/ The Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Committee on External Relations or the Chairperson of the relevant Friendship Parliamentarians Group accompanies the Head of Parliament of a guest country on an official visit;

dd/ The Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations or an equivalent title holder accompanies the Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party of a guest country on an official visit;

e/ The person accompanying the Head of a guest delegation participates in the guest delegation’s welcome and seeing-off ceremonies at the airport, the official welcome ceremony and official banquet and accompanies the Head of the guest delegation during official activities. The person accompanying the Wife/Husband of the Head of the guest delegation participates in the delegation’s welcome and seeing-off ceremonies at the airport, the official welcome ceremony and official banquet and accompanies the Wife/Husband of the Head of the guest delegation during activities according to his/her separate agenda in Hanoi;

g/ The Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country returns to the country to participate in  the welcome and reception of, and accompanies the Head of State, Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party, or Head of Government of a guest country on a state visit, an official visit or a working visit. In special cases, the lead agency shall work with and reach agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this issue.

2. Order of protocol of the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country:

In external activities, the order of protocol of the Vietnamese Ambassador to the guest country is right below members of the Party Central Committee, members of the National Assembly Standing Committee, and cabinet members.

Article 24. Flying national flags

1. For a Head of State or a Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party on a state visit or an official visit, or the Head of Government of a guest country on an official visit:

a/ Flying the two countries’ national flags in front of the honor guest house at the Noi Bai international airport and airports in localities where the guest delegation visits, venues where the welcome ceremonies are held, in the meeting room, the reception room of high-ranking leaders of the Party or the State, the venue for the signing of documents, the briefing room, and the banquet hall, and along the Hung Vuong-Hoang Van Thu-Doc Lap route (Hanoi), in the place where the Head of the guest delegation stays and places where the Head of the guest delegation visits;

b/ Flying the two countries’ national flags in front of the gate of the Presidential Palace, at the Doc Lap-Dien Bien Phu-Chu Van An-Chua Mot Cot-Ton That Dam intersection and the Hung Vuong-Phan Dinh Phung intersection (Hanoi);

c/ For a Head of State of a guest country on a state visit: flying the two countries’ national flags along the first 2 kilometers of the route from the Noi Bai international airport to the center of Hanoi;

d/ In addition to the above provisions, for a Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party of a guest country on a state visit or an official visit, flying the two countries’ national flags in front of the gate of the headquarters of the Party Central Committee.

2. For a Head of Parliament of a guest country on an official visit: flying the two countries’ national flags in front of the waiting room for guests of honor at the Noi Bai international airport and airports in localities where the guest delegation visits, in front of the National Assembly Building (Doc Lap street), in the meeting room, the reception room of high-ranking leaders of the Party or the State, the venue for the signing of documents, the briefing room, the banquet hall, the place where the Head of the guest delegation stays and places where the Head of the guest delegation visits;

3. For a Head of Government or a Head of Parliament of a guest country on a working visit: flying the two countries’ national flags in front of the waiting room for guests of honor at the Noi Bai international airport and airports in localities where the guest delegation visits, in the meeting room, the reception room of high-ranking leaders of the Party or the State, the venue for the signing of documents, the briefing room, the banquet hall, in the place where the Head of the guest delegation stays and places where the Head of the guest delegation visits;

4. For a Deputy Head of State or a Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party of a guest country on an official visit or a working visit: flying the two countries’ national flags in front of the waiting room for guests of honor at the airport where the guest delegation arrives, in the place where the welcome ceremony is held or in the welcome venue, in the meeting room, the venue for the signing of documents, the briefing room, the banquet hall, the place where the Head of the guest delegation stays and places where the Head of the guest delegation visits. Flying the two countries’ national flags in front of the Presidential Palace.

5. For a Deputy Head of Government, a Deputy Head of Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a Head of parliamentary body or an equivalent title holder of a guest country on an official visit or a working visit: flying the two countries’ national flags in the welcome and reception venues, the meeting room, the venue for the signing of documents, the briefing room, the banquet hall, the place where the Head of the guest delegation stays and places where the Head of the guest delegation visits.

6. Displaying table flags of the two countries on conference tables at ministerial- or equivalent- or higher-level meetings.

7. Displaying table flags of the two countries on tables at a meeting of an Inter-Governmental Cooperation Committee headed by a deputy ministerial-level official or conference tables at  foreign deputy ministerial-level meetings.

8. For a Head of a foreign high-ranking delegation on a state visit, an official visit, or a working visit, or the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of National Defense, or the Minister of Public Security of a guest country on an official visit, flying the two countries’ flags on his/her car.

9. For a foreign guest holding ministerial or equivalent or higher title, flying the two countries’ national flags in the reception room (in case the host and the guest are counterparts); in case the guest’s position is lower than the host’s, flying only the Vietnamese flag.

10. For a foreign high-ranking guest on an unannounced visit or a private visit or in transit, not flying the two countries’ national flags during all activities, except special cases stated in approved schemes.

11. In case of flying the national flags of Vietnam and a guest country or the national flag of Vietnam and the flag of an international organization during external activities, displaying the national flag of Vietnam on the right and the national flag of the guest country or the flag of the international organization on the left to the observer’s view from the outside or upward. The national flags of guest countries, pennants of Heads of State and flags of international organizations must be made in accordance with regulations, correct patterns and flown horizontally.

12. In case of receiving two guest delegations at the same time, flying the national flag of Vietnam in the middle and the national flags of the guest countries on the left and right of the national flag of Vietnam in the alphabetical order of the English names of the guest countries to the observer’s view from the outside or upward, except special cases stated in approved schemes.

13. For a visit by the King, the Queen or a Royal Family member of a guest country, if the guest requests flying his/her Royal flag, the welcoming and receiving agency shall comply with the guest’s request.

Article 25. Waiting rooms for guests of honor for welcoming and seeing off foreign guests at the airport

1. At the international airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang city and other localities, airport-managing agencies shall arrange waiting rooms for guests of honor to welcome and receive foreign high-ranking delegations and delegations who are ministers, heads of parliamentary bodies or equivalent or higher title holders and fly on special flights or private aircraft.

2. Arranging waiting rooms for guests of honor, depending on the airport’s practical conditions, to welcome delegations of ministers, heads of parliamentary bodies and  equivalent title holders on commercial flights.

Article 26. Motorcades, escorting police cars

1. The car of a Head of State or a Head of State-cum Head of ruling Party of a guest country on a state visit or an official visit shall be escorted by a 9-vehicle motorcade and police cars.

2. The car of a Head of Government of a guest country on an official visit shall be escorted by a 7-vehicle motorcade and police cars.

3. The car of a Head of Parliament of a guest country on an official visit shall be escorted by a 5-vehicle motorcade and police cars.

4. Motorcades shall only be deployed for welcoming and seeing off guest delegations at the airport and during their official activities in inner districts of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

5. For a Head of State or a Head of State-cum Head of ruling Party on a private visit; or a Head of Government or a Head of Parliament of a guest country on a working visit, an unannounced visit or a private visit, his/her delegation shall be escorted by police cars during main activities but without motorcades.

6. For a Deputy Head of State, a Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party, a Deputy Head of Government, a Deputy Head of Parliament, or the Minister of Foreign Affairs of a guest country on an official visit, a working visit, an unannounced visit or a private visit, his/her delegation shall be escorted by police cars during main activities.

7. For a Minister, a Head of parliamentary body or an equivalent title holder of the guest country on an official visit or a working visit, his/her delegation shall be escorted by police cars during main activities.

Article 27. Defrayal

1. The defrayal for foreign delegations visiting Vietnam must comply with Vietnam’s regulations and on the basis of reciprocity.

2. Defrayal for accommodation:

a/ A Head of State, or a Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party and his/her Wife/Husband and 9 official members of a guest delegation on a state visit or an official visit will be entitled to defrayal for the maximum stay of 5 days and 4 nights (including at most 3 nights in Hanoi), at a 5-star hotel;

b/ A Head of Government or a Head of Parliament and his/her Wife/Husband and 5 official members of a guest delegation on an official visit will be entitled to defrayal for the maximum stay of 5 days and 4 nights (including at most 3 nights in Hanoi), at a 5-star hotel;

c/ A Deputy Head of State or a Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party and his/her Wife-Husband, a Deputy Head of Government or a Deputy Head of Parliament and his/her Wife-Husband, or the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his/her Wife/Husband and 2 members of a guest delegation on an official visit will be entitled to defrayal for the maximum stay of 3 days and 2 nights;

d/ Defrayal for accommodation for ministers or equivalent title holders and heads of parliamentary bodies on an official visit must comply with the approved welcome and reception plans.

3. Defrayal for vehicles:

The defrayal for vehicles for guest delegations must adhere to the following principles:

a/ Arranging a state ceremonial car for a visiting Head of State or a Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party and his/her Wife-Husband, or a visiting Head of Government and his/her Wife/Husband during their activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; and a 4-seat car in other localities;

b/ Arranging a 4-seat car for a visiting Head of Parliament;

c/ Arranging  a 4-seat car for a visiting Deputy Head of State, a Deputy Head of State-cum-Leader of ruling Party, Deputy Head of Government, Deputy Head of Parliament, or visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs;

d/ Arranging  a 4-seat car for a visiting Minister  or Head of parliamentary body or equivalent title holder on an official visit. For Ministers or equivalent title holders accompanying a foreign high-ranking guest, arrangging a car for every 2 people;

dd/ Arranging  a 4-seat car for the Wife/Husband of a foreign high-ranking guest for activities under his/her own agenda;

e/ Arranging  a multi-seat vehicle for other members of a guest delegation;

g/ Arranging  a luggage vehicle for a Head of a guest delegation and his/her Wife/Husband (for the delegation of a Head of State, a Head of State-cum-Head of ruling Party, a Head of Government or a Head of Parliament);

h/ Arranging  a luggage vehicle for a guest delegation on the basis of reciprocity.

4. In a special case, the lead agency shall propose competent authorities other regimes on defrayal than those specified above and protocol expenses according to relevant activity agendas.

5. Regimes on defrayal for a working visit, an unannounced visit or a private visit may be applied according to the visit’s requirements and specific conditions.

6. The defrayal for subjects not regulated by this Decree shall be made according to reception plans or decisions of competent agencies and expense levels specified by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 28. Gifts

1. Leaders of the Party and the State and the lead agencies shall present gifts to the heads of guest delegations and their wives/husbands, for foreign high-ranking delegations on state visits, official visits or working visits. In special cases, gifts shall be presented to official members and their entourage according to the approved schemes.

2. The gifts specified in Clause 1 of this Article are those made by Vietnam and reflecting the nation’s cultural identity, ensuring solemnity and thrift.

Article 29. Welcoming and seeing off foreign high-ranking guests travelling by road, railway or waterway

The welcome and seeing-off of foreign high-ranking delegations travelling by road, railway or waterway are similar to the welcome and seeing-off of guest delegations travelling by air, taking into account practical conditions of the venue where the welcome or seeing-off ceremony is held.

Article 30. Welcoming and receiving foreign guests touring localities

1. Provinces and centrally run cities shall welcome and receive foreign delegations on visits to localities in a high-esteem, thoughtful, safe and thrifty manner.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and sectors in, guiding welcome ceremonies and reception for foreign guests on visits to localities under current regulations.

Article 31. Welcoming and receiving foreign guests attending international events or conferences in Vietnam

The welcome and reception of foreign guests attending international events or conferences in  Vietnam shall be held under schemes and plans approved by competent authorities and in accordance with Vietnam’s law, international practices and practices of separate events or conferences.

Chapter VI

A NUMBER OF CEREMONIES RELATED TO PARTY AND STATE LEADERS

Article 32. Making arrangements for foreign guests to greet Vietnamese Party and State leaders

1. The lead agency shall make arrangements for foreign guests to greet the Party leaders via the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations; greet the President or Vice Presidents via the Office of the President; greet the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Ministers via the Government Office; or greet the Chairperson or Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly via the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations.

2. The lead agency that makes arrangements for foreign guests to greet Party and State leaders shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related agencies of the results of the receptions for joint coordination in implementation.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall act as a focal point and, through the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations, the Office of the President, the Government Office and the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations, advise, propose, and make arrangements for Party and State leaders to receive Ambassadors and Chief Representatives.

Article 33. Honor guards

1. The Guard High Command of the Ministry of Public Security shall arrange honor guard posting when the Party General Secretary, President, Prime Minister or Chairperson of the National Assembly receives foreign guests holding ministerial-level or equivalent or higher title, or Chief Representatives of Vietnam-based foreign representative missions. For international events attended by Party and/or State leaders, schemes approved by competent authorities shall be complied with. For other foreign guests, to arrange honor guard posting upon request of competent authorities.

2. The places for and number of honor guards in the honor guard formation must be suitable to topographic conditions of relevant locations.

3. At receptions given to foreign guests by Party and State leaders, honor guard posting shall be arranged only at the headquarters of central-level agencies, the Vietnam National Convention Center, the International Convention Center, the Government Guest House in Hanoi, and the Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City.

4. The places for honor guard posting must be suitable to topographic conditions of relevant locations; the main places include the main lobby and the main entrance of the headquarters, each with two honor guards.

Article 34. Seeing off and welcoming back high-ranking leaders on visits to or attending international conferences in foreign countries

Participants seeing off and welcoming back a delegation at the airport are specified as follows:

1. The Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat or a member of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee sees off and welcomes back the Party General Secretary.

2. The Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the President sees off and welcomes back the President or a Vice President.

3. The Minister-Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Government Office sees off and welcomes back the Prime Minister or a Deputy Prime Minister.

4. A Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly or the Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations and the Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the National Assembly see off and welcome back the Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly.

5. A leader of the Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations or a leader of the Office of the Party Central Committee sees off and welcomes back the Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat.

Article 35. Letters, telegrams of congratulations, telegrams of condolence and telegrams of sympathy of high-ranking leaders

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall propose making and draft letters, telegrams of congratulations, telegrams of condolence and telegrams of sympathy of the Party General Secretary, the President, the Prime Minister and the Chairperson of the National Assembly.

2. The Party Central Committee’s Commission on External Relations shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in, proposing the making of, and submitting to the Party General Secretary for approval, telegrams of congratulations and telegrams of sympathy to be sent by the latter to the Heads of a number of States and the Chiefs of a number of Parties having special relations with Vietnam.

3. The National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations shall coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in proposing the making of, and submitting to the Chairperson of the National Assembly for approval and signing, letters of congratulations, telegrams of sympathy and telegrams of condolence to the Heads of Parliaments of countries having special relations with Vietnam.

Chapter VII

CEREMONIALS FOR VIETNAM-BASED FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE MISSIONS

Article 36. Welcoming and seeing off Ambassadors who begin or end their terms of office

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send officers to welcome or see off Ambassadors who begin or end their terms of office in Vietnam and arrange the honor guest house for them at the airport. No cars are arranged to welcome or see off Ambassadors at the airport.

Article 37. Presentation of credentials and letters of credence

1. Presentation of credentials by Ambassadors

a/ An Ambassador shall present his/her credential to the President at the Presidential Palace;

b/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Office of the President and related agencies in, organizing 4 credentials-presentation ceremonies in the middle of each quarter in a year. In special cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall propose the organization of a private credentials-presentation ceremony;

c/ Participants at a credential-presentation ceremony: the Chairperson or a Vice Chairperson of the Office of the President, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol, a leader of the Department of External Relations of the Office of the President, and a department-level leader of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

d/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send officers and arrange a car to take the Ambassador for presentation of his/her credentials. An Ambassador’s car is escorted by a 4-vehicle motorcade. After the credentials-presentation ceremony, the Ambassador shall be taken by the car flying the flag of his/her sending country;

dd/ Honor guard formation shall be arranged in front of the Presidential Palace to greet the Ambassador upon his/her arrival and leaving. Honor guard posting shall be arranged in front of the credentials-presentation hall to open the hall’s door. An honor guard shall be arranged to open the Ambassador’s car door at the place where the car stops;

e/ Before the credentials-presentation ceremony, the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall receive the Ambassador to accept a copy of his/her credentials and introduce the credentials-presentation ceremony.

2. Presentation of the letter of credence by the United Nations resident coordinator:

a/ The United Nations resident coordinator shall present his/her letter of credence to the Prime Minister at the Government Office;

b/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Government Office and related agencies in, organizing the ceremony of presentation of the letter of credence.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall receive letters of credence of consuls general.

Article 38. Ambassadors paying courtesy and farewell visits to Party and State leaders

1. After an Ambassador presents his/her credentials to the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall make arrangements for the Ambassador to pay a courtesy visit to the Party General Secretary, President, Prime Minister, Chairperson of the National Assembly and Minister of Foreign Affairs at the request of the diplomatic mission and if conditions permit.

2. Before an Ambassador ends his/her term of office in Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall make arrangements for the Ambassador to pay farewell visits to the President and the Ministry’s leaders at the request of the diplomatic mission. In special cases, arrangements shall be made for the Ambassador to pay courtesy visits to the Party General Secretary, Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National Assembly.

3. A representative of the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall host a farewell feast for and present gifts to the Ambassador upon the latter’s expiration of his/her term of office in Vietnam.

Article 39. Presentation of Friendship Orders and other titles

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall propose the consideration of awarding of the Friendship Orders or other appropriate forms of commendation to Ambassadors, Consuls General and Chief Representatives in recognition of the latter’s active contributions to the cause of development of friendship and cooperation relations with Vietnam; and propose the awarding authorities and organize awarding ceremonies.

Article 40. Ambassadors, Consuls General and Chief Representatives attending events

1. Anniversary of the National Day - September 2 in Hanoi

a/ For a decennial anniversary of the National Day:

The Party General Secretary, President, Prime Minister, and Chairperson of the National Assembly and their Wives/Husbands shall host a banquet for Ambassadors, Chief Representatives and their Wives/Husbands in Hanoi;

b/ For other anniversary of the National Day:

The President and his/her Wife/Husband shall host a banquet for Ambassadors, Chief Representatives and their Wives/Husbands in Hanoi;

c/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall organize wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs and wreath-laying ceremonies at and visits to the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum for Ambassadors and Chief Representatives in Hanoi.

d/ Leaders of provinces and cities where foreign consulates are based shall organize get-togethers for Consuls General.

2. Lunar New Year festival

a/ The Prime Minister and his/her Wife/Husband shall host a banquet for Ambassadors, Chief Representatives and their Wives/Husbands in Hanoi on the occasion of lunar New Year festival;

b/ Based on practical conditions of localities, leaders of provinces and cities and their wives/husbands may organize get-togethers for consuls general and their wives/husbands in the localities on the occasion of lunar New Year festival;

c/ Ministries and sectors shall not organize private meetings with Ambassadors and Chief Representatives on the occasion of lunar New Year festival.

3. The Prime Minister shall organize a reception for all Chief Representatives in the United Nations system in Hanoi on the annual United Nations founding anniversary (October 24).

4. Ambassadors and Chief Representatives in Hanoi shall be invited to the opening ceremony of the National Assembly’s sessions.

5. Heads of foreign representative missions shall be invited to attend other big events of the country under schemes or programs approved by or at the request of competent authorities.

6. Ministries, sectors and localities organizing events and activities shall, if wishing to invite Ambassadors, Consuls General and Chief Representatives, consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before inviting them.

Article 41. Officials eligible to attend banquets that mark national days of foreign countries and anniversaries of the establishment of diplomatic relations

1. For a banquet that marks the national day of a foreign country:

a/ For a decennial anniversary: A ministerial-level leader is a main guest and delivers a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Government;

b/ For other anniversary: A deputy ministerial leader is a main guest and delivers a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Government.

2. For a banquet that marks the establishment of diplomatic relations: A deputy ministerial leader is a main guest and delivers a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Government. For special cases, the approved scheme must be complied with.

3. For other events hosted by foreign representative missions: Related ministries, sectors and localities shall coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in proposing and consulting competent authorities on sending high-ranking leaders or leaders of ministries, sectors or localities to the events in conformity with relevant provisions of Vietnam’s law, international practices and practices of separate events.

Article 42. Signing funeral guest books at foreign representative missions in Hanoi

1. A representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall sign the funeral guest book at a foreign representative mission.

2. In special cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall propose Party or State leaders to come and sign funeral guest books at foreign representative missions.

Chapter VIII

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 43. Effect

1. This Decree takes effect on April 10, 2022.

2. This Decree replaces the contents on diplomatic ceremonies and the welcome and reception of foreign guests (from Chapter 8 to Chapter 13) provided in the Government’s Decree No. 145/2013/ND-CP of October 29, 2013, on organization of anniversaries; ceremonials of presentation and receipt of forms of commendations and emulation titles; and diplomatic ceremonies and the welcome and reception of foreign guests.

Article 44. Implementation responsibility

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall:

a/ Perform the unified state management of the performance of diplomatic ceremonies and the welcome and reception of foreign guests;

b/ Propose the level of welcome and reception of foreign high-ranking delegations, international organizations and regional organizations other than those defined in this Decree.

2. The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related ministries and agencies in, reviewing, amending and supplementing provisions on regimes for welcome and reception of foreign guests entering Vietnam to work as appropriate.

3. The Ministry of National Defense shall arrange:

a/ Military bands and honor guards under regulations at welcome ceremonies at airports; state-level welcome ceremonies and official welcome ceremonies; state banquets; tribute-paying ceremonies at President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs;

b/ Honor guards under regulations in small meetings, state-level talks and official talks with Heads of State, Heads of State-cum-Heads of ruling Party on state visits or official visits, and in other cases as requested by competent agencies.

4. The Ministry of Public Security shall:

a/ Arrange honor guards under regulations in small meetings; official talks during visits by foreign high-ranking guests, except the case specified in Clause 3 of this Article; high-level meetings within the framework of visits; official banquets; courtesy receptions, audiences and working sessions of Party and State leaders with foreign guests; ceremonies of presentation of credentials and letters of credence, and in other cases as requested by competent agencies;

b/ Provide motorcades and escorting police cars under regulations.

5. When conducting diplomatic ceremonies and welcoming and receiving foreign guests, heads of the Party and State agencies, armed forces units and related organizations and individuals shall implement this Decree.-

On behalf of the Government
For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
PHAM BINH MINH