Decree 262/2026/ND-CP prescribing press activities of foreign press agencies, representative missions, and organizations in Vietnam

DECREE

On press activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam^[1]

Pursuant to Law No. 63/2025/QH15 on Organisation of the Government;

Pursuant to Law No. 126/2025/QH15 on the Press;

Pursuant to Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in, Vietnam, which is amended and supplemented by Law No. 51/2019/QH14 and Law No. 23/2023/QH15;

Pursuant to Law No. 05/2022/QH15 on Cinematography;

Pursuant to Law No. 68/2020/QH14 on Residence;

Pursuant to Law No. 19/2012/QH13 on Publication;

Pursuant to Ordinance No. 25-L/CTN on the privileges and immunities granted to diplomatic representative missions, consular offices and representative offices of international organisations in Vietnam;

At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

The Government promulgates the Decree on press activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

This Decree details Clause 1, Article 47 of Law No. 126/2025/QH15 on the Press (below referred to as Law No. 126/2025) regarding press activities and press-related activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam.

Article 2. Subjects of application

This Decree applies to foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam.

Article 3. Interpretation of terms

In this Decree, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Foreign press agency means a foreign news agency, radio or television agency, print newspaper, electronic newspaper or another type of press agency that is established and headquartered abroad and recognised by foreign law.

2. Permanent office means a representative office of a foreign press agency established in Vietnam.

3. Resident correspondent means a foreign-national correspondent or editor assigned by a foreign press agency to work in Vietnam on a resident basis.

4. Non-resident correspondent means a foreign-national correspondent or editor assigned by a foreign press agency to work in Vietnam for a short period and not entitled to the status of resident correspondents.

5. Press assistant means a Vietnamese citizen working under a contract for a permanent office in Vietnam to assist resident correspondents and the permanent office in press activities in Vietnam.

6. Contributor means a Vietnamese citizen or foreigner lawfully residing and working in Vietnam who is hired by a permanent office to assist resident correspondents or the permanent office in certain specific press activities for a specified period.

7. Press-related activities of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam means activities involving the display of pictures, hanging of panels and posters, installation of screens and other forms of information outside the headquarters of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam; and film screenings and exhibitions held in Vietnam to which Vietnamese citizens are invited.

8. Information publication of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam (below referred to as foreign information publication) means a product containing information presented in written, visual or audio form, published in print or distributed electronically for circulation in Vietnam; foreign information publications include:

a/ Newsletters, special publications and equivalent forms as prescribed by the law on the press;

b/ Non-commercial publications;

c/ Audio and visual information products containing journalistic content.

9. Press conference means an information-providing activity organised in Vietnam by foreign agencies, organisations, delegations or individuals, with representatives of press agencies and Vietnamese citizens invited to attend, for the purpose of informing, announcing, declaring or explaining a matter falling within the competence of, or relating to the tasks and interests of, such agencies, organisations, delegations or individuals.

10. Competent agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs means the agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that is in charge of providing guidance to foreign press agencies, or an agency or organisation that directly invites, carries out procedures for, receives, and provides guidance to, foreign correspondents conducting press activities in Vietnam.

Article 4. Principles of press activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam

1. All press activities conducted by foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam may only be carried out after being approved by a competent agency specified in this Decree and must comply with the current laws of Vietnam; and must ensure coordination with the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality where the activities take place.

2. Online press activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam must comply with Vietnam’s laws on the press and cybersecurity and other relevant laws, and be consistent with treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

3. Organisations and individuals that violate the provisions of this Decree shall, depending on the nature and severity of their violations, be handled in accordance with Vietnam’s law.

4. Matters relating to press activities and press-related activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam that are not provided in this Decree must comply with the Law on the Press, relevant specialised laws and treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

Chapter II

PRESS ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN PRESS IN VIETNAM

Section 1

NON-RESIDENT CORRESPONDENTS

Article 5. Procedures for issuing press activity permits to non-resident correspondents

1. A foreign correspondent wishing to conduct press activities in Vietnam shall send a dossier of application online, by post, in person or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Vietnamese diplomatic mission, a consular office or a Vietnamese representative mission to an international organisation (below collectively referred to as Vietnamese overseas mission) at least 10 days before the proposed date of entry into Vietnam.

A dossier of application must comprise:

a/ An application for permission to conduct press activities in Vietnam as a non-resident correspondent, made according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

b/ A copy of the personal information page of the foreign correspondent’s passport, which must remain valid for at least 6 months.

2. In case a dossier of application is sent through a Vietnamese overseas mission, within 24 hours after receiving a valid dossier, the Vietnamese overseas mission shall forward it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for processing in accordance with regulations.

3. Within 7 working days after receiving a complete and valid dossier of application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue an electronic press activity permit to the non-resident correspondent. In case of disapproval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a written or electronic reply, clearly stating the reason.

Article 6. Press activities of non-resident correspondents

1. Upon entering Vietnam, a non-resident correspondent shall comply with the instructions of the competent agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The competent agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall guide the non-resident correspondent in conducting activities for the proper purpose and in accordance with the programme for which permission has been granted, and shall report on the activities of the press delegation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 3 working days after completion of the programme.

When conducting press activities in Vietnam, a non-resident correspondent shall carry his/her press activity permit and passport.

2. In case of any adjustment to or supplementation of the programme of activities or the scope of reporting activities in a locality, a non-resident correspondent shall send a written or electronic notice to the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality where the reporting activities are conducted, while notifying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof. The non-resident correspondent may only conduct such activities after obtaining written approval from the provincial-level People’s Committee.

3. In case a Vietnamese organisation or individual provides content or produces programmes for a foreign press agency that does not have a permanent office in Vietnam, the foreign press agency shall send a dossier of application for a permit as specified in Article 5 of this Decree, and follow the instructions of the competent agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 7. Violations in press activities by non-resident correspondents

1. A non-resident correspondent who commits any of the violations specified in Clause 2 of this Article shall, depending on the nature and severity of their violations, be subject to one or more of the following measures: reminder, warning, suspension of press activities for a specified period, or revocation of the press activity permit, and shall also be handled in accordance with law.

2. Violations subject to handling include:

a/ Conducting press activities for purposes or with content, for a duration or at locations other than those specified in the press activity permit.

b/ Committing acts in violation of the law on the press or other provisions of Vietnam’s law.

c/ Obstructing the activities of competent agencies or seriously affecting security and public order at the place where reporting activities are conducted.

3. Competent agencies and the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality where a violation occurs shall promptly make a written record, suspend the violating activities and send a written or electronic notice, together with supporting documents, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Within 24 hours after receiving the notice of the violation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall verify the matter and issue a document to remind or warn the correspondent, suspend his/her press activities for a specified period, or revoke his/her press activity permit.

In case of revocation of the press activity permit, the competent agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall return the permit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 8. Foreign correspondents accompanying foreign delegations

1. Foreign correspondents accompanying foreign delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of Party and State leaders or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be permitted to report on activities included in the official programmes of the foreign delegations.

In case foreign correspondents wish to conduct press activities outside the official programme of a foreign delegation, they shall send a dossier of application for a press activity permit online, by post, in person or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The dossier must comprise the documents specified in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Decree.

Within 3 working days after receiving a complete and valid dossier of application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a press activity permit to the foreign correspondent. In case of disapproval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a written or electronic reply, clearly stating the reason.

After being issued a press activity permit, the foreign correspondent shall conduct press activities in accordance with Article 6 of this Decree and comply with the instructions of the competent agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. For foreign correspondents accompanying foreign delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of ministries, commissions, sectors or localities, the host agency shall guide the foreign correspondents to send a dossier of application for a press activity permit online, by post, in person or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The dossier must comprise the documents specified in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Decree. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a press activity permit in accordance with Clause 3, Article 5 of this Decree.

After the foreign correspondent is issued a press activity permit by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the host agency shall carry out procedures to sponsor the foreigner’s entry into Vietnam in accordance with law and shall manage the correspondent’s activities after his/her entry in accordance with Article 6 of this Decree.

Section 2

PERMANENT OFFICES, RESIDENT CORRESPONDENTS

Article 9. Procedures for establishing permanent offices and appointing resident correspondents

1. A foreign press agency wishing to establish a permanent office and appoint a resident correspondent in Vietnam shall send a dossier of application in person, by post, online or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or through a Vietnamese overseas mission.

A dossier of application must comprise:

a/ An application for establishment of a permanent office by the foreign press agency, made according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

b/ A copy of the certificate of the legal status of the foreign press agency, which has been consularly legalised, unless consular legalisation is exempted under a treaty to which both the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the relevant country are contracting parties or on the principle of reciprocity.

c/ An application for appointment of a resident correspondent, made by the foreign press agency according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

d/ A brief curriculum vitae of the person appointed as resident correspondent, made according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

dd/ A copy of the personal information page of the passport of the person appointed as resident correspondent, which must remain valid for at least 6 months.

e/ In case the person appointed as resident correspondent is entitled to diplomatic or consular privileges and immunities, he/she shall provide a commitment statement, certified by the foreign representative mission, to waive such privileges and immunities in activities carried out in the capacity of resident correspondent from the time of being approved as resident correspondent, or in accordance with an agreement between Vietnam and the sending country.

2. Within 40 days after receiving a complete and valid dossier of application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a written or electronic reply regarding the establishment of the permanent office and the appointment of the resident correspondent.

3. Within 30 days after receiving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ written approval, the resident correspondent shall come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hand over the letter of appointment and receive the permit for establishment of the permanent office in Vietnam.

Article 10. Activities of permanent offices

1. The resident correspondent or the person designated as Head of the permanent office (for a permanent office with 2 or more correspondents) shall be the head and legal representative of the permanent office in Vietnam, and shall take responsibility before Vietnam’s law for all activities of the office and its members, including resident correspondents, additional correspondents, press assistants and press contributors; and shall directly sign documents applying for resident correspondent cards and press assistant cards, as well as documents concerning working relations with competent Vietnamese agencies.

2. The permanent office shall notify in writing the provincial-level People’s Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the address of the permanent office at least 15 days before the permanent office officially commences operation.

3. If wishing to establish an additional working office in a province or centrally run city other than the locality where the permanent office is based, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the provincial-level People’s Committee at least 15 days before the proposed date of establishment of the working office.

The notice must specify the name of the foreign press agency; the name of its permanent office in Vietnam; the location of the working office in the province or centrally run city other than the locality where the permanent office is based (including its specific address, telephone number and email address for contact); the date on which the working office is expected to commence operation and its proposed duration of operation; and the list of personnel and correspondents assigned to work at the office.

If, after 15 days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not issue a written reply, the permanent office may establish the working office in the province or centrally run city other than the locality where the permanent office is based in accordance with the contents of the notice.

4. In case a permanent office is relocated within the same province or centrally run city where its former headquarters is based, the permanent office shall make a notice in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article.

In case a permanent office is relocated to a province or centrally run city other than the place where its former headquarters is based, the permanent office shall notify the relocation in accordance with Clause 3 of this Article. At the same time, the permanent office shall send a written notice of termination of operation at the former location to the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality where the former headquarters was based before commencing operation at the new location.

5. A permanent office requiring assistance with administrative procedures serving its press activities in Vietnam shall send a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which shall introduce the office to competent Vietnamese agencies for carrying out the necessary procedures in accordance with law.

Article 11. Termination of operation of permanent offices

1. A permanent office shall terminate its operation in any of the following cases:

a/ The permanent office or the foreign press agency wishes to terminate its operation in Vietnam.

b/ The permit for establishment of the permanent office is revoked because the office operates against its principles and purposes, seriously violates Vietnam’s law, commits violations of the law on the press, or commits acts that seriously affect Vietnam’s national security, social order and safety, cultural traditions, ethics, or fine customs and traditions.

c/ The permanent office does not actually conduct press activities in Vietnam for 6 consecutive months.

2. For the case specified in Point a, Clause 1 of this Article, the permanent office or the foreign press agency shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in writing at least 30 days before the date of termination of operation.

For the cases specified in Points b and c, Clause 1 of this Article, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written or electronic notice to the permanent office or the foreign press agency at least 30 days before deciding to terminate the operation of the permanent office.

Within 15 days after receiving the notice, the permanent office or the foreign press agency shall send a written reply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in person, by post, online or by email.

Within 7 working days after receiving the written reply, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written or electronic notice of its decision to the permanent office or the foreign press agency.

3. The permanent office shall complete all relevant procedures as prescribed and return its establishment permit and resident correspondent cards to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and press assistant cards to the provincial-level People’s Committee, within 3 working days from the date of termination of operation.

4. Within 3 working days from the date of termination of operation of the permanent office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written or electronic notice to the relevant agencies and the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality where the permanent office is based.

Article 12. Procedures for appointing additional resident correspondents and additional correspondents

1. If wishing to appoint an additional resident correspondent in a locality other than the locality where the permanent office is based, the permanent office shall send a dossier of application in person, by post, online or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The dossier must comprise the documents specified in Points c, d, dd and e, Clause 1, Article 9 of this Decree.

Upon receipt of a valid dossier of application for appointment of a resident correspondent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consult the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality where the permanent office proposes to appoint the resident correspondent. Within 5 working days, the provincial-level People’s Committee shall send a written or electronic reply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within 10 days after receiving a complete and valid dossier of application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a written or electronic reply; in case of disapproval, it shall clearly state the reason.

2. If wishing to appoint an additional correspondent, the permanent office shall carry out the procedures specified in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Decree. An additional correspondent shall not be entitled to the status of resident correspondents.

Article 13. Concurrent resident correspondents

1. The following persons may serve as concurrent resident correspondents for a permanent office in Vietnam:

a/ A resident correspondent of a permanent office operating in Vietnam.

b/ A resident correspondent of a permanent office in another country.

2. A foreign press agency wishing to appoint a concurrent resident correspondent shall send a dossier of application in person, by post, online or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The dossier must comprise the documents specified in Points c, d, dd and e, Clause 1, Article 9 of this Decree.

For the case specified in Point a, Clause 1 of this Article, the dossier of application shall be accompanied by the written consent of the foreign press agency currently employing the resident correspondent.

Within 10 days after receiving a complete and valid dossier of application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a written or electronic reply; in case of disapproval, it shall clearly state the reason.

3. After receiving the approval, the concurrent resident correspondent shall carry out procedures for applying for a visa and a resident correspondent card in accordance with Articles 14 and 15 of this Decree, and shall conduct press activities in accordance with Article 16 of this Decree.

Article 14. Visas for resident correspondents

After receiving the approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a resident correspondent shall carry out procedures for applying for a visa in accordance with regulations. The issuance, extension, refusal of issuance or cancellation of visas and temporary residence cards for resident correspondents must comply with the law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in, Vietnam.

Article 15. Resident correspondent cards

A resident correspondent card is a document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifying the status of a resident correspondent and authorising the resident correspondent to conduct press activities in Vietnam in accordance with law. The card shall be valid for a period corresponding to the validity period of the correspondent’s visa.

1. First-time issuance: After entering Vietnam, the resident correspondent shall send a dossier of application in person, by post, online or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A dossier of application must comprise:

a/ An application for the card, made according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

b/ A copy of the personal information page of the resident correspondent’s valid passport and the visa for entry into Vietnam.

c/ A 3 cm x 4 cm portrait photograph, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.

2. Re-issuance: In case of application for re-issuance of a card because the card is damaged or lost, the permanent office shall send a dossier specified in Clause 1 of this Article. The resident correspondent shall return the damaged card upon receipt of the new card.

3. Extension: The correspondent shall carry out procedures for extension of the card at least 15 days before its expiry. The dossier of application is the same as that specified in Clause 1 of this Article and shall be accompanied by a copy of the card; the original card shall be returned upon receipt of the new card.

4. Within 3 working days after receiving a valid dossier of application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall complete the first-time issuance, re-issuance or extension of the card.

In case of refusal to process the dossier of application or the required time limit for dossier processing has expired, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written or electronic notice to the resident correspondent.

5. When conducting press activities in Vietnam, a resident correspondent shall present his/her card and passport to competent Vietnamese agencies upon request.

6. At least 15 days before a resident correspondent ends his/her period of activities in Vietnam, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice thereof to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and return the card to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the date on which the correspondent ends his/her activities. If not returning the card, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice thereof to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly stating the reason. Within 3 days after receiving the notice from the permanent office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the provincial-level People’s Committee and relevant competent agencies of the invalidation of the issued resident correspondent card.

7. A card shall be revoked in the following cases:

a/ The resident correspondent terminates his/her activities before the expiry date stated on the card.

b/ The permanent office terminates its operation.

c/ The resident correspondent commits a violation of the law on the press or relevant laws and is subject to suspension of press activities in Vietnam by a competent agency or is expelled from Vietnam.

8. For the cases specified in Points a and b, Clause 7 of this Article, within 3 working days from the date on which the grounds for card revocation arise, the permanent office or the foreign press agency concerned shall return the card to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If not returning the card, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice thereof to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly stating the reason. Within 3 days after receiving the notice from the permanent office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the provincial-level People’s Committee and relevant competent agencies of the invalidation of the issued resident correspondent card.

9. For the case specified in Point c, Clause 7 of this Article, upon detecting a violation or receiving a written notice of a violation, together with supporting documents, from a competent agency or provincial-level People’s Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue a card revocation decision within 2 working days.

Within 24 hours after receiving the card revocation decision specified in Clause 9 of this Article, the resident correspondent or the permanent office shall return the card to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If not returning the card, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice thereof to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly stating the reason. Within 3 days after receiving the notice from the permanent office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the provincial-level People’s Committee and relevant competent agencies of the invalidation of the issued resident correspondent card.

Article 16. Press activities of resident correspondents

1. For requests to interview senior Vietnamese leaders, the permanent office shall send a written request in person, by post, online or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. For requests to meet or interview leaders of ministries, commissions, sectors or localities, the permanent office shall send a request in person, by post, online or by email to the relevant ministries, commissions, sectors or localities, unless otherwise specifically required, and shall simultaneously notify such request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Within 5 working days after receiving the request, the relevant ministries, commissions, sectors or localities shall send a written or electronic reply to the permanent office and simultaneously notify their reply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3. For press activities in localities, the permanent office shall send a written request for press activities by resident correspondents, made according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree, in person, by post, online or by email to the provincial-level People’s Committee, and shall simultaneously notify such request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Within 5 working days after receiving the request, the provincial-level People’s Committee shall send a written or electronic reply to the permanent office and simultaneously notify the reply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Resident correspondents and press assistants may conduct press activities in a locality only after obtaining approval from the provincial-level People’s Committee and shall comply with Vietnam’s law.

Article 17. Press assistants of permanent offices

1. Press assistants may perform jobs in support of press activities of resident correspondents and permanent offices in Vietnam, such as taking photographs, filming, interpreting and performing administrative jobs in support of the operation of permanent offices. Press assistants are not entitled to the status of resident correspondents and may not conduct press activities in place of resident correspondents.

2. A permanent office wishing to employ a press assistant shall send a dossier of application in person, online, by post or by email to the agency designated by the Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee concerned to carry out administrative procedures in the locality where the permanent office is based.

A dossier of application must comprise:

a/ An application for a permit to work as a press assistant of the permanent office, made according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

b/ A 3cm x 4cm portrait photograph, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.

Within 10 days after receiving a valid dossier of application, the agency of the provincial-level People’s Committee that receives the dossier shall issue a press assistant card and simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof. In case of disapproval, the agency receiving the dossier shall send a written or electronic reply to the permanent office, clearly stating the reason, and simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof. The card shall be valid for 5 years.

3. A dossier of application for extension or re-issuance of a card upon expiry, loss or damage is the same as that specified in Clause 2 of this Article. The dossier-processing period must not exceed 3 working days.

At least 15 days before the card expires, the permanent office shall carry out procedures for its extension. The press assistant shall return the expired or damaged card upon receipt of the new card. The card-issuing agency shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the extension or re-issuance of the card.

4. The recruitment, employment and management of press assistants by permanent offices must comply with Vietnam’s current law.

5. When assisting resident correspondents in conducting press activities in Vietnam, press assistants shall present their press assistant cards and identity cards to competent Vietnamese agencies upon request.

6. Within 15 days before a press assistant ends his/her period of employment, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice thereof to the provincial-level People’s Committee and return his/her card to the card-issuing agency on the date on which the press assistant ends his/her employment.

7. A card shall be revoked in the following cases:

a/ The press assistant terminates his/her activities before the expiry date stated on the card.

b/ The permanent office terminates the employment of the press assistant or terminates its operation in Vietnam.

c/ The press assistant commits a violation of the law on the press or relevant laws.

d/ The press assistant uses the card for an improper purpose or lends the card to another person.

8. For the cases specified in Points a and b, Clause 7 of this Article, within 3 working days from the date on which the grounds for card revocation arise, the permanent office or the press assistant shall return the card to the card-issuing agency. If not returning the card, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice thereof to the provincial-level People’s Committee, clearly stating the reason. Within 3 days after receiving the notice from the permanent office, the provincial-level People’s Committee shall notify in writing or electronically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant competent agencies of the invalidation of the issued press assistant card.

9. For the cases specified in Points c and d, Clause 7 of this Article, upon detecting a violation or receiving a written notice of a violation, together with supporting documents, from a competent agency, the card-issuing agency shall issue a card revocation decision within 2 working days and notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof.

Within 24 hours of receiving the card revocation decision specified in Clause 9 of this Article, the press assistant or the permanent office shall return the card to the card-issuing agency.

If not returning the card, the permanent office shall send a written or electronic notice thereof to the provincial-level People’s Committee, clearly stating the reason. Within 3 days after receiving the notice from the permanent office, the provincial-level People’s Committee shall notify in writing or electronically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant competent agencies of the invalidation of the issued press assistant card.

Article 18. Contributors of permanent offices

1. If wishing to employ a contributor, a permanent office shall send a dossier of application in person, by post, online or by email to the agency designated by the Chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee concerned for carrying out administrative procedures in the locality where the permanent office is based.

A dossier of application must comprise:

a/ An application for a permit to work as a contributor of the permanent office, made according to the form provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

b/ A 3 cm x 4 cm portrait photograph, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.

c/ A copy of the personal information page of the contributor’s passport and visa for entry into Vietnam, for a foreign national.

d/ In case the person employed as a contributor is entitled to diplomatic or consular privileges and immunities, he/she shall provide a commitment statement to waive such privileges and immunities, certified by the foreign representative mission, in activities carried out in the capacity of contributor from the time of approval as a contributor to the permanent office or in accordance with an agreement between Vietnam and the sending country.

Within 10 days after receiving a valid dossier of application, the agency receiving the dossier shall reply to the permanent office in writing or electronically and simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof.

2. A permanent office may employ and use a contributor only after obtaining approval from the provincial-level People’s Committee.

A contributor of a permanent office may only perform jobs in support of the press activities of resident correspondents and the permanent office, such as filming, taking photographs and interpreting for specific activities and for a specified period, and may not conduct activities in place of a resident correspondent.

Chapter III

PRESS ACTIVITIES AND PRESS-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE MISSIONS AND FOREIGN ORGANISATIONS IN VIETNAM

Article 19. Publishing of foreign information publications

1. Foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam that publish newsletters or special publications in Vietnam shall obtain a publication permit issued by a competent Vietnamese state management agency in accordance with the law on the press.

2. Foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam shall, when publishing newsletters or special publications, comply with the contents of the publication permit and may not transfer the permit to another party.

3. The agency competent to issue a publication permit for a newsletter or special publication is competent to decide on termination of publication or revocation of the permit in accordance with law.

4. The publishing of foreign information publications other than newsletters and special publications must comply with the law on publishing and Vietnam’s current law.

Article 20. Press conferences

1. A foreign representative mission or foreign organisation that wishes to hold a press conference in Hanoi shall notify the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in writing, either in person or online, at least 24 hours before the scheduled time of the press conference, and simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof.

2. A foreign representative mission or foreign organisation that wishes to hold a press conference in another locality shall notify the provincial-level People’s Committee of such locality in writing, either in person or online, at least 24 hours before the scheduled time of the press conference, and simultaneously notify the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof.

3. A press conference held by a foreign delegation visiting Vietnam at the invitation of Party and State leaders or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be conducted in accordance with the official programme of the delegation. A press conference that is not included in the official programme of the delegation shall be subject to the procedures specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article.

4. For a press conference held by a foreign delegation visiting Vietnam at the invitation of ministries, commissions, sectors or localities, the host agency shall notify the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the provincial-level People’s Committee (if the press conference is held in a locality) in writing, either in person or online, at least 24 hours before the scheduled time of the press conference.

5. The notice of a press conference must specify the agency, organisation or individual chairing the press conference; the venue and time; the contents; documents evidencing the lawfulness of the information to be provided to the press at the press conference; and the list of press agencies invited to attend the press conference.

6. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and provincial-level People’s Committees shall notify the foreign representative mission or foreign organisation in Vietnam that the press conference may not be held in case the notice of the press conference fails to satisfy the requirements specified in Clause 5 of this Article, and shall simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof.

In case a foreign representative mission or foreign organisation in Vietnam holds a press conference with contents not conformable to those specified in Clause 5 of this Article or in case there are signs of a violation of Vietnam’s law, a state management agency may suspend the press conference and shall simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thereof.

Article 21. Display of paintings and photographs, and installation of panels, posters and screens and other forms of information outside the headquarters of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam; film screenings and exhibitions which Vietnamese citizens in Vietnam are invited to attend

1. In case a foreign representative mission or foreign organisation in Vietnam wishes to display paintings and photographs, or install panels, posters and screens and other forms of information outside its headquarters, it shall send a written application in person, by post, online or by email to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism if its headquarters is located in Hanoi, or to the provincial-level People’s Committee concerned if its headquarters is located in another locality.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall specify the conditions, dossiers of application and procedures for issuing permits for the activities specified in this Clause.

2. Foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam may organise film screenings at public film-screening venues in accordance with Vietnam’s law and must satisfy the conditions prescribed by the law on cinematography and other relevant laws of Vietnam, unless otherwise provided by a treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

Before organising a film screening at a public film-screening venue, a foreign representative mission or foreign organisation shall send a written notice of the film content and screening programme to the provincial-level People’s Committee of the locality where the screening is to be held.

Within 7 working days after receiving the notice, in case the film content or screening programme shows signs of a violation under the law on cinematography or other relevant laws of Vietnam, the provincial-level People’s Committee shall issue a written notice of disapproval, clearly stating the reason.

Upon expiry of the above-mentioned period, if no written opinion has been issued by a competent local agency, the foreign representative mission or foreign organisation may organise the film screening in accordance with the notified content.

3. When organising an exhibition in Vietnam, a foreign representative mission or foreign organisation shall comply with the law on exhibitions, publishing, fine arts and photography and other relevant laws of Vietnam.

Before organising an exhibition, a foreign representative mission or foreign organisation shall carry out procedures for applying for an exhibition permit with a competent Vietnamese state agency in accordance with the law applicable to each type of exhibition.

A dossier of application, order, procedures, competence and time limit for processing the dossier of application for an exhibition permit must comply with relevant laws.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITY

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible to the Government for performing the state management of all press activities and press-related activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam.

2. In managing the press activities of foreign press agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall perform the following tasks:

a/ To manage, issue permits, provide guidance and provide other necessary services for foreign correspondents entering Vietnam to conduct press activities.

b/ To issue permits to foreign press agencies to establish permanent offices in Vietnam and appoint resident correspondents, and coordinate with provincial-level People’s Committees in handling matters regarding the employment of press assistants and contributors by permanent offices.

c/ To manage and provide guidance on the press activities of resident correspondents and permanent offices in Vietnam.

d/ To coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees in addressing professional and technical requirements; requests for the import and export of professional and technical equipment; requirements relating to entry into, exit from, residence in and travel within Vietnam; and other requirements serving the press activities of foreign press agencies in Vietnam.

3. To coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in addressing requests concerning press-related activities of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam.

4. To provide guidance on the implementation of provisions governing press activities of foreign press agencies that fall within the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

5. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees in, summarising and making annual reports on the implementation of provisions governing press activities and press-related activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam.

6. To provide guidance, training and support to provincial-level People’s Committees in managing, and guiding the press activities of, foreign press agencies in their respective localities.

Article 23. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

1. To manage and issue permits for press activities and press-related activities of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations, including:

a/ The publishing and circulation of foreign information publications.

b/ Foreign press conferences in Vietnam.

c/ The display of paintings and photographs and other forms of information outside the headquarters of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Hanoi.

d/ To manage and issue permits for the installation of panels, posters and screens outside the headquarters of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Hanoi, and for film screenings and exhibitions organised by foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Hanoi which Vietnamese citizens are invited to attend.

2. To provide guidance on the implementation of provisions governing press activities and press-related activities of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations that fall within the competence of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

3. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant competent authorities in, dealing with violations in press activities and press-related activities of foreign representative missions and foreign organisations.

Article 24. Responsibilities of provincial-level People’s Committees

Provincial-level People’s Committees shall receive, consider and process requests from foreign correspondents, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations to conduct press activities in their respective localities; issue press assistant cards and issue permits to contributors of permanent offices; and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant agencies in managing, and providing guidance on the activities of, foreign correspondents, and handling violations.

Article 25. Responsibilities of ministries and ministerial-level agencies

1. The Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries and ministerial-level agencies in, ensuring national security and social order and safety in foreign press activities; ensuring security and safety for foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam; detecting, preventing and handling in accordance with law acts of abusing press activities to infringe upon national security or social order and safety; and closely coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in ensuring compliance with prescribed time limits in processing administrative procedures for the licensing, management, and provision of guidance on, foreign press activities.

2. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall, within the ambit of their assigned functions and tasks, coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in managing and handling violations in press activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 26. Transitional provisions

1. Permits and written approvals issued before the effective date of this Decree continue to be valid until the expiry of the periods specified in such permits or written approvals.

2. Permits for establishment of permanent offices of foreign press agencies issued before the effective date of this Decree that do not specify a validity period remain valid and shall not be subject to procedures for renewal.

3. Valid dossiers of application for permits that were received by competent state agencies before the effective date of this Decree but for which permits have not yet been issued continue to be considered and processed in accordance with the law in force at the time the dossiers were received.

Article 27. Effect

1. This Decree takes effect on July 1, 2026.

2. This Decree replaces Decree No. 88/2012/ND-CP of October 23, 2012, on information and press activities of foreign press agencies, foreign representative missions and foreign organisations in Vietnam.

3. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall implement this Decree.-

 On behalf of the Government
For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
    PHAM GIA TUC

* The Appendix to this Decree is not translated.