Decree 62/2026/ND-CP amend Decree 06/2005/ND-CP on representative offices of foreign research and cooperation organizations in Vietnam

DECREE

Amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No. 06/2005/ND-CP dated January 19, 2005, on the establishment and operation of representative offices of foreign research and cooperation organizations in Vietnam

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

At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

The Government hereby promulgates the Decree amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No. 06/2005/ND-CP dated January 19, 2005, on the establishment and operation of representative offices of foreign research and cooperation organizations in Vietnam.

Article 1. To amend and supplement Article 1

“Article 1. This Decree prescribes the establishment and operation of representative offices of foreign research and cooperation organizations in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as representative offices).

The establishment and operation of representative offices of foreign cultural and educational organizations in Vietnam is not regulated by this Decree.”.

Article 2. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 5

“2. Having a proposed program or project of activities in Vietnam within a period of 5 years.”.

Article 3. To amend, supplement, and annul a number of clauses of Article 6

1. To amend and supplement Clause 1 as follows:

“1. The written request for establishment of a representative office of the foreign organization in Vietnam shall be made according to Form No. 01 provided in the Appendix to this Decree.”.

2. To amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. Charter or operational regulations of the foreign organization: Original or copy in case the dossier is submitted directly or via postal service; electronic copy in case the dossier is submitted online.”.

3. To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

The document(s) of the ministry, sector or foreign local administration, permitting the foreign organization to set up its representative office in Vietnam, the written certification of the foreign organization’s legal status, issued by the competent agency of the country where the foreign organization is headquartered: Original or copy in case the dossier is submitted directly or via postal service; electronic copy in case the dossier is submitted online.”.

4. To annul Clause 4.

5. To amend and supplement Clause 5 as follows:

“5. Dossier of the head of the representative office: Curriculum vitae (self-declared) of the person expected to be appointed the head of the representative office and letter of recommendation or appointment decision for the head of the representative office in Vietnam, made by the head of the ministry, sector or local administration managing the foreign organization: Original or copy in case the dossier is submitted directly or via postal service; electronic copy in case the dossier is submitted online.”.

Article 4. To amend and supplement Article 7

“Article 7. The foreign organization requesting the establishment of a representative office shall submit one dossier set directly, via postal service, or online through the National Public Service Portal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within one working day from the date of receipt of the dossier, the receiving agency shall examine the completeness and validity of the dossier and request the organization to modify, or complete the dossier in case of invalid dossier. The dossier-receiving agency must maintain a register for monitoring and issue a receipt of dossier acceptance and an appointment slip for return of results upon receipt of a complete and valid dossier.

Within 14 working days after receiving the complete and valid dossiers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider granting or refuse to grant permits for establishing representative offices (hereinafter referred to as permits) to foreign organizations. In case of refusal to grant the permit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization in writing and clearly state the reasons.

The detailed contents of the permit for establishment of a representative office of the foreign organization in Vietnam shall be made according to Form No. 03 provided in the Appendix to this Decree.”.

Article 5. To amend and supplement a number of clauses of Article 8

1. To amend and supplement Clause 1 as follows:

“1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send the dossier requesting establishment of a representative office of the foreign organization to the Vietnamese managing agency, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city where the foreign organization intends to locate its representative office:

a) The People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city shall provide opinions on the activities of the foreign organization in the locality where the foreign organization intends to locate the representative office's head office;

b) Relevant ministries and agencies shall provide opinions on the activities of the foreign organization having programs or projects falling within the scope under the monitoring responsibility of such ministries or agencies;

c) The Vietnamese managing agency shall provide opinions on the request for establishment of the representative office of the foreign organization;

d) The Ministry of Public Security shall provide opinions regarding the person proposed to serve as head of the representative office in Vietnam.”.

2. To amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. After receipt of the document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agencies shall provide their opinions within 10 working days. In case the Vietnamese managing agency and relevant agencies have differing opinions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall request opinions in writing from the Vietnamese managing agency and the Ministry of Public Security. Opinions from agencies shall be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 5 working days after receiving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ document. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide on the grant of the permit for representative offices of foreign organizations on the basis of the unified opinions of the Vietnamese managing agency and the Ministry of Public Security.”.

Article 6. To amend and supplement Article 9

“Article 9. Permits’ duration shall be prescribed on the basis of foreign organizations’ proposals, which, however, shall not be longer than the operation duration of cooperation or research programs or projects of foreign organizations in Vietnam. In case of a need for renewal, the foreign organization shall submit one dossier set directly, via postal service, or online through the National Public Service Portal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 14 working days before the permit expires. Within one working day from the date of receipt of the dossier, the receiving agency shall examine the completeness and validity of the dossier and request the foreign organization to modify, or complete the dossier in case of invalid dossier.

1. A dossier comprises:

a) A written request for renewal of the permit made according to Form No. 02 provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

b) Documents of programs or projects or written commitments newly signed, or amended, supplemented, or extended concerning cooperation between the foreign organization and the Vietnamese managing agency giving rise to the need for renewal of the permit: Original or copy in case of direct submission or submission via postal service; electronic copy in case of online submission.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider renewal of the permit for the representative office after consultation with the Vietnamese managing agency, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city where the representative office is located.

a) The People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city shall provide opinions on the activities of the foreign organization in the locality where the foreign organization’s representative office is located.

b) Relevant ministries and agencies shall provide opinions on the activities of the foreign organization having programs or projects relating to their ministries or agencies;

c) The Vietnamese managing agency shall provide opinions on the request for renewal of the permit of the representative office.

3. After receipt of the document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agencies shall provide their opinions within 10 working days. In case the Vietnamese managing agency and relevant agencies have differing opinions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall request opinions in writing from the Vietnamese managing agency and the Ministry of Public Security. Opinions from agencies shall be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 5 working days after receiving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ document. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide on the renewal of the permit for representative offices of foreign organizations on the basis of the unified opinions of the Vietnamese managing agency and the Ministry of Public Security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization of the appraisal results within a period not exceeding 14 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier. In case of refusal to renew the permit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization in writing and clearly state the reasons.

Article 7. To amend and supplement Article 10

“Article 10. In case of a need to modify the permit, the representative office of the foreign organization shall submit one dossier set directly, via postal service, or online through the National Public Service Portal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within one working day from the date of receipt of the dossier, the receiving agency shall examine the completeness and validity of the dossier and request the organization to modify, or complete the dossier in case of invalid dossier.

1. A dossier comprises:

a) A written request for modifying the permit made according to Form No. 02 provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

b) Curriculum vitae (self-declared) of the person expected to be appointed the head of the representative office in case of changing the representative office head; letter of recommendation or appointment decision for the head of the representative office in Vietnam, made by the head of the ministry, sector or local administration managing the foreign organization: Original or copy in case of direct submission or submission via postal service; electronic copy in case of online submission.

c) Documents of programs or projects or written commitments on amendment or supplementation of cooperation between the foreign organization and the Vietnamese managing agency in case of expansion of the scope and duration of operation of the representative office: Original or copy in case of direct submission or submission via postal service; electronic copy in case of online submission.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider modification of the permit for the representative office after consultation with the Vietnamese managing agency, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city where the representative office is located.

a) The People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city shall provide opinions on the activities of the foreign organization in the locality where the foreign organization’s representative office is located.

b) Relevant ministries and agencies shall provide opinions on the activities of the foreign organization having programs or projects relating to their ministries or agencies;

c) The Vietnamese managing agency shall provide opinions on the request for modification of the permit of the representative office.

d) The competent agency shall provide opinions regarding the person proposed to serve as head of the representative office in Vietnam.”.

3. After receipt of the document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agencies shall provide their opinions within 10 working days. In case the Vietnamese managing agency and relevant agencies have differing opinions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall request opinions in writing from the Vietnamese managing agency and the Ministry of Public Security. Opinions from agencies shall be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 5 working days after receiving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ document. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide on the modification of the permit for representative offices of foreign organizations on the basis of the unified opinions of the Vietnamese managing agency and the Ministry of Public Security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization of the appraisal results within a period not exceeding 14 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier. In case of refusal to modify the permit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization in writing and clearly state the reasons.”.

Article 8. To amend and supplement Article 11

“Article 11. Permits for establishing representative offices shall be revoked in cases where representative offices of foreign organizations carry out activities inconsistent with the granted permits, violate the provisions of this Decree or other relevant provisions of Vietnamese law, or their programs or projects in Vietnam are forced to terminate ahead of schedule. Before issuing a decision on revocation of the permit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consult the Vietnamese managing agency, the People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city where the representative office is located, and relevant ministries and agencies.”.

Article 9. To amend and supplement Clause 2 of Article 14

“2. Representative offices’ heads shall be responsible for all activities of the representative offices and foreign organizations in Vietnam, send annual reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese managing agencies on the operation of their organizations in Vietnam, and at the same time shall report on, provide documents, or explain issues related to the operation of their organizations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese managing agencies when so requested.”.

Article 10. To add Chapter IIIa after Chapter III

“Chapter IIIa
PERIODIC REPORTING REGIME

Article 14a. Reporting subjects, titles, and contents

1. Reporting subjects:

a) Representative offices of foreign organizations;

b) Vietnamese managing agencies;

c) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. Reporting titles:

a) For representative offices: Report on operational situation in Vietnam (reporting year);

b) For Vietnamese managing agencies: Report on cooperation and management of representative offices of foreign organizations (reporting year);

c) For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Report on operational situation and management of foreign organizations (reporting year).

3. Required reporting contents:

a) Vietnamese managing agencies shall prepare reports according to Form No. 04 provided in the Appendix to this Decree;

b) Representative offices shall prepare reports according to Form No. 05 provided in the Appendix to this Decree;

c) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall prepare reports according to Form No. 06 provided in the Appendix to this Decree.

Article 14b. Receiving agencies of reports

1. The representative office shall send reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese managing agency.

2. The Vietnamese managing agency shall send reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send reports to the Prime Minister; and concurrently send them to relevant ministries, sectors, and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities.

Article 14c. Methods and deadlines for submission of reports

1. Methods of submission of reports: Selection of one of the following methods:

a) Submission via the National Document Interconnection Axis;

b) Submission via the Reporting Information System of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs connected to the Government Reporting Information System developed by the Government Office;

c) Submission via the email system;

d) Other methods in accordance with the law.

2. Deadline for submitting reports:

a) Representative offices and Vietnamese managing agencies shall submit periodic reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs no later than the 20^th day of the last month of the reporting period;

b) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall submit reports to the Prime Minister no later than the 25^th day of the last month of the reporting period.

Article 14d. Reporting frequency and closing time of reporting data

1. Reporting frequency:

a) Representative offices shall conduct annual periodic reporting;

b) Vietnamese managing agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall conduct annual periodic reporting.

2. Closing time of reporting data: From December 15 of the year preceding the reporting period to December 14 of the reporting period.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese managing agency may request the representative office to submit ad hoc reports. The closing time of reporting data and the deadline for submission of reports shall comply with the request of the requesting agency.”.

Article 11. To amend and supplement Article 15

“Article 15. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be the lead agency assisting the Government in unified state management of activities of representative offices of foreign organizations in Vietnam and shall:

1. Grant, modify, renew, and revoke the permit for establishment of representative offices of foreign organizations.

2. Seek written opinions of the Vietnamese managing agency related to the sector or field in which the representative office operates, the People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city where the foreign organization requests to locate the representative office, and relevant ministries and agencies when considering the grant, modification, renewal, and revocation of the permit.

3. Provide opinions to the Vietnamese managing agency on the contents of the Agreement document with the foreign organization.

4. Annually consolidate reports to the Prime Minister on the operational situation and management of representative offices of foreign organizations.

5. Periodically and irregularly inspect the activities of representative offices of foreign organizations.”.

Article 12. To amend and supplement Article 16

“Article 16. The Vietnamese managing agency shall:

1. Assume the prime responsibility for drafting, consulting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries and agencies, and signing the Agreement document with the relevant foreign organization.

2. Monitor, urge, and inspect the activities of representative offices within the sectors or fields under its management; guide and resolve requests of representative offices concerning specialized sectors or fields and legal procedures to ensure that representative offices are established and operate in accordance with law.

3. Guide local departments, divisions, and sectors under the sectors or fields managed by the ministry or agency in the management of activities of representative offices.

4. Provide written responses to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the sectors or fields in which the representative office operates during the process of considering the grant, modification, renewal, and revocation of the permit.

5. Submit annual reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the cooperation and management of representative offices within the sectors or fields under its management.”.

Article 13. To amend and supplement Article 17

“Article 17. The People’s Committee of the province or centrally run city where the foreign organization has established the representative office shall:

1. Manage and facilitate the activities of representative offices in accordance with its functions and powers of state management.

2. Provide written responses at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the consideration of the grant, modification, renewal, and revocation of the permit of the representative office.”.

Article 14. Effect

1. This Decree takes effect from March 1, 2026.

2. Dossiers requesting the grant, modification, renewal, and revocation of the registration certificate submitted before the effective date of this Decree shall continue to be considered and resolved in accordance with the Government's Decree No. 06/2005/ND-CP, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Circular No. 10/2005/TT-BNG, and Circular No. 03/2025/TT-BNG.

Article 15. Implementation responsibility

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, and chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally run cities shall implement this Decree.