Law Amending Eleven Laws on Military and National Defense 2025, No. 98/2025/QH15

LAW

Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Eleven Laws on the Military and National Defense Fields^[1]

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

The National Assembly promulgates the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Eleven Laws on the Military and National Defense Fields, namely Law No. 22/2018/QH14 on National Defense, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 18/2023/QH15 and Law No. 38/2024/QH15; Law No. 16/1999/QH10 on Vietnam People’s Army Officers, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 19/2008/QH12, Law No. 72/2014/QH13, Law No. 48/2019/QH14 and Law No. 52/2024/QH15; Law No. 98/2015/QH13 on Professional Army Men and Defense Workers and Employees; Law No. 78/2015/QH13 on Military Service, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 48/2019/QH14; Law No. 66/2020/QH14 on Vietnam Border Defense; Law No. 49/2024/QH15 on People’s Air Defense; Law No. 53/2019/QH14 on the Military Reserve Force; Law No. 18/2023/QH15 on Civil Defense; Law No. 25/2023/QH15 on Management and Protection of Defense Works and Military Zones; Law No. 48/2019/QH14 on Militia and Self-Defense Forces; and Law No. 30/2013/QH13 on National Defense and Security Education, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 35/2018/QH14.

Article 1. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on National Defense

1. To amend and supplement Clause 1, Article 9 as follows:

“1. Defense areas constitute a component of the military zone-based defense, covering political, spiritual, economic, cultural, social, scientific, technological, military, security and external-relation activities; and are organized in the provincial-level geographical areas and special administrative-economic units, with regional defense and communes built into the foundation for local defense.”.

2. To amend and supplement Clause 3, Article 21 as follows:

“3. A martial law order must specifically state the provincial- or commune-level locality or special economic-administrative unit which is placed under the martial law, enforcement measures and effect; tasks and powers of agencies, organizations and individuals; necessary rules of social order in the locality concerned, which shall be announced continuously in the mass media.”.

3. To amend and supplement Points b and c, Clause 3, Article 22 as follows:

“b/ Provincial-level People’s Committees shall announce curfew orders in one or a number of commune-level localities;

c/ Commune-level People’s Committees shall announce curfew orders in one or a number of zones in geographical areas under their management;”.

Article 2. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Vietnam People’s Army Officers

1. To amend and supplement Points i, k, l and m, Clause 1, Article 11 as follows:

“i/ Division Commanders and Political Commissars; provincial-level Military Command Post Commanders and Political Commissars;

k/ Deputy Division Commanders and Political Commissars; provincial-level Military Command Post Deputy Commanders and Political Commissars;

Brigade Commanders and Political Commissars;

l/ Deputy Brigade Commanders and Political Commissars;

Regiment Commanders and Political Commissars;

m/ Deputy Regiment Commanders and Political Commissars;”.

2. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 15 as follows:

“2. A seconded People’s Army officer elected as the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Committee on National Defense, Security and External Affairs shall hold the highest army rank of Senior Lieutenant General; seconded People’s Army officers approved to be Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly’s Committee on National Defense, Security and External Affairs or appointed to be Vice Ministers or the equivalent position or title shall hold the highest army rank of Lieutenant General; seconded People’s Army officers approved to be full-time National Assembly deputies of the National Assembly’s Committee on National Defense, Security and External Affairs or appointed to the post of General Department Director or the equivalent position or title shall hold the highest rank of Major General.”.

3. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 40 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 1 as follows:

“b/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide to summon cadres, civil servants and non-commissioned officers residing in their respective localities.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 2 as follows:

“b/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide to summon reserve officers holding the post of regiment commander, the equivalent or lower posts, and reserve officers of senior-lieutenant colonel or lower ranks.”.

Article 3. To amend and supplement Article 27 of the Law on Professional Army Men and Defense Workers and Employees

To amend and supplement Article 27 as follows:

“Article 27. Demobilization of reserve professional army men

Reserve professional army men who have passed the highest service age specified in Article 23 of this Law or are no longer physically fit for reserve service shall be demobilized under decisions of commanders of regional defense commands.”.

Article 4. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Military Service

1. To amend and supplement Clause 8, Article 3 as follows:

“8. Military service evasion means failing to abide by a military service registration decision, decision for military service-related health check-up, conscription decision, or decision for concentrated military training, exercise or mobilization readiness or combat readiness inspection.”.

2. To amend and supplement Point a, Clause 4, Article 4 as follows:

“a/ Permanent militiamen who have at least 24 months’ service shall be recognized as having fulfilled the military service obligation in peacetime as decided by the Commander of the Hanoi Capital High Command, Commander of the Ho Chi Minh City High Command or commanders of provincial-level military commands (below referred to as commanders of provincial-level military commands) at the request of chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of their agencies or organizations;”.

3. To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 1, Article 13 as follows:

“b/ Being subject to the measure of education at the commune level or consignment to a reformatory, compulsory education institution or compulsory detoxification institution;”.

4. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 15 as follows:

“2. Military commands of grassroots agencies and organizations shall perform the military service registration for citizens working or studying in their agencies or organizations and send reports thereon to commune-level People’s Committees of localities where their agencies or organizations are located. For an agency or organization that has no military command, its head or legal representative shall make arrangements for citizens to make military service registration at their places of residence.”.

5. To amend and supplement Article 16 as follows:

“Article 16. First-time military service registration

1. In January every year, heads of commune-level military commands, heads or legal representatives of agencies or organizations shall report to chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees on the lists of male citizens reaching full 17 years in the year and male citizens in the military service age group who have not been registered for military service.

2. In April every year, chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall decide to call upon citizens mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article for the first-time military service registration.

3. Citizens shall make the first-time military service registration either online or in person at military service registration offices specified in Article 15 of this Law.”.

6. To amend and supplement Clauses 1, 2 and 3, Article 17 as follows:

“1. Additional military service registration:

When having any change in his/her working position, educational level, professional qualification, health conditions and other information relating to military service, a citizen who has made the military service registration shall make additional registration online or in person at a military service registration office.

2. Military service registration upon change in place of residence, workplace or place of study:

a/ When changing his/her place of residence, workplace or place of study, a citizen who has made the military service registration shall make registration for the performance of procedures for transfer of military service registration online or in person at the office where he/she has made the military service registration. Within 5 working days after his/her arrival at the new place of residence, workplace or place of study, he/she shall make registration transfer online or in person at the military service registration office;

b/ When being admitted to a vocational education institution or higher education institution in the national educational system, a citizen who has made the military service registration shall make registration for the performance of procedures for transfer of military service registration to the educational institution online or in person at the office where he/she has made the military service registration. When finishing his/her study, he/she shall perform procedures for transfer of the military service registration to the new place of residence or workplace. Heads of educational institutions shall make arrangement for citizens to make or transfer their military service registration.

3. Military service registration upon temporary absence:

When leaving his/her place of residence, workplace or place of study for 3 months or more, a citizen who has made the military service registration shall make registration for temporary absence from the military service registration online or in person at the military service registration office. Within 5 working days after returning to his/her place of residence, workplace or place of study, he/she shall make re-registration.”.

7. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 19 as follows:

“2. Within 5 days after receiving the certification from a competent authority, the commune-level military Commands, agency or organization that have a citizen mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article shall send a report to the chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee for decision.”.

8. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 20 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement the introductory sentence of Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Within the ambit of their tasks and powers, commune-level military agencies shall:”;

b/ To amend and supplement the introductory sentence and Point a, Clause 5 as follows:

“5. Within the ambit of their tasks and powers, commune-level public security offices shall:

a/ Promptly notify the same-level military commands of localities where citizens in the military service age group are residing as specified in Clause 1, Article 13 of this Law;”.

9. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 28 as follows:

“2. Commune-level People’s Committees shall direct same-level medical establishments to coordinate with concerned agencies in organizing health check-ups for reserve non-commissioned officers and combatants.”.

10. To amend and supplement Article 29 as follows:

“Article 29. Release from the reserve force

Non-commissioned officers and combatants who have passed the prescribed age group or are no longer physically fit for service in the reserve force may be released under decisions of commanders of regional defense commands.”.

11. To amend and supplement a number of clauses of Article 34 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide to assign numbers of citizens to be conscripted into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force to commune-level localities; decide on the list of citizens to be conscripted or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force at the proposal of provincial-level military service councils.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Commanders of provincial-level military commands and directors of provincial-level Public Security Departments shall coordinate with one another in advising chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees on the assignment of numbers of citizens to be conscripted into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force to commune-level localities and agencies and organizations in their localities; direct the selection of citizens to be conscripted or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force.”;

c/ To amend and supplement Clause 6 as follows:

“6. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall issue a conscription decision to each citizen to join the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force. Such a conscription decision shall be handed to a citizen 15 days before the deadline stated in the decision.”;

12. To amend and supplement a number of clauses of Article 35 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall organize the handover of citizens conscripted into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force to receiving units and organize the handover and receipt ceremonies for regional defense commands under regulations of the Minister of National Defense.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Commune-level People’s Committees, agencies and organizations shall post on their portals and publicly display at their offices the conscription criteria and numbers of citizens to be conscripted into the Army; lists of citizens eligible for Army enlistment or for performance of the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force; lists of citizens to be conscripted into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces; and lists of persons eligible for conscription deferment or exemption.”;

c/ To amend and supplement Clause 5 as follows:

“5. Citizens conscripted into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force must be present at the exact time and in exact locations stated in decisions. If they are unable to come at the exact time or in exact locations for plausible reasons, they shall obtain certification by commune-level military commands of their places of residence, or by the agencies or organizations where they work or study, and report thereon to chairpersons of commune-level Peoples Committees.”.

13. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 36 as follows:

“2. A provincial- or commune-level military service council shall be composed of:

The chairperson of the provincial- or commune-level People’s Committee as its chairperson;

The commander of the provincial- or commune-level military agency as its standing vice chairperson;

The director of the provincial-level Department of Public Security or head of the commune-level Public Security agency as its vice chairperson;

Heads of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, socio-political organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, a number of professional agencies of the People’s Committee, and some other members as decided by the chairperson of the same-level People’s Committee as its members.”.

14. To amend and supplement Article 37 as follows:

“Article 37. Tasks of a provincial-level military service council

1. To assist the provincial-level People’s Committee in directing the inspection and urge of agencies and organizations to carry out the military service registration and management of citizens in the military service age group; to make preparations for citizens for active service, plans on selection and conscription of citizens into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces; to select citizens for conscription into the Army or performance of the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force; to organize training for reserve non-commissioned officers and combatants and provide entitlements and policies for non-commissioned officers and combatants in its locality.

2. To report to the provincial-level People’s Committee for decision on citizens to be conscripted or eligible for conscription deferment or exemption from conscription into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces.

3. To direct the commune-level People’s Committee to comply with the law on military service and direct and guide the operation of the commune-level military service council.

4. To assist the provincial-level People’s Committee in directing and organizing the handover of citizens to be conscripted into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces to military or public security units; to organize the reception of demobilized non-commissioned officers and combatants.

5. To assist the provincial-level People’s Committee in inspecting and guiding related agencies and organizations in the implementation of the army-rear policies and the management of military service-liable citizens in its locality.

6. To assist the chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee in examining and settling complaints and denunciations in the course of implementation of the law on military service.”.

15. To amend and supplement Clauses 1, 2 and 3, Article 39 as follows:

“1. To assist the commune-level People’s Committee in disseminating the law on military service; to organize military service registration, preliminary health screenings and health check-ups for citizens.

2. To report to the commune-level People’s Committee and provincial-level military-service council on the lists of citizens to be conscripted, eligible for conscription deferment or exemption from conscription into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces.

3. To organize citizens’ execution of pre-screening decisions, military service-related health check-up decisions, decisions on conscription into the Army or for performance of the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces and decision for concentrated military training, exercise or mobilization readiness or combat readiness inspection.”.

16. To amend and supplement Article 40 as follows:

“Article 40. Preliminary health screenings and health check-ups for citizens to be conscripted into the Army or to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces

1. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall decide to form preliminary health screening teams at the proposal of same-level medical establishments.

2. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide to form regional medical examination councils at the proposal of the provincial-level Department of Health.

3. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall decide to call up for preliminary health screenings for military service or check-ups citizens eligible for conscription into the Army and those liable to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security Force. Preliminary health screening decisions and health check-up decisions shall be handed to citizens 15 days before the date of preliminary health screenings or health check-ups.

4. Regional medical examination councils shall organize health check-ups for citizens eligible for conscription or liable to perform the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces; health check-ups cover physical health, and clinical and subclinical aspects, ensuring the accuracy of military service health check-up results.

5. The health check-up period is from November 1 through December 31 every year. The time for second health check-ups for conscription and for performance of the obligation to join the People’s Public Security forces under Article 33 of this Law shall be decided by the Prime Minister.

6. Preliminary health screening and health classification results shall be posted on portals and publicly displayed at offices of commune-level People’s Committees, agencies or organizations for 20 days.”.

17. To amend and supplement Article 42 as follows:

“Article 42. Competence to decide on conscription deferment or exemption and recognize the fulfillment of the active-duty military service obligation

1. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide on conscription deferment or exemption for citizens prescribed in Article 41 of this Law.

2. Commanders of provincial-level military commands shall decide to recognize the fulfillment of active-duty military service obligation for citizens under Clause 4, Article 4 of this Law.

18. To amend and supplement Clauses 2, 3 and 4, Article 44 as follows:

“2. Commanders of regiments and the equivalent or higher levels shall decide on the demobilization of non-commissioned officers and combatants under their management; organize ceremonies to see off non-commissioned officers and combatants who have fulfilled their active-duty military service obligation, and return them to regional defense commands that have handed them over to the Army.

3. The demobilization time shall be notified 30 days in advance to non-commissioned officers and combatants and regional defense commands of the localities where such persons have been handed over to the Army or the agencies or organizations where they worked or studied before their enlistment.

4. Provincial- or commune-level People’s Committees, regional defense commands and agencies and organizations shall organize the receipt of demobilized non-commissioned officers and combatants.”.

19. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 47 as follows:

“2. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall decide to conscript each citizen into the Army.”.

20. To amend and supplement Clauses 2, 3, 4 and 5, Article 56 as follows:

“2. The Ministry of Health shall direct local health agencies to coordinate with the same-level military agencies and related agencies and units in organizing preliminary health screenings and military service-related health check-ups; and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense in, setting health criteria for performance of military service.

3. The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense in, directing and guiding educational institutions, units and vocational education institutions under its management in implementing the law on military service and training professionals and technicians for the Army under the Prime Minister’s decisions; and organize the implementation of job training policies for demobilized non-commissioned officers and combatants under regulations.

4. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall organize the implementation of employment policies for demobilized non-commissioned officers and combatants under regulations.

5. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall direct mass media agencies to organize the dissemination of, and public communication and education about, the law on military service in accordance with law.”.

21. To annul articles, clauses, points and phrases in a number of articles, clauses and points as follows:

a/ To annul Clause 5, Article 34 and Article 38;

b/ To abolish the phrases “and in the Coast Guard force” in Clauses 3, 4 and 5, Article 3; “on service in the Coast Guard force and” in Clause 3, Article 4; and “who have retired from service in the Coast Guard force” at Point b, Clause 3, Article 18.

Article 5. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Vietnam Border Defense

1. To amend and supplement Clause 5, Article 5 as follows:

“5. To build the all-people border defense and all-people border defense posture in the all-people national defense and all-people national defense posture associated with the people’s security and people’s security posture; to build provincial-level defense zones, defense in border areas and civil defense; to prevent, combat, respond to and remedy consequences of incidents, disasters, catastrophes, climate change and epidemics; to carry out search, rescue and salvage activities in border areas.”.

2. To amend and supplement Point d, Clause 1, Article 10 as follows:

“d/ Commune-level administrations of localities with the national borders lines shall, within the ambit of their tasks and powers, assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related localities, agencies and organizations in, performing border defense tasks.”.

3. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 11 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Points a and b, Clause 3 as follows:

“a/ The head of a border guard station may issue a decision to restrict or suspend activities within the border belt under his/her management for no more than 12 hours;

b/ The Commander of a Border Guard Command may issue a decision to restrict or suspend activities in the border area under his/her management for no more than 24 hours.

Upon the expiration of the 24-hour time limit, if deeming it necessary to continue to restrict or suspend activities in the border area, the Commander of the Border Guard Command shall report to the commander of the provincial-level military command to propose the chairperson of the provincial-level People’s Committee issue a decision to continue to restrict or suspend such activities for another 24 hours at most;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Points a, b and c, Clause 4 as follows:

“a/ The head of a border guard station may issue a decision to restrict or suspend travel through a secondary border gate or border crossing for no more than 6 hours;

b/ The Commander of a Border Guard Command may issue a decision to restrict or suspend travel through a secondary border gate or border crossing for no more than 12 hours and issue a decision to restrict or suspend travel through a main border gate or bilateral border gate for no more than 6 hours;

c/ The chairperson of a provincial-level People’s Committee may issue a decision to restrict or suspend travel through a main border gate or bilateral border gate for no more than 24 hours at the request of the commander of the provincial-level military command;”;

c/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 5 as follows:

“b/ The Commander of a Border Guard Command may issue a decision to extend the time limit for restriction or suspension of travel through a main border gate or bilateral border gate for no more than 6 hours or through a secondary border gate or border crossing for no more than 12 hours;”;

d/ To add Clause 8 below Clause 7 as follows:

“8. The Minister of National Defense shall detail Points a and b, Clause 3; Points a, b and c, Clause 4; and Point d, Clause 5 of this Article.”.

4. To amend and supplement Clause 9, Article 14 as follows:

“9. To give advices on, and act as the core in building, the all-people border defense and all-people border defense posture in border areas; to participate in building provincial-level defense zones, defense in border areas and civil defense.”.

5. To amend and supplement Point b and add Point b1 below Point b, Clause 1, Article 21 as follows:

“b/ Border Guard Commands under the provincial-level military commands;

b1/ The Border Guard High Command units;”.

Article 6. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on People’s Air Defense

1. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 6 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 1 as follows:

“1. Key area of people’s air defense means an area where the enemy is likely to launch heavy air attacks, covering political, economic, cultural-social, defense, security, foreign affairs centers or places with key national and military zone-, provincial- and commune-level targets and places identified in defensive combat plans at all levels.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Point c, Clause 2 as follows:

“c/ Commune-level key areas of people’s air defense.”;

c/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 3 as follows:

“b/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide on commune- level key areas of people’s air defense.”.

2. To amend and supplement Point dd, Clause 1, Article 11 as follows:

“dd/ Commanders of regional defense commands;”.

3. To amend and supplement Points a and b, Clause 2, Article 13 as follows:

“a/ Provincial-level air defense forces and regional defense commands include local troops, air defense militia and self-defense forces, reserve soldiers specializing in air defense, part-time air defense forces of provincial-level military commands and regional defense commands and the Border Guard units, organized into air defense companies, platoons and squads; air defense observation stations and towers, teams to shoot down low-flying targets, and teams to suppress unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles;

b/ The commune-level air defense force, undertaken by the militia, is organized into air defense machine gun platoons, teams to shoot down low-flying targets and teams to suppress unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles;”.

4. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 15 as follows:

“2. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees and heads of agencies, organizations and enterprises may decide to extend the age of mobilization to join the extensive forces specified in Clause 1 of this Article.”.

5. To amend and supplement Point a, Clause 2, Article 16 as follows:

“a/ Commune-level People’s Committees shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with regional defense commands in, managing the extensive forces residing in their localities;”.

6. To amend and supplement Clauses 3 and 5, Article 25 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. The construction of specialized people’s air defense works must follow master plans and plans, and be associated with provincial-level and regional defense postures; ensuring the combination of the socio-economic development with the people’s air defense posture.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 5 as follows:

“5. Provincial-level People’s Committees may decide on the construction of specialized people’s air defense works according to their competence or submit it to provincial-level People’s Councils for decision.

Chairpersons of provincial- and commune-level People’s Committees shall decide on locations for evacuation and dispersal of enterprises based in localities under their management. Heads of agencies, organizations and enterprises shall determine areas and plans for evacuation and sheltering of their workers and places for storage of their assets under local people’s air defense plans.”.

7. To amend and supplement Point c, Clause 2, Article 30 as follows:

“c/ In case the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security grants a flight permit in the area of ​​an airport, aerodrome or another area that may affect flights of civil aircraft, the consent of the Ministry of Transport is required.”.

8. To amend and supplement Point dd, Clause 2, Article 33 as follows:

“dd/ Commanders of regional defense commands, commanders of commune-level military commands, commanders of the Border Guard units in border areas may suspend flights of unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles within localities under their management, except for unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles of the Ministry of Public Security operating outside areas and targets managed by the Army;”.

9. To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 2, Article 34 as follows:

“b/ Commanders of military zones, the Commander of the Hanoi Capital High Command, the Commander of the Ho Chi Minh City High Command, commanders of provincial-level military commands, commanders of regional defense commands, and commanders of commune-level military commands are entitled to issue orders to suppress and temporarily seize unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles in the cases specified in Clause 1 of this Article in localities under their management;”.

10. To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 1, Article 41 as follows:

“b/ To participate in people’s air defense activities in provincial-level defense zone exercises and commune-level combat exercises in defense zones;”.

11. To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 2, Article 43 as follows:

“b/ Local budgets shall cover people’s air defense activities in localities. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall submit to the same-level People’s Councils for consideration and decision expenditure levels for people’s air defense activities which are higher than general expenditure levels provided by law. Provincial- and commune-level People’s Committees shall submit to same-level People’s Councils for approval, or approve according to their competence, projects and schemes on people’s air defense, management of unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles, and the budget estimates for people’s air defense activities.”.

12. To amend and supplement Article 47 as follows:

“Article 47. Effect

1. This Law takes effect on July 1, 2025, except the cases specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. Provisions of Clause 1, Article 29; Point c, Clause 2, Article 31; and Article 32 take effect on July 1, 2026.”.

Article 7. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on the Military Reserve Force

1. To amend and supplement Clauses 1 and 3, Article 8 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 1 as follows:

“1. The Ministry of National Defense shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, and other ministries, ministerial-level agencies and government-attached agencies in, formulating the State's plans on building and mobilization of the military reserve force.”.

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall formulate plans on building and mobilization of the military reserve force of their localities.”.

2. To amend and supplement Clause 1, Article 10 as follows:

“1. The Ministry of National Defense shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance in, submitting the State's plans on building and mobilization of the military reserve force to the Prime Minister for approval.”.

3. To amend and supplement Article 12 as follows:

“Article 12. Registration and management of reserve army men

1. Commune-level military commands shall register reserve army men for citizens residing in their localities.

Military commands of agencies or organizations shall register reserve army men for citizens working or studying at their agencies or organizations. For agencies or organizations that have no military commands, their heads or legal representatives shall organize the registration of reserve army men at their places of residence for citizens working or studying at their agencies or organizations.

2. Commune-level People’s Committees shall manage reserve army men residing in their localities.

3. Regional defense commands shall coordinate with local agencies or organizations in managing reserve army men working or studying at these agencies or organizations.

4. The Government shall specify the order and procedures for registration of reserve army men specified in Clause 1 of this Article.”.

4. To amend and supplement Article 13 as follows:

“Article 13. Registration and management of reserve technical facilities

1. Agencies registering the ownership of civil aviation, maritime or inland waterway craft of the Ministry of Construction and agencies registering official-duty fisheries ships and fisheries resources surveillance ships of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall annually provide information on registration of reserve technical facilities to the Ministry of National Defense for registration and management.

2. Agencies registering the ownership of inland waterway craft and road motor vehicles, and agencies managing information and communication means and medical supplies and equipment in localities shall annually provide information on registration of reserve technical facilities to provincial-level People’s Committees in places of residence of owners of these facilities for registration and management.

3. Commune-level People’s Committees, agencies or organizations shall annually report and provide information on reserve technical facilities other than those specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article to provincial-level People’s Committees in places of residence of owners of these facilities or places where such agencies or organizations are headquartered for registration and management.

4. The Government shall specify the list of reserve technical facilities and the registration and management thereof.”.

5. To amend and supplement Point c, Clause 2, Article 14 as follows:

“c/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall assign military reserve force building targets  to their attached agencies and units and to commune-level People’s Committees.”.

6. To amend and supplement Article 19 as follows:

“Article 19. Competence to arrange reserve army men and reserve technical facilities into reserve units

Provincial-level People’s Committees and commune-level People’s Committees shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with standing units of the People’s Army that have military reserve force receipt quotas in, arranging reserve army men and reserve technical facilities into reserve units.”.

7. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 22 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 2 as follows:

“b/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall assign targets of training, exercises and mobilization and combat readiness inspection to commune-level People’s Committees.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 4 as follows:

“b/ They suffer illnesses or unexpected family or personal difficulties that make them unable to participate, as certified by commune-level People’s Committees of localities where they are residing or by agencies or organizations where they are working or studying.”;

c/ To amend and supplement Clause 5 as follows:

“5. Ministers or heads of ministerial-level agencies or government-attached agencies shall decide on the definite-time mobilization of reserve technical facilities already arranged in their respective reserve units to serve training, exercise or mobilization and combat readiness inspection.

Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide on quantity and period of mobilization of reserve technical facilities already arranged in reserve units to serve training, exercise and mobilization and combat readiness inspection.

Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall organize the execution of decisions of chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees on mobilization of reserve technical facilities.”.

8. To amend and supplement Clauses 1 and 2, Article 23 as follows:

“1. Regional defense commands shall organize daily-life activities for reserve army men holding the post of squad leader and the equivalent or higher post of reserve units.

2. Commune-level People’s Committees shall organize daily-life activities for reserve army men already arranged in reserve units.”.

9. To amend and supplement Point c, Clause 3, Article 25 as follows:

“c/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide to mobilize reserve technical facilities in their localities; or decide to mobilize reserve technical facility operators or drivers if the People’s Army units do not have such operators or drivers.

Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall organize the execution of decisions of chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees on mobilization of reserve technical facilities and their operators or drivers.”.

10. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 26 as follows:

“2. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide to mobilize reserve army men and reserve technical facilities in the cases specified in Clauses 3 and 4, Article 24 of this Law.

Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall organize the execution of decisions of chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees on mobilization of reserve army men and reserve technical facilities.”.

11. To amend and supplement Points c, d and dd, Clause 2, Article 27 as follows:

“c/ Provincial-level People’s Committees shall notify military reserve force mobilization decisions of their chairpersons to agencies and units under their management, related mass organizations and commune-level People’s Committees.

The Hanoi Capital High Command, Ho Chi Minh City High Command and provincial-level military commands shall notify their commanders’ orders on mobilization of reserve units and competent authorities’ orders to call up reserve officers for enlistment in the Army to regional defense commands;

d/ Regional defense commands shall notify decisions of chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees on mobilization of reserve technical facilities, and their superiors’ orders to call up reserve officers for enlistment in the Army; and regional defense commanders’ orders to call up reserve professional army men, non-commissioned officers and reserve soldiers for enlistment in the Army to commune-level People’s Committees and related agencies or organizations;

dd/ Commune-level People’s Committees, agencies and organizations shall forward  chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees’ calling-up decisions or orders to every reserve army man and decisions on mobilization of reserve technical facilities to every reserve technical facility owner;”.

12. To amend and supplement Clauses 1 and 3, Article 28 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 1 as follows:

“1. Provincial-level People’s Committees, commune-level People’s Committees, agencies and organizations shall, within the ambit of their tasks and powers, rally, transport and hand over military reserve forces to standing units of the People’s Army; and receive back such military reserve forces after they fulfill their tasks.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Locations for rally of military reserve forces shall be determined by regional defense commands. Locations for receipt of military reserve forces shall be determined by standing units of the People’s Army.”.

13. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 34 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point c and add Point c1 below Point c, Clause 3 as follows:

“c/ Supplying equipment and facilities for mobilization command; building exercise fields and grounds and barracks for training reserve units, building training establishments and stations for rallying and receiving reserve army men and reserve technical facilities of local troops;

c1/ Building, mobilizing and receiving reserve army men for defense zones;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Commune-level People’s Committees shall make payments for the following activities:

a/ Registration, management and health check-up of reserve army men; registration and management of reserve technical facilities; daily-life activities of reserve units;

b/ Implementation of entitlements and policies for operators and drivers of mobilized reserve technical facilities in accordance with this Law;

c/ Rally, transportation, handover and receipt of reserve army men and reserve technical facilities.”.

c/ To amend and supplement Clause 5 as follows:

“5. Agencies and organizations shall ensure funds for registration, management, daily-life activities and health check-ups of reserve army men; management of reserve technical facilities; rally, transportation, handover and receipt of reserve army men and reserve technical facilities.”.

14. To annul Clause 6, Article 10.

Article 8. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Civil Defense

1. To amend and supplement Points a and b, Clause 3, Article 7 as follows:

“a/ Level-1 civil defense shall be applied to the response to, and remediation of consequences of, an incident or a catastrophe within a commune-level geographical area when developments and extent of damage of the incident or catastrophe exceed the responding and consequence-remedying capability and conditions of specialized forces, part-time forces and other forces in the area;

b/ Level-2 civil defense shall be applied to the response to, and remediation of consequences of, an incident or a catastrophe within a provincial-level geographical area when developments and extent of damage of the incident or catastrophe exceed the responding and consequence-remedying capability and conditions of commune-level local administrations;”.

2. To amend and supplement Point a, Clause 1, Article 20 as follows:

“a/ Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees may declare and abolish the state of level-1 civil defense in localities under their management;”.

3. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 22 as follows:

“2. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall decide on the application of the civil defense measures specified in Clause 1 of this Article.”.

4. To amend and supplement Point a, Clause 3, and Clause 4, Article 33 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point a, Clause 3 as follows:

“a/ Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall command forces and facilities in their localities in order to implement level-1 civil defense measures specified in Article 22 of this Law and other measures specified in relevant regulations;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Heads of local specialized agencies shall obey directions of provincial- or commune-level People’s Committees in commanding forces under their management in implementing civil defense in the fields under their management in accordance with law.”.

5. To amend and supplement Clause 4, Article 34 as follows:

“4. Local civil defense commands shall be established at commune and provincial levels to advise chairpersons of same-level People’s Committees on the organization, direction and management of civil defense in their localities. Military offices at all levels shall act as standing bodies of same-level civil defense commands. Members of local civil defense commands shall advise their commands on the organization, direction and management of civil defense in their assigned fields.

Regional defense commands shall advise standing bodies of provincial-level civil defense commands on directing commune-level civil defense commands in the organization, direction and management of civil defense in their management areas; and uniformly command their attached forces in coordinating with commune-level civil defense commands in responding to, and remedying consequences of, incidents and catastrophes.”.

6. To amend and supplement Article 45 as follows:

“Article 45. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

1. To promulgate or submit to competent authorities for promulgation, and organize the implementation of, legal documents on civil defense in the fields under its management.

2. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, central sectors, ministerial-level agencies, and localities in, implementing measures to mitigate consequences of incidents and catastrophes in accordance with the law on disaster prevention and control.

3. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, central sectors, ministerial-level agencies, and localities in, formulating national-level plans on response to dike, reservoir and dam failure incidents; forest fires; typhoons, tropical low pressures, floods and inundation; flashfloods, landslides and other natural disasters.

4. To formulate contents and programs on training and coaching of, and further provision of knowledge about civil defense to, civil defense forces in the relevant fields as assigned.

5. To direct and coordinate the inspection and identification of areas affected by environmental pollution in inter-provincial and transnational regions, and provide guidance on the identification of damage and organization of environmental pollution remediation and environmental degradation restoration.

6. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and related ministries, central sectors, ministerial-level agencies, and localities in building research centers, systems for forecasting and warning of incidents and catastrophes caused by natural or environmental factors related to civil defense.

7. To organize the performance of monitoring, investigation and survey activities for collecting hydrometeorological and geological hazard information and data.

8. To direct the forecasting and warning work, and ensure the full and timely provision of forecasts and warnings related to geological, meteorological, hydrological, and marine incidents and disasters to the National Civil Defense Steering Committee, ministries, central sectors, ministerial-level agencies, localities, and mass media under regulations.

9. To direct science and technology research and application and implement smart solutions in the monitoring, supervision, management and remediation of environmental incidents and early warning of natural disasters.”.

7. To amend and supplement the title of Article 46 as follows:

“Article 46. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Construction”

8. To annul Article 49.

Article 9. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Management and Protection of Defense Works and Military Zones

1. To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 5, Article 6 as follows:

“b/ Class-B military zones, including shooting ranges and training grounds of brigade and regiment and equivalent or lower levels; and work items of shooting ranges and training grounds built within the military zones specified at this Point;”;

2. To amend and supplement Points a and b, Clause 4, Article 17 as follows:

“a/ The interior limit of the safety belt of an ammunition storage must be no more than 55 meters from the baseline of the ammunition storage; for ammunition storages of units of battalion and equivalent or lower levels, the interior limit coincides with the baseline;

b/ The safety radius shall be determined on the basis of grade of ammunition storages; quantity and reserves of assorted ammunitions and explosive materials stored in the storages shall be calculated and converted into TNT equivalent. The safety radius of ammunition storages of groups I and II must be between 1,200 meters and 1,500 meters; the safety radius of ammunition storages of group III must be between 800 meters and 1,000 meters; for ammunition storages of units of battalion and equivalent or lower levels, the safety radius must be between 60 meters and 800 meters;”.

Article 10. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on Militia and Self-Defense Forces

1. To amend and supplement Clause 3, Article 8 as follows:

“3. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of agencies or organizations may decide to increase the age limits and extend the term of service in militia and self-defense forces in accordance with this Article.”.

2. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 9 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Points a and b, Clause 1 as follows:

“a/ In April every year, based on results of the military obligation registration, chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of agencies or organizations shall organize the registration for citizens reaching full 18 years to perform the obligation to join militia and self-defense forces; and additional registration for citizens in the age group liable to perform the obligation to join militia and self-defense forces;

b/ When citizens in the age group liable to perform the obligation to join militia and self-defense forces change their places of residence and come to register their permanent or temporary residence, chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees shall make registration for these citizens to perform the obligation to join militia and self-defense forces.

For citizens changing their workplaces, heads of their new agencies or organizations shall make registration for these citizens to perform the obligation to join militia and self-defense forces;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 2 as follows:

“b/ When militiamen or self-defense members wish to be absent for a period of at least 3 months, they shall report their absence to commune-level military commands of their places of residence or to military commands of their agencies or organizations or to heads of their self-defense units of localities where their workplaces are located if their agencies or organizations have no military commands;”.

3. To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 2, and Clause 4, Article 10 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point b, Clause 2 as follows:

“b/ Annually, the Hanoi Capital High Command, the Ho Chi Minh City High Command and provincial-level military commands shall direct and guide commune-level People’s Committees, agencies and organizations in recruiting and selecting citizens into militia or self-defense forces.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees and heads of agencies and organizations shall decide on citizens to perform the obligation to join militia or self-defense forces.”;

4. To amend and supplement Point e, Clause 1 and Clause 4, Article 11 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point e, Clause 1 as follows:

“e/ Sole breadwinners in poor households or households living just above the poverty line; direct caretakers of relatives who are unable to work or below the working age; members of families that suffer serious human and property losses caused by accidents, disasters or dangerous epidemics as certified by chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of agencies or organizations where they reside or work;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of agencies or organizations may decide on the postponement of and exemption from the performance of the obligation to join militia and self-defense forces.”.

5. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 12 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point c, Clause 1 as follows:

“c/ Their families meet with unexpected difficult circumstances, making them unable to continue their service in militia or self-defense forces, as certified by chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of their agencies or organizations;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Point e, Clause 2 as follows:

“e/ They are subject to commune-, ward- or special zone-based education.”;

c/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of agencies or organizations may decide on the ahead-of-time stoppage of service in or delisting from militia and self-defense forces.”.

6. To amend and supplement Clauses 2 and 4, Article 13 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. For citizens who have fulfilled the obligation to join militia or self-defense forces but are still in the age group specified in Clause 1, Article 8 of this Law, chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of agencies or organizations shall register and manage them for expansion of militia and self-defense forces when necessary.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees or heads of agencies or organizations may decide to recognize the fulfillment of the obligation to join militia or self-defense forces for citizens.”.

7. To amend and supplement Clauses 2 and 4, Article 15 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

“2. Commune-level localities shall organize mobile militia platoons. Commune-level coastal localities and islands shall organize mobile militia platoons and marine militia squads or platoons.

Based on requirements of national defense or military tasks, commune-level localities may organize militia artillery groups or scout, communication, engineering, chemical engineering and medical militia groups or squads, and air defense and artillery militia platoons; and commune-level localities critical to national defense shall organize standing militia squads or platoons.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 4 as follows:

“4. Based on the organization of militia and self-defense units specified in Clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Article and requirements of national defense and military tasks, provincial-level localities shall organize air defense and artillery militia and self-defense companies; and provincial-level coastal localities shall organize standing militia flotillas.”.

8. To amend and supplement Clause 1, Article 17 as follows:

“1. Ensuring the leadership of the Party Committees and the management of People’s Committees at all levels and the command of local military agencies at all levels;”.

9. To amend and supplement a number of points and clauses of Article 20 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Point a, Clause 1 as follows:

“a/ The commander, who is a civil servant, member of the commune-level People’s Committee, or a reserve army officer; when a state of national defense emergency or a state of war is declared, he/she shall be called to serve in the Army in accordance with the Law on Officers of the Vietnam People’s Army but continue holding the post of commander of the commune-level military command;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Point d, Clause 1 as follows:

“d/ The deputy commander and his/her assistant, who are civil servants.”;

c/ To amend and supplement Point c, Clause 3 as follows:

“c/ To coordinate with commune-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees and commune-level sectors and mass organizations in disseminating the Party’s lines and viewpoints and the State’s policies and laws on local defense and military affairs, and providing national defense and security education; to participate in building comprehensively strong bases; to implement front-rear policies and preferential treatment policies toward people with meritorious services to the revolution;”;

d/ To amend and supplement Clause 5 as follows:

“5. The Government shall specify working positions for commanders, deputy commanders and assistants; the number of deputy commanders and assistants; and criteria and norms of working equipment of commune-level military commands.”.

10. To amend and supplement Points c and d, Clause 1, Article 22 as follows:

“c/ The Commanders of the Hanoi Capital High Command and Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and commanders of provincial-level military commands shall decide to establish self-defense companies; militia artillery platoons or scouts; air-defense and artillery militia and self-defense scouts and platoons; marine militia and self-defense platoons; and permanent militia squads and platoons;

d/ Commanders of commune-level military commands shall decide to establish on-the-spot militia and self-defense groups, squads and platoons; reconnaissance, communication, engineering, chemical engineering and medical militia groups and squads; and marine militia and self-defense squads after obtaining the consent of chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees and the Commanders of the Hanoi Capital High Command and Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and commanders of provincial-level military commands:”.

11. To amend and supplement Points b, c and dd, Clause 1, Article 23 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Points b and c, Clause 1 as follows:

“b/ The Commanders of the Hanoi Capital High Command and Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and commanders of provincial-level military commands shall decide to appoint holders of command posts in militia and self-defense companies and flotillas and permanent militia flotillas; the Commander of the Navy may decide to appoint command posts of self-defense flotillas under his/her management;

c/ Commanders of commune-level military commands shall decide to appoint village militia heads, and leaders of militia and self-defense platoons, squads, ship captains and artillery groups after obtaining the consent of chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees and the Commanders of the Hanoi Capital High Command and Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and commanders of provincial-level military commands;”;

b/ To amend and supplement Point dd, Clause 1 as follows:

“dd/ Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide to appoint holders of command posts and assistants of commune-level military commands.”.

12. To amend and supplement Article 25 as follows:

“Article 25. Equipping of weapons, military explosives, support tools, technical equipment and facilities. and mobile vehicles for militia and self-defense forces

1. Militia and self-defense forces shall be equipped with weapons, military explosives, support tools, technical equipment and facilities, and mobile vehicles in accordance with the law on management and use of weapons, explosives and support tools and other relevant regulations.

2. The Minister of National Defense shall provide the equipping, registration, management and use of weapons, military explosives, support tools, technical equipment and facilities, and mobile vehicles for militia and self-defense forces.”.

13. To amend and supplement Article 26 as follows:

“Article 26. Training of commanders of commune-level military commands

Commanders, deputy commanders and assistants of commune-level military commands shall be trained for holding the title of commune-level military commander after obtaining the collegial- or tertiary-level grassroots military degree at military schools.”.

14. To amend and supplement Clause 3, Article 29 as follows:

“3. Acting as the core in building combat villages, communes, wards or special zones; participating in building comprehensive strong bases, defense zones, the all-people defense and all-people defense posture associated with building the people’s security and people’s security posture in localities.”.

15. To amend and supplement Clauses 3 and 5 of Article 30 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. Fighting enemies to protect villages, communes, wards, special zones, agencies and organizations in defense zones.”.

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 5 as follows:

“5. Participating in political struggles; building and consolidating villages, communes, wards, special zones, agencies and organizations in fighting enemies.”.

16. To amend and supplement Points g and h, Clause 1, Article 32 as follows:

“g/ Commanders of commune-level military commands may deploy militiamen within their communes after obtaining the consent of chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees, the Commanders of the Hanoi Capital High Command and Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and commanders of provincial-level military commands;

h/ Commanders of military commands of agencies and organizations may deploy self-defense members under their command after obtaining the consent of heads of agencies or organizations, the Commanders of the Hanoi Capital High Command and Ho Chi Minh City High Command, and commanders of provincial-level military commands;”.

17. To amend and supplement Clause 3, Article 33 as follows:

“3. Holders of command posts in mobile and permanent militia units are entitled to special defense or military allowances.”.

18. To amend and supplement Clause 8, Article 38 as follows:

“8. Building and repairing military warehouses and combat structures for militia and self-defense forces in defense zones; lodging of permanent militiamen; and working offices of commune-level military commands.”.

19. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 43 as follows:

“2. The Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education and Training, and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall, within the ambit of their respective tasks and powers, implement Clause 1 of this Article, and have the following responsibilities:

a/ The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and related localities, agencies and organizations in, elaborating and submitting to the Government, budget fund estimates and central budget fund allocation plans for recurrent tasks and the task of investment in militia and self-defense forces under the central management, and incorporate them in budget estimates for submission to competent authorities;

b/ The Ministry of Home Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Finance in, directing and guiding related localities, agencies and organizations to, implement the planning, training, further training, appointment and use of commanders, deputy commanders and assistants of commune-level military commands; and to implement entitlements and policies for commune-level military commanders;

c/ The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, and related agencies and organizations in, directing tertiary education institutions to formulate plans on tertiary-level grassroots military training for commanders of commune-level military commands and provide guidance thereon.

d/ The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and related agencies and organizations in, directing agencies and units under their management to coordinate with militia and self-defense forces in protecting islands and maritime zones, preventing and mitigating disasters, and carrying out search and rescue, forest protection and fire prevention and fighting; directing and guiding the registration, technical supervision and certification of and grant of fishing licenses to vessels and ships equipped to marine militia or self-defense forces and permanent militia flotillas in accordance with law.”.

20. To annul Clause 5, Article 18; Point dd, Clause 1, Article 22; Point e, Clause 1, Article 32; Clause 2, Article 33; and Points b and d, Clause 2, Article 43.

Article 11. To amend and supplement a number of articles of the Law on National Defense and Security Education

1. To amend and supplement Point d, Clause 2 of Article 14 as follows:

“d/ Heads of hamlets, villages, ethnic villages and street quarters (below referred to as villages); heads of mass organizations in villages;”.

2. To amend and supplement Clauses 3 and 4, Article 26 as follows:

“3. Provincial-level leaders and commune-level leaders.

4. Leaders of provincial-level departments, sectors and branches; divisions of provincial-level departments, sectors and branches and commune-level sections and divisions.”.

3. To amend and supplement Clause 2, Article 36 as follows:

“2. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security in, guiding national defense and security education in primary and lower secondary schools; providing programs and contents of national defense and security education for students from the upper secondary education to tertiary education level and in vocational training institutions, and organizing the implementation of these programs.”.

4. To amend and supplement Clause 4, Article 36 as follows:

“4. To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Home Affairs in, specifying limit numbers of national defense and security teachers and lecturers at upper secondary schools, vocational education institutions and tertiary education institutions; and schools of state agencies and socio-political organizations and national defense and security education centers.”.

5. To amend and supplement Article 37 as follows:

“Article 37. Tasks and powers of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs

To coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and related agencies and organizations in guiding national defense and security knowledge training for religious dignitaries, religious functionaries, typical persons and prestigious persons in communities.”.

6. To amend and supplement the title of Article 39 as follows:

“Article 39. Tasks and powers of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism”

7. To amend and supplement Clauses 1 and 3, Article 44 as follows:

a/ To amend and supplement Clause 1 as follows:

“1. National defense and security education councils shall be established at central, military zone, provincial and commune levels.”;

b/ To amend and supplement Clause 3 as follows:

“3. The standing body of the Central National Defense and Security Education Council is the Ministry of National Defense. Standing bodies of national defense and security education councils at the military-zone level are military-zone agencies, at the provincial level are same-level military agencies, and at the commune level are commune-level military commands.”.

8. To annul Article 38.

Article 12. Effect

This Law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

This Law was passed on June 27, 2025, by the 15^th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at its 9^th session.-

Chairman of the National Assembly
TRAN THANH MAN