_____________                           Independence- Freedom- Happiness
No:  /2012/NĐ-CP                              _______________________
                                                                                             

                                                                                                    Hanoi, October 2012

DECREE
on information and journalistic activities by foreign press, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations in Viet Nam
________________

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated 25 December 2001;
Pursuant to the Press Law dated 28 December 1989 and the Law on the Amendment of the Press Law dated 12 June 1999;
Pursuant to the Publishing Law dated 03 December 2004 and the Law on the Amendment of the Publishing Law dated 03 June, 2008;
Pursuant to the Cinematography Law dated 29 June 2006 and the Law on the Amendment of the Cinematography Law dated 18 June 2009;
Pursuant to the Ordinance on Entry, Exit, Residence and Travel of Foreign Nationals in Viet Nam dated 28 April 2000;
Pursuant to the Ordinance on Privileges and Immunities for diplomatic missions, consular posts and representative offices of international organizations in Viet Nam dated 23 August 1993;
At the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
The Government issues the Decree on information and journalistic activities by foreign press, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations in Viet Nam

Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope and subjects of application
This Decree governs the information and journalistic activities by foreign press, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations in Viet Nam and responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committees of Central Provinces and Cities under central administration of Viet Nam in state management related to information and journalistic activities by foreign press, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations in Viet Nam.

Article 2. Definition
In this Decree, the following terms shall be construed as follows:
1. Foreign press means press, radio and broadcasting agencies, printed newspaper, e-paper and other forms of foreign press.
2. Foreign Press Resident office means representative office of foreign press in Viet Nam, herein after referred to as Resident Office.
3. Foreign correspondent means correspondent and editor working for foreign press.
4. Resident foreign correspondent means resident foreign correspondent assigned by foreign press to work at resident offices as resident correspondent in Viet Nam, herein after referred to as resident correspondent.
5. Non-resident resident foreign correspondent means resident foreign correspondent traveling to Viet Nam for short term information and journalistic activities and does not enjoy the status of resident correspondent, herein after referred to as non-resident correspondent.
6. Press assistant means Vietnamese citizen working under official contract with a resident office in Viet Nam to assist the office’s information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam.
7. Stringer means Vietnamese citizen or foreigner who legally resides and works in Viet Nam and is recruited by a resident office to assist with particular information and journalistic activities for a fixed term.
8. Foreign representative office means diplomatic mission, consular post, representative office of inter-governmental organization and other foreign organizations authorized to perform consular missions in Viet Nam, herein after referred to as foreign representative office.
9. Foreign organization means representative office of non-governmental organization and other foreign organizations in Viet Nam.
10.  information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam means activities to collect news, materials, images, sound and image recording, photography, filming, meeting, interviewing, field trip and other activities to write news and articles, produce supplements, special issues and journals or reports on Viet Nam by foreign press, except for films governed by the Cinematography Law.
11. Foreign news publications means news, press release, supplements, materials, leaflet, brochure, map, calendar, photos, sound tape, CDs, video, DVD and other news publications published and circulated in Viet Nam by foreign representative offices and foreign organizations in Viet Nam. 
12. Press briefing means meetings held by foreign offices, organizations, delegations and individuals in Viet Nam with invitations sent to representatives of the Vietnamese press and citizens for announcement, statement and explanation of an issue under their authority and related to their respective duties and interests.

Article 3. Working principles of information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam conducted by foreign press, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations
1. All information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam conducted by foreign press, foreign representative offices and foreign organizations must only be carried out upon approval by competent agencies laid down in this Decree and in conformity with existing provisions of the Vietnamese law.
2. Violations of this Decree`s provisions shall be dealt with under Vietnamese law.

Chapter 2

INFORMATION AND JOURNALISTIC ACTIVITIES BY FOREIGN PRESS IN VIET NAM

Section 1

NON-RESIDENT CORRESPONDENT

Article 4. Issuance of license for non-resident correspondents to conduct information and journalistic activities
1. Foreign correspondents requesting information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam are required to submit directly or send an application via post office, fax or e-mail to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, consular posts or other agencies authorized to perform Vietnamese consular function abroad (herein after referred to as Vietnamese representative offices overseas) at least 10 working days prior to the date of entry into Viet Nam.
The application includes the followings:
a) A request form for information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam (sample provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam).
b) A copy of the correspondent’s passport.
2. In 10 working days upon the receipt of the application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the representative mission of Viet Nam abroad shall give written reply of approval or disapproval. In case of approval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall grant license to the requesting correspondent.
3. The license shall be granted to the approved correspondent together with necessary guidance upon his/her arrival in Viet Nam by the agency in charge of guiding correspondents (the Foreign Press Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or an agency authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Article 5.  information and journalistic activities of non-resident correspondents
1. When conducting information and journalistic activities, non-resident correspondents must bring along the License issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and passport; must properly follow the purpose and program written in the license and guidance of the competent agency.
2. The program of the correspondent can be adjusted and supplemented upon the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 6. Foreign correspondents accompanying foreign delegations
1. In case of resident foreign correspondents accompanying foreign delegations visiting Viet Nam at the invitation of Leaders of the Party, the State or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coverage of the visit, a line Agency of Viet Nam shall be responsible for necessary immigration procedures and shall inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this issue for coordination. Foreign correspondents are permitted to provide news coverage in accordance with the official program of the delegation.
In the case of foreign correspondent requesting information and journalistic activities outside the official program of the delegation, he/she is required to submit a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must comply with the provisions applicable to non-resident correspondent stipulated in Article 4 and Article 5 of this Decree.
2. For foreign correspondents accompanying foreign delegations at the invitation of other Vietnamese agencies for the coverage of the visit, the line Agency of Viet Nam must work on procedures with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs similar to the ones applicable to non-resident correspondent. The correspondents shall perform operation under the guidance of the Foreign Press Center (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or the agency authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Section 2
RESIDENT OFFICE, RESIDENT CORRESPONDENT

Article 7. Procedures for the establishment of resident office
1. Foreign press agencies requesting the establishment of resident offices in Viet Nam must submit the application directly or via post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a representative mission of Viet Nam abroad.
The application for a resident office in Viet Nam includes:
a) An application form by head of the foreign press agency or a person authorized by the head of the foreign press agency. The form is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b) A legalized photocopy of the certificate of foreign press agency’s legal status, except for the case of exemption in accordance with international treaties to which Viet Nam and the relevant country are parties or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
c) Basic information about the foreign press agency.
2. In case of approval, the license for establishing a resident office in Viet Nam shall be issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 60 days of the date of receipt of the valid application.
Article 8. Procedures on assigning resident correspondent
1. Foreign press agencies requesting to assign a resident correspondent must submit an application directly or send via post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a representative mission of Viet Nam abroad.
Applications to assign resident correspondents must include:
a) An application form to assign a resident correspondent by head of foreign press agency or a person authorized by head of foreign press. The form is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b) Personal information about the candidate.
c) A photocopy of the candidate’s passport.
d) In case the candidate is a spouse of a member of foreign representative mission enjoying diplomatic/consular privileges and immunities, a written notification by the foreign representative mission announcing the renunciation of the candidate’s rights to privileges and immunities is required, which enters into effect upon the approval of the candidate as a resident correspondent.
2. Within 15 working days upon the receipt of the application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the representative mission of Viet Nam abroad shall give written reply of approval or disapproval.
3. Should visa application be required, upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ approval as a foreign resident correspondent, immigration procedures must be completed at the representative mission of Viet Nam abroad for the purpose of obtaining visa.
Article 9. Operation of Resident Offices
1. Within 30 working days of receipt of the approval document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the resident correspondent of Resident Office is required to present the letter of accreditation of the foreign press agency to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and receive the License on the Establishment of a Resident Office in Viet Nam issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. The Head of the Resident Office is a legitimate representative of the Resident Office.
3. A resident Office is can be located in Ha Noi or another province/city under central administration upon receiving written approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provincial-level people’s Committees of the locality where the resident office will be located.
Resident correspondent may be assigned to work in another province/city under central administration where the resident office is not located. The resident correspondent shall obtain written approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central administration to where the resident foreign correspondent is assigned. The Resident Office is responsible for activities of the resident correspondents in other localities.
A foreign press agency requesting to assign a resident correspondent in a locality must send an application document directly or via post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The composition of the application document is similar to the one on assigning resident correspondents to work in a resident office mentioned in Paragraph 1, Article 8 of this Decree.
Upon the receipt of the application document, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consult the People’s Committee of the concerned province or city under central administration. A written answer shall be made available to the requesting foreign press agency by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 15 working days upon receipt of the application document.
4. A Resident Office is required to inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of its location 30 days prior to its starting operation. The change of the Resident Office’s location requires 30 – days notification in advance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
5. Should the Resident Office request an official stamp, certificate of temporary domicile, travel permit or other requests for information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam, it shall send a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking for the introduction to the relevant Vietnamese Agency in order to fulfill the necessary procedures in accordance with existing provisions of the Vietnamese law.
6. The Resident Office’s License shall automatically expire if there is no resident correspondent working at the Resident Office in Viet Nam for 180 consecutive days.
7. A resident Office is required to inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 30 working days and return the License to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least three working days prior to its closing.
8. Should resident correspondents be replaced or the Resident Office desire to increase the number of resident correspondents, all procedures must be fulfilled in accordance with Article 8 of this Decree.
9. Should additional temporary correspondents be desired, the head of the Resident Office must send a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as stipulated in Articles 4 and 5 of this Decree on non-resident correspondents. The approved additional correspondent shall not enjoy resident correspondent’s status.
10. Father, mother, spouse, children and other relatives of resident correspondents do not enjoy resident correspondent’s status and are bound by all existing provisions of the Vietnamese law.

Article 10. Visa for resident correspondent
The granting, refusal or annulation of visa for resident correspondents is handled in accordance with Vietnamese laws on immigration and on residence of foreigners. Resident correspondent’s visa shall be renewed if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approves to extend his/her resident correspondent’ status in Viet Nam.
Article 11. Resident correspondent designated by more than one Resident Office
1. A resident correspondent may work as resident correspondent for more than one foreign press agency in Viet Nam. A foreign press agency can designate its resident correspondent in another country to work as resident correspondent in Viet Nam.
2.  A resident correspondent designated by more than one press agency shall follow the same regulations for resident correspondents. In case a resident correspondent is designated as resident correspondent of another foreign press agency, written approval from his/her employer is required.
Article 12. Foreign  correspondent card
1. Resident correspondents are granted foreign correspondent cards by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, valid for no more than 12 months, in accordance with the correspondent’s visa expiry date. Correspondents wishing to obtain foreign correspondent cards shall file an application directly or via post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The application for foreign correspondent cards include:
a. Application form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b. Copy of resident correspondent’s passport
c. 2 passport photos of 3 x4 cm

2. Re-issuance of foreign correspondent cards due to loss or damage require an application filed directly or via post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which includes:
a. An application form for reissuing foreign correspondent card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b. Copy of resident correspondent’s passport
c. 2 passport photos of 3 x4 cm
d. Foreign  correspondent card (in case of damage)
e. A letter notifying the loss of foreign correspondent card certified by public security agency (in case of loss)

3. Resident foreign correspondents must fulfill the procedures for renewal of foreign correspondent cards at least 15 days before expiry date, which shall be subject to the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application for the renewal of resident foreign correspondent cards can be filed directly or via post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application includes:
a) Renewal form on the continued designation of the applicant as a resident foreign correspondent to Viet Nam signed by the competent person of his/her press agency. This form is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b) Foreign  press card of the resident correspondent
c) Copy of  the resident foreign correspondent’s passport
4. Within three working days upon receipt of the application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall grant, re-issue or renew the foreign correspondent card. In case of rejection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written notification to the foreign correspondent.
5. When conducting information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam, resident correspondents must always carry their foreign correspondent cards and passports for presentation to the Vietnamese competent agency when required.
6. When the resident correspondent terminates his/her duty in Viet Nam, the Resident Office shall send a written notification to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 15 days prior to the termination and return the foreign correspondent card to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the  correspondent’s departure.

Article 13. Journalistic activities by resident foreign correspondents
1. To interview Vietnamese high-level leaders, the Resident Office shall submit directly or send via post or fax an application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. To meet, interview leaders of Vietnamese Ministry, Agency, the Resident Office shall submit directly, send via post or fax a written request to the Ministry, Agency concerned while keeping the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed. Within 5 working days upon the receipt of the application, the Ministry, Agency concerned shall send a written reply to the Resident Office.
3. For carrying out journalistic activities in localities, the Resident Office shall submit directly, send via post or fax a written request to the People’s Committee of the province or city under central administration concerned while keeping the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed. Within 5 working days upon the receipt of the application, the People’s Committee of the province or city under central administration concerned shall send a written reply to the Resident Office. Only with the written approval of the People’s Committee of the province or city under central administration concerned shall the resident correspondence be allowed to conduct journalistic activities at the locality.

4. The request for journalistic activities include:
a. A filled-in request form for the conduct of journalistic activities issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
b. Copy of the foreign correspondent card.

Article 14. Press Assistant of the Resident Office

1. Resident Offices may hire press assistants to assist the operation of their offices and foreign resident correspondents. The Resident Office desiring to hire press assistants shall submit directly or send via post a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A written reply shall be made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 15 working days upon the receipt of the application.
The written request for a press assistant permit includes:
a. Filled-in form for press assistant permit signed by head of the Foreign Resident Office. The form is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b. Personal information of the applicant, for press assistant permit, certified by the local administration.
c. 02 photos of 03 x 04cm of the applicant.

2. Press Assistants are entitled to conduct activities in support of journalistic activities by resident foreign correspondents and Resident Offices in Viet Nam, such as photographing, filming, interpreting and administrative work to assist the operation of the Foreign Resident Office. Press Assistants do not have correspondent status, and therefore, shall not be allowed to conduct journalistic activities as correspondents of the office.
3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the supplier of press assistants for Foreign Resident Offices. The recruitment, use and management of press assistants shall be conducted in conformity with the existing provisions of the Vietnamese law.
Article 15. Stringers of Resident Office
1. Resident Offices desiring to hire stringers must submits directly or sends via post written requests to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A written reply shall be made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 15 working days upon the receipt of the application.

The request for stringer permits include:
a) Filled-in form for stringer permit signed the head of the Foreign Resident Office. The form is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
b) Personal information of the applicant.
c) 01 photo of 03 x 04cm of the applicant.

2. Only with the written approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can a Resident Office hire and use stringers. Stringers of Foreign Resident Offices are only allowed to conduct activities in support of journalistic activities by resident foreign correspondents and Resident Offices, such as photographing, filming, and interpreting in certain specific activities for a fixed term, and shall not work in place of the resident correspondent.

3. In case the Stringer is the spouse of a member of a diplomatic mission enjoying diplomatic, consular privileges and immunities, the diplomatic mission shall issue an official document to commit to the renouncement of diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Section 3

IMPORT-EXPORT OF FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT OF FOREIGN PRESS AGENCIES

Article 16. Import-Export of facilities, equipment of foreign press agencies

1. A Foreign press agency is allowed to enjoy duty free timed temporary import for re-export of necessary facilities for the conduct of journalistic activities in Viet Nam, such as cameras, visual and audio recorders, and other equipment in accordance with Vietnamese law.

2. A Foreign press agency is allowed to import, export, install, and use audio-visual equipment for direct satellite reception and broadcasting; video broadcasting via the national telecommunication network in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Chapter III

JOURNALISTIC ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS, FOREIGN ORGANIZATIONS IN VIET NAM

Article 17. Publishing and distribution of foreign news publications.
1. The publishing and distribution of foreign news publications shall be conducted in accordance with the Press Law, Publishing Law and other relevant laws and regulations of Viet Nam.

2. Diplomatic missions or foreign organizations desiring to publish and distribute news publications in Viet Nam must send a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Ministry of Information and Communications). Diplomatic missions are required to send a copy of the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information.

3. The procedure to give permission for the publishing and distribution of foreign news publications is conducted in accordance with Ministry of Information and Communications regulations. Activities mentioned in this Article and any changes from the initial request shall only be conducted upon the written approval of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Article 18. Press briefing
1. Diplomatic missions or foreign organizations wishing to hold a press briefing in Ha Noi are required to send a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications at least 02 working days prior to the date of the press briefing. Diplomatic missions should also send a copy of the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information.

2. Should they wish to hold a press briefing in other localities, diplomatic missions, and foreign organizations are required to  send a written request to the People’s Committee of the province, city under central administration concerned at least 02 working days prior to the date of the press briefing.

3. The press briefing held by foreign delegations visiting Viet Nam at the invitation of Leaders of the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be conducted in accordance with the delegation’s official program. The hosting agency of the visiting delegation is responsible for informing the Ministry of Information and Communications at least 01 working day prior to the date of the press briefing for coordination.

4. Regarding press briefings held by foreign delegations visiting Viet Nam at the invitation of ministries, agencies, local authorities and other state agencies of Viet Nam, the hosting Agency is required to send a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications or the People’s Committee of the province, city under central administration concerned at least 02 working days prior to the date of the press briefing.

5. The procedure to grant permission for press briefings is carried out in accordance with Ministry of Information and Communications regulations.

6. The Ministry of Information and Communications, the People’s Committee of the province, city under central administration concerned may reject or suspend a press briefing should there be any signs of violation of Vietnamese law.

7. In case of urgent press briefings, relevant authorities shall consider requests on a case by case basis.

Article 19. Publishing news, articles, speeches on Vietnamese mass media

1. Diplomatic missions a foreign organizations desiring to publish news, articles, and speeches on the mass media of the central government are required to send written request with excerpt of the news, articles, and speeches to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The written request must clarify the purpose, content, name of the speaker/author of the news, articles, speeches, name of publishing, broadcasting agency. For diplomatic missions, a copy of the request and excerpt of the document must be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information.

2. Diplomatic missions or foreign organizations wishing to publish news, articles, and speeches on the mass media of local governments are required to send a written request with excerpt of the news, articles, and speeches to the People’s Committee of province, city under Central administration concerned. The written request must clarify the purpose, content, name of the speaker/author of the news, articles, speeches, name of publishing, broadcasting agency.

3. Procedures for the publishing of news, articles and speeches on the mass media are prescribed in the regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications.
 
 Article 20: Display of pictures, photographs and other forms of information outside foreign representative offices and organizations
 1. Foreign representative offices and organizations based in Ha Noi wishing to display pictures, photographs and other forms of information outside their offices are required to send a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications. For foreign representative offices, a copy of the written request must be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information.
Foreign representative offices and organizations based in other localities in Viet Nam are required to send a written request to the People’s Committee of the province, city under the relevant central administration.
 2. Procedures for the display of pictures, photographs and other form of information are prescribed in the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications.
 3. Activities mentioned in this Article or any changes to the initial request may only be carried out upon the issuance of written approval by the Ministry of Information and Communications or the People’s Committee of provinces and cites under the relevant central administration.

 Article 21: Hanging panels, posters, screens outside foreign representative offices, foreign organizations; showing movies, exhibitions, and other promotion activities with the participation of Vietnamese citizens

 1. Foreign representative offices and organizations wishing to hang panels or posters  outside their offices, organize movie shows or exhibitions or other promotional activities with the participation of Vietnamese citizens are required to submit a written request to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. For foreign representative offices, a copy of the written request must be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information.
Foreign representative offices and organizations desiring to conduct the aforesaid activities in other localities of Viet Nam are required to submit a written request to the People’s Committee of province and city under central administration concerned.
 2. Procedures on the organization of movie shows, exhibitions, and other promotion activities with the participation of Vietnamese citizens are laid down in the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
 3. Activities mentioned in this article or any changes to the initial request may only be carried out upon the issuance of written approval by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the People’s Committee of the province or city central administration.

Chapter IV
STATE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN PRESS AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES IN VIET NAM

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 1. Administer and issue permits for foreign information and journalistic activities including:
 a. Grant licenses for resident foreign correspondents to enter Viet Nam for information and journalistic activities;
 b. Grant licenses for foreign news agencies to open Resident Offices in Viet Nam and to employ resident foreign correspondents, press assistants and stringers;
 c. Administer the activities of resident foreign correspondents and Resident Offices in Viet Nam; and
 d. Cooperate with other Ministries, ministerial-level Agencies, and Agencies associated with the Government to address issues related to professional and technical requirements, import and export of technical equipment, immigration; provision of press assistants to resident offices and other issues to assist foreign information and journalistic activities in Viet Nam.
 2. Cooperate with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to address issues in relation to information and journalistic activities of foreign representative offices and organizations in Viet Nam.
 3. Provide guidance for the implementation of regulations concerning foreign information and journalistic activities within the power of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 4. Coordinate and cooperate with other Ministries, ministerial-level Agencies, Agencies associated with the Government, and People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central administration to make periodic annual summary reports on the implementation of regulations on foreign information and journalistic activities within its power.
Article 23. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Communications
 1. Administer and issue permits for information and journalistic activities by foreign representative offices and organizations, including:
 a. Publishing and distribution of foreign information publications;
 b. Organization of international press briefings in Viet Nam;
 c. Publishing of information, articles and speeches on the Vietnamese mass media;
 d. Displaying of pictures, photographs, and other forms of information outside foreign representative offices.
2. Provide guidance for the implementation of regulations on information and journalistic activities of foreign representative offices and organizations within its power.
3. Coordinate and cooperate with other Ministries, ministerial-level Agencies, Agencies associated with the Government, and People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central administration to make periodic annual summary reports on the implementation of regulations on foreign information and journalistic activities within its power.
Article 24. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
1. Administer and issue permits for hanging panels, posters, screens outside foreign representative offices and foreign organizations and for organizing movie shows, exhibitions, and other promotional activities of foreign representative offices and organizations with the participation of Vietnamese citizens.
2. Provide guidance for the implementation of regulations on information and journalistic activities of foreign representative offices and organizations within the power of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
3. Coordinate and cooperate with other Ministries, ministerial-level Agencies, Agencies associated with the Government, and People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central administration to make periodic annual summary reports on the implementation of regulations on foreign information and journalistic activities within their jurisdiction.
Article 25. Responsibilities of People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central administration
The People’s Committees of cities and provinces and cities under central administration hold the responsibility of receiving, considering and addressing issues in relation to information and journalistic activities of resident foreign correspondents, representative offices and organizations in their respective locality; cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information and Communications, and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in administering and dealing with violations of regulations on information and journalistic activities of foreign news agencies, representative offices and organizations.
Article 26. Responsibilities of other Ministries, ministerial-level Agencies, Agencies associated with the Government
Other Ministries, ministerial-level Agencies and Agencies associated with the Government hold the responsibility of cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information and Communications, and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in administering and dealing with violations of regulations on information and journalistic activities of foreign news agencies, representative offices and organizations.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMETATION

Article 27. Entry into effect
1. This Decree shall take effect on 31 October 2012.
2. This Decree shall replace the Government Decree 67/CP dated 31 October 1996 Issuing the Regulations on administration of information and journalistic activities of resident foreign correspondents, representative offices and organizations in Viet Nam.
3. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level Agencies, heads of Agencies associated with the Government and chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central administration have the responsibility to implement this Decree./.

                                                          ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT
                                                                       PRIME MINISTER

                                                                      Nguyen Tan Dung