Nghị định 88/2012/ND-CP

DECREE

REGULATION ON ACTIVITIES OF INFORMATION AND PRESS OF FOREIGN PRESS, FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE AGENCY AND ORGANIZATIONS IN VIETNAM

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated 25 December 12, 2001;

Pursuant to the Press Law dated December 28, 1989 and the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Press Law dated June 12, 1999;

Pursuant to Publication Law dated December 3, 2004 and the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Publication Law dated June 3, 2008;

Pursuant to the Law on Cinema dated June 29, 2006 and the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Cinema dated June 18, 2009;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam dated April 28, 2000;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on privileges and immunities of diplomatic missions, consular agency and representative agency of international organizations in Vietnam dated August 23, 1993;

The government promulgates decree on information and press activities of the foreign press, foreign representative agencies and organizations in Vietnam,

Chapter 1.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of adjustment and subject of application

This Decree provides for the information and press activities of foreign press, foreign representative agencies and organizations in Vietnam and the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities in the state management of information and press activities of foreign press, foreign agency and organizations in Vietnam.

Article 2. Explanation of terms

In this Decree, the following terms shall be construed as follows:

1. Foreign press is a news agency, radio, TV, printing newspaper, electronic newspaper and other types of foreign press.

2. Permanent foreign press agency is a representative agency of the foreign press in Vietnam, hereinafter referred to as permanent agency.

3. Foreign reporters are reporters and editors working for foreign press.

4. Permanent foreign reporter is a foreign reporter appointed by the foreign press to work at the permanent agency under the regime of permanent reporter in Vietnam, hereinafter referred to as permanent reporter.

5. Non-permanent foreign reporter is foreign reporter coming into Vietnam for short-term information and press activities, and not entitled to enjoy the permanent reporter regime, hereinafter referred to as non-resident reporter.

6. Press assistant is Vietnamese citizen working under official contract for permanent agency in Vietnam to support permanent reporter and permanent agency in the information and press activities in Vietnam.

7. Collaborator is a Vietnamese citizen or foreigner legally residing and working in Vietnam permanent and recruited by a permanent agency to support a number of specific information and press activities of the permanent reporter and agency in a given time.

8. Foreign representative agency is a foreign diplomatic mission, consular agency, representative agency of inter-governmental international organization and other other foreign authorized agencies performing consular functions in Vietnam.

9. Foreign organization is the representative agency of non-governmental organization and other foreign organizations in Vietnam.

10. Information and press activities of foreign press in Vietnam is the activities gathering information, documents, photographs, audio and visual recordings, , photographs, film recording, contacting, interviewing, visiting localities, facilities and other activities in order to serve news and article writing, and producing supplements, special issues of periodicals and reportage on Vietnam of foreign press, except for the types of film subjects to the Law on cinema.

11. Foreign printed matters are newsletters, press releases, supplements, documents, flyers, brochures, maps, calendars, pictures, photographs, audio tapes, audio discs, video tapes and video discs and other printed matters published and circulated by foreign representative agencies and organizations in Vietnam.

12. Press conference is meeting activity organized by foreign agencies, organizations, delegations, individuals in Vietnam with the invitation of representatives of Vietnamese press agencies and citizen for participation to inform, announce and explain an issue relating to the duties and interests of those agencies, organizations, delegations and individuals.

Article 3. Principles of press and information of foreign press, foreign representative agencies and organizations in Vietnam

1. All information and press activities of the foreign press, foreign representative agencies and organizations in Vietnam shall only be carried out after the approval of the competent authority provided for in Decree and must comply with the current regulations of Vietnamese law.

2. The violation of the provisions of this Decree shall be handled in accordance with the current provisions of Vietnamese law.

Chapter 2.

INFORMATION AND PRESS ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN PRESS IN VIETNAM

SECTION 1. NON-PERMANENT REPORTER

Article 4. Procedures for licensing information and press activities of non-permanent reporters

1. Foreign reporter requesting information and press activities in Vietnam must submit 01 dossier by mail, fax or e-mail to the Foreign Ministry, diplomatic missions, consular agencies or other agencies authorized to perform consular functions of Vietnam in foreign countries (hereinafter referred to as the Vietnamese representative agencies abroad) at least 10 working days before the date scheduled to come to Vietnam.

Dossier to request  information and press activities in Vietnam includes:

a) Written request for information and press activities under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of foreign reporter’s Passport.

2. Within 10 working days from receipt of the written request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Vietnamese representative agencies abroad shall consider for approval or disapproval in writing to foreign reporters. In case of approval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue press activity Permit to foreign reporters.

3. After coming into Vietnam, foreign reporters shall go to reporter guidance agency (Foreign Press Guidance Center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or an agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive press activity Permit and be guided press activities.

Article 5. Information and press activities of non-permanent reporters

1. When performing information and press activities in Vietnam, non-resident reporters must carry press activity Permit issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and passports; must operate in accordance with the purposes and programs that are specified in the Permit and under the guidance of the reporter guidance agency.

2. The activity program of non-resident reporters can be adjusted and supplemented after getting the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 6.  Foreign reporter accompanying foreign delegation

1. For foreign reporters accompanying foreign delegations to visit Vietnam at the invitation of the leaders of the Party and the State or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report on the visit, the Vietnamese agency in charge shall make necessary entry and exit procedures and notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordination. Foreign reporters are allowed to report activities under the official program of the foreign delegations.

In case the foreign reporters request information and press activities outside the formal program of the foreign delegations, the reporters must send a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must comply with the regulations as for non-resident reporter specified in Article 4 and Article 5 of this Decree.

2. For foreign reporters accompanying foreign delegations at the invitation of Vietnamese agencies to report on the visit, the Vietnamese agency in charge need to make procedures with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as for non-permanent reporters and performing tasks under the guidance of the Foreign Press Guidance Center (Ministry of foreign Affairs) or an agency approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

SECTION 2. PERMANENT OFFICE AND REPORTER

Article 7. Procedures for establishing permanent offices

1. Foreign press agencies wishing to set up permanent offices in Vietnam shall send 01 dossier to request the establishment of permanent office directly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Vietnamese representative agency abroad.

Dossier to request the establishment of permanent office includes:

a) Written request of the head of the foreign press agency or of the person authorized by the head of the foreign press agency under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of the Certificate of legal status of the foreign press agency that has been legalized, except for the cases of exemption from legalization under provisions of international agreements in which Vietnam and the country concerned are member or in the principle of reciprocity.

c) Basic information on foreign press

2. Within 60 days after receiving complete and valid dossiers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall issue Permit of permanent office establishment in Vietnam for foreign press agency if approved.

Article 8. Procedures for appointment of permanent reporters

1. Foreign press agencies having request for appointment of permanent reporter shall send 01 dossier directly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Vietnamese representative agency abroad.

Dossier to request appointment of permanent reporter includes:

a) A written request for appointment of permanent reporter of the head of the foreign press agency or of the person authorized by the head of the foreign press agency under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) Personal information of the person appointed as permanent reporter.

c) A copy of passport of the person appointed as permanent reporter.

d) If the person appointed as permanent reporter is spouse of member of foreign representative agency and enjoys the privileges and diplomatic immunities, the consular and foreign representative agency must have a written commitment to give up the privileges and immunities from the time he/she is accepted as permanent reporter.

2. Within 15 working days after receiving complete and valid dossiers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Vietnamese representative offices abroad must have written notice of the approval or disapproval of foreign reporter appointed as permanent reporter by foreign press.

3. In case of visa required, foreign reporter shall come to the Vietnamese representative agencies abroad to complete the procedures for entry visa after being approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as permanent reporter in Viet Nam.

Article 9. Operation of permament office

1. Within 30 working days from the date of receipt of the written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the permanent reporter of the permanent Office must come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hand over the appointment letter of the foreign press agency and receive Permit of permanent office establishment in Vietnam issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. Head of permanent Office is the legal representative of the Office.

3. Permanent office are allowed to be located in Hanoi or in another centrally-affiliated city or province after getting consent in writing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People's Committees of centrally-affiliated province and city where  the permanent Office is expected to be located.

Permanent Office is allowed to appoint permanent reporter at different locality from the place where Headquarters of permanent office after getting the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the people's committees of centrally-affiliated cities and provinces where the permanent office proposes the appointment of permanent reporter. The permanent Office is responsible for the activities of the permanent reporter at the localities.

When having need to appoint permanent reporter at another locality of Vietnam, the foreign press agency shall send a dossier directly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The component of dossier is similar to dossier to request appointment of permanent reporter to work at permanent office as specified in Clause 1, Article 8 of this Decree.

After receiving dossier to request appointment of permanent reporter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall propose the opinion from the People’s Committees of centrally-affiliated cities and provinces where the permanent office shall appoint permanent reporter. Within 15 working days from the time of receiving written request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall respond in writing to foreign press agency.

4. The permanent office shall inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the location of headquarters of permanent office 30 days prior to official operation at that headquarter. When changing location of headquarters of permanent office, it shall inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 30 working days in advance.

5. In case the permanent office requires a seal and applies for issuance of certificate of temporary residence and traveling and other requirements to serve the information and press activities in Vietnam, it shall send a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for introduction to the Vietnamese competent authorities of Vietnam to carry out necessary procedures under the current law of Vietnam.

6. Permit of permanent office establishment shall automatically become invalid in case the permanent office has no active permanent reporter in Vietnam in the period of 180 consecutive days.

7. Permanent office shall inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the closure of permanent office at least 30 working days before the closing date and return the Permit of permanent office establishment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 03working days before the closing date of permanent office.

8. When there is requirement on replacement and supplementation of permanent reporter, the permanent office must complete necessary procedures specified in Article 8 of this Decree.

9. When having a need to appoint reporter to assist the permanent office, its Head must have a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as provided in Article 4 and Article 5 of this Decree for non-permanent reporters. The supporting reporter shall not enjoy the regulations on permanent reporter.

10. Father, mother, wife / husband, children and other relatives of the permanent reporter shall not enjoy the regulations on permanent reporter and must comply with Vietnam’s current legal provisions.

Article 10. Visa for permanent reporter

The issuance, refuse to issue or cancel visa for permanent reporter shall comply with the provisions of Vietnamese law on entry and exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam. The permanent reporter shall be issued new visa in case the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows the enjoyment of regulations on permanent reporter in Vietnam.

Article 11. Part-time permanent reporter

1. Permanent reporters are allowed to be as part time permanent reporter for permanent office of antoher foreign press agency in Vietnam. The foreign press shall be allowed to appoint its permanent reporter in another country to be as part time permanent reporter in Vietnam

2. The provisions for part-time permanent reporter shall be applied as prescribed for permanent reporter. In case the permanent reporter is proposed to be as part-time permanent reporter for permanent office of another foreign press agency, there must be approval letter from the press agency press of the permanent reporter.

Article 12. Foreign reporter card

1. Permanent reporter shall be issued the foreign reporter card by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with its value not exceeding 12 months to be in line with the duration of entry and exit of reporter. The permanent reporter having request for the issuance of foreign reporter card shall send 01 dossier directly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dossier to request the issuance of foreign reporter card includes:

a) A written request for issuance of foreign reporter card of permanent reporter is under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of permanent reporter’s Passport.

c) Two 03 cm x 04 cm photos of the permanent reporter.

2. The permanent reporter requesting the re-issuance of damaged or lost foreign reporter card shall submit 01 dossier diectly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dossier to request the re-issuance of foreign reporter card includes:

a) A written request for re-issuace of foreign reporter card of permanent reporter is under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of permanent reporter’s Passport.

c) Two 03 cm x 04 cm photos of the permanent reporter.

d) Foreign reporter card (in case of damaged card)

e) Petition for presentation of loss of foreign reporter card with certification of the public security (in case of lost card)

3. Within 15 working days before the foreign reporter card expires, the permanent reporter must carry out procedures for extension of card if permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue as being permanent reporter. The permanent reporter requesting extension of foreign reporter card shall send 01 dossier for card extension directly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dossier to request extension of foreign reporter Card includes:

a) A written notice to continue appointing permanent reporter in Vietnam of the competent person of the foreign press agency under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

b) A foreign reporter card of permanent reporter.

c) A copy of permanent reporter’s Passport.

4. Within 03 working days after receiving the dossier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall complete the issuance, re-issuance or extension of foreign reporter card.

In case of issuance, re-issuance or extension of foreign reporter card, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify in writing to foreign reporter.

5. When performing information and press activities in Vietnam, the permanent reporter must bring his/her foreign reporter card, passport and present them to the Vietnamese competence agencies upon request.

6. When the permanent reporter terminates his/her activities in Vietnam, the permanent office shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in writing at least 15 working days before reporter’s termination of activities and return the card to foreign reporter card to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the reporter leaves Vietnam.

Article 13. Information and press activities of permanent reporter

1. For requests to interview Vietnamese high-ranking leaders of, the permanent office submit 01 dossier directly or by post or fax to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. For requirements on contact and interview leaders of Vietnamese ministries and sectors, the permanent office shall submit 01 dossier directly or by post or fax to the ministries and sectors concerned, at the same time inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within 05 working days after receiving the dossier, the ministries and sectors shall reply to the permanent Office in writing.

3. For information and press activities at Vietnamese localities, the permanent office shall send 01 dossier directly or by post or fax to the People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities simultaneously notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within 05 working days after receiving the dossier, the People's Committee of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities shall reply to the permanent office in writing. The permanent reporter only performs information and press activities at locality upon approval in writing of the People's Committee of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities.

4. Dossier to request information and press activities:

a) A written request for information and press activities under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) A copy of permanent reporter’s foreign reporter card

Article 14. Press assistant of permanent office

1. Permanent offices may hire press assistant to support the activities of the permanent office and reporter. The permanent office requesting to hire a press assistant shall submit 01 dossier directly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Within 15 working days after receiving the dossier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall respond in writing to the permanent office.

Dossier to request licensing as press assistant includes:

a) A written request for licensing as a press assistant of the Head of permanent office under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) Personal information certified by the local authorities for the person proposed to be licensed as a press assistant.

c) Two 03 cm x 04 cm photos of the person proposed to be licensed as a press assistant.

2. Press assistant shall be allowed to perform the work to support information and press activities of permanent reporter and permanent office in Vietnam such as photography, film recording, interpretation and administrative work supporting activities of the permanent office. The press assistant shall not enjoy regulations on permanent reporter and conduct information and press activities in lieu of permanent reporter.

3.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall provide press assistant for permanent offices. The recruitment, use, and management of press assistant must comply with the current provisions of Vietnamese law.

Article 15. Collaborator of permanent office

1. When wishing to hire collaborators, the permanent office shall submit 01 requesting dossier directly or by post to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within 15 working days after receiving the dossier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall respond in writing to the permanent office.

Dossier to request licensing to collaborator includes:

a) A written request for licensing as collaborator for the permanent office of the Head of permanent under the form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

b) Personal information of the person appointed as collaborator..

c) One 03 cm x 04 cm photo of the person appointed as collaborator.

2. Permanent office is only allowed to lease and use collaborators after the written approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Collaborators of the permanent office are only allowed to perform the support of information and press activities of permanent reporter and permanent offices such as film recording, photography, interpretation in a number of specific activities and in a certain time and not perform work in lieu of permanent reporter.

3. In case the collaborators are spouses of members of foreign diplomatic missions and enjoy the privileges and diplomatic immunities, consular and foreign representative agencies must have formal written commitment to give up privileges and diplomatic immunities.

SECTION 3. IMPORT-EXPORT OF FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT OF FOREIGN PRESS

Article 16. Import-export of facilities and equipment of foreign press

1. Foreign press shall be entitled to temporary import for re-export with tax-free term for the facilities needed to serve the information and press activities in Vietnam such as cameras, camcorders, recorders and other equipment in accordance with the current provisions of Vietnamese law.

2. Foreign press shall be allowed to import - export, install and use means of transceiver of news and image live via satellite, internationally broadcast via the national telecommunications network under the current provisions of Vietnamese law.

Chapter 3.

INFORMATION AND PRESS ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE AGENCIES, FOREIGN ORGANIZATIONS IN VIETNAM

Article 17.Publishing and circulation of foreign information publications

1. The publishing and circulation of foreign information publications shall comply with the provisions of the Press Law and Publication Law and the provisions of the relevant current provisions of Vietnamese laws.

2. When there is request for publishing and circulation of information publications in Vietnam, the foreign representative agencies and organization must send a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications. For foreign representative agencies, the written request shall be sent to both the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3. Procedures allowing publishing and circulation of foreign information publications shall comply with the provisions of the Ministry of Information and Communications. The activities specified in this Article and other changes different from the original proposals shall only be carried out only after obtaining the written approval of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Article 18. Press conference

1. When wishing to hold a press conference in Hanoi, the foreign representative agencies and organizations must send a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communications at least 02 working days before the press conference. For foreign representative agencies, the written request shall be sent to bothe the to the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. When wishing to hold a press conference at other localities of Vietnam, the foreign representative agencies and organizations must send a written request to People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities at least 02 working days prior to the press conference.

3. Press conference of foreign delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the leaders of the Party and the State or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall comply with the official program of the delegation. The agency in charge of meeting delegation shall notify the Ministry of Information and Communication at least 01 working day before the press conference for coordination.

4. For the press conference of foreign delegations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the ministries, sectors, localities and other state agencies of Vietnam, the agency in charge of meeting delegation shall notify the Ministry of Information and Communication or People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities at least 02 working days before the press conference

5. Procedures to hold a press conference shall comply the regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

6. The Ministry of Information and Communications, People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities have the right to refuse or cancel the press conference if there are signs of violation of the Vietnamese law.

7. For the case of urgent press conference, after the proposal of the foreign representative agencies and organizations, the Vietnamese competent authorities shall consider each particular case.

Article 19. Posting news, articles and statements on the Vietnamese mass media.

1. When wishing to post news, articles and statements on the mass media of the central government, foreign representative agencies and organizations must send a written request together with content of the news, articles and statements to the Ministry of Information and Communications. In the written request should specify: Purpose, content, name of the speaker / writer, the press agency expected to post or broadcast. For foreign representative agencies, a written request together with content of the news, articles and statement should be sent to the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to for notification.

2. When wishing to post news, articles and statements on the mass media of localities, the foreign representative agencies and organizations must send a written request together with the content of the news, articles and statements to the People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities. In the written request should specify: Purpose, content, name of the speaker / writer, the press agency expected to post or broadcast.

3. The procedures for permission to post news, articles and statements on the mass media shall comply with provisions of the Ministry of Information and Communications

Article 20. Displaying pictures, photos and other forms of information outside of foreign representative agencies and organizations

1. When wishing to display pictures, photos and other forms of information outside the headquarters, foreign representative agencies and organizations with their headquarters in Hanoi must send a written request to the Ministry of Information and Communication. For foreign representative agencies, a written request shall be sent to the the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification.

In case of foreign representative agencies and organizations with their headquarters at other localities of Vietnam, when having demand for the activities above mentioned, they must send a written request to: thel People's Committee of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities.

2. The procedures for permission to post pictures, photos and other forms of information shall comply with provisions of the Ministry of Information and Communications

3. Activities specified in this Article and other changes different from the initial proposal shall only be carried out after obtaining the written approval of the Ministry of Information and Communications or the People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities.

Article 21. Hanging panels, posters and monitors outside the headquarters of foreign representative agencies and organizations; film projection, exhibitions and other promotional activities with invitation to Vietnamese citizens for attendance.

1. When wishing to hang panels, posters and monitors outside the headquarters of foreign representative agencies and organizations in Hanoi and when wishing to perform film projection, exhibition and other promotional activities with the invitation of Vietnamese citizens for attendance in Hanoi, the foreign representative agencies and organizations must send a written request to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. For foreign representative agencies, the written request shal be to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for notification.

When there is demand for the above-mentioned activities in other Vietnamese localities, the foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations must send a written request to People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities.

2. Procedures for permission to hang panels, posters, monitors, film projection, exhibitions and other promotional activities shall comply with the provisions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

3. Activities specified in this Article and other changes different from the initial proposal shall only be carried out after obtaining the written approval of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities.

Chapter 4.

STATE MANAGEMENT OVER FOREIGN INFORMATION AND PRESS ACTIVITIES OM VIETNAM

Article 22. Responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Managing and licensing the foreign information and press activities including:

a) Licensing foreign reporters who come to perform information and press activities in Vietnam;

b) Licensing the foreign press to open permanent office in Vietnam and use foreign reporters, press assistantsand collaborators;

c) Managing information and press activities of foreign reporters and permament offices in Vietnam.

d) Coordinating with the ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies directly under the Government and People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities to settle the professional and technical requirements; import and export of professional and technical requirements; entry, exit, residence and travelling requirements; press assistant provision to the permanent offices and other requirements to serve  information and press activities of foreign press in Vietnam.

2. Coordinating with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to resolve the requirements on information and press activities of foreign representative agencies and organizations in Vietnam.

3. Guiding the implementation of the provisions on information and press activities of the foreign press under the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4. Assuming the prime responsibility and coordinating with the ministries, ministerial-level agencies, the agencies directly under the Government and People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities to regularly and annually review and make report on the implementation of the provisions on information and press activities of foreign press under the competence of the Ministry of foreign Affairs.

Article 23. Responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications

1. Managing and licensing information and press activities of the foreign representative agencies and organizations including:

a) Publishing and circulating foreign information publications;

b) Press conference in Vietnam;

c) Posting news, articles and statements on Vietnamese mass media

d) Displaying pictures and other forms of information outside the headquarters of foreign representative agencies and organizations in Hanoi.

2. Guiding the implementation of the provisions on information and press activities of foreign representative agencies and organizations under the competence of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

3. Assuming the prime responsibility and coordinating with the ministries, ministerial-level agencies, the agencies directly under the Government and People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities to regularly and annually review and make report on the implementation of the provisions on information and press activities of foreign press under the competence of the Ministry of information and Communications.

Article 24. Responsibility of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

1. Managing and licensing the hanging of panels, posters and monitors outside the foreign representative agencies and organizations in Hanoi; film projection, exhibitions and other promotional activities in Hanoi with invitation to Vietnamese citizens for attendance of the foreign representative agencies and organizations.

2. Guiding the implementation of the provisions on information and press activities, of foreign representative agencies and organizations under the competence of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

3. Assuming the prime responsibility and coordinating with the ministries, ministerial-level agencies, the agencies directly under the Government and People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities to regularly and annually review and make report on the implementation of the provisions on information and press activities of foreign press under the competence of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Article 25. Responsibilities of People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities directly under the Central Government

People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities shall be responsible for receiving, reviewing and solving information and press activities of foreign reporter, foreign representative agences organizations at localities; coordinating with the Ministry of foreign Affairs, Ministry of information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in managing and handling violations of information and press activities at localities of foreign press, foreign representative agencies and organizations.

Article 26. Responsibilities of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies directly under the Government

The ministries, ministerial-level agencies, the agencies directly under the Government shall coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in managing and handling violations of information and press activities of foreign press, foreign representative agencies and organizations.

Chapter 5.

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 27. Effect

1. This Decree takes effect from December 20, 2012.

2. This Decree supersedes the Decree No. 67/CP dated October 31, 1996 of the Government issuing the "Regulation on information and press activities of foreign reporters, foreign agencies and organizations in Vietnam."

3. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of the agencies directly under the Government, Chairmen of the People's Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities are liable to execute this Decree. /.