AMENDMENTS TO SOME ARTICLES OF GOVERNMENT’S DECREE NO. 06/2005/ND-CP DATED JANUARY 19, 2005 ON ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN COOPERATION AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS IN VIETNAM

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

Establishment and operation of representative offices of foreign cultural and educational organizations in Vietnam are not governed by this Decree.”.

“2. Developing 5-year cooperation or research programs and/or projects expected in Vietnam.”.

1. Clause 1 shall be amended as follows:

“1. An application form for establishment of a foreign organization’s representative office in Vietnam, using the Form No. 01 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree.".

2. Clause 2 shall be amended as follows:

“2. Operation Charter or Regulation of the foreign organization: Original copy or copy if the application is submitted in person or by post; an electronic copy if the application is submitted online.".

3. Clause 3 shall be amended as follows:

“Document(s) prepared by ministry/central or local authority, and permitting the foreign organization to establish its representative office in Vietnam; written certification of the foreign organization’s juridical person, issued by the competent agency of the country where the foreign organization is headquartered: Original copy or copy if the application is submitted in person or by post; an electronic copy if the application is submitted online.”.

4. Clause 4 is annulled.

5. Clause 5 shall be amended as follows:

“5. Dossier prepared by the head of the representative office: Resume of the person expected to be appointed as the head of the representative office and letter of recommendation or decision on appointment of the head of the representative office in Vietnam, made by the minister or the head of central/local authority managing the foreign organization: Original copy or copy if the application is submitted in person or by post; an electronic copy if the application is submitted online.”.

“Article 7. Each foreign organization that applies for the establishment of representative office must submit an application, in person, by post or online on the national public service portal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within 01 working day from the date of receipt of the application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider inspecting the completeness and validity of the application, and requesting the organization to revise and complete the application if it is invalid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must prepare a monitoring book, and issue a receipt and an appointment note to receive the application and return the result when receiving the complete and valid application.

Within 14 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider issuing or refusing to issue a license for establishment of a representative office to the foreign organization (hereinafter referred to as “license”). In case of refusal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization in writing and clearly state the reasons.

The license shall conform to the Form No. 03 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree.”.

1. Clause 1 shall be amended as follows:

“1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send the application for the establishment of the foreign organization's representative office to the Vietnamese regulatory body, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People’s Committee of the province or city where the foreign organization' representative office is expected to be located:

a) The provincial People’s Committee shall provide opinions on operation of the foreign organization in the province where the foreign organization expects to establish its representative office

b) Relevant ministries and agencies shall provide their opinions on operation of the foreign organization implementing programs and projects under their management;

c) The Vietnamese regulatory body shall provide opinions on the foreign organization’s application for establishment of its representative office;

d) The Ministry of Public Security shall provide its opinions on the person expected to act as the head of the representative office in Vietnam.”.

2. Clause 2 shall be amended as follows:

“2. After receiving a written request for opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the relevant agencies shall submit their opinions within 10 working days. In case the Vietnamese regulatory body’s opinions are different from those provided by relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written request for opinions to the Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Public Security. These opinions must be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the written request. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide the issuance of the license to the foreign organization's representative office as agreed by the Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Public Security.”.

“Article 9. The validity period of the license is determined at the foreign organization's request but shall not exceed the period of its cooperation and research programs or projects in Vietnam. In case the validity period is required to be extended, the foreign organization shall submit an application, person, by post, or online through the national public service portal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 14 working days before the license expires. Within 01 working day from the date of receipt of the application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for inspecting the completeness and validity of the application and requesting the foreign organization to revise and complete the application if it is invalid.

1. The application includes:

a) An application form for extension of the license, using the Form No. 02 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree.

b) Documents on programs/projects, or newly signed, revised, or extended commitment to cooperation between the foreign organization and the Vietnamese regulatory body, resulting in extension of the license: Original copy or copy if the application is submitted in person or by post; an electronic copy if the application is submitted online.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider extending the license issued to the representative office after consulting with the Vietnamese regulatory body, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People’s Committee of the province or city where the representative office is located.

a) The provincial People’s Committee shall provide opinions on operation of the foreign organization in the province where the foreign organization's representative office is expected to be located.

b) Relevant ministries and agencies shall provide their opinions on operation of the foreign organization implementing programs and projects related to such ministries and agencies.

c) The Vietnamese regulatory body shall provide opinions on extension of the license.

3. After receiving a written request for opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, agencies shall provide their opinions within 10 working days.  In case the Vietnamese regulatory body’s opinions are different from those provided by relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written request for opinions to the Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Public Security. These opinions must be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the written request. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide the extension of the license issued to the foreign organization's representative office as agreed by the Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Public Security.”.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization of the approval result within 14 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application. In case of refusal to extend the license, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization in writing and clearly state the reasons.”.

“Article 10. When wishing to revise the license, the foreign organization’s representative office shall submit an application in person, by post or online through the national public service portal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within 01 working day from the date of receipt of the application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for inspecting the completeness and validity of the application, and requesting the representative office to revise and complete the application if it is invalid.

1. An application includes:

a) Application form for revision to the license, using the Form No.02 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree.

b) Resume of the person expected to be appointed as the head of the representative office in case the head is changed; letter of recommendation or decision on appointment of the head of the representative office in Vietnam, made by the minister or the head of central/local authority managing the foreign organization: Original copy or copy if the application is submitted in person or by post; an electronic copy if the application is submitted online.

c) Documents on programs/projects, or revised commitment to cooperation between the foreign organization and the Vietnamese regulatory body in case of expansion of scope and prolongation of duration of operation: Original copy or copy if the application is submitted in person or by post; an electronic copy if the application is submitted online

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider revising the license issued to the representative office after consulting with the Vietnamese regulatory body, relevant ministries and agencies, and the People's Committees of province/city where the representative office is located.

a) The provincial People’s Committee shall provide opinions on operation of the foreign organization in the province where the foreign organization’s representative office is located.

b) Relevant ministries and agencies shall provide their opinions on operation of the foreign organization implementing programs or projects related to such ministries and agencies.

c) The Vietnamese regulatory body shall provide opinions on the representative office's application for revise its license.

d) The competent authority shall provide its opinions on the person expected to act as the head of the representative office in Vietnam.”.

3. After receiving a written request for opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the relevant agencies shall submit their opinions within 10 working days. In case the Vietnamese regulatory body’s opinions are different from those provided by relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall send a written request for opinions to the Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Public Security. These opinions must be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the written request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall decide the revision to the license issued to the foreign organization's representative office as agreed by the Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Public Security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization of the approval result within 14 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application. In case of refusal to revise the license, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the foreign organization in writing and clearly state the reasons.”.

“Article 11. The license for establishment of the representative office shall be revoked if the foreign organization’s representative office carries out operations inconsistent with the issued license or commits violations against this Decree and other relevant regulations of Vietnamese law, or if its programs or projects in Vietnam are terminated ahead of time. Before deciding to revoke the license, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consult with the Vietnamese regulatory body, the People's Committee of the province/city where the representative office is located, and relevant ministries and agencies.”.

“2. The head of the representative office shall take full responsibility for all operations conducted by the representative office and the foreign organization in Vietnam. He/she is responsible for submitting annual periodic reports on the organization’s operations in Vietnam to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese regulatory body, and shall report, provide documents, or explain matters related to the organization’s operations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese regulatory body when requested.”.

Article 14a. Reporters, report recipients, names and contents of reports

1. Reporters:

a) Foreign organization’s representative office;

b) Vietnamese regulatory body;

c) Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. Report names:

a) The representative office shall prepare a report on operations in Vietnam (in the reporting year);

b) The Vietnamese regulatory body shall prepare a report on cooperation and management of foreign organizations’ representative offices (in the reporting year);

c) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall prepare a report on operations and management of foreign organizations (in the reporting year).

3. Report contents: 

a) The Vietnamese regulatory body shall prepare a report, using the Form No.04 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree;

b) The representative office shall prepare a report, using the Form No.05 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree;

c) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall prepare a report, using the Form No.06 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree.

Article 14b. Report-receiving authorities

1. The representative office shall submit the report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese regulatory body.

2. The Vietnamese regulatory body shall submit the report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall submit the report to the Prime Minister; and simultaneously submit it to relevant ministries, central authorities, and People's Committees of provinces and cities.

Article 14c. Method and deadline for submission of report

1. A report may be submitted by one of the following methods:

a) Through Vietnam Data Exchange Platform;

b) Through the reporting information system of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is connected to the reporting information system established by the Government’s Office;

c) Email;

d) Other methods prescribed by law.

2. Deadline for submission of report

a) The representative office and the Vietnamese regulatory body shall submit periodic reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs no later than the 20^th day of the last month of the reporting period;

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

Article 14d. Reporting frequency and cut-off time for report data

1. Reporting frequency:

a) The representative office shall prepare annual reports;

b) The Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall prepare annual reports.

2. Cut-off time for report data: From December 15 of the year preceding the reporting period to December 14 of the reporting period.

3. The Vietnamese regulatory body and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request the representative office to submit adhoc reports. The deadline for submission of the report and cut-off time for report data shall comply with the request made by the report-requesting agency.

“Article 15. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the presiding agency assisting the Government in the unified state management of operations of representative offices of foreign organizations in Vietnam, and has the following responsibilities:

1. Issuing, revising, extending and revoking representative offices' licenses.

2. Seek written opinions from the Vietnamese regulatory body in charge of sectors or fields in which representative offices operate, People's Committees of provinces or cities where foreign organizations expect to locate their representative offices, and relevant ministries and authorities when considering issuance, revision, extension and revocation of licenses.

3. Provide opinions for the Vietnamese regulatory body on written agreements with foreign organizations.

4. Annually, send consolidated reports to the Prime Minister on operation and  management of representative offices of foreign organizations.

5. Conduct periodic and ad-hoc inspections of operations of representative offices of foreign organizations.”.

"Article 16. Responsibilities of the Vietnamese regulatory body

1. Preside over drafting, consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries and agencies, and sign written agreements with relevant foreign organizations.

2. Monitor, urge, and inspect operations of representative offices under its management; provide guidance and respond to requests from representative offices with regard to specialized fields and issues related to legal procedures, to make sure that such representative offices are established and operate in compliance with the law.

3. Provide guidance for local departments and agencies under the management of ministries and central authorities on management of operations of representative offices.

4. Provide written responses for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sectors and fields in which representative offices operate during the process of consideration of issuance, revision, extension, and revocation of Licenses.

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

“Article 17. Responsibilities of People’s Committees of provinces and cities where foreign organizations locate their representative offices

1. Manage and facilitate operations conducted by representative offices within their management.

2. Provide written responses as requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when considering issuance, revision, extension, and revocation of Licenses.

1. This Decree takes effect from March 01, 2026.

2. Applications for issuance/revision/extension/revocation of registration documents, submitted before the effective date of this Decree shall continue to be processed according to regulations in the Government’s Decree No. 06/2005/ND-CP, the Circular No. 10/2005/TT-BNG and the Circular No. 03/2025/TT-BNG of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of Governmental agencies and Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.