Thông tư 09/2025/TT-BNG hướng dẫn chức năng, nhiệm vụ, quyền hạn về công tác đối ngoại của cơ quan chuyên môn thuộc Ủy ban nhân dân tỉnh, thành phố trực thuộc trung ương và Ủy ban nhân dân xã, phường, đặc khu thuộc tỉnh, thành phố trực thuộc trung ương do Bộ trưởng Bộ Ngoại giao ban hành

CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES ON FUNCTIONS, TASKS, ENTITLEMENTS CONCERNING FOREIGN AFFAIRS WORK OF SPECIALIZED AGENCIES OF PEOPLE’S COMMITTEES OF PROVINCES AND CITIES AND PEOPLE’S COMMITTEES OF COMMUNES, WARDS, AND SPECIAL ZONES OF PROVINCES AND CITIES

Pursuant to Decree No. 28/2025/ND-CP dated February 24, 2025 of the Government of Vietnam on functions, tasks, entitlements, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam;

Pursuant to Decree No. 150/2025/ND-CP dated June 12, 2025 of the Government of Vietnam on the organization of specialized agencies of the People’s Committees of provinces and cities and the People’s Committees of communes, wards, and special zones of provinces and cities;

At the request of the Director of the Department of External Relations and Cultural Diplomacy;

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam hereby promulgates the Circular on guidelines on functions, tasks, and entitlements concerning foreign affairs work of specialized agencies of the People’s Committees of provinces and cities and the People’s Committees of communes, wards, and special zones of provinces and cities.

Article 1. Scope

1. This Circular provides guidelines on the functions, tasks, and entitlements concerning foreign affairs work of specialized agencies of the People’s Committees of provinces and cities (hereinafter referred to as “provincial People’s Committees”) and the People’s Committees of communes, wards, and special zones of provinces and cities (hereinafter referred to as “commune-level People’s Committees”), including:

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b) Offices of provincial People’s Committees in provinces and cities without Departments of Foreign Affairs;

c) Offices of People’s Councils and People’s Committees at the commune level.

2. The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, public service providers, and sub-departments (if any) of provincial specialized agencies are not regulated by this Circular.

Article 2. Positions and functions of Departments of Foreign Affairs

1. Departments of Foreign Affairs are specialized agencies of the provincial People’s Committees with functions of advising and assisting the provincial People’s Committees in the state management of local foreign affairs work, including border and national territorial affairs (for provinces with borders); providing public services under the Departments’ state management scope according to the law (if any).

2. Departments of Foreign Affairs shall have juridical personality, their own seals, and accounts. They shall also be under the directive and management of the provincial People’s Committees regarding organization, payroll, and operation, as well as the professional directive, guidance, and inspection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

Article 3. Tasks and entitlements of Departments of Foreign Affairs

1. Present the following to the Provincial People’s Committees:

a) Draft resolutions of the provincial People’s Councils, draft decisions of the provincial People’s Committees concerning local foreign affairs, and other documents as assigned by the provincial People’s Committees;

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c) Draft decisions on delegation and authorization of state management tasks concerning foreign affairs to the Departments of Foreign Affairs according to the law;

d) Draft decisions on specific functions, tasks, entitlements, and organizational structure of the Departments of Foreign Affairs; draft decisions on functions, tasks, entitlements, and organizational structure of public service providers (unless otherwise prescribed by specialized laws) of the Departments of Foreign Affairs (if any);

dd) Draft decision on privatization of public service provision concerning foreign affairs under the jurisdiction of the provincial People’s Committees.

2. Present draft documents concerning local foreign affairs under the promulgation jurisdiction of the President of the provincial People’s Committees to the Presidents of the provincial People’s Committees.

3. Implement legislative documents, planning, plans, programs, schemes, and projects concerning local foreign affairs after they are approved; inform, disseminate, instruct, universalize, educate, and monitor law enforcement in fields under their assigned state management scope.

4. Regarding international cooperation and integration

a) Advise provincial People’s Committees on operational strategies, schemes, plans, and programs on international cooperation and integration in their areas in conformity with the guidelines and policies on foreign affairs of the CPV and policies and laws of the State.

b) Advise the provincial People’s Committees, develop, implement, and submit reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and competent authorities on the results of the implementation of local plans and programs on international cooperation and integration with foreign partners; cooperate in advising the provincial People’s Committees on the development and implementation of schemes, plans, and programs on thematic cooperation with foreign partners.

c) Serve as the focal points of provincial People’s Committees in exchanges and cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, overseas representative missions of Vietnam, diplomatic missions, foreign consular offices, representative agencies of international organizations in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as “foreign representative missions in Vietnam”), foreign non-governmental organizations, and other foreign-related entities in Vietnam unless otherwise assigned by the Presidents of the provincial People’s Committees.

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a) Advise the provincial People’s Committees on the implementation of directives of the Government of Vietnam, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam regarding local people-to-people diplomacy:

b) Advise the provincial People’s Committees on the implementation of directions, guidelines, policies, and foreign affairs-related activities of the CPV in their areas under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

6. Regarding economic diplomacy:

a) Advise the provincial People’s Committees on economic diplomacy and the development and implementation of strategies, schemes, plans, and action programs on the implementation of economic diplomacy in service of the local socio-economic development.

b) Operate as focal points of provincial People’s Committees in the exchange or cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, overseas representative missions of Vietnam, and foreign representative missions in Vietnam in promoting and introducing local potential and strength; cooperate in implementing tasks concerning trade promotion, investment, tourism, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation and protecting the legitimate rights and benefits of local economic organizations abroad.

7. Regarding cultural diplomacy:

a) Advise provincial People’s Committees on cultural diplomacy and the development and implementation of action programs and plans to implement the strategy for cultural diplomacy in each period.

b) Operate as focal points of provincial People’s Committees in the exchange and cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, overseas representative missions of Vietnam, foreign representative missions in Vietnam, and other foreign-related entities in implementing cultural diplomacy activities in their areas and introducing and promoting the image, people, and culture of their areas abroad unless otherwise assigned by the Presidents of the People’s Committees.

c) Take charge of or cooperate in advising provincial People’s Committees on programs and plans for local activities in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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a) Operate as focal points of provincial People’s Committees to cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam in researching, summarizing situations, and providing advice on guidelines, policies, and laws on overseas Vietnamese subject to the responsibility and jurisdiction of the provincial People’s Committees.  

b) Advise provincial People’s Committees on affairs related to overseas Vietnamese; develop and implement provincial policies, plans, and programs concerning overseas Vietnamese subject to the responsibility and jurisdiction of the provincial People’s Committees based on the guidelines and policies of the CPV, the State, and the law.

c) Disseminate the guidelines and policies of the CPV and the State to overseas Vietnamese; mobilize, instruct, and assist overseas Vietnamese and their relatives in working, investing in business, living, and studying in their areas.

d) Take charge and cooperate with relevant agencies in collecting statistics on overseas Vietnamese of local origin; manage, provide, and update data on overseas Vietnamese of local origin for the Database on Overseas Vietnamese managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

dd) Advise provincial People’s Committees to submit reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam following the regulations on the implementation results of affairs related to overseas Vietnamese subject to the responsibility and jurisdiction of the provincial People’s Committees.

9. Regarding consular work and international migration activities:

a) Advise the provincial People’s Committees on the implementation of the state management of entry and exit of persons entitled to diplomatic passports and official passports and the management of diplomatic passports and official passports as prescribed by the law.

b) Operate as the focal points for cooperation with the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, in handling issues concerning the protection of local citizens abroad and consular work concerning foreigners in their areas.

c) Provide advice on the implementation of tasks concerning consular certification and legalization as prescribed by the law.

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dd) Cooperate with relevant agencies and the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, in advising the provincial People’s Committees on the guidelines and policies concerning overseas migration by local citizens; collect information and data on international migration in their areas and biannually advise the provincial People’s Committees on the preparation of migration reports for submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

10. Regarding work concerning borders and national territory (for provinces with borders):

a) Operate as the standing agencies of the provincial People’s Committees for work concerning borders and national territory; assist the provincial People’s Committees in implementing the state management function involving work concerning borders and territory in their areas according to the law and the directive and guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and relevant ministries and central authorities.

b) Monitor, summarize, and submit reports on the implementation of international treaties on borders and national territory and relevant programs and schemes concerning border management within the provinces under their management to the provincial People’s Committees and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

c) Advise the provincial People’s Committees on the handling of matters arising on land borders, islands, airspace, and maritime seas of Vietnam in the concerned provinces and submit reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and relevant agencies.  

d) Take charge or cooperate in organizing training classes and disseminating the laws, guidelines, and policies of the CPV and the State concerning borders and national territory; instruct, inspect, and manage documents, maps, and dossiers on borders under provincial management; inspect and urge the provision of guidelines for local agencies and units regarding state management matters concerning borders and territory.

dd) Cooperate with the provincial Military Commands and relevant agencies in advising the provincial People’s Committees on the construction, maintenance, and repair of border markers and border demarcation signs and the implementation of other measures to protect such markers and signs when necessary.

e) Cooperate with relevant agencies in implementing tasks of international cooperation in border defense and border external affairs.

g) Providing opinions on projects and facilities implemented in border areas.

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a) Operate as provincial focal points for cooperation with agencies and units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam in instructing and ensuring the implementation of diplomatic protocol and reception of foreign guests in their areas as prescribed by the law; perform protocol work for provincial leadership delegations visiting and working abroad.

b) Operate as provincial focal points for cooperation with agencies and units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam in instructing, managing, and ensuring the implementation of rights, preferential benefits, immunities, and diplomatic protocol for foreign representative missions in Vietnam, their affiliates located in the concerned provinces, their members, and their family members in conformity with the law, international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory, and international practices.  

12. Regarding information on foreign affairs:

a) Operate as focal points of provincial People’s Committees in the exchange and cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, overseas representative missions of Vietnam, and foreign representative missions in Vietnam in implementing programs and plans for the dissemination of information on foreign affairs approved by the provincial People’s Committees.

b) Provide provincial information for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and competent authorities in service of the dissemination of information on foreign affairs; cooperate with overseas representative missions of Vietnam in implementing activities concerning information on foreign affairs and promotion of the provinces abroad.

c) Operate as focal points of provincial People’s Committees to cooperate with agencies and units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam in managing and handling violations involving activities concerning information and press of foreign press agencies in the concerned provinces; develop operational programs, organize reception and interview arrangements for provincial leaders, and provide guided information.

13. Regarding the organization and management of outbound and inbound delegations:

a) Operate as focal points to summarize and advise provincial People’s Committees on the annual development of plans for outbound working delegations led by provincial leaders (outbound delegations), and for receiving delegations from foreign countries and territories visiting, working in the provinces as invited under provincial invitations, and arranging operational programs (inbound delegations) led by foreign local leaders or equivalents, and the mid-year adjustment and supplement to such plans for submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam for summary and presentation to the Prime Minister of Vietnam for assessment and approval.

b) Conduct state management for provincial outbound delegations, outbound delegations of provincial agencies, units, and administrative divisions, provincial inbound delegations, inbound delegations to be received by provincial agencies, units, and administrative divisions, and other international delegations visiting and working in the provinces.

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d) Take charge or cooperate in developing and implementing plans and schemes to receive provincial inbound delegations and other international delegations visiting and working with provincial leaders; appraise proposals and suggestions of departments and administrative divisions on the reception of foreign guests by provincial leaders; monitor and conduct statistical summary of inbound delegations under the management jurisdiction of provincial People’s Committees.

dd) Take or cooperate in advising provincial People’s Committees on the submission of reports on the results of the organization of provincial outbound delegations and reception of provincial inbound delegations and other international delegations visiting and working in the provinces as prescribed in Points c and d of this Clause to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

14. Regarding the organization and management of international conferences and seminars:

a) Provide advice on the implementation of the state management of international conferences and seminars organized by provincial agencies, organizations, units, and administrative divisions, including international conferences and seminars under the approval jurisdiction of the Prime Minister of Vietnam; international conferences and seminars under the approval jurisdiction of the Presidents of provincial People’s Committees; international conferences and seminars delegated from the Prime Minister of Vietnam to the Presidents of provincial People’s Committees for implementation (hereinafter referred to as “international conferences and seminars under provincial management”).

b) Advise the Presidents of provincial People’s Committees on the provision of opinions and cooperation in the management of international conferences and seminars organized in their provinces under the approval jurisdiction of other competent persons.

c) Operate as the focal points for receiving dossiers and appraising the contents of international conferences and seminars of organizations licensed for operation by provincial agencies; manage, instruct, and inspect agencies, units, administrative divisions, and organizations under the management of provincial People’s Committees regarding the implementation of regulations on the organization and management of international conferences and seminars.

d) Advise provincial People’s Committees on the submission of annual reports on the organization and management of international conferences and seminars in their areas to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

15. Regarding the conclusion and implementation of international agreements:

a) Advise provincial People’s Committees on the implementation of the state management of the conclusion and implementation of international agreements in the name of the provincial People’s Committees, specialized agencies of the provincial People’s Committees, and commune-level People’s Committees in border areas as prescribed by the law on international agreements.

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c) Provide written opinions on proposals to conclude, revise, renew, invalidate, or suspend the validity of international agreements in the name of specialized agencies of provincial People’s Committees, provincial agencies of specific organizations, and commune-level People’s Committees in border areas as prescribed by the law; present the Presidents of provincial People’s Committees with the conclusion, revision, renewal, invalidation, and suspension of the validity of international agreements in the name of specialized agencies of provincial People’s Committees and commune-level People’s Committees in border areas.

d) Advise provincial People’s Committees on the implementation of tasks concerning international agreements in the name of district-level People’s Committees concluded before July 1, 2025 and international agreements in the name of provincial state authorities, specialized agencies of provincial People’s Committees, and commune-level People’s Committees in border areas affected by the restructuring and reorganization of administrative divisions at all levels as prescribed by the law.

dd) Monitor and urge the implementation of concluded international agreements; submit reports and solicit directive opinions from competent authorities on issues arising during the conclusion and implementation of international agreements in their areas; advise provincial People’s Committees on the submission of reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam as prescribed by relevant regulations.

16. Regarding foreign non-governmental affairs;

a) Operate as the focal points to advise provincial People’s Committees on the implementation of the state management of the operations of foreign non-governmental organizations in their areas, including appraisal, provision of opinions on the issuance, renewal, revision, and revocation of registrations, and other operations of foreign non-governmental organizations in their areas; instruct and support foreign non-governmental organizations regarding procedures and the survey, development, and implementation of aid as prescribed by the law; inspect and supervise the operations of foreign non-governmental organizations in their areas and request competent authorities to suspend, terminate the operations, revoke registrations, or impose fines for administrative violations on foreign non-governmental organizations violating relevant regulations; submit reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organization Affairs in compliance with regulations.

b) Implement and assist agencies, units, and administrative divisions in developing programs and plans and implementing cooperation and mobilization of grants not classified as official development assistance from foreign non-governmental organizations in their areas.

c) Provide opinions on the appraisal of grants not classified as official development assistance from foreign non-governmental organizations, ensuring the political requirements for foreign affairs.

d) Manage and recruit Vietnamese workers to work for foreign non-governmental organizations operating in their areas in cases where such tasks are delegated, authorized, contracted, or tendered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

dd) Operate as focal points to advise provincial People’s Committees on the development and operation of databases on foreign non-governmental organizations managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

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a) Propose, develop, update, and implement programs on training and advanced training in the knowledge of and professional skills in foreign affairs and foreign languages for provincial cadres, civil servants, and public employees.

b) Cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and relevant agencies in implementing programs and activities concerning training and advanced training appropriate to the local development orientations.

c) Conduct surveys, summarize needs, monitor, assess results, and propose the completion of the content and method for organizing training and advanced training.

18. Provide regular or irregular information and reports on the implementation of tasks concerning foreign affairs as per regulation.  

19. Implement administrative reform following the target and content of administrative reform programs of provincial People’s Committees; organize research and application of technical-scientific advancements, innovation, and digital transformation; develop information and storage systems serving the state management and professional specialty; cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam in developing databases for general use in foreign affairs.

20. Provide professional guidelines on foreign affairs for Offices of People’s Councils and commune-level People’s Committees.

21. Conduct inspections based on their assigned fields for organizations and individuals regarding the implementation of laws; conduct citizen reception and settle complaints and denunciations; prevent and combat corruption, waste, and negativity according to the law.

22. Stipulate specific functions, tasks, and entitlements of offices and specialized/professional divisions in conformity with the Departments’ functions, tasks, and entitlements; manage the organizational apparatuses, staff positions of civil servants, civil servant pay grades, arrangement of civil servant pay grades, and structure of public employees by professional titles and number of employees in public service providers of the Departments; implement salary regulations, policies, incentives, training, advanced training, commendation, and disciplinary actions for civil servants, public employees, and workers within their management as prescribed by the law.

23. Manage and assume responsibility for the assigned finance and property as prescribed by the law.

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Article 4. Functions, tasks, and entitlements concerning foreign affairs of Offices of provincial People’s Committees in cases where provincial People’s Committees do not establish Departments of Foreign Affairs

1. Where separate Departments of Foreign Affairs are not established, the Offices of provincial People’s Committees shall advise and assist the provincial People’s Committees in the state management of foreign affairs.

2. The Offices of provincial People’s Committees shall implement tasks and entitlements concerning foreign affairs as prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

Article 5. Functions, tasks, and entitlements concerning foreign affairs of Offices of People’s Councils and commune-level People’s Committees

1. Offices of People’s Councils and commune-level People’s Committees shall advise and assist the commune-level People’s Committees in the state management of local foreign affairs, including border and national territory affairs (for commune-level administrative divisions with borders on land, sea, and islands).

2. Tasks and entitlements:

a) Advise on the cooperation in implementing guidelines and policies on international cooperation; cooperate in implementing foreign affairs activities according to delegation, authorization, and distinction of authority (if any) and the directive of provincial People’s Committees, Presidents of the provincial People’s Committees, and professional guidelines of Departments of Foreign Affairs or Offices of the provincial People’s Committees.

b) Advise on the cooperation in implementing state management tasks concerning foreign affairs as prescribed by the law.

c) For commune-level administrative divisions with borders on land, sea, and islands: advise commune-level People’s Committees on proposals to conclude and implement international agreements in the name of the commune-level People’s Committees in border areas and the implementation of assigned border and territory tasks. 

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Article 6. Entry into force

1. This Circular comes into force as of July 1, 2025.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BNG dated October 28, 2021 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

Article 7. Implementation responsibilities

1. Provincial People’s Committees and Presidents of provincial People’s Committees shall direct and organize the implementation of this Circular.

2. For provinces and cities wishing to establish Departments of Foreign Affairs but have yet to meet the criteria prescribed in Clause 1 Article 9 of Decree No. 150/2025/ND-CP dated June 12, 2025 of the Government of Vietnam, provincial People’s Committees may develop road maps and plans to meet the criteria for establishing Departments of Foreign Affairs.

3. Any difficulty arising during the implementation of this Circular shall be promptly reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam for consideration and settlement under its jurisdiction./.

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