Guidelines for implementing decentralization in the field of diplomatic functions and levels

Specifically, This Circular details and guides the implementation of the authority to establish, prescribe functions, tasks, powers, organizational structure and working regulations of the Advisory Council on diplomatic ranks and levels; the authority to prescribe the form of certificate and procedures for granting certificates on diplomatic ranks and levels prescribed in Articles 13 and 14 of Decree No. 134/2025/ND-CP dated June 12, 2025 of the Government regulating decentralization and delegation in the field of foreign affairs.

This Circular applies to central state administrative agencies, organizations and individuals involved in the field of foreign affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs decided to establish an Advisory Council on diplomatic ranks and levels.

Circular No. 10/2025/TT-BNG clearly states: Annually, the Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel shall submit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs a decision to establish an Advisory Council on diplomatic ranks and levels (hereinafter referred to as the Council).

The Council has the function of researching, advising, and assisting the Minister of Foreign Affairs in deciding on the consideration of conferring, promoting, demoting, and stripping diplomatic ranks.

The Council has the duty and authority to consider and give opinions on proposals for conferring, promoting, demoting, and stripping diplomatic ranks to advise the Minister of Foreign Affairs to consider and decide or to recommend competent authorities to consider and decide.

Regarding the organization of the Council, Circular regulations The Council consists of the following members: The Chairman of the Council is the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Vice Chairman of the Council is the Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other members of the Council include the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heads of administrative units under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director of the Diplomatic Academy.

The Circular also stipulates the working regulations of the Council , specifically: The Council operates according to the principles of centralization and democracy. The Chairman of the Council is responsible to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the performance of assigned tasks; organizes the implementation of the Council's tasks; directs and assigns tasks to the Council's members; convenes, chairs and concludes Council meetings.

Council members work part-time, are responsible for fully participating in Council activities, and are personally responsible to the Council Chairman for assigned tasks.

The Council meets when at least 70% of the total members attend. Members who cannot attend the meeting due to force majeure are allowed to vote in absentia and send their Deputy to attend and present their opinions to the Council. The Chairman of the Council presides or authorizes the Vice Chairman of the Council to preside over the meeting.

For applications for conferring, promoting, demoting, or stripping the title of Ambassador, the Council shall give its opinion by secret ballot. The Chairman of the Council shall decide on the basis of the majority principle (over 75% of the votes).

For applications for conferment, promotion, demotion, and stripping of titles from Attaché to Consul, the Council shall give its opinion in writing. The Chairman of the Council shall decide on the basis of the majority principle (over 75% of the votes).

Issuance of certificates of rank and diplomatic rank within 30 days

Circular No. 10/2025/TT-BNG specifically stipulates the authority, order, procedures, and dossiers for granting certificates of diplomatic ranks and levels:

In case of being conferred a diplomatic rank or title, the individual shall submit 01 set of documents including: 01 application for a certificate according to the form prescribed in Appendix 2 attached to this Circular, 01 copy of the decision on conferring a diplomatic rank, to the Department of Organization and Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Department of Organization and Personnel shall appraise the documents and submit them to the Minister for issuance of a certificate within 30 days from the date of receipt of the documents.

In case of requesting to confer diplomatic rank, the individual shall submit 01 set of documents including: 01 application for a certificate according to the form prescribed in Appendix 2 attached to this Circular. The documents shall be sent together with the application for conferring diplomatic rank. The Department of Organization and Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall submit to the Minister for issuance of a certificate within 30 days from the effective date of the decision on conferring diplomatic rank.

The number of certificates issued is 01 original.

The Circular also states: In case an individual is stripped or demoted of his/her diplomatic rank, the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall issue a document revoking the certificate and send it to the individual who was granted the certificate. The certificate shall cease to be valid from the date the competent authority issues the revocation document.

Within 30 days, the individual granted the certificate must submit the issued certificate to the Department of Organization and Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Snow Letter

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/huong-dan-thuc-hien-phan-quyen-trong-linh-vuc-ham-cap-ngoai-giao-102250714103124299.htm