Regulations on registration and operational management of foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam

This Decree stipulates the operation registration of foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam (NGOs) and the responsibilities of relevant agencies and organizations in granting registration certificates and managing the activities of NGOs.

Accordingly, the areas and fields of operation of NGOs are defined as follows: (1) NGOs are permitted to operate in the areas and fields specified in the Registration Certificate; (2) NGOs are permitted to establish one representative office in each of three locations: Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City; and (3) Representative offices of NGOs are not permitted to be located at the headquarters of agencies of the Vietnamese Party, State, and socio-political organizations. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the agency that issues, renews, amends, supplements, re-issues, suspends, terminates, and revokes the registration certificates of NGOs.

NGO shall be granted an operation registration certificate if it meets the following conditions: (1) Having a valid legal status in accordance with the laws of the country or territory where it is established; (2) Having clear charters, principles, and operational purposes suitable to Vietnam's interests and needs; (3) Having specific proposals on tentative programs, projects, and non-projects for development assistance and humanitarian aid in Vietnam for 3 years; (4) There is a proposal for a representative in Vietnam.

The NGO's operation registration certificate is only valid for three years from the date of issuance. A registration certificate for a representative office is valid for 5 years from the date of issuing. The period of the registration certificate must not exceed the time restriction for the FNG organization's operation registration under the law of the place of establishment. The registration certificate must be renewed with a term that corresponds to each kind and must not exceed the time restriction for registering the operation of the NGO's organization under the law of the place of establishment.