On January 22, 2026, the Office of the Hai Phong City People's Committee received Document No. 753 regarding instructions for the establishment and operation of Representative Offices (ROs) of foreign cooperation and research organizations in Vietnam. This important content is based on a Circular issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) aimed at standardizing non-profit cooperation activities across specialized fields.
Scope and Core Regulations
The Circular provides guidelines for implementing Decree No. 06/2005/NĐ-CP, applying to foreign organizations supporting non-profit cooperation and research in areas such as science and technology, natural resources and environment, health, and social sectors. Key points for officials and civil servants to note include:
- Licensing Conditions: An RO establishment permit is only granted after the foreign organization has a program or project approved by competent Vietnamese authorities and has signed an Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Vietnamese host agency.
- Periodic Reporting: This is a vital element of state management. ROs are responsible for submitting activity reports for the first six months of the year (by June 20) and annual reports (by December 20) to the MFA and the provincial People’s Committee where their headquarters are located.
- License Revocation: Permits will be revoked if activities do not align with the license, if Vietnamese laws are violated, or if the program/project terminates early.
Responsibilities of Local Management Agencies
For Provincial and City People’s Committees where ROs are situated (including Hai Phong), the sources define specific duties:
- Management and Support: Facilitate favorable conditions and perform state management over RO activities according to their functions and authority.
- Professional Coordination: Provide written responses to the MFA when consulted regarding the establishment, extension, modification, or revocation of RO licenses.
- Report Synthesis: Conduct annual reporting on the operational status of ROs to be sent to the MFA, which will then synthesize a report for the Prime Minister.
Implementation Tasks for Foreign Affairs Officials
As the primary advisory body for foreign affairs, leaders of the City People’s Committee have directed Vice Chairmen and specialized departments to study and implement the Circular’s provisions strictly.
Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs are required to proactively guide foreign organizations in completing dossiers using the new forms (specifically Form 01/BNG-VPĐD for RO establishment applications) and closely monitor reporting deadlines to ensure transparency and legal compliance in international cooperation activities.
The serious implementation of these regulations not only ensures tight management of foreign organizations but also contributes to promoting sustainable cooperation programs and scientific research for the city.