High-ranking receptions will be arranged according to the agreement of both parties. In the image: Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang hosted the ceremony to welcome his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

The Article 20 and Article 21 of the Government Decree No. 18/2022/ND-CP dated on February 18, 2022 on diplomatic ceremonies clarifies the reception of Ministers, heads of agencies of the Congress or equivalences and other guests.

Regarding the reception of a Minister or equivalences:

Heads of Departments shall take charge of the diplomacy or the assigned unit of the Ministry or the inviting agency shall receive and see off the guest at the airport;

The Minister or inviting equivalences shall preside over the reception, meeting, and banquet.

The high-ranking receptions will be arranged according to the agreement of both parties;

The Minister or inviting equivalences shall decide on the composition of participants of official activities.

Regarding the reception of Heads of Agencies of the Congress or equivalences:

Heads of Departments of the National Assembly Office shall receive and see off the delegation at the airport;

The Head of the corresponding Committee or inviting equivalences shall preside over the reception, meeting, and banquet;

High-ranking receptions will be arranged according to the agreement of both parties;

The Head of the Committee or inviting equivalences shall decide on the composition of participants of official activities.

The Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security shall take charge and cooperate with related ministries and central authorities in developing regulations on reception ceremonies of the Minister of National Defense, Minister of Public Security, and Head of the Armed Force of a guest nation visiting Vietnam consistent with international practices and the guest reception extent of Vietnam prescribed in this Decree.

Reception of other guests

Regarding the President of the European Council on an official or working visit, as the guest of the President of Vietnam, the extent and reception ceremony of such person are the same as when a Head of State of a guest nation visits Vietnam under the title of the visit.

Regarding the President of the European Commission on an official or working visit, as the guest of the Prime Minister, the extent and reception ceremony of such person are the same as when a Head of the Government of a guest nation visits Vietnam under the title of the visit.

Regarding the Vice-president of the European Commission on an official or working visit, as the guest of the Deputy Prime Minister, the extent and reception ceremony of such person are the same as when a Deputy Head of the Government of a guest nation visits Vietnam under the title of the visit.

Regarding the General Secretary of the United Nations on an official or working visit, as the guest of the President of Vietnam, the extent and reception ceremony of such person are the same as when a Head of State of a guest nation visits Vietnam under the title of the visit but without playing the national anthem melody and reviewing the honour squad.

Regarding the Deputy General Secretary of the United Nations on an official or working visit, as the guest of the Vice-president of Vietnam, the extent and reception ceremony of such person are the same as when a Deputy Head of State of a guest nation visits Vietnam under the title of the visit.

Regarding the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), or presidents of other inter-parliamentary forums on an official or working visit, as the guest of the President of the National Assembly, the extent and reception ceremony for such person are the same as when a Head of the Congress of a guest nation visits Vietnam under the title of that visit.

Regarding the Vice-president of the IPU on an official or working visit, as the guest of the Vice-president of the National Assembly, the extent and reception ceremony of such person are the same as when a Deputy Head of the Congress of a guest nation visits Vietnam under the title of the visit.

Regarding an Heir to the King or Queen of a guest nation, as the guest of the Vice-president of Vietnam, the extent and reception ceremony are the same as when a Deputy Head of State of a guest nation visits Vietnam.

The Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall preside over the reception of other members of the Foreign Royal Family who are guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Each ministry or central authority shall preside over the reception of its own guests who are members of the Foreign Royal Family who lead the delegation of economy, culture, society, or international organizations of specialties outside of the UN system.

Each ministry or central authority shall preside over the reception of its own guests who are leaders of international organizations of specialties outside of the UN system.

Regarding the ASEAN General Secretary, as the guest of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the extent and reception ceremony are the same as when a delegation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of a guest nation visits Vietnam officially.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall preside over the reception of former Heads of State, Heads of the Government, Deputy Heads of State, and Deputy Prime Ministers of guest nations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the President of Vietnam, Prime Minister, Vice-president of Vietnam, or Deputy Prime Minister.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Office shall preside over the reception of former Heads or Deputy Heads of the Congress of guest nations, the General Secretary of AIPA or IPU, and other inter-parliamentary organizations visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the President or the Vice-president of the National Assembly.

Each agency shall preside over the reception of its own guests who are former Heads of State, Heads of the Government, Heads of the Congress, Deputy Heads of State, Deputy Heads of the Government, and Deputy Heads of the Congress of guest nations.

Leaders of the Vietnam Communist Party and State shall arrange to receive the Head of the Guest Delegation according to specific requirements and conditions of the visit.