On March 18, according to the Ministry of National Defense's Electronic Information Portal, the Ministry of National Defense is presiding over and drafting a Decree on regulations for foreign military ships going to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and military ships of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam going abroad (Decree)
The draft Decree is being consulted by the people for synthesis and reporting according to regulations.
Article 4 of the draft Decree states the principles of application to foreign military ships going to Vietnam and Vietnamese military ships going abroad.
In particular, for foreign military ships to Vietnam:
Must be permitted by competent state management agencies of Vietnam as prescribed in this Decree;
Respect and comply with the principles of the Maritime Law and current regulations of Vietnamese law, as prescribed in this Decree, except in cases where there is another agreement between the country with the ship and the competent state management agencies of Vietnam via diplomatic route before the ship arrives in Vietnam.
Foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam that violate the provisions of this Decree and other provisions of Vietnamese law shall be resolved diplomatically on the basis of Vietnamese law or international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
The Head of the Company or the Captain of a foreign military ship to visit Vietnam is responsible for the consequences of the illegal acts of the members on the ship during their service in Vietnam.
Members of foreign military vessels arriving in Vietnam who violate Vietnamese law will be handled according to the provisions of Vietnamese law (except for those who are entitled to diplomatic incentives and exemptions).
When a maritime accident occurs with a ship or another accident or incident related to maritime safety and maritime security is discovered, the Head of the Group or Captain of a foreign military ship to Vietnam is responsible for immediately notifying the Port Border Guard and reporting the maritime accident according to regulations.
The handling of maritime accidents involving foreign military vessels coming to Vietnam shall comply with the provisions of the Vietnam Maritime Code and relevant international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
