The Government has just issued Decree No. 59/2025/ND-CP stipulating criteria and standards for considering promotion to the rank of general beyond the prescribed time limit for officers of the Vietnam People's Army.
The Decree clearly states that the promotion of general ranks is carried out consistently and synchronously within the army, promptly and accurately encouraging cases with outstanding achievements and outstanding achievements in combat and work.
Only consider promoting to the rank of general when the officer with the current rank is two or more ranks lower than the highest rank of the position or title held as general; during the term of holding a position, he/she can only be considered for promotion beyond one rank.
Promoting the rank of general ahead of schedule when the officer has a current rank lower than the highest rank of the position or title he/she is holding.
The criteria for medals, outstanding achievements and outstanding achievements to be considered for promotion to the rank of general beyond the term are the achievements in combat, combat service and work recognized in the form of commendation or state honorary title, state awards according to the provisions of the Law on Emulation and Commendation (excluding forms of commendation according to the term or contribution process).
The time to be awarded medals, state honorary titles, and state awards must be within the current military rank term.
In case during the officer's term, many achievements are achieved, only the highest achievement will be applied to consider promoting the rank beyond the rank or before the term.
The Decree stipulates that officers with a current military rank two or more ranks below the highest military rank of the position or title they are holding is the general rank, and have outstanding achievements that are considered for promotion to a higher rank when being awarded one of the following forms of commendation:
- forms of medals: Gold Star Medal, Ho Chi Minh Medal, First Class Independence Medal, First Class Military Exploit Medal, First Class Labor Medal, First Class Fatherland Protection Medal, First Class Military Exploit Medal;
- State honorary title: title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, title of Hero of Labor;
- Ho Chi Minh Award.
The time of consideration after the officer has a decision on commendation.
The Decree clearly states that special cases not specified above are considered and decided by competent authorities.
According to regulations, officers are considered for promotion to the rank of general ahead of schedule, when:
- meet the criteria and standards for promoting the rank of general beyond the prescribed level above, but the current rank of military rank is one level lower than the highest rank of the position or title currently held. Time of consideration after the officer has a decision on commendation;
- Achieving outstanding achievements are awarded in one of the following forms: Second or Third Class Independence Medal; Second or Third Class Military Exploit Medal; Second or Third Class Labor Medal; Second or Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal; Second or Third Class Military Exploit Medal; Guard Medal. The time for early promotion of military ranks shall not exceed 24 months.
Special cases not specified above shall be considered and decided by competent authorities.
The above regulations take effect from March 3, 2025.
