On March 30, according to the Ministry of National Defense's Electronic Information Portal, the Ministry of National Defense has just issued Circular No. 18/2025/TT-BQP regulating the conferment of military ranks for graduates in officer training in the army; promotion of officers of the rank of colonel and lieutenant beyond the rank, ahead of schedule and salary increase for officers ahead of schedule.
Notably, Chapter III of Circular No. 18/2025/TT-BQP clearly stipulates the conditions for promoting military ranks beyond the prescribed time limit, promoting military ranks, and raising salaries ahead of schedule.
Officers with the current military rank 2 or more ranks below the highest military rank of the position or title they are holding, and with outstanding achievements will be considered for promotion to a higher rank when being awarded one of the following forms of commendation (excluding forms of commendation according to term or contribution process):
The 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 titles: title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces; title of Labor Hero; Ho Chi Minh Award.
During the term of holding a position, the officer can only be considered for promotion to a higher rank once, exceeding 1 military rank; the time of consideration after the officer has a decision on commendation. Special cases are not regulated and are considered and decided by competent authorities.
Regarding the criteria and standards for considering early promotion of military ranks, Circular No. 18 stipulates that officers are considered for early promotion of military ranks when:
Having sufficient criteria and standards for promoting military ranks, but the current military rank is one level lower than the highest military rank of the position or title held (awarded one of the forms of commendation prescribed in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular); being considered for promotion before the term after the officer has a decision on commendation.
Having the current military rank one level lower than the highest military rank of the position or title held at one level or higher but being awarded one of the following forms of commendation, being considered for promotion to military rank no more than 24 months before the term: Second or Third Class Independence Medal; Second or Third Class Military Exploit Order; Second or Third Class Labor Order; Second or Third Class Fatherland Protection Order; Second or Third Class Military Exploit Order (excluding forms of commendation according to term or dedication process); Guard Medal of bravery.
Having a current military rank lower than the highest military rank ceiling of the position or title held, and having completed their tasks well in the years of the current military rank for the term or more, falling into one of the cases considered for promotion of military rank no more than 12 months in advance:
Be recognized with the title of Professor, Associate Professor, Doctor working in the right profession (only consider promoting the military rank before the term once).
Awarded one of the following achievements: National Emulation Fighter; Emulation Fighter of the entire army; First, Second, Third or Bronze Medals in national competitions and sports festivals; First and Third prizes in central ministries and branches; Medals or First, Second and Third prizes in international military sports festivals; Officers participating in United Nations peacekeeping are awarded by competent authorities with a Certificate of Merit or higher; Subject and initiative leaders receive First, Second and Third prizes in "Creative Youth in the Army" awards;
The project leader won First, Second, Third prizes, Creative Labor Awards in the Vietnam People's Army Trade Union; Army Women's Award; Outstanding Exemplary in the entire army in implementing the Campaign to Promote Tradition, Dedicate Talent, and Honore Uncle Ho's soldiers; Outstanding Young Faces nationwide; Outstanding Young Faces of the entire army.
