How are documents containing state secrets removed from storage?

Legal Consulting Office of Lao Dong Newspaper answers:

Article 7 of Decree 63/2026/ND-CP detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Law on Protection of State Secrets (effective from March 1, 2026), on bringing documents and objects containing state secrets out of storage places as follows:

1. The removal of documents and objects containing state secrets from the place of storage for work in the country is regulated as follows:

a) Documents and objects containing state secrets taken out of the place of storage must serve the handling and resolution of assigned tasks;

b) When completing the task, the person carrying documents and objects containing state secrets out of the place of storage for work in the country must return the documents and objects containing state secrets to the place of storage.

2. The removal of documents and objects containing state secrets from the place of storage for foreign affairs is regulated as follows:

a) Persons carrying documents and objects containing state secrets out of the place of storage for foreign affairs must have a written request to the competent authority specified in Clause 2, Article 14 of the Law on Protection of State Secrets;

b) The document requesting permission to bring documents and objects containing state secrets out of the place of storage for foreign affairs must clearly state the full name, position, working unit; name of type, excerpt of content, confidentiality of documents and objects containing state secrets; purpose of use; time, workplace; measures to protect state secrets;

c) At the end of their duties, the person carrying documents and objects containing state secrets out of the place of storage for foreign affairs must report to the head or deputy head of the agency or organization directly managing those documents and objects containing state secrets on the management and use of state secrets and hand over documents and objects containing state secrets to the agency or organization directly managing them, except in cases where the person carrying documents and objects containing state secrets out of the place of storage is also the person directly managing state secrets.

3. Documents and objects containing state secrets taken out of the place of storage must be contained, stored, and transported by means and equipment to ensure safety as prescribed by the head of the agency or organization directly managing state secrets and must be protected during the time of taking out of the place of storage, preventing the leakage or loss of state secrets.

Thus, from March 1, 2026, the removal of documents and objects containing state secrets from storage places is regulated as above.