What are the subsistence expenses for all Vietnamese agencies abroad in 2024?

What are the subsistence expenses for all Vietnamese agencies abroad in 2024?

On May 15, 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 51/2024/ND-CP, which amends and supplements certain provisions of Decree No. 08/2019/ND-CP dated January 23, 2019, regulates certain benefits for members of Vietnamese agencies abroad.

According to Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 08/2019/ND-CP, as amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree No. 51/2024/ND-CP, the subsistence expenses for Vietnamese agencies abroad are specified as follows:

Subsistence expenses regime:

1. The subsistence expenses applicable to all Vietnamese agencies abroad is 1,350 US dollars per person per month. It will be reviewed for adjustment when the consumer price rate in the respective locations increases by 10% or based on the socio-economic development conditions of Vietnam.

2. The territorial coefficient consists of 5 levels: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a list classifying Vietnamese agencies abroad according to the territorial coefficients after obtaining the consensus of the Ministry of Finance.

3. The lowest subsistence expenses rate is 100%, and the highest is 250%, determined based on the diplomatic title and position system of members of Vietnamese agencies abroad and the current salary coefficient domestically.

The subsistence expenses rate is specifically determined in the decision to assign a mission abroad at Vietnamese agencies.

Attached to this Decree are 05 Tables of subsistence expenses rates (attached Appendix), including:

a) Table 1: Applicable to members of Vietnamese diplomatic representative offices abroad holding diplomatic positions.

b) Table 2: Applicable to members of Vietnamese agencies abroad not holding diplomatic positions.

c) Table 3: Applicable to members of Vietnamese agencies in the security-defense sector not holding diplomatic positions.

d) Table 4: Applicable to administrative, technical, and logistics personnel.

e) Table 5: Applicable to spouses.

Therefore, the subsistence expenses for all Vietnamese agencies abroad is 1,350 US dollars per person per month starting from May 15, 2024.

When the consumer price rate in the respective locations increases by 10% or based on the socio-economic development conditions of Vietnam, the subsistence expenses for all Vietnamese agencies abroad will be reviewed for adjustment.

What are the subsistence expenses for all Vietnamese agencies abroad in 2024? - image from the internet

Do people holding higher diplomatic positions in Vietnamese agencies abroad or higher titles enjoy higher subsistence expenses rate?

According to Article 4 of Decree No. 08/2019/ND-CP, there are provisions regarding the basis and principles for determining the benefits for members of Vietnamese agencies abroad, as follows:

Basis and principles for determining the benefits for members of Vietnamese agencies abroad:

1. The subsistence expenses, allowances, subsidies, and other benefits are established based on the material and spiritual needs, ensuring the normal life and well-performed duties of the members of Vietnamese agencies abroad and their spouses, in accordance with the economic conditions of the State, the specific nature of foreign affairs work, and the specific circumstances of the duty station.

2. The subsistence expenses are determined as follows: The subsistence expenses are equal to the subsistence expenses multiplied by the territorial coefficient multiplied by the subsistence expenses rate, in which:

a) The subsistence expenses are determined based on ensuring the general needs for food, essential expenses, and some cultural and spiritual needs for the members of Vietnamese agencies abroad, in line with the economic conditions of the State and the specific nature of foreign affairs work in foreign countries.

b) The territorial coefficient is determined based on the comprehensive factors of the security-political environment, natural-environmental factors, socio-cultural environment, educational conditions, healthcare conditions, geographical distance, cost of living, workload intensity, attractiveness of the duty station, etc., of the duty stations where the Vietnamese agencies are located abroad.

c) The subsistence expenses rate is determined based on the standard diplomatic title, the position assigned at the Vietnamese agency abroad, and the salary coefficient enjoyed domestically by the members of Vietnamese agencies abroad. The subsistence expenses rate for spouses is determined based on the standard diplomatic title, and position of the spouse who is a member of the Vietnamese agency abroad.

3. Principles for applying the subsistence expenses benefit:

a) The subsistence expenses benefit is applied uniformly to the members of Vietnamese agencies abroad.

b) Individuals holding higher diplomatic positions are entitled to a higher subsistence expenses rate.

Therefore, according to the principles for applying the subsistence expenses benefit, individuals holding higher diplomatic positions will receive a higher subsistence expenses rate.

What are the regulations regarding the subsidies for members of Vietnamese agencies abroad?

According to Article 7 of Decree No. 08/2019/ND-CP, the subsidies for members of Vietnamese agencies abroad is regulated as follows:

- Members of Vietnamese agencies abroad who are serving their term in areas experiencing armed conflicts, natural disasters, serious epidemics threatening lives, or in exceptionally difficult working conditions are entitled to a monthly subsidy equal to 30% of the subsistence expenses multiplied by the territorial coefficient.

Based on the reports from the head of the Vietnamese representative agency abroad and an assessment of the actual situation in the area, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam decides on the specific areas and duration for receiving this subsidy, after obtaining the consensus opinion of the Ministry of Finance.

-  Members of Vietnamese agencies abroad who are injured or die during their term of service abroad, in addition to the provisions of the Law on Officials and Law on Public Employees, are eligible for state aid, specifically:

+ A lump-sum subsidy equal to 3 times the subsistence expenses if the injury results in a loss of working capacity of 21% or more.

+ A lump-sum subsidy equal to 7 times the subsistence expenses in the event of death.

Best regards!