Law on Topography and Cartography 2018 of Vietnam: Principles and cases of place name standardization

According to Article 20 of the Law on Topography and Cartography 2018 of Vietnam, place name standardization means verification and unification of Vietnamese reading and spelling of place names. Vietnamese and international place names must be standardized for uniform use.

- Principles for place name standardization include:

+ Each geographical subject is only associated to a single place name;

+ Place names given must ensure the inheritance, universality and integration and respect beliefs and customs of the country as well as conform to linguistic rules;

+ Place names must be consistent with places regulated by laws or places specified in international agreements to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.

- Cases of place name standardization include:

+ Place name given to a geographical location with various names or place names with different reading styles and spelling;

+ Arrival of new geographical subjects or changes in geographical subjects resulting in changes in the place names

- Standardized place names must be turned into a database, updated and published for use.

Besides, the Law on Topography and Cartography 2018 of Vietnam also stipulates responsibilities for place name standardization and use of standardized place names as follows:

1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam shall preside over and cooperate with Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies and People’s Committees of provinces in standardizing place names, unifying and issuing lists of standardized place names, establish, update and publish a database of standardized place names.

2. Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies and People's Committees of provinces shall send place name standardization requirements and information on names of places under management to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

3. Standardized place names must be used accurately and uniformly by organizations and individuals when carrying out topographic and cartographic activities consistent with each historical period.

View more details at the Law on Topography and Cartography 2018 of Vietnam, effective from January 01, 2019.

Ty Na

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