Procedures for recognizing archival materials with special value in Vietnam from July 1, 2025

Procedures for recognizing archival materials with special value in Vietnam from July 1, 2025 (Internet image)

On June 21, 2024, Hanoi issued the Law on Archives 2024.

Procedures for recognizing archival materials with special value in Vietnam from July 1, 2025

Article 39 of the Law on Archives 2024 stipulates the order and procedures for recognizing archival materials with special value as follows:

- The head of agencies, organizations; the head of historical archives and individuals, families, clans, communities shall prepare dossiers requesting the recognition of archival materials with special value for documents under their management and ownership.

- The dossier requesting the recognition of archival materials with special value includes:

+ A written request for recognition;

+ An explanatory note on the archival documents;

+ A copy or photograph of the archival document reflecting the basic information of the document;

+ Other materials and documents proving the special value of the archival document (if any).

- No consideration shall be given to dossiers requesting the recognition of archival materials with special value in cases of ownership or management disputes.

- Authority to recognize archival materials with special value is stipulated as follows:

+ The Minister of Home Affairs recognizes archival materials with special value for archival materials stored at historical archives and documents of ministries, sectors, central agencies, and state-owned enterprises established by the Prime Minister, Minister, Head of agencies equivalent to ministries; public service providers under central agencies and organizations established by the Government or the Prime Minister;

+ The Chairman of the provincial People's Committee recognizes archival materials with special value for private archival materials and documents of agencies and organizations under their management, except for cases specified at point a, clause 4, Article 39 of the Law on Archives 2024.

- Persons authorized to recognize archival materials with special value shall decide to cancel the recognition in the following cases:

+ Finding that the dossier requesting recognition of archival materials with special value is not objective or truthful;

+ archival materials with special value no longer meet the criteria for archival materials with special value as stipulated in clause 1, Article 38 of the Law on Archives 2024.

Archival materials with special value in Vietnam

Article 38 of the Law on Archives 2024 stipulates that archival materials with special value must meet one of the content criteria specified in clause 2, Article 38 of the Law on Archives 2024 and one of the form and origin criteria specified in clause 3, Article 38 of the Law on Archives 2024.

* Content Criteria include:

- Reflecting the history of formation and development of the nation, ethnic groups, industries, and fields;

- The process of formation, establishment, and exercise of territorial sovereignty of Vietnam, national borders;

- Scientific works, exemplary products of industries and fields;

- The life, career, and contributions of outstanding individuals, families, and clans;

- Other archival materials of particular importance to the nation, ethnic groups, or the world.

* Form and Origin Criteria include:

- Unique presentation methods, techniques with aesthetic and artistic values;

- Characteristics representing specific historical periods;

- Formed in special historical circumstances regarding time, location, or author.

* archival materials with special value are preserved in contingency storages; recorded and prioritized for use and value promotion.

For more details, refer to the Law on Archives 2024 effective from July 1, 2025.

The Law on Archives 2011 will cease to be effective in Vietnam  from the date the Law on Archives 2024 takes effect, except for the cases specified in points a, b, c, and d of clause 1, clause 5, and clause 6, Article 65 of the Law on Archives 2024.

To Quoc Trinh

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