Regulations on the use of documents and objects containing state secrets in the Culture, Sports, and Tourism sector in Vietnam

Regulations on the use of documents and objects containing state secrets in the Culture, Sports, and Tourism sector in Vietnam (Internet image)

Circular 09/2014/TT-BVHTTDL stipulates the use, dissemination, research, and understanding (hereinafter collectively referred to as use) of documents and items containing state secrets in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism. To be specific:

1. The use of documents and items containing state secrets must be approved and held accountable by the Ministry leadership or heads of departments or units in accordance with regulations.

2. When using documents and items containing state secrets, the head of the department or unit must inform the individual or the performing group about the confidentiality level of the documents and items; individuals assigned to execute must not disclose the content of the documents and items.

3. The use of documents and items containing state secrets must be within the correct scope, subjects, addresses, and at safe places as stipulated by the head of the department or unit.

4. Individuals disseminating or assigning tasks to use documents and items containing state secrets must follow the content assigned by higher authorities and are responsible for reminding listeners, researchers, and investigators to maintain secrecy.

5. Recording, audio recording, or filming of documents and items containing state secrets is only permitted with authorization from the head of the department or unit directly managing the state secrets. Individuals who listen, investigate, note, record, film, or photograph such documents and items must comply with the regulations of the head of the department or unit or the presiding officer; must manage and use the disseminated documents and items as original documents. The management and use of recordings, films, and photographs with confidentiality must be protected like policies for managing documents and items containing state secrets.

6. The repair or replacement of computers utilized to type or store information containing state secrets is only allowed at the offices of the department or unit and must be carried out or supervised by responsible individuals. When replacing the hard disk of a computer containing information about documents and items containing state secrets, the old disk must be erased or destroyed, and in case of damage, it must be destroyed as per regulations.

7. Individuals on business trips, attending meetings outside the department or unit, including working at home, are not allowed to carry documents and items containing state secrets. In necessary cases, approval from the head of the department or unit is required. Only documents and items related to the assigned tasks are allowed to be carried, and must be registered with the security division of the department or unit; absolute safety must be ensured during transportation; upon return, they must be checked again with the security officer and handed back to the department or unit. The handover must be signed in the logbook for exploitation of documents and items containing state secrets.

8. In necessary cases, individuals exporting documents and items containing state secrets abroad for work or scientific research must have permission and approval from the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism or an authorized person by the Minister.

Note: While abroad, measures should be taken to manage and protect the secret documents brought along. In case of loss, it must be reported immediately to the competent authority and the Vietnamese Embassy in the host country for prompt handling.

More details can be found in Circular 09/2014/TT-BVHTTDL which comes into effect in Vietnam from November 14, 2014.

Ty Na

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