What Issues Do Honorary Consuls Support and Assist Citizens With?

Honorary Consuls of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam have the function of supporting and assisting citizens, specifically in the following tasks:

Illustrative image (source: internet)

- The Honorary Consul supports and assists cultural and social activities of Vietnamese citizens in the consular area.

- The Honorary Consul mobilizes material support for Vietnamese citizens in the consular area when they face misfortune or difficulties.

- The Honorary Consul receives and transfers civil status documents and requests related to Vietnamese nationality of Vietnamese citizens residing in the consular area to the Vietnamese diplomatic representative agency in the receiving country or in the concurrent country or to the Consular Department.

Circular 01/2020/TT-BNG stipulates that, in addition to these functions, the Honorary Consul must perform some or all of their consular functions as authorized by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that it does not conflict with the laws or customs of the receiving country such as consular protection; providing inheritance information and functions; functions related to sea vessels, aircraft, and other transport means; functions regarding epidemic prevention and the protection of plants and animals.

In special cases, the Minister of Foreign Affairs may authorize the Honorary Consul to perform other consular functions stipulated in Article 8 of the Law on Representative Offices of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Abroad, based on compliance with Vietnamese laws, laws of the receiving country, and international treaties which Vietnam and the receiving country are members of, in accordance with international laws and practices.

Please note: The Honorary Consul may not delegate consular functions to others, except when permitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

See the full text of the regulation in Circular 01/2020/TT-BNG effective from March 23, 2020.

Thu Ba

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