Regulations on photography exhibitions in Vietnam

Regulations on exhibition of photographic works in Vietnam (Internet image) 

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. Regulations on photography exhibitions in Vietnam

- An entity in demand of organizing a photography exhibition in Vietnam must apply for a license to organize photography exhibition from a competent state authority.

- Regulations on photography exhibitions in Vietnam:

+ Photographic works shown in the photography exhibition must conform to licensed exhibition topics and/or contents; must have legitimate origin and under legal ownership or use right;

+ The location for exhibition must correspond to the features and scale of that exhibition.

(Clause 1, 2, Article 11 of Decree 72/2016/ND-CP, amended by Decree 89/2023/ND-CP)

2. Application for a license to organize photography exhibition in Vietnam

An entity organizing a photography exhibition shall submit 01 application for a license to organize photography exhibition to a competent state authority referred to in Section 3 in person or by post or online. An application includes:

- An application form for a license to organize photography exhibition in Vietnam, using form No. 01 stated in the Appendix in Decree 72/2016/ND-CP;

- List of photographic works expressed in Vietnamese (including ordinal numbers and names of photographic works, and names of photographers, materials, sizes, quantity);

- Photographic works shown in the photography exhibition, enclosed with photographic notes. Such photographic works must be printed in papers with the smallest paper size of 13 x 18 cm or recorded in CDs (in case they are submitted in person or by post), in JPG or PDF format (in case they are submitted online);

- If a photography exhibition is organized at a location which is not an exhibition hall, a written consent made by the owner of the location for exhibition is required;

- With regard to a photographic work which contains a nude or semi-nude image of an identified person, a written agreement made between the photographer and that person on photographic contents, time and scope of announcement of that photographic work is required.

(Clause 3, Article 11, Decree 72/2016/ND-CP, amended by Decree 89/2023/ND-CP)

3. Authority to issue licenses to exhibit photographic works in Vietnam

- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issues licenses for: Exhibition of photographic works on a large scale representing a country or many countries; Exhibition of photographic works on a national scale, ministries, departments, branches, and central organizations; Exhibition of photography works held in 02 provinces and cities or more; Exhibitions of photographic works organized by international organizations or foreign organizations representing the country or in coordination with many countries;

- Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Departments of Culture and Sports shall issue licenses to organize photography exhibitions other than those under the authority of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

(Clause 4, Article 11 of Decree 72/2016/ND-CP, amended by Decree 89/2023/ND-CP)

4. Period for issuance of a license to exhibit photographic works in Vietnam

- Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the application for license to organize photography exhibition, the competent state authority that receives the application shall respond to the applicant with respect to the receipt of his/her application according to Form No. 06 stated in the Appendix in Decree 72/2016/ND-CP.

- Within 07 working days from the receipt of valid application as referred to by laws, competent state authorities shall issue licenses to organize photography exhibitions in Vietnam, using form No. 02 stated in the Annex in Decree 72/2016/ND-CP. If the application is rejected, reasons shall be specified in writing.

(Clause 5, 6, Article 11 of Decree 72/2016/ND-CP, amended by Decree 89/2023/ND-CP)

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