The Government regulates the activities of foreign press in Vietnam.
On October 23, the Government issued Decree No. 88/2012/ND-CP regulating information and press activities of foreign press, foreign representative agencies, and foreign organizations in Vietnam.
The Decree consists of 5 chapters and 27 articles, clearly defining the responsibilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities in state management of information and press activities of foreign press, foreign representative agencies, and foreign organizations in Vietnam.
All information and press activities of foreign press, foreign representative agencies and foreign organizations in Vietnam are only allowed to be carried out after receiving approval from competent authorities specified in this Decree and must comply with current laws of Vietnam.
Violations of the provisions of this Decree shall be handled according to current provisions of Vietnamese law.
Also according to the Decree, when conducting information and press activities in Vietnam, non-resident reporters must carry a Press Activity License issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a passport; must operate in accordance with the purposes and programs stated in the License and under the guidance of the reporter's guiding agency.
This Decree takes effect from December 20, 2012./.
According to VNA-M