Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign cultural establishments are now only allowed tooperate in Vietnam after they receive registration certificates and licences, accordingto a decree recently issued by the Government.

Under the DecreeNo.126/2018/ND-CP, branches of the foreign cultural establishments should have certificatesbefore their operation in Vietnam, and all of their activities must follow thedocument guidelines.

Duringtheir operation, foreign cultural establishments must abide by Vietnamese law, aswell as respect the country’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity,customs, practice, and culture.

They arenot permitted to let any organisations or individuals use their name or materialfacilities against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, or harm the legalinterests of other countries.

If culturalestablishments operate in other relevant spheres, they have to observeVietnamese law in these realms and any violations will be handled in line withthe current law.

Those whichhave operated in Vietnam for at least two years in line with local law andregulations are allowed to open their branches in the country. The brancheshave no legal status and operate under the management of the foreign culturalestablishments.

Theoperation of the establishments and their branches will be suspendedtemporarily under the decision of the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourismif they are found to commit fraudulent activity in their establishment andoperation or if they violate legal regulations on culture, and other cases.

The degreestates that their operations may be allowed to resume after they settle theviolations.–VNA