Government issues new regulations on diplomatic ceremonies

Accordingly, the organization of diplomatic ceremonies shall be carried out uniformly in the entire political system. Lead agencies shall propose measures of diplomatic ceremonies on the basis of peering and reciprocity; and pay special attention to dealing with the differences between the political systems, customs, and cultures of Vietnam and the guest countries. 

The Decree 18 prescribes the diplomatic ceremonies, including:

+ Welcoming and receiving foreign high-ranking delegations who pay state-level visits, official visits, working visits, unannounced visits or private visits or are in transit; welcoming and receiving ministers, heads of parliamentary bodies or holders of equivalent titles and a number of other international delegations;

+ Seeing off and welcoming back Party and State leaders who visit, and attend international conferences in, foreign countries; sending letters and telegrams of congratulations, telegrams of condolence, and telegrams of sympathy of high-ranking leaders;

+ Performing ceremonies reserved for heads of foreign representative missions, including heads of diplomatic missions, heads of consulates, and heads of representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam.