As from 01 January 2025, the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosive Materials and Support Instruments officially takes effect, thereby providing specific and uniform regulations on the licensing for carrying weapons and support tools into and out of the territory of Viet Nam.
1. Definitions
- Weapon refers to any implement or equipment or a combination of implements or equipment that is fabricated and manufactured to have the ability to inflict damage or harm to human lives and health and destroy structures, including military weapons, cold weapons, sporting weapons and hunting rifles.
- Support instruments refer to equipment or military animals used to carry out missions and provide protection, which aims to prevent and stop violators from resisting or running way; protect law enforcers and people performing protection missions or giving signals of emergency.
2. Cases of bringing weapons and support instruments into and out of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
2.1. For foreign authority, organization or individual
- The weapons or support instruments aim to protect foreign VIPs visiting and working in Vietnam in accordance with regulations of Law on Guard
- The weapons or support instruments are used for sports training and competition; making of offers, introduction of products, exhibitions, displays; used as props in cultural and artistic activities.
- The weapons or support instruments are brought according to the programs or plans of the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security.
2.2. For Vietnamese authority, organization or individual
- The weapons or support instruments aim to protect VIPs in accordance with regulations of Law on Guard
- The weapons or support instruments are used for sports training and competition; making of offers, introduction of products, exhibitions, displays; used as props in cultural and artistic activities.
- The weapons or support instruments are brought according to the programs or plans of the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Public Security.
In addition, authorities, organizations and individuals bringing weapons or support instruments into or out of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam not falling under the above cases must obtain consent from the Minister of Public Security.
3. Quantity and types of weapons and support instruments permitted to be brought into and out of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
- An authority, organization or individual is permitted to bring up to 10 handguns enclosed with their ammunition and accessories (if any) and support instruments into or out of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to carry out their protection mission to protect foreign VIPs visiting and working in Vietnam in accordance with regulations of Law on Guard, or to protect VIPs in accordance with regulations of Law on Guard.
- In case of bringing more than 10 handguns or other types enclosed with their ammunition and accessories (if any), the consent from the Minister of Public Security must be obtained.
- The Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Public Security shall decide the quantity and types of weapons and support instruments brought into or out of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the case the weapons or support instruments are used for sports training and competition, making of offers, introduction of products, exhibitions, displays, used as props in cultural and artistic activities.
4. Dossier components and procedures for applying for the issuance of the license to bring weapons or support instruments into or out of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
4.1. Dossier
- An application consists of an application form, which explicitly state the reasons and time limit for bringing into or out of; full name, personal identification or passport number of the person carrying the weapons or support instruments and the contacting person; types, trademarks, numbers and symbols of the weapons or support instruments; their ammunition and accessories (if any) and vehicles; border checkpoint through which the weapons or support instruments are brought into or out of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
- An additional copy of the decision, program or plan of the competent state authority in cases of training and sports competitions; promotion, introduction, exhibition and display of products; use as props in cultural and artistic activities; or implementation under the programs or plans of the Ministry of National Defence or the Ministry of Public Security.
4.2. Procedures
- The dossier shall be submitted to the competent Public Security authority as prescribed by the Minister of Public Security.
- Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the competent Public Security authority shall issue the license.
- In case the license is not granted, the Public Security authority shall provide a written response clearly stating the reasons for refusal.
Disclaimers:
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide any legal advice for any particular case. The legal provisions referenced in the content are in effect at the time of publication but may have expired at the time you read the content. We therefore advise that you always consult a professional consultant before applying any content.
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