(PLVN) - Effective July 1, 2026, non-resident foreign journalists wishing to operate in Vietnam must submit license applications at least 10 days in advance and may only commence activities upon approval from competent authorities. This is one of the notable provisions in Decree No. 262/2026/ND-CP newly issued by the Government.

The Government has recently issued Decree No. 262/2026/ND-CP regulating the press activities of foreign media agencies, foreign representative missions, and foreign organizations in Vietnam. The Decree takes effect on July 1, 2026, replacing Decree No. 88/2012/ND-CP.

According to the Decree, all press activities of foreign media agencies, foreign representative missions, and foreign organizations in Vietnam may only be conducted following approval from competent authorities. They must comply with Vietnamese law and coordinate with the provincial-level People's Committees of the localities where the activities take place.

For online press activities, foreign media agencies must abide by Vietnamese legal regulations regarding the press, cybersecurity, and other relevant laws, while ensuring alignment with international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

Regarding the licensing procedures for non-resident journalists, the Decree stipulates the following:

Foreign journalists requesting to conduct press activities in Vietnam must submit their application dossiers online, via postal services, in person, or by email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, consular offices, or Vietnamese representative missions at international organizations (hereinafter collectively referred to as Vietnamese representative missions abroad) at least 10 days prior to their intended entry date into Vietnam.

The application dossier includes:

• A written request for press activities in Vietnam for non-resident journalists, using the form provided in the Appendix issued with this Decree.
• A copy of the personal information page of the foreign journalist’s passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months.

In cases where the dossier is submitted through a Vietnamese representative mission abroad, within 24 hours of receiving a valid application, the mission is responsible for forwarding the dossier to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for processing as regulated.

Within 07 working days of receiving a complete and valid application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue an electronic press activity license to the non-resident journalist. In case of disapproval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide a written or electronic response clearly stating the reasons.

Local approval required for changes to reporting locations

Upon entry, non-resident journalists must comply with the guidance of the competent authorities approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The competent authorities approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for guiding non-resident journalists to operate in accordance with the licensed purposes and schedules. They must also report on the delegation's activities to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 03 working days after the conclusion of the activity schedule.

When conducting press activities in Vietnam, non-resident journalists must carry their press activity license and passport.

In case of adjustments or additions to the activity schedule or the local scope of operations, non-resident journalists must send a written or electronic request to the provincial-level People's Committee where the operations are to take place, while simultaneously notifying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Non-resident journalists may only proceed with these activities after receiving written approval from the provincial-level People's Committee.

In cases where Vietnamese organizations or individuals provide content or produce programs for foreign media agencies that do not have resident offices in Vietnam, the foreign media agencies must submit licensing applications as prescribed and follow the instructions of the competent authorities approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Violations may lead to the revocation of press licenses

The Decree defines violations by non-resident journalists that will be subject to penalties, including: conducting press activities that do not align with the purpose, content, timeframe, or location specified in the press activity license; violating press laws and other Vietnamese legal regulations; or obstructing the operations of competent authorities or causing serious impacts on security and order at the reporting site.

Upon detecting a violation, the competent authorities or the provincial-level People's Committee of the locality where the violation occurs are responsible for taking minutes, temporarily suspending the activities, and notifying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Within a maximum of 24 hours after receiving the notification, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will verify the case and decide on the penalty. Sanctions include reminders, warnings, temporary suspensions, or the revocation of the non-resident journalist's press activity license.

In the event that a press activity license is revoked, the competent authorities approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for returning the license to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.