Chương I Luật Cơ quan đại diện Việt Nam ở nước ngoài 2009: Những quy định chung

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

This Law provides for the functions, tasks, powers and organization of overseas representative missions of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (below referred to as representative missions) and the state management of representative missions.

Article 2. Representative missions

1. Representative missions perform the functions of officially representing the Vietnamese State in its relations with receiving countries, territories and international organizations and uniformly managing foreign activities under Article 12 of this Law.

2. Representative missions include diplomatic representative missions, consular representative missions and representative missions at international organizations.

3. Representative missions are entitled to full privileges and immunities in accordance with international law.

Article 3. Principles on organization and operation of representative missions

1. Implementing foreign policies of the Vietnamese State.

2. Submitting to the direction of the President, the Government and the Prime Minister, the direct management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the supervision of the National Assembly.

3. Operating under Vietnam's laws in conformity with international law and laws of countries where representative missions are based.

4. Being organized and operating under the single-leader regime.

Article 4. Interpretation of terms

In this Law, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Diplomatic representative missions are embassies.

2. Consular representative missions are general consulates and consulates.

3. Representative missions at international organizations are permanent missions, missions, permanent observer missions and agencies which bear other names but perform the function of representing the Vietnamese State at inter­governmental international organizations.

4. Consular premises means a territorial part of the receiving country which, under the agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the receiving country, is reserved for the consular representative mission to perform consular functions.

5. Members of a representative mission include the head of the representative mission, members of the diplomatic staff, members of the consular staff and employees of the representative mission.

6. Members of the diplomatic staff are those who hold diplomatic posts.

7. Members of the consular staff are those who hold consular posts.

8. Honorary consuls are non-professional consular officers who are not Vietnamese cadres, public employees and civil servants, including honorary consuls general and honorary consuls.

9. Employees of a representative mission are those who perform administrative, technical or service jobs.