Vietnam
National implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER)
Overview of the DRM System
Vietnam has a Type D DRM System – Covers the full spectrum of disaster risk management: some elements of DRR, prevention, preparedness, early warning, mitigation, emergency management /response, and early recovery. Establishes specialist national institutions for DRM coordination and at least some local structures or roles. This is the most common type of DRM law found amongst countries with medium to high exposure to hazards that have adopted DRM laws since the mid 1990s. It is not necessarily based on a single law, but may be a mix of laws, regulations and assigned ministerial roles under executive government powers.
Legal framework
The DRM system is established by the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control 2013 (NDPC Law).
Regulations under the law are made by a series of decisions and decrees, and especially important are:
1. 2014 Decree No. 66/2014/ND-CP dated July 04, 2014 of the Government detailing and guiding implementation of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control; and
2. 2017 Decree No. 30/2017/ND-CP dated March 21, 2017, Regulation on response to emergency, acts of God and search and rescue.
Key national institutions
NDPC Law assigns responsibility across a range of ministries and at all levels of government. Some key institutional arrangements are:
1. The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (also known by kts former names as the National Flood and Storm Control committee);
2. Since 18 August 2017, the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA) in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (formerly the Department of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control – DNDPC);
3. The Department of Community Based Disaster Management (formerly the Disaster Management Centre), is assigned to implement the CBDRM Program in the whole country, and undertakes policy development and provides strategic planning advice and supportthe Disaster Management Centre
Each Ministry-level agency and each People’s Committee (at all levels of government) is required to set up a disaster committee.
Sub-national structures
The NDPC Law does not establish new sub-national structures for DRM, and the pre-existing local flood and storm control committees continue their role.
The Law gives broad mandates to all ministries and all levels of government, including Peoples Committees at local level.
There is also the national programme for community-based DRM (CBRDM) managed by the Department of Community Based Disaster Management.
Funding and budget
Financial sources for natural disaster prevention and control are not specified as to national or local level. The NDPC Law states that the funds come from: State budget funds, Natural disaster prevention and control funds, voluntary contributions of organizations and individuals (Law on NDPC, Arts 8-11).
Integration of the AADMER and AHA Centre
The VNDMA shares responsibility for different types of international cooperation, but with regard to disaster response it is the key agency, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
VNDMA is the National Focal Point for the AHA Centre.
Provision on international and regional assistance
There are very general provisions in the NDPC Law of 2013 relating to foreign assistance, which required detailing in subsidiary legislation. The necessary decree has also been made.
NDPC Law
“Article 41. Rights and obligations of foreign organizations and individuals and international organizations participating in the response to and remediation of the consequences of natural disasters in Vietnam.
1. Foreign organizations and individuals and international organizations participating in the response to and remediation of the consequences of natural disasters in Vietnam have the following rights:
a/ To be exempted from import and export duties and fees for means, equipment and goods serving emergency relief, search and rescue, relief and support for people affected by natural disaster;
b/ To enjoy priority in entry and exit procedures, and procedures for import and export of means, equipment and goods serving search and rescue, relief and support for people affected by natural disasters;
c/ To enjoy priority in carrying out formalities for their stay.
2. Foreign organizations and individuals and international organizations participating in the response to and remediation of the consequences of natural disasters in Vietnam have the following obligations:
a/ To register their operations with competent Vietnamese agencies;
b/ To operate for the registered purposes and comply with Vietnamese law.
3. The Government shall detail this Article.”
The main regulation is:
2014 Decree No. 66/2014/ND-CP dated July 04, 2014 of the Government detailing and guiding implementation of the Law on NDPC.
Section 4. Rights and obligations of foreign organizations and individuals and international organizations participating in response to and remediation of consequences of natural disasters in Vietnam.
Article 14. Duties and fees for import and export of means, equipment and goods serving emergency relief, search and rescue, relief and support for natural disaster victims
Foreign organizations and individuals and international organizations that participate in the response to and remediation of consequences of natural disasters in Vietnam and import or re-export means, equipment and goods to serve emergency relief, search and rescue, relief and support for natural disaster victims are exempted from import and export duties and fees prescribed at Point a, Clause 1, Article 41 of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. Such means, equipment and goods shall be taxed in accordance with Vietnamese law if they are used for other purposes in Vietnam.
Article 15. Registration of operations of response to and remediation of consequences of natural disasters in Vietnam
1. The standing body of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control shall act as the focal point for receiving registrations; transfer registration dossiers to competent agencies for consideration and grant of permits; and notify the results of registration of operations of response to and remediation of consequences of natural disasters in Vietnam to registering foreign organizations and individuals and international organizations.
Laws, policies, plans and other resources
Laws, policies and plans
1995 First Update of the Strategy and Action Plan for Mitigating Water Disasters in Vietnam
1997 Regulation on Flood and Storm Warning
2007 National strategy on natural disaster prevention and control 2007-2020
2008 Law on Red Cross Activities
2009 Decision on CBDRM No. 1002/2009
2011 Decree No. 03/2011/ND-CP Detailing and providing measures for the implementation of the law on Red Cross activities
2013 Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control
2014 Decree No. 66/2014/ND-CP dated July 04, 2014 of the Government detailing and guiding implementation of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control
2014 Decision No. 46/2014/QD-TfGM, August 15, 2014 Providing for natural disaster forecasting warning and communication
2017 Decree No. 30/2017/ND-CP dated March 21, 2017, Regulation on response to emergency, acts of God and search and rescue (Vietnamese version with title and summary in English)
National reports
2004 National Report for World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
2009 National Report on Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action
2010 National Report on Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action
2015 National Report on Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action
1995 Regulation on the Activities of Foreign NGOs in Vietnam
1998 Law on water Resources
1999 Law on Vietnam Fatherland Front
2004 Law on Forest Development and Protection
2006 Law on Gender Equality
2006 Law on Dyke Management
2009 Decision No. 1002/QD-TTg of July 13, 2009, approving the scheme on improvement of community awareness and community-based management of natural disaster risks
2009 Decree 93/2009/ND-CP Regulation on management and use of foreign non-governmental aid
2011 National Strategy on Climate Change
2014 Law on Environmental Protection
2001 Oxfam Emergency Coordination Framework in Vietnam Key Activities
2009 IFRC Legal Preparedness for Responding to Disasters and Community Disease Emergencies Vietnam
2014 IFRC How Law and Regulation Support Disaster Risk Reduction: Case Study Vietnam
2015 CFE Disaster Management Reference Handbook Vietnam