Female peacekeepers march at the ceremony marking the 80th National Day on September 2. (Photo: VNA)
The Government on September 3 issued Decree No. 240/2025/ND-CP, regulating the establishment, management, and use of a fund for defence policy and foreign affairs.

The decree, effective from the date of issuance, stipulates sources of funding, procedures for receiving contributions, expenditure items, and the responsibilities of relevant agencies, units, enterprises, organisations, and individuals.

The dictum applies specifically to the agency responsible for managing the fund, as well as to agencies, units, and enterprises under the Ministry of National Defence that are involved in managing, contributing to, or sponsoring the fund. It also includes other organisations and individuals, both within and outside the military, who are related to its operations. This decree is part of efforts to institutionalise mechanisms for defence-related foreign policy initiatives, thus ensuring transparency, efficiency, and broader participation in activities that support national defence and international cooperation.

The fund is established from contributions, donations, and sponsorships in the form of cash, assets, or materials from organisations, individuals, and businesses both inside and outside the military. It is also generated by income from interest on deposits, and other contributions, donations, sponsorships, and revenues in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The fund finances policy activities such as expenditures for policy beneficiaries and policy programmes approved by the Party and State or decided by the Minister of National Defence. It also supports disaster and epidemic response efforts, search and rescue operations, and assistance to forces under the Ministry of National Defence in carrying out military and defence tasks. The fund is allocated for the restoration, renovation, and maintenance of cultural works and historical sites related to the nation's revolution and military cemeteries.

It also covers defence foreign affairs, including expenditures for the ministry’s defence diplomacy or external activities as directed by the Party and State; support for countries worldwide in disaster and epidemic relief; and search and rescue missions.

VNA