Promulgation of the Regulation on coordination in combating and preventing the evasion of financial sanctions related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

On 11 May 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang signed Decision No. 829/QD-TTg promulgating the Regulation on coordination in combating and preventing the evasion of targeted financial sanctions related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (the Regulation).

The Regulation was promulgated to establish a unified and coherent coordination mechanism among ministries and ministerial-level agencies in detecting, preventing and dealing with the evasion of targeted financial sanctions under United Nations Security Council resolutions, thereby helping to enhance the effectiveness of Vietnam's implementation of its international obligations in the field of countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Establishing a close interagency coordination mechanism

The Regulation clearly defines the scope, the subjects of application and the principles of coordination among ministries and sectors such as the Ministries of National Defence, Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Industry and Trade, and Science and Technology, as well as ministerial-level agencies such as the State Bank of Vietnam, the Government Inspectorate and the Office of the Government.

The principles of coordination require close and timely coordination in accordance with the functions and tasks of each agency, in compliance with Vietnamese law and the international treaties to which Vietnam is a party. The exchange and use of information must meet the requirements for protecting state secrets and serve their proper operational purpose.

The Regulation also sets out the key objectives of ensuring unified direction throughout the system, enhancing state management capacity and strengthening the responsibility of agencies in combating and preventing the evasion of financial sanctions related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Strengthening information exchange and early warning

One of the key elements of the Regulation is the mechanism for coordination in exchanging and providing information among the competent authorities. Accordingly, the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security play a core role in:

• Providing warning information on methods and techniques of sanctions evasion;
• Sharing the lists of entities and individuals designated under United Nations Security Council resolutions;
• Detecting legal loopholes in the management of assets and financial flows and recommending how to address them.

The State Bank of Vietnam and the Ministry of Finance are responsible for providing information related to:

• Bank accounts and transactions;
• Securities transactions, digital assets and crypto-assets;
• Financial activities showing signs of involvement in sanctions evasion.

In particular, the Regulation requires information to be exchanged in a timely manner, in many cases within no more than 10 working days of receipt of a request, so as to ensure a rapid response to emerging situations.

Stepping up interagency inspections and case verification

The Regulation provides for the establishment of interagency inspection teams led by the Ministry of National Defence, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies, to inspect compliance with the law in this field.

At the same time, the competent authorities are responsible for coordinating the verification of suspicious indicators related to the evasion of targeted financial sanctions, and for promptly applying measures to prevent and stop such conduct and to collect evidence for handling in accordance with the law.

Implementing measures to freeze and restrain assets

The Regulation also emphasises coordination in implementing measures such as:

• Postponing transactions;
• Freezing accounts;
• Suspending circulation;
• Sealing, temporarily seizing and disposing of related funds and assets.

These measures apply to entities and individuals showing signs of involvement in the evasion of targeted financial sanctions, in a manner consistent with the law and Vietnam's international obligations.

Strengthening international cooperation and capacity building

As financial sanctions evasion activities are becoming increasingly sophisticated and transnational, the Regulation calls for strengthened international cooperation, including:

• Exchanging information with foreign partners;
• Coordinating investigation and verification;
• Training and capacity building for enforcement agencies;
• Improving technical conditions and equipment for combating such activities.

Promoting communication and awareness raising

The Regulation also addresses communication and outreach activities to raise the awareness of officials, civil servants and relevant organisations and individuals of:

• Vietnam's international obligations;
• The risks and methods of sanctions evasion;
• Responsibilities for preventing, detecting and dealing with violations.

Enhancing the effectiveness of the implementation of targeted financial sanctions

The promulgation of the Regulation is an important step towards improving the interagency coordination mechanism for implementing targeted financial sanctions, contributing to effectively preventing proliferation financing activities. It also completes an action under the National Action Plan to fulfil the commitments of the Government of Vietnam on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing (Action No. 17 on demonstrating cooperation and coordination among competent authorities to prevent sanctions evasion).

At the same time, the Regulation contributes to enhancing Vietnam's reputation and standing in fulfilling its international commitments, particularly as Vietnam is stepping up the implementation of international standards on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing./.

Thanh Tung - Centre 81