To rename the National Committee for Air and Sea Search and Rescue (established under Decision No. 780/TTg of October 23, 1996 of the Prime Minister) the National Committee for Search and Rescue; to add a number of members and tasks to the said Committee.

The National Committee for Search and Rescue shall be composed of its president being a Deputy Prime Minister; 6 vice-presidents and 8 members being representatives of the concerned ministries and branches.

The National Committee for Search and Rescue shall have the following tasks and powers:

- To direct and organize the search and rescue of people and transport means (airplanes, ships, inland waterway means, oil and gas equipment) which are in distress in air, sea and/or land territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam or areas managed by Vietnam; people and properties of people and the State in case of natural calamities, disasters, floods and storms; to provide support and rescue in case of oil spillage;

- To mobilize and coordinate forces and assorted means of the ministries, branches and localities as well as organizations and individuals for prompt search and rescue and bear responsibility for its decision. To coordinate with the regional countries in the work of search and rescue;

- To elaborate plans for search and rescue of people and means under different circumstances, ensuring promptness and effectiveness;

- To direct the investigation and verification of big accidents as assigned by the Prime Minister, to propose to the Prime Minister and the concerned State agencies measures to prevent and minimize damage caused by accidents;

- To guide, urge and inspect the ministries, branches and localities in the implementation of the regulations of the State and the National Committee for Search and Rescue in the work of search and rescue and the settlement of accident consequences;

- Annually, basing itself on the assigned tasks, the National Committee for Search and Rescue shall make the funding estimate and send it to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment for its inclusion into the annual State budget to submit it to the Government for decision;

- To propose to the Prime Minister the timely commendation of organizations and/or individuals with outstanding achievements in search and rescue activities; to propose the handling of organizations and/or individuals that have committed errors, causing serious consequences in the work of search and rescue;

- Annually, to organize search and rescue exercises as well as professional training for search and rescue forces;

- To cooperate with the regional countries and international organizations in search and rescue activities.- (Summary)