JOINT CIRCULAR No.13/1998/TTLT-TCCP-BV&CSTEVN of January 7, 1998 guiding the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the committees for child protection and care in localities; and the child protection and care sections in the ministries, branches, socio-political organizations and social organizations at the central level.

This Circular guides the implementation of Decree No.118-CP of September 7, 1994 of the Government.

The committees for child protection and care in the provinces and cities directly under the Central Government shall be placed under the provincial/municipal People's Committees and have the function of assisting the latter in guiding, inspecting, monitoring and supervising the implementation of plans for child protection and care.

The committees for child protection and care in districts, urban districts, provincial capitals and provincial towns shall be placed under the district People's Committees and responsible to the latter for coordinating with State agencies, socio-political organization and social organizations in guiding, inspecting and supervising the implementation of the Law on Protection, Care and Education of Children, the Program for Action on Children and other guidelines, policies and legislation relating to the protection, care and education of children.

The committees for child protection and care in communes, wards and district townships shall have to assist the presidents of the People's Committees of such level in organizing the implementation of the Law on Protection, Care and Education of Children and other guidelines, policies and legislation relating to the protection, care and education of children.

Those ministries involved in various activities related to the protection, care and education of children shall have to appoint full-time officials to assist the ministers in overseeing, urging and inspecting the implementation of the Law on Protection, Care and Education of Children and the Government's Program of Action on Children. Other ministries and branches, mass organizations and social organizations which are members of the Vietnam Committee for Child Protection and Care shall have to appoint part-time officials to assist the heads of such agencies and organizations in overseeing the child protection and care activities.- (Summary)