New regulations on promotion to the rank of general

The Government issued Decree No. 59/2025 stipulating criteria and standards for considering early promotion to the rank of general for officers of the Vietnam People's Army.

The decree states that the promotion of generals to higher ranks ahead of schedule shall be carried out uniformly and synchronously throughout the army, promptly and accurately motivating those with exceptionally outstanding and excellent achievements in combat and work.

The decree stipulates that accelerated promotion to general rank will only be considered when the officer's current rank is two or more ranks lower than the highest rank for the position or title they hold, which is general rank. Within the term of office, only one accelerated promotion rank may be considered. Advancement to general rank ahead of schedule is also permitted when the officer's current rank is lower than the highest rank for the position or title they hold.

The criteria for awarding medals, outstanding achievements, and exceptional accomplishments for consideration of accelerated promotion to the rank of general are achievements attained in combat, combat support, and work that are recognized through state awards or honorary titles, and state prizes as prescribed by the Law on Emulation and Commendation (excluding awards based on seniority or length of service).

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, presents promotion decisions to key leaders at the rank of general in September 2024. Photo: People's Army Newspaper

The awarding of medals, state honorary titles, and state prizes must take place within the current term of holding the military rank.

In cases where an officer achieves multiple accomplishments during their tenure, only the highest achievement will be considered for promotion to a higher rank or ahead of schedule.

Criteria and standards for considering accelerated promotion to the rank of general.

The government stipulates that officers whose current rank is two or more ranks lower than the highest rank of their current position or title (e.g., general), and who achieve exceptionally outstanding accomplishments, may be considered for accelerated promotion upon receiving one of the awarded commendations.

These include: Orders of Merit: Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, First Class Independence Order, First Class Military Merit Order, First Class Labor Order, First Class Order of National Defense, First Class Combat Order; State honorary titles: Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Hero of Labor; Ho Chi Minh Prize.

The decree states that any exceptional cases not covered above will be considered and decided by the competent authority.

Criteria and standards for considering early promotion to the rank of general.

According to government regulations, officers may be considered for promotion to general rank ahead of schedule if they meet all the criteria and standards for accelerated promotion as stipulated above, but their current rank is one rank lower than the highest rank of their current position or title. The consideration will take place after the officer receives an award.

Furthermore, according to regulations, outstanding achievements are required to be awarded one of the following honors: the Second and Third Class Independence Order; the Second and Third Class Military Merit Order; the Second and Third Class Labor Order; the Second and Third Class Order of National Defense; the Second and Third Class Combat Merit Order; or the Courage Order. Advancement in rank may not exceed 24 months.

Exceptional cases not covered above will be considered and decided by the competent authority.