Criteria for consideration of promotion to higher military ranks

Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang has signed and issued Circular No. 18/2025/TT-BQP regulating the conferment of military ranks on graduates of officer training in active service; promotion of colonel and lieutenant officers ahead of schedule and salary increase for officers ahead of schedule.

Specifically, Chapter III of the Circular clearly states that the criteria and standards for considering promotion to higher military ranks include:

Officers whose current military rank is 2 or more ranks lower than the highest military rank of the position or title they are holding, and who have made exceptionally outstanding achievements, will be considered for promotion to a higher rank when they are awarded one of the following forms of commendation (excluding commendations based on seniority or dedication):

Forms of medals: Gold Star Order; Ho Chi Minh Order, First Class Independence Order; First Class Military Exploit Order; First Class Labor Order; First Class Fatherland Protection Order; First Class Military Exploit Order.

State honorary titles: Title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces; Title of Hero of Labor; Ho Chi Minh Prize.

During the term of holding a position, a person may only be considered for promotion by one rank, one rank higher; the time of consideration is after the officer has a decision on commendation. Special cases not yet regulated shall be considered and decided by the competent authority.

Regarding the criteria and standards for considering early promotion, Circular No. 18 stipulates that officers are considered for early promotion when:

Meet the criteria and standards for promotion beyond the prescribed rank, but the current rank is one level lower than the highest rank ceiling of the current position or title (awarded one of the forms of commendation specified in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular); considered for early promotion after the officer has a decision on commendation.

Those with current military ranks one level or higher lower than the highest military rank ceiling of the current position or title and awarded one of the following forms of commendation will be considered for promotion no more than 24 months in advance: Independence Medal, second or third class; Military Exploit Medal, second or third class; Labor Medal, second or third class; Fatherland Protection Medal, second or third class; Military Exploit Medal, second or third class (excluding commendations based on seniority or contribution); Courage Medal.

Having a current military rank lower than the highest military rank ceiling of the position or title being held, and having completed tasks well or better in the years of holding the current military rank, falling into one of the following cases, being considered for promotion in military rank before the deadline, not exceeding 12 months:

Recognized as Professor, Associate Professor, Doctor working in the right field (only considered for promotion before term once).

Awarded one of the following achievements: National Emulation Fighter; Army Emulation Fighter; First prize, Second prize, Third prize or Gold, Silver, Bronze medal in national competitions and sports; First prize in competitions and sports at the Ministry, Central sector level; Medal or First prize, Second prize, Third prize in International Military Sports; Officer participating in United Nations peacekeeping who is awarded by competent authority with a certificate of merit or higher;

Project manager, initiative won first, second, third prizes in the "Creative Youth in the Army" Award; Project manager won first, second, third prizes in the Creative Labor Award in the Vietnam People's Army Trade Union; Military Women's Award; typical advanced models of the whole army in implementing the Campaign "Promoting tradition, dedicating talent, worthy of Uncle Ho's soldiers"; National outstanding young face; National outstanding young face.

In addition, Circular No. 18 also stipulates a number of other criteria and standards when considering early military rank promotion.