One of the decree's most notable provisions concerns food rations, accommodation standards, clothing, personal necessities and healthcare benefits for people held in temporary custody or temporary detention.

Under the new regulations, individuals in temporary detention will be entitled to a monthly food allocation including 17 kilograms of rice; 15 kilograms of vegetables, roots or fruit; 1.5 kilograms of pork, up from the previous allowance of 1 kilogram; 1.5 kilograms of fish, also increased from 1 kilogram; five chicken or duck eggs, newly added to the standard ration; 0.5 kilograms of sugar; 0.75 liters of fish sauce; 0.3 liters of cooking oil, compared with the previous 0.2-liter allowance; 0.1 kilograms of monosodium glutamate; 0.5 kilograms of salt; and other seasonings equivalent in value to 0.5 kilograms of rice.

The monthly allocation also includes fuel equivalent to 17 kilograms of firewood, 15 kilograms of coal, 25 kWh of electricity or 3 kilograms of gas.

People in temporary custody and temporary detention are guaranteed access to electricity and water for daily living needs. Food supplies, ingredients and fuel must meet quality standards and be purchased at average market prices in the locality where the detention facility is located.

Heads of detention facilities are authorized to substitute food items, ingredients or fuel with alternatives of equivalent value, ensuring detainees fully receive their prescribed entitlements.

Daily food allowances for people in temporary custody are calculated proportionally based on the monthly standards applied to people in temporary detention.

During national holidays and Lunar New Year celebrations, detainees will receive additional food equivalent to five times the standard daily ration.

For detainees who are ill, injured or undergoing medical treatment, facility directors may approve enhanced food allocations based on recommendations from medical personnel, but not exceeding twice the standard daily ration.

Individuals under the age of 18 will receive the standard ration plus an additional 20% allocation of meat, fish and eggs.

Women who are pregnant or raising children under 36 months old will be entitled to food allowances equal to twice the standard daily ration and may receive substitutions based on medical advice.

In addition to state-provided food allocations, detainees may use funds deposited in their personal accounts to purchase supplementary food. Monthly purchases may not exceed five times the standard monthly food allowance of a person in temporary detention.

The decree also sets a minimum sleeping space of two square meters per person. Detainees must be provided with sleeping platforms and mats. Sleeping areas are required to be clean, dry, well ventilated and suitable for local weather conditions while meeting environmental hygiene standards.

Expanded welfare provisions

Under the decree, people in temporary custody and detention may use their own clothing, blankets, mats, mosquito nets and personal belongings. If necessary items are unavailable, detention facilities must provide them on loan according to prescribed standards.

Each person is entitled to one mat, one personal mosquito net, one pair of sandals, two sets of long-sleeved clothing, one winter jacket and one blanket.

The winter jacket and blanket provisions apply to localities from Da Nang northward, as well as the provinces of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong. In these areas, cotton blankets weighing no more than two kilograms with removable covers will be used. Other provinces and cities will provide fiber blankets.

Upon admission, people in temporary detention will receive one toothbrush and one face towel for use over a three-month period. Each month they will also receive 0.3 kilograms of soap, 80 milliliters of shampoo and 50 grams of toothpaste.

People in temporary custody will receive the same items. If their status changes to temporary detention, they will continue to receive supplies under the detention standards.

Female detainees will be provided with personal hygiene products equivalent in value to two kilograms of rice per month.

Detention facilities will issue blue uniforms without identification numbers, consisting of a long-sleeved work-style shirt and elastic-waist trousers.

Directors of detention facilities in Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong are authorized to decide on the use of winter jackets and blankets based on local weather and climate conditions.

The decree will take effect on July 1.

Tran Thuong