Question:

Standard Margin and Line Spacing Regulations in Administrative Documents of Vietnam

Answer:

According to Decree 30/2020/ND-CP on clerical work, administrative documents in Vietnam must follow specific formatting rules for margins and line spacing.

1. Standard Margins

Administrative documents must be formatted on A4 paper (210mm × 297mm) with the following margin settings:

  • Top margin: 20–25 mm from the top edge.
  • Bottom margin: 20–25 mm from the bottom edge.
  • Left margin: 30–35 mm from the left edge (wider for binding).
  • Right margin: 15–20 mm from the right edge.

2. Standard Line Spacing

  • The main content of the document should use 1.5 line spacing.
  • Sections such as the national title, document title, location, and date can use single line spacing (1.0) for better space management.

3. Font and Font Size

  • Mandatory font: Times New Roman, Unicode (as per state standards).
  • Font sizes:
    • National title and motto: Size 12, uppercase, bold, centered.
    • Document title: Size 14–16, bold, centered.
    • Main content: Size 12–13, 1.5 line spacing.
    • Agency name, location, and date: Size 12–13, normal text.
    • Signatures, titles, and names of signatories: Size 13–14, bold.

4. Paragraph Formatting

  • Paragraphs must be fully justified (aligned on both sides).
  • No indentation at the beginning of paragraphs, and appropriate spacing should be used between sections for readability.
  • If the document includes a table of contents or lists, bullet points or numbering should be used for clarity.

5. Additional Recommendations

  • Use proper punctuation and separators (such as dashes and colons where necessary).
  • Avoid using colors or different fonts other than the prescribed standard.
  • Do not use abbreviations, except for industry-specific terms that are widely recognized.