(if anyone is interested to improve the English translation, or has an official translation, please let me know at rdavemail-medals@yahoo.com)

O-06 FATHERLAND DEFENCE ORDER
  Huân Chương Bảo Vệ Tổ quốc

The 26 November 2003 regulations established the order and specified the award criteria as :

  Article 45.-
  1. The "Fatherland Defense Order" shall be conferred or posthumously conferred on individuals and conferred on collectives that have recorded achievements in training and building forces, consolidating the all-people defense and people's security.
  2. The first-class "Fatherland Defense Order" shall be conferred or posthumously conferred on individuals who satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having been conferred the second-class "Fatherland Defense Order," then the "National Emulation Fighter" title;
    b/ Having inventions, scientific works or outstanding works of the State level;
    c/ Having recorded unexpected exceptionally outstanding achievements or a long process of devotion in the people's armed forces.
  3. The first-class "Fatherland Defense Order" shall be conferred on collectives which satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having been conferred the second-class "Fatherland Defense Order," the "Excellent Labor Collective" or "Determined-To-Win Unit" title for the subsequent five consecutive years, and the Emulation Flag of the ministerial-, branch-. provincial- or central mass organization-level for three times or the "Government's Emulation Flag" twice;
    b/ Having recorded unexpected exceptionally outstanding achievements.

  Article 46.-
  1. The second-class "Fatherland Defense Order" shall be conferred or posthumously conferred on individuals who satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having been conferred the third-class "Fatherland Defense Order," then the title of Emulation Fighter of the ministerial-, branch-. provincial- or central mass organization-level twice or the "Prime Minister's Diploma of Merit" once;
    b/ Having inventions, scientific works or outstanding works of the ministerial-, branch-. provincial- or central mass organization-level;
    c/ Having recorded unexpected outstanding achievements or a long process of devotion in people's armed forces.
  2. The second-class "Fatherland Defense Order" shall be conferred on collectives which satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having been conferred the third-class "Fatherland Defense Order," then the "Excellent Labor Collective" or "Determined-to-Win Unit" title for the subsequent five consecutive years, and the Emulation Flag of the ministerial-, branch-. provincial- or central mass organization-level twice or the "Government's Emulation Flag" once;
    b/ Having recorded unexpected outstanding achievements.

  Article 47.-
  1. The third-class "Fatherland Defense Order" shall be conferred or posthumously conferred on individuals who satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having won the "Grassroots-Level Emulation Fighter" title for seven consecutive years and been conferred the Diploma of Merit of the ministerial-, branch-. provincial- or central mass organization-level twice or the "Prime Minister's Diploma of Merit" once;
    b/ Having scientific or art works or innovations, utility solutions rated as excellent by the ministerial-level Science Councils, which have been applied in practice with high efficiency and practical results;
    c/ Having recorded unexpected outstanding achievements or a long process of devotion in the people's armed forces.
  2. The third-class "Fatherland Defense Order" shall be conferred on collectives which satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having won the "Excellent Labor Collective" or "Determined-to-Win Unit" title for five consecutive years and been conferred the Emulation Flag of the ministerial-, branch-. provincial- or central mass organization-level once or the "Prime Minister's Diploma of Merit";
    b/ Having recorded unexpected outstanding achievements.

The 30 September 2005 implementation guidelines provide more detail on award criteria :

  Article 31. First-class Fatherland Defense Order
  1. First-class Fatherland Defense Order to give or give away to individuals who have achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, well observing guidelines and policies , laws of the State, do not violate major shortcomings, meeting one of the following criteria:
    a) Was awarded the Second-class Fatherland Defense Order before the 5-year proposal, then was awarded the title of National Emulation Soldier or was awarded the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister;
    b) Having outstanding State-level inventions, inventions, scientific works or works, or having been granted State Awards on topics related to defense and security service, recognized by competent agencies;
    c) Having achieved exceptionally excellent and extraordinary achievements, a large scope of influence throughout the country, was awarded the Third-class Victory Order by the State or the Third-class Fatherland Defense Order;
    d) Having served for 35 years or more, having successfully completed the tasks in the assigned position, undertook one of the positions: Deputy Commander of the Corps, Deputy Commander of the Army and the Division. heads of teams (and equivalent), commanders of provincial military commanders, commanders of border guards, directors of provincial and municipal police offices, police commanders and directors of subordinate departments Ministry or position equivalent to 10 years or more.
  2. First-class Fatherland Defense Order to give collectives with achievements in training, building forces, consolidating the all-people defense and people's security, achieving one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 3, Article 45 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having achieved exceptionally outstanding and extraordinary achievements in combat and combat service, in training, in building forces to consolidate the entire-people defense and the people's security, with motivational and educational effects. , set a national example.
  Article 32. Second-class Fatherland Defense Order
  1. Second-class Fatherland Defense Order to give or give away to individuals who have achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people 's security , well observing guidelines and policies , laws of the State, do not violate major shortcomings, meeting one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 1, Article 46 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having inventions, inventions, excellent scientific works or works, granted by the Ministry, branch, mass organization, central or provincial level awards for defense and security;
    c) Has been awarded the Third-class Fatherland Defense Order before the proposed time for 5 years or more, during which time the outstanding, extraordinary achievements, large scope of influence in the entire army or the entire force people's police, recognized by the Ministry;
    d) Having served for 35 years or more, successfully completed the tasks, undertook one of the following positions: Deputy Division Chief, Brigade Chief, Deputy Chief of the Provincial and Deputy Military Command Commander of the Border Guard, Deputy Director of the Police of the provinces and cities under the Central Government, the Deputy Director of the Ministry and the departments under the General Department: Security, Police, Force Construction, Intelligence or equivalent, 10 years or more.
  2. Second-class Fatherland Defense Order to give collectives with achievements in training, building forces, consolidating the all-people defense and people's security, achieving one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 2, Article 46 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having achieved exceptionally outstanding and extraordinary achievements, motivating and educating, setting an example in the whole army.
  Article 33. Third-class Fatherland Defense Order
  1. Third-class Fatherland Protection Order to give or give away to individuals who have achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, well observing guidelines and policies , State laws, do not violate major defects, achieving one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a or b, Clause 1, Article 47 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having achieved exceptionally excellent and extraordinary achievements, a large scope of influence in the entire military zone, army, corps, general department or equivalent level, was awarded the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister;
    c) Having served for 30 years or more, successfully completing the tasks, having assumed the position of regimental commander, deputy regimental deputy or equivalent for 10 years or more.
  2. Third-class Fatherland Defense Order to give collectives with achievements in training, building forces, consolidating the all-people defense and people's security, achieving one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 2, Article 47 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having achieved outstanding and extraordinary achievements in combat, serving combat areas of influence in military zones, armies, legions and general bureaus.

The 19 May 2006 regulations (re?)designed the order :

  Article 12. "Fatherland Defense Order" first, second, and third class
  Stalk Medal of the border is yellow, transparent with silk Rayon woven in two colors: half on the left red flag, half on the right in dark red, attached with stars according to the rank of Medal; Nico gold-plated copper with 3 micron alloy; size 28mm x 14mm .
  Medal strip Stylized A-shaped, with silk Rayon woven in two colors: 1/2 on the left red flag, half on the right in dark red, attached to the rank of Medal; Nico gold-plated copper with 3 micron alloy; size 28mm x 51mm x 41mm x 5mm.
  Body Huan the ten-pointed star figure stylized, in the middle there is a symbol of a gun and a sword placed diagonally, on the top there is a five-pointed golden star shining on the red background, surrounded by the words " Fatherland Defense Order" "Vietnam" (yellow). The outer diameter of ten star vertices is 43mm, the material of red copper plated with Nico alloy is 3 microns thick

The 15 April 2010 decree updated the 30 September 2005 implementation guidelines :

  Article 31. "First-class Fatherland Defense Order"
  1. First-class "Fatherland Defense Order" for giving or giving away gifts to individuals with achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, well abiding by guidelines, Party policies and laws of the State, not violating major shortcomings, meeting one of the following criteria: 
    a) Was awarded the second-class "Fatherland Defense Order" before the 5-year proposal, then was awarded the title "National Emulation Soldier" or was awarded "Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister ";
    b) Having outstanding State-level inventions, inventions, scientific works or works, or having been granted State Awards on topics related to defense and security service, recognized by competent agencies;
   

c) Having achieved exceptionally excellent and extraordinary achievements, a large scope of influence throughout the country, was awarded with a "Third Medal" Medal by the State or a third-class "Fatherland Defense Order" above;

    d) Having served for 35 years or more, having successfully completed the tasks in the assigned position, undertook one of the positions: Deputy Commander of the Corps, Chief of Division, and Public Director An province, a city directly under the central government or equivalent title is classified in the same position group with the same position allowance coefficient of 10 years or more.
  2. First-class "Fatherland Defense Order" to give collectives with achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, meeting one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 3, Article 45 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having achieved exceptionally outstanding and extraordinary achievements in combat, in service of combat, in training, in building forces, consolidating the entire-people defense and the people's security, with motivating and encouraging effects. education, setting a national example.
  AArticle 32. "Second-class Fatherland Defense Order"
  1. Second-class "Fatherland Defense Order" for giving or giving away to individuals with achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, well abiding by guidelines, Party policies and laws of the State, not violating major shortcomings, meeting one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 1, Article 46 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
   

b) Having inventions, inventions, excellent scientific works or works, granted by the ministerial, branch, central, provincial or municipal awards for the theme of defense and security;

   

c) Has been awarded the "Third Fatherland Defense Order" before the proposed time for 5 years or more, during that time made an outstanding, extraordinary achievement, a large scope of influence in the entire army or all People's Police force, recognized by the Ministry level;

    d) Having served for 35 years or more, successfully completed the tasks, undertook one of the positions: Deputy Division Chief, Brigade Chief, Deputy Director of the Police Department of the province and city under the central government. Nursing, or equivalent title, is placed in the same position group with the same position allowance coefficient of 10 years or more.
  2. Second-class "Fatherland Defense Order" to give collectives with achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, meeting one of the following criteria: 
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 2, Article 46 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having achieved exceptionally outstanding and extraordinary achievements, motivating and educating, setting an example in the whole army.
  Article 33. Third-class "Fatherland Defense Order"
  1. Third-class "Fatherland Defense Order" for giving or giving away gifts to individuals with achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, well abiding by guidelines, Party policies and laws of the State, not violating major shortcomings, meeting one of the following criteria: 
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a or b, Clause 1, Article 47 of the Emulation and Commendation Law;
    b) Having achieved exceptionally outstanding and extraordinary achievements, a large scope of influence throughout the Military Region, Army Corps, Army, Army, General Department or equivalent level, was awarded "Prime Minister's Merit Certificate" Goverment";
   

c) Having served for 30 years or more, successfully completed the task, undertook one of the positions: the regimental commander, the deputy commander, or the equivalent title placed in the same position group. Leadership allowance coefficient, from 10 years or more.

  2. Third-class "Fatherland Defense Order" to give collectives with achievements in training, building forces, strengthening national defense and people's security, achieving one of the following criteria:
    a) Meeting the criteria specified at Point a, Clause 2, Article 47 of the Law on Emulation and Commendation;
    b) Having achieved outstanding and extraordinary achievements in combat and combat service with an influential scope throughout the Military Region, the Army, the Army, the Army and the General Department.

The 16 November 2013 decree amended the 26 November 2003 regulations :

  21. To amend and supplement Clauses 2 and 3, Article 45 as follows:
  “2. The first-class “Fatherland Defense Order” shall be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals of the people’s armed forces who satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having been awarded the second- class “Fatherland Defense Order” and in the subsequent 5 years, recorded outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness preparation, force building or strengthening of the all-people defense or people’s security which have an influence over and are praised in the whole country, or having served in the people’s armed forces for a long time;
   

b/ Having unexpectedly recorded a particularly outstanding achievement or created an invention or innovation or a state- level particularly outstanding scientific work or work in national defense or security which is recognized by a competent agency.
  3. The first-class “Fatherland Defense Order” shall be awarded to collectives of the people’s armed forces that satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having recorded outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness preparation, force building or strengthening of the all-people defense or people’s security which have an influence over and are praised in the whole the country;
   

b/ Having been awarded the second-class “Fatherland Defense Order”, excellently accomplished their tasks in the subsequent 5 consecutive years, and successfully built clean and strong Party and mass organizations.”
  22. To amend and supplement Article 46 as follows:
  “Article 46
1. The second-class “Fatherland Defense Order” shall be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals of the people’s aimed force who satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having been awarded the third-class “Fatherland Defense Order” and in the subsequent 5 years, recorded outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness preparation, force building or strengthening of the all-people defense or people’s security which have an influence over and are praised within the Army or People’s Police Force, or having served in the people’s armed forces for a long time;
   

b/ Having unexpectedly recorded a particularly outstanding achievement or created an invention or innovation or a state-level particularly outstanding scientific work or work in defense or security which is recognized by a competent agency.
  2. The second-class “Fatherland Defense Order” shall be awarded on collectives of the people’s armed forces that satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having recorded outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness preparation, force building or strengthening of the all-people defense or people’s security which have an influence over and are praised within the Army or People’s Police;
   

b/ Having been awarded the third-class “Fatherland Defense Order”, excellently accomplished their tasks in the subsequent 5 years and successfully built clean and strong Party and mass organizations.”
  23. To amend and supplement Article 47 as follows:
  “Article 47
1. The third-class “Fatherland Defense Order” shall be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals of the people’s armed forces, who satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having recorded outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness preparation, force building or strengthening of the all-people defense or people’s security which have an influence over and are praised within a military zone, service branch, army corps, arm or general department or an equivalent unit, or having served in the people’s armed forces for a long time;
   

b/ Having unexpectedly recorded particularly outstanding achievements or having created an invention or innovation or outstanding scientific work or a work of ministerial, sectoral, provincial or central mass organization level in national defense or security, which is recognized by a competent agency.
  2. The third-class “Fatherland Defense Order” shall be awarded to collectives of the people’s armed forces that satisfy one of the following criteria:
    a/ Having recorded outstanding achievements in training, combat readiness preparation, force building or strengthening of the all-people defense or people’s security which have an influence over and are praised within a military zone, service branch, army corps, arm or general department or an equivalent unit;
   

b/ Having been awarded the “Prime Minister’s Diploma of Merit”, excellently accomplished their assigned tasks in the subsequent 5 years, successfully built clean and strong Party and mass organizations; and possessing a formation and development process of 10 years or more.”
6/B DESIGN OF 2014
  three classes - distinguished by ribbon device stars - redesigned 10 September 2014 and 20 July 2018; guildelines 31 July 2017

(regulations pending)