The Vietnamese government has proposed abolishing the death penalty for six offenses, including drug trafficking and the rape of minors, as part of amendments to the Penal Code submitted to the National Assembly.
Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang informed the National Assembly that the draft Penal Code would retain the death penalty for only four offenses: treason, murder, terrorism, and illegal drug manufacturing.
This proposal follows a legal amendment that took effect in July 2025, which removed the death penalty for eight offenses, including embezzlement and acts aimed at overthrowing the government. This prior amendment allowed real estate tycoon Truong My Lan to avoid a death sentence after being convicted of fraud involving $12 billion USD.
Under the current draft, other offenses that would no longer carry the death penalty include riots, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
While the proposed amendments aim to reduce the number of capital offenses, they also introduce harsher penalties. The Ministry of Public Security stated that the changes would allow prosecutors to consider aggravating factors when sentencing fugitives, those with arrest warrants, and individuals who commit crimes against the state.
Human Rights Watch has expressed concerns regarding other proposed amendments that would increase penalties for acts deemed to be violations of state interests and opposition to the Communist Party of Vietnam. Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, commented that Vietnam’s Penal Code needs to be amended to better protect citizens’ rights, not to grant more power to officials for potential abuse.
The Vietnamese National Assembly is expected to debate the draft amendments in the coming weeks before a vote during the next session, which begins in October. If approved, the revised Penal Code would come into effect in March 2027.