Vietnam proposes narrower use of death penalty

Vietnam’s government has proposed reducing the number of offences carrying the death penalty from ten to four as part of planned amendments to the Penal Code.

The draft was presented to the National Assembly Standing Committee in Hanoi by Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Van Tuyen. It would remove capital punishment for six offences, while also adding nine proposed offences in areas including economic management, cybersecurity, high technology, the environment and public safety.

What the draft would change

Under the proposal, the death penalty would no longer apply to rebellion, rape of a person under 16, illegal drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, war crimes, or terrorism aimed at opposing the people’s administration.

Capital punishment would remain for treason, murder, terrorism and illegal drug production, if lawmakers approve the amendments. Vietnam has progressively narrowed the scope of the penalty: the 1985 Penal Code applied it to 44 offences, compared with ten under the current code.

Further scrutiny expected

The National Assembly’s Law and Justice Committee supported a further narrowing of capital punishment in principle, but some members urged caution, particularly over removing the penalty for drug trafficking and several other serious crimes.

Lawmakers said they would need to weigh deterrence, crime prevention, international law and the precise boundaries between criminal offences and administrative violations. The proposal is still at the draft stage and has not become law.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

For foreign residents, visitors and businesses, the immediate position does not change: Vietnam’s existing criminal law remains in force until any amendment is passed and takes effect. The broader review of economic, technology and cybersecurity offences is also relevant to companies and individuals working in regulated sectors, where legal advice remains essential.

Photo: National Assembly Media / Tuoi Tre News

19 August 2026