Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved a landmark amendment to the country's Criminal Code, abolishing the death penalty for eight major crimes, including embezzlement and several anti-state offenses. The decision, made on June 25, 2025, signals a significant shift in the nation's approach to criminal justice and reflects growing alignment with international human rights standards.
The revised law, set to take effect on July 1, 2025, removes capital punishment for crimes such as embezzlement, espionage, acts aimed at overthrowing the government, war crimes, initiating aggressive wars, manufacturing counterfeit medicine, vandalizing state property, and violating peace. These offenses will now carry a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
All current death row inmates convicted under these categories will have their sentences automatically commuted to life imprisonment once the law comes into force. This move is expected to impact a considerable number of inmates, although exact figures remain undisclosed due to Vietnam’s strict control over capital punishment statistics.
Vietnam retains the death penalty for ten offenses, including murder, terrorism, treason, and child sexual abuse. Lethal injection remains the official method of execution, having replaced the firing squad in 2011.
The reform follows a similar move in 2015, when the death penalty was removed for seven offenses, including drug possession and food safety violations. With the latest revision, Vietnam takes a further step toward reducing reliance on capital punishment, especially for non-violent and economic crimes.
Legal experts view the changes as part of a broader judicial reform effort, aimed at modernizing Vietnam’s legal system and improving proportionality in sentencing. The decision is also likely to ease international pressure from human rights organizations and strengthen Vietnam's image on the global stage.
As the new law prepares for implementation, courts and legal authorities across the country are expected to begin reviewing and adjusting sentencing in relevant cases. The change is being widely interpreted as a progressive measure that may open the door for more comprehensive justice reforms in the future.