Full Breakdown
Vietnam Moves to Narrow Capital Punishment to Four Crimes
8/20/2026, 8:02:09 AM
Core Proposal
On August 20, Vietnam’s government presented a draft revision of the criminal code to the National Assembly that would limit the death penalty to only four offenses: treason, murder, terrorism and the illegal production of narcotics. The draft removes capital punishment for six additional crimes—rebellion, rape of a person under 16, illegal drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and terrorism aimed at opposing the people’s administration.
Background & Context
Vietnam’s penal code has steadily reduced the scope of capital punishment. The current version, which took effect on July 1 2025, retained the death penalty for ten offenses, down from 44 under the 1985 code, 29 under the 1999 code, 22 under the 2009 code, and 18 under the 2015 code. Earlier amendments that became effective in July 2025 eliminated the death penalty for eight offenses, including embezzlement and activities aimed at overthrowing the government. Those changes spared property tycoon Truong My Lan, who faced execution after a US$12 billion fraud conviction.
Data & Statistics
- Death-penalty offenses over time: 44 (1985), 29 (1999), 22 (2009), 18 (2015), 10 (current version, July 2025).
- July 2025 amendments removed capital punishment for eight offenses.
- Lethal injection is the sole execution method since the abolition of firing squads in 2011.
- Capital-punishment data are classified; the number of inmates on death row is not publicly known.
Official Statements & Responses
Committee chairman Phan Chi Hieu and other Law and Justice Committee members expressed support for further narrowing, emphasizing the need for careful review of new offenses and clearer boundaries between criminal and administrative violations.
Timeline
- July 1 2025 – Current criminal code version takes effect, limiting death penalty to ten offenses.
- July 2025 – Amendments remove capital punishment for eight offenses, including embezzlement.
- August 20 – Draft revision presented to the National Assembly, proposing removal for six additional offenses.
- Coming weeks – National Assembly expected to debate the draft.
- October (session start) – Planned vote on the revised code.
- March 2027 – If approved, the revised criminal code would become law.
Why It Matters
Narrowing the death-penalty scope positions Vietnam with a growing number of Asian nations that are reducing or abolishing capital punishment. The change is framed as a step toward “progressive legislative trends” and is intended to improve Vietnam’s ability to engage in international criminal-judicial cooperation, extradition and mutual legal assistance. At the same time, domestic debate reflects concerns that eliminating capital punishment for certain grave crimes could affect deterrence and compliance with international legal standards.
