Vietnam to initiate the second phase of the 2025 amnesty program
The second round of the 2025 amnesty in Vietnam is a significant step towards enforcing clemency and humanitarian policies, promoting crime prevention, and rehabilitation. This initiative, involving several government agencies, focuses on effective implementation and community reintegration.
### Agency Responsibilities
The Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) has been assigned to monitor the implementation of the second round of the 2025 amnesty and report results to the Prime Minister and the Amnesty Advisory Council. In addition to this, the MoPS will perform its advisory role for the Government and the Amnesty Advisory Council, overseeing amnesty considerations for inmates in MoPS-managed detention facilities, and guiding other ministries and localities in implementation.
The Ministry of National Defence will oversee the review of amnesty for prisoners in detention centers under its management. Meanwhile, the Supreme People’s Court will guide people’s and military courts at all levels in evaluating amnesty requests for individuals with temporarily suspended prison sentences. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will direct media agencies to disseminate information about the amnesty criteria, procedures, and rights, aiming to raise awareness and reduce stigma against pardoned individuals, facilitating their reintegration into society.
### Community Reintegration Measures
Awareness and education are crucial for successful community reintegration. The dissemination of information through media helps raise awareness and responsibility among all levels, social organizations, and the public, eliminating stigma against pardoned individuals and facilitating their reintegration into society.
The process is designed to be transparent, fair, and effective, ensuring that the reintegration is supported by both legal and social frameworks. The Government has also made efforts to reduce societal stigma to support the smooth reintegration of pardoned individuals into their communities.
### Historical Context
Vietnam has a long-standing tradition of granting amnesty, with nearly 40 rounds conducted in the past nearly 80 years. Since 2009, over 90,000 prisoners have been granted amnesty, reflecting a commitment to rehabilitation and second chances. The multiple rounds in a year are not unprecedented, as seen in previous years like 2009 and 2011.
The Government has clearly defined the responsibilities of each agency based on the President’s Decision No 1244/2025/QD-CTN. The Chairpersons of People's Committees of cities and provinces will coordinate with relevant departments and local media to promote amnesty information. This support includes mobilizing unions and socio-economic organizations to help amnesty beneficiaries access loans, stabilize their livelihoods, and reintegrate into society.
The amnesty aims to strengthen the Party and State's clemency and humanitarian policy toward offenders while contributing to crime prevention efforts. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh signed a dispatch on July 3, 2025, instructing ministries and localities to implement the second round of the 2025 amnesty.
- The Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the second round of the 2025 amnesty, reporting to the Prime Minister and the Amnesty Advisory Council, while also advising the Government and the Amnesty Advisory Council on amnesty considerations for inmates in MoPS-managed detention facilities.
- The Ministry of National Defence will review amnesty for prisoners in detention centers under its management, and the Supreme People’s Court will guide people’s and military courts at all levels in evaluating amnesty requests for individuals with temporarily suspended prison sentences.
- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will direct media agencies to disseminate information about the amnesty criteria, procedures, and rights, aiming to reduce stigma and facilitate the reintegration of pardoned individuals into society.
- The Government is taking measures to ensure transparency, fairness, and effectiveness in the amnesty process, with a focus on supporting the reintegration of pardoned individuals through both legal and social frameworks.
- The Government's efforts to reduce societal stigma and promote community reintegration are part of a long-standing tradition of granting amnesty in Vietnam, which has seen nearly 40 rounds conducted in the past nearly 80 years, with over 90,000 prisoners granted amnesty since 2009.
- The amnesty aims to strengthen the Party and State's clemency and humanitarian policy toward offenders, contribute to crime prevention efforts, and aligns with the Government's general policy-and-legislation and political agendas, as instructed by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh in a dispatch on July 3, 2025.
