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It has become widely recognized that the Vietnamese government is steadily eroding the right to free speech and expression. This
The Quang Binh Provincial Police Department on Aug. 3 arrested and charged a man under Article 331 of the Penal Code for allegedly insulting members of a parliamentary delegation at a meeting in the man's voting district in 2023.
Nguyen Van Nhon, 68, a resident of Ba Don District, Quang Binh Province, was accused of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and other individuals” after he gave his opinions and recommendations to the lawmakers. The provincial authorities have not specifically disclosed what Nhon said during the meeting.
According to the police, Nhon had participated in two meetings on May 4 and Oct. 2, 2023, during which the National Assembly Delegation of Quang Binh Province met with local voters in Ba Don District. During those meetings, he reportedly expressed opinions that allegedly contained information “violating the legitimate rights and interests of the state and other organizations and individuals,” the indictment declared.
Additionally, the police also alleged that Nguyen Van Nhon owns a Facebook account called “Cao Tuổi Bản Tin” (The Senior Bulletin), which he reportedly used to share many articles and distribute content that contained “vulgar, offensive, and defamatory details” about state officials and party leaders. The Ba Don District Police Department declared that Nhon had violated Clause 1 of Article 331 of the Penal Code.
In recent months, the Vietnamese authorities have expanded their repression of online speech, discriminately utilizing Article 331 and other cybersecurity decrees to penalize citizens accused of smearing state leaders. For example, the Da Nang Police Department on Aug. 2 charged Nguyen Dinh Trung, a 66-year-old city resident under Article 331, for drafting “slanderous” petitions and submitting them to the authorities. Similar internet users who publish information critical of late Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong have also been summoned and fined.
The Vietnamese presidential office on Aug. 2 announced an amnesty in 2024, which outlines a plan to pardon or reduce the sentences of those convicted under crimes unrelated to national security and those who received suspended sentences. President To Lam, who assumed an additional position as party secretary on Aug. 3, signed Decision No. 758/2024/QD-CTN, which provides details on eligibility for the amnesty program.
According to the issued decision, prisoners who were convicted and sentenced under national security crimes such as “treason,” “subversion,” “espionage,” “violating territorial security,” “rioting,” and “conducting terrorism against the people’s administration” are ineligible to be pardoned.
The decision, however, again did not mention whether or not the president would grant amnesty for wrongfully convicted death-row inmates. Since wrongful convictions are prevalent in Vietnam’s criminal justice system, the announcement is a disappointment for families of inmates who are victims of the miscarriage of justice.
State statistics show that the president has given clemency to more than 92,000 prisoners since the country began granting amnesty on the eve of significant national holidays, such as National Independence Day. Furthermore, the authorities announced that they would consider pardoning a specific number of foreigners held in Vietnamese detention centers after examining their criminal records.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Pham Thu Hang, expressed disappointment in a press conference on Aug. 3 after the U.S. Department of Commerce refused to recognize Vietnam’s “market economy” status despite Hanoi’s firm lobbying efforts.
In the announcement, the foreign ministry spokesperson requested Washington “continue implementing its commitment to broad, strong and constructive coordination and to soon recognize the market economy status of Vietnam.” She also said the Vietnamese economy had already met six essential criteria the Department of Commerce set forth to be named a market-oriented economy. The refusal “does not fully reflect Vietnam's great efforts and achievements in building and developing a market economy,” Hang said.
The decision of the Department of Commerce to upgrade Vietnam’s non-market economy status has been met with bipartisan opposition from Congress, with members expressing concerns that granting Vietnam market economy status could harm the interests of American farmers and other key industries. Several Congress members have applauded the decision of the Commerce Department, including senators Tom Cotton and Bill Cassidy and House Representative Rick Crawford.
The Dong Hoi City Police Department of Quang Binh Province on Aug. 4 issued a fine of 7.5 million dong ($298) for a social media user accused of violating a cybersecurity decree on defamation. The police alleged that T.N.H, 34, whose name was written only in initials, had used his social networks to publish three postings that contained “false and satirical information” about the late party chief Nguyen Phu Trong. State media reported that the internet user voluntarily removed his postings and publicly apologized on his personal Facebook account for the defamation of Trong.
The South China Sea Chronicle Initiative, a research group, told Reuters that an unmanned Chinese military aircraft “originating from Hainan Island and returned there after following a path roughly 100 km (62 miles) from Vietnam's coastline to the southern city of Nha Trang.” The aircraft, named WZ-10, left its tracker switched on, which made its path visible. The event occurred after Hanoi announced its joint coast guard exercises with the Philippines, beginning on Aug. 9. This news probably demands the new Vietnamese general secretary, To Lam, to balance the party’s relationship with Beijing and defend national sovereignty.
The Diplomat/ Mai Truong/ Aug. 6
“Third, a culture of gratitude is deeply ingrained in Vietnam. Individuals who defy authority – whether from a company, family, or educational institution – risk being labeled as “ungrateful” or “biting the hand that feeds them.” This mindset extends to the political arena as well. Government leaders are typically not viewed as “servants of the people” supported by taxpayers, as the Party claims, but rather as protectors of the populace. Thus, the people are expected to be grateful for whatever the government has done for them and the country.”
Key Events * Prisoners of Conscience in An Diem Prison Start Hunger Strikes * Vietnam Deports a Belarusian Military Volunteer in Ukraine
Key Events * Police Arrest Eight Villagers Who Oppose Land Seizures for Road Construction * Vietnam Human Rights Network Honors Three Political
It has become widely recognized that the Vietnamese government is steadily eroding the right to free speech and expression. This
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