Pham Thanh Ha, Deputy Chief of the Office of the President
Pham Thanh Ha, Deputy Chief of the Office of the President, stated that since 2009, the Vietnamese government has conducted 10 rounds of amnesty on significant national occasions, granting clemency to nearly 100,000 prisoners who demonstrated good conduct, work ethic and academic efforts and allowing them to reintegrate into society.
According to Ha, this policy underscores the consistent approach of the party and state in promoting and protecting human rights fairly and equally for all citizens, including those serving prison sentences.
"Through the state president's amnesty decisions, tens of thousands of individuals have been granted clemency, reuniting with their families and given a fresh start. Most of those pardoned have returned to their communities, stabilised their lives, and engaged in lawful employment, with a very low reoffending rate," Ha emphasised, calling this humanitarian approach the most significant aspect of the amnesty policy.
The 2025 amnesty decision specifies the early release of prisoners serving fixed-term sentences and those serving life sentences that have been commuted, marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (30 April).
Eligible individuals include those serving fixed-term prison sentences, those with life sentences commuted to fixed terms, and individuals temporarily suspended from serving their sentences.
To qualify for amnesty, inmates must meet specific conditions.
Firstly, they must have shown substantial progress, demonstrated good behaviour, and been classified as either sound or relatively compliant in their sentence execution.
Secondly, they must have served at least one-third of their fixed-term sentence. If their conviction had previously been reduced, the reduced time is not counted towards the served duration. Those whose life sentences were commuted to fixed terms must have served at least 14 years. Any further reductions after commutation do not count towards the required served time.
Additionally, inmates must have completed supplementary penalties such as fines and court fees. Those convicted of corruption-related offences must have fully repaid financial obligations, including restitution and compensation for damages. In cases where full payment has not yet been made, they must have partially fulfilled their obligations.
Individuals serving fixed-term sentences who have completed at least one-quarter of their term and those with commuted life sentences who have served at least 12 years may also be considered for amnesty if they have made significant contributions during their incarceration, as verified by prisons, detention centres, or competent authorities.
Notable cases include individuals who have contributed to the revolutionary cause, those suffering from terminal illnesses or chronic conditions preventing self-care, individuals aged 70 or above, sole breadwinners from families facing exceptional hardship, pregnant women, mothers with children under 36 months living in prison, and individuals with severe or particularly severe disabilities.
However, under the President's decision, individuals convicted of certain offences are not eligible for amnesty. These include crimes such as treason, activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government, espionage, violations of national security, rebellion, terrorism against the state, sabotage of state infrastructure, dissemination of anti-state propaganda, inciting disorder, attacks on detention facilities, and other terrorist activities.
