# Vietnam legal and criminal code reform proposals

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-legal-and-criminal-code-reform-proposals
> Updated: 2026-08-18T13:14:00.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

Vietnam is considering significant legal reforms through proposed amendments to its Criminal Code and new resolutions aimed at protecting proactive officials. 

Initial discussions focused on a draft resolution to provide legal mechanisms for officials who act creatively and for the common good in sectors such as the state economy, science, technology, and digital transformation. This proposal seeks to protect those who act without engaging in corruption or waste, specifically removing requirements that violators must have clearly disclosed facts or contributed to crime detection to qualify for non-prosecution.

Subsequent proposals from the Ministry of Public Security have expanded these reforms to the broader Criminal Code. Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang stated that narrowing the scope of capital punishment aligns with “progressive legislative trends” and aims to enhance international cooperation in criminal justice, extradition, and mutual legal assistance.

The draft amendment submitted to the National Assembly proposes abolishing the death penalty for six offenses: rebellion, rape of a person under 16, illegal drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and terrorism aimed at opposing the administration. If passed, the death penalty would be restricted to four specific crimes: treason, murder, terrorism, and illegal production of narcotics.

Other major revisions include adding nine new criminal offenses, particularly in cybersecurity, high technology, and environmental protection. The draft also proposes doubling fine levels and monetary thresholds to reflect current economic conditions and seeks to expand criminal liability exemptions for activities involving new technology research and innovation. While the Law and Justice Committee supports narrowing the death penalty, some members have expressed caution regarding the removal of capital punishment for drug trafficking and war crimes, citing concerns over potential impacts on crime deterrence.

## Claims

- The draft proposal seeks to abolish the death penalty for six specific offenses: rebellion, rape of a person under 16, illegal drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and terrorism. (disputed by 6 sources)
- The death penalty would be retained for four offenses: treason, murder, terrorism, and illegal drug production. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang presented the draft amendments to the Penal Code to the National Assembly. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The draft proposes to double fine levels and monetary thresholds for various offenses to align with economic changes. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The draft includes nine new criminal offenses and updates existing ones to include new objective behaviors. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The draft expands the scope for excluding criminal responsibility in areas involving new technology research and testing. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Members of the Law and Justice Committee expressed caution regarding the removal of the death penalty for drug trafficking and war crimes. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The draft removes the penalty that bans commercial legal entities from mobilizing capital when they commit crimes. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Vietnam proposes reducing death penalty scope in Penal Code revision

Vietnam's government has proposed amending the Penal Code to abolish the death penalty for six offenses, including drug trafficking and war crimes, while retaining it for treason, murder, and terrorism.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-ministry-of-public-security-proposes-criminal-code-amendments

### 2026-08-17: Vietnam proposes legal protection for proactive officials

Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security is proposing a legal mechanism to protect proactive officials from criminal prosecution if they act for the public interest without corruption or waste.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-proposes-legal-protection-for-proactive-officials

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Cite as: Vietnam legal and criminal code reform proposals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-legal-and-criminal-code-reform-proposals