Vietnam is making a major shift in its legal code. The government recently proposed removing the death penalty for six specific crimes. If the National Assembly gives the green light in October, capital punishment will only remain for four categories of offenses.
You might think this is just a sudden change of heart. It’s not. This is part of a long-term, calculated move by the state to modernize its justice system and align with global legal standards. I've watched these legislative cycles for years, and this trend is consistent. They aren't just erasing laws; they are restructuring how the country handles its most serious offenders.
What is actually changing
The draft proposal currently sits before the National Assembly. If approved, these six crimes would no longer be eligible for the death penalty:
- Rebellion
- Rape of a person under the age of 16
- Illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs
- Crimes against humanity
- War crimes
- Terrorism aimed at opposing the people's administration
The last one is being merged into a broader, more standard "terrorism" offense, which will stay on the books as a capital crime. The final four offenses that will still carry the possibility of execution are treason, murder, general terrorism, and the illegal production of narcotics.
This follows a massive wave of reforms in July 2025, where Vietnam already cut eight crimes from the list, including high-profile financial crimes like embezzlement. You probably remember the Truong My Lan case. Under the current rules, she no longer faces the possibility of execution, which highlights exactly how much weight these legislative shifts carry.
The logic behind the shift
Why do this now? The official line from the Ministry of Public Security is that this "institutionalizes the Party's policy" and makes international cooperation easier.
That’s government speak for "we need better extradition agreements."
When Vietnam’s legal system looks more like the systems in countries they want to trade with, the red tape for legal assistance and extradition drops. It’s a pragmatic move to improve their standing on the global stage. It also brings them closer to the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which suggests that if a country chooses to keep the death penalty, it should only be for the most extreme crimes.
The other side of the coin
It isn't all about becoming more lenient. While they are shrinking the list of death-penalty offenses, the government is also looking to harden other parts of the code.
They are doubling down on fines for many offenses. They are also moving to allow prosecutors to use "aggravating factors" for people who go on the run or commit crimes against the state. Basically, if you flee or are deemed to be acting against the interests of the Communist Party, the system is going to hit you harder.
Human Rights Watch has already pushed back, arguing that these amendments could be used to widen the scope of police power rather than protect individual rights. It’s a delicate balancing act. They want a modern, international-friendly reputation, but they are clearly unwilling to lose their grip on control.
What this means for the future
The National Assembly is expected to debate this throughout the coming weeks. If everything goes to plan, the new code will take effect in March 2027.
Don't expect the death penalty to vanish entirely. It’s still a state secret, and no one really knows how many people are currently on death row. Lethal injection remains the only method of execution, after the country moved away from firing squads back in 2011.
If you are following this for business or legal reasons, keep a close eye on the October vote. The transition isn't just about the death penalty—it’s about a total overhaul of how Vietnam classifies risk, crime, and punishment. They are updating their definitions of everything from cybercrime to military secrets.
The smartest move is to watch how the committee handles the debate over drug trafficking. Even within the government, some members have voiced hesitation, worrying that removing the threat of execution for drug-related crimes might weaken deterrence. If they fold on that specific point, the final list could change before the March 2027 deadline. Stay tuned to the National Assembly sessions, as that's where the final shape of these laws will be cast.
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