Vietnam to defend human rights record at UN dialogue
The country will showcase legal reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty for eight crimes in the Penal Code, the passage of the Law on Juvenile Justice, and amendments to the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Combat.
Hanoi (VNA) -🅷 As Vietnam is gearing up for its fourth dialogue with the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 7-8, the country is doubling down on its commitment to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), one of the world’s most important human rights treaties.
The treaty, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966 and came in force in 1976, enshrines a wide array of civil and political rights to individuals and counts 174 member states.
Vietnam, a party to the ICCPR since September 24, 1982, has spent 43 years navigating its obligations, according to Dao Quy Loc, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
Initially overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which submitted reports in 1989 and 2001, the responsibility for ICCPR compliance shifted to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in 2014 to better align with domestic legal reforms. Since then, the MoJ has coordinated with other ministries and agencies to step up the implementation and prepare periodic reports.
Vietnam submitted its fourth report covering 2019 to 2022 to the HRC on March 22, 2023, and responded to the committee’s list of issues on December 19, 2024.
At the upcoming dialogue, Vietnam plans to highlight five priorities: advancing self-determination to foster peaceful international relations, promoting legal and governance reforms to build a socialist rule-of-law state, following past UN recommendations, aligning ICCPR obligations with national legal and socio-economic conditions, and bolstering protection for civil and political rights while addressing climate change impacts on vulnerable groups.
The country will showcase legal reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty for eight crimes in the Penal Code, the passage of the Law on Juvenile Justice, and amendments to the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Combat./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has approved a master plan on implementation of recommendations accepted by Vietnam under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The contest calls for Vietnamese citizens, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends to share compelling photographs and videos that illustrate Vietnam’s stories of happiness, cultural richness, and socio-economic achievements.
The Vietnamese delegation actively engaged in meetings, discussions, and consultations with representatives from other countries, contributed to drafting the content of documents, co-sponsored numerous initiatives in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, and co-authored a joint speech supported by 65 countries.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
The guiding principle for revising the national energy master plan is that energy development must align with the country’s socio-economic development strategy. The energy system should be optimised as a whole, targeting sustainable and diverse development to ensure stable and adequate energy supply to meet national goals.
The Vietnam Disability Fashion Show 2025 aimed to honour the diverse beauty of individuals, promote humanistic values, and foster equality and social inclusion.
