The abolished death penalty offences are acts aimed at overthrowing the people’s government; espionage; sabotage of material and technical foundations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; production or trading in counterfeit medicines for disease prevention and treatment; illegally transportation of narcotic substances; embezzlement of property; bribe taking, as well as undermining peace and waging aggressive wars.

The decision reflects Vietnam’s ongoing commitment to gradually narrowing the application of the death penalty within its criminal justice system. The 1985 Criminal Code prescribed capital punishment for 44 offences. This number was reduced to 29 in the 1999 revision, then to 22 in 2009, and further to 18 in 2015.

In the latest amendment, the Government proposed removing the death penalty for 8 additional offences, based on comprehensive analysis and evaluation. The proposal considered several key factors, including the nature and gravity of the crimes; the significance of the legal interests being protected; and the potential for offenders to remedy the harm caused by their actions.

A practical review also indicated that some capital punishment provisions had not been applied in recent years. Globally, the prevailing trend is toward limiting or abolishing the death penalty. Among the 193 United Nations member states, only about 50 still retain it in law.

The Government considers this reform to be well-suited to Vietnam’s current legal framework and social context. It ensures continued deterrence and accountability in combating crime, while supporting the country’s broader objectives of reducing reliance on capital punishment and expanding international cooperation.

Notably, for crimes such as embezzlement of property and bribe taking, after abolishing the death penalty, the law has added stricter conditions for sentence reduction. Specifically, life-sentenced individuals for these crimes will only be eligible for sentence reduction if they have voluntarily returned at least three-quarters of the embezzled or bribed assets and actively cooperated with authorities in uncovering and handling criminal activities, or have rendered significant contributions.

In addition, the latest amendment also increases prison sentences and monetary fines for certain offences. The minimum prison terms have been raised for several crimes such as environmental pollution, violations of hazardous waste management regulations, illegal production of narcotic substances, unlawful possession of drugs, illegal drug trafficking, and violations of food safety regulations.

These increases in penalties are considered appropriate and necessary to meet the demands of crime prevention and control in Vietnam, at present and in the coming years.

Gov’t proposes removing death penalty for several crimes in Penal Code amendments

VOV.VN - Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang, on behalf of the Government, presented a draft law on amendments to the Penal Code at the ongoing National Assembly session in Hanoi on May 20, proposing the removal of the death penalty for several crimes.