At a ceremony announcing the President’s 2025 special amnesty decision held on May 1 at A2 Prison in Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province, Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, Chairman of the 2025 Amnesty Advisory Council, said that the low recidivism rate of only 0.13% among those granted amnesty in 2024 demonstrates the prudence and effectiveness of the Party and State’s leniency policy, which has helped safeguard security, social order, and public peace.

A2 Prison, under the General Department of Criminal Judgment Execution and Judicial Assistance (C10) of the Ministry of Public Security, has 69 inmates among the 8,056 nationwide granted clemency this time. These individuals have shown good conduct during their sentence, met all criteria for amnesty consideration, and fulfilled civil obligations imposed in their verdicts, such as compensation, restitution, damage remediation, and the surrender of illegal proceeds, amounting to more than VND12 trillion in total.

Since 2009, more than 90,000 people have been granted amnesty, including 3,765 in 2024 alone. Of those released early, only 0.13% have reoffended. Many former inmates have successfully reintegrated into society, pursued further education, improved their livelihoods, created jobs for others, and contributed to their communities. These results reflect the support of local authorities, the inmates’ own rehabilitation efforts, and the sound policies of the Party and State.

For those not yet eligible for amnesty, the Deputy Prime Minister encouraged continued good behavior so they may benefit from future clemency.

He also acknowledged the Ministry of Public Security and relevant units for conducting the amnesty process in a serious, procedural, open, and transparent manner.

A total of 8,055 inmates currently serving prison sentences and one person under temporary suspension of sentence execution were granted this year's amnesty in accordance with the law.

The decision is part of a broad array of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).

Although they could not witness the momentous events in person, like millions of Vietnamese, the inmates sat upright in front of their televisions, watching every sacred, emotional moment of the once-in-50-year celebration. For 8,056 of them, this year's anniversary held special meaning – it was the last one they would observe behind bars. From the 51st celebration onward, they will be free to commemorate it wherever and with whomever they choose.

Earlier, on the afternoon of April 29 in Hanoi, the Presidential Office, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People’s Court, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies, held a press conference to announce the President’s amnesty decision for more than 8,000 inmates on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of National Reunification.

In his address, deputy chief of the Presidential Office Pham Thanh Ha said the 2025 amnesty once again shows the clemency policy of the Party and the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as well as the nation's humanitarian tradition towards those who have committed crimes, encouraging them to repent and reintegrate into society.

“In Vietnam, all violations of the law are handled in accordance with the legal system. All those granted amnesty this time had violated Vietnam’s criminal laws and had been tried and sentenced by People’s Courts at various levels under the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Now that they meet the legal requirements, they are eligible for consideration,” Ha said.

He emphasized that the amnesty process involves no discrimination or restrictions. Any eligible inmate, regardless of whether they are Vietnamese or foreign nationals, may be considered for the special amnesty under the law.

President’s 2025 amnesty decision announced

VOV.VN - The Presidential Office held a press conference on March 4 in Hanoi to announce the President’s the 2025 amnesty decision.