| VIETNAM Socialist Republic of Vietnam Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam Joined United Nations: 20 September 1977 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 10/20/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Hanoi
88,576,758 (July 2010 est.)
Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister since 27 June 2006
Prime Minister since 27 June 2006
President elected by the National Assembly from among its
members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006
Next scheduled election: 2011
members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006
Next scheduled election: 2011
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy
prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime
ministers confirmed by National Assembly
prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime
ministers confirmed by National Assembly
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999
census)
census)
| RELIGIONS |
Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Communist state with 59 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural); Legal system is based
on communist legal theory and French civil law system has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006 (next to be held
in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed
by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 20 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012)
Judicial: Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of
the president)
on communist legal theory and French civil law system has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last held 27 June 2006 (next to be held
in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed
by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly
Legislative: Unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 20 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012)
Judicial: Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of
the president)
| LANGUAGES |
Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area
languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Evidence of the earliest established society other than the Đông Sơn culture in Northern Vietnam was found in Cổ Loa, the ancient
city situated near present-day Hà Nội. According to Chinese sources, Qin's renegade general Zhao Tuo (Triệu Đà) subjugated the
region of Tây Âu Lạc, located in Northern Vietnam, to be part of his Nan Yue (Nam Việt) Empire. According to Vietnamese myths
the first Vietnamese peoples descended from the Dragon Lord Lạc Long Quân and the Immortal Fairy Âu Cơ. The eldest son
became the first in a line of earliest Vietnamese kings, collectively known as the Hùng kings (Hùng Vương or the Hồng Bàng
Dynasty). The Hùng kings called the country, which was then located on the Red River delta in present-day northern Vietnam, Văn
Lang. The people of Văn Lang were referred to as the Lạc Việt. In ancient times, many tribes living south of the Yangtze River
called themselves the Yue (Việt in Vietnamese). Most of these tribes were linguistically related to the northern Chinese; even today,
Cantonese people and their language are still referred to as Yue. Văn Lang was thought to be a matriarchal society, similar to many
other matriarchal societies common in Southeast Asia and in the Pacific islands at the time. Various archaeological sites in northern
Vietnam, such as Đông Sơn have yielded metal weapons and tools from this age. In 111 BC, Chinese troops invaded Nanyue and
established new territories, dividing Vietnam into Giao Chỉ, pinyin: Jiaozhi, now the Red river delta; Cửu Chân now from Thanhhoa
to Hatinh; and Nhật Nam, now from Quangbinh to Hue. While the Chinese were governors and top officials, the original
Vietnamese nobles (Lạc Hầu, Lạc Tướng) still managed some highlands. Early in the 10th century AD, as China became politically
fragmented, successive lords from the Khúc family, followed by Dương Đình Nghệ, ruled Giao Châu autonomously under the Tang
title of Tiết Độ Sứ (Virtuous Lord), yet stopping short of proclaiming themselves kings. In 938, the kingdom of Southern Han sent
troops to conquer autonomous Giao Châu. Ngô Quyền, Dương Đình Nghệ's son-in-law, defeated the Southern Han fleet at the
Battle of Bach Dang River (938). He then proclaimed himself King Ngô and effectively began the age of independence for Vietnam.
When the king Lê Long Đĩnh died in 1009 AD, a Palace Guard Commander named Lý Công Uẩn was nominated by the court to
take over the throne, and founded the Lý dynasty. This event is regarded as the beginning of a golden era in Vietnamese history,
with great following dynasties. The Lý Dynasty had two major wars with Song China, and a few conquests against neighboring
Champa in the south. During the Trần Dynasty, Đại Việt repelled three invasions (in 1257 AD, 1284 AD, and 1288 AD) by the
Mongols under Kublai Khan, who had occupied China and founded the Yuan dynasty. It was also during this period that the Trần
kings waged many wars against the southern kingdom of Champa, continuing the Viets' long history of southern expansion (known
as Nam Tiến) that had begun shortly after gaining independence from China. Hồ Quý Ly forced the last Trần king to resign and
assumed the throne in 1400. The Lê dynasty was overthrown by its general named Mạc Đăng Dung in 1527. He killed the Lê
emperor and proclaimed himself emperor, starting the Mạc Dynasty. After defeating many revolutions for two years, Mạc Đăng
Dung adopted the Trần Dynasty's practice and ceded the throne to his son, Mạc Đăng Doanh, and became Thái Thượng Hoàng.
Meanwhile, Nguyễn Kim, a former official in the Lê court, revolted against the Mạc and helped king Lê Trang Tông restore the Lê
court in the Thanh Hóa area. Thus a civil war began between the Northern Court (Mạc) and the Southern Court (Restored Lê).
Nguyễn Kim's side controlled the southern part of Đại Việt (from Thanhhoa to the south), leaving the north (including Đông Kinh-
Hanoi) under Mạc control. The West's involvement in Vietnam dates back to 166 BC with the arrival of merchants from the Roman
Empire, 1292 with the visit of Marco Polo, and the early 1500s with the arrival of Portuguese and other European traders and
missionaries. Alexandre de Rhodes, a French Jesuit priest, improved on earlier work by Portuguese missionaries and developed the
Vietnamese romanized alphabet Quốc Ngữ in Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanam et Latinum in 1651. Between 1627 and 1775,
two powerful families had partitioned the country: the Nguyễn Lords ruled the South and the Trịnh Lords ruled the North. The Trịnh-
Nguyễn War gave European traders the opportunities to support each side with weapons and technology: The Portuguese assisted
the Nguyễn while the Dutch helped the Trịnh. After Nguyễn Ánh established the Nguyễn Dynasty in 1802, he tolerated Catholicism
and employed some Europeans in his court as advisors. However, he and his successors were conservative Confucians who
resisted Westernization. The next Nguyễn emperors, Ming Mạng, Thiệu Trị, and Tự Đức brutally suppressed Catholicism and
pursued a 'closed door' policy, perceiving the Westerners as a threat. Under the orders of Napoleon III of France, French gunships
under Rigault de Genouilly attacked the port of Đà Nẵng in 1858, causing significant damages, yet failed to gain any foothold. De
Genouilly decided to sail south and captured the poorly defended city of Gia Định (present-day Saigon). From 1859 to 1867,
French troops expanded their control over all 6 provinces on the Mekong delta and formed a French Colony known as Cochin
China. A few years later, French troops landed in northern Vietnam (which they called Tonkin) and captured Hà Nội twice in 1873
and 1882. France assumed control over the whole of Vietnam after the Franco-Chinese War (1884-1885). In the early 20th
century, Vietnamese patriots realized that they could not defeat France without modernization. Also, having been exposed to
Western philosophy, they aimed to establish a republic upon independence, departing from the royalist sentiments of the Cần
Vương movements. In 1940, during World War II, Japan invaded Indochina yet kept the Vichy French colonial administration in
place as a Japanese puppet. In 1941 Hồ Chí Minh, formerly known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, arrived in northern Vietnam to form Việt
Minh Front (short for Việt Nam Độc Lập Đồng Minh Hội). Việt Minh Front was supposed to be an umbrella group for all parties
fighting for Vietnam's independence, yet it was dominated by the Communist Party. Within Vietnam, Việt Minh had a very modest
armed force, which worked with the American OSS to collect intelligence on the Japanese. In August 1945, the Japanese
surrendered to the Allies, creating a power vacuum in Vietnam. The Việt Minh launched the "August Revolution" across the country
to seize government offices. Emperor Bảo Ðại abdicated on August 25, 1945, ending the Nguyễn Dynasty. On September 2, 1945
Hồ Chí Minh declared Vietnam independent under the new name of Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) and held the position
of Chairman (Chủ Tịch). In southern Vietnam, British forces landed in Saigon to disarm the Japanese, followed by French troops
trying to re-establish their rule. In 1947, full scale war broke out between Viet Minh and France. Realizing that colonialism was
coming to an end worldwide, France fashioned a semi-independent State of Vietnam, within the French Union, with Bảo Đại as
Head of State. On May 7 1954, French troops at Điện Biên Phủ, under Christian de Castries, surrendered to Viet Minh. On July
1954, the Geneva Accord was signed between France and Viet-Minh, paving the way for France to leave Vietnam. The Geneva
Conference of 1954 ended France's colonial presence in Vietnam and temporarily partitioned the country into 2 states at the 17th
parallel (pending unification on the basis of internationally supervised free elections). The Republic of Vietnam (RVN) was
proclaimed in Saigon on October 22, 1955. The United States began to provide military and economic aid to the RVN, training
RVN personnel, and sending U.S. advisors to assist in building the infrastructure for the new government. The Geneva Accord had
promised elections to determine the government for a unified Vietnam. However, as only France and Viet Minh (Democratic
Republic of Vietnam) had signed the document, the United States and Ngô Đình Diệm's government refused to abide by the
agreement, fearing that Hồ Chí Minh would win the election due to his war popularity, and would establish Communism in the whole
of Vietnam. Although the Tết Offensive was a catastrophic military defeat for the Việt Cộng, it was a stunning political victory as it
led many Americans to view the war as unwinnable. Duong Van Minh ordered a surrender on April 30 1975, sparing Saigon from
destruction. In 1976, Vietnam was officially unified and renamed Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRVN), with its capital in Hà Nội.
In 1986, the Communist Party of Vietnam changed its economic policy and began reforms of the private sector similar to those in
China. Since the mid-1980s, Vietnam has enjoyed substantial economic growth and some reduction in political repression.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Vietnam
city situated near present-day Hà Nội. According to Chinese sources, Qin's renegade general Zhao Tuo (Triệu Đà) subjugated the
region of Tây Âu Lạc, located in Northern Vietnam, to be part of his Nan Yue (Nam Việt) Empire. According to Vietnamese myths
the first Vietnamese peoples descended from the Dragon Lord Lạc Long Quân and the Immortal Fairy Âu Cơ. The eldest son
became the first in a line of earliest Vietnamese kings, collectively known as the Hùng kings (Hùng Vương or the Hồng Bàng
Dynasty). The Hùng kings called the country, which was then located on the Red River delta in present-day northern Vietnam, Văn
Lang. The people of Văn Lang were referred to as the Lạc Việt. In ancient times, many tribes living south of the Yangtze River
called themselves the Yue (Việt in Vietnamese). Most of these tribes were linguistically related to the northern Chinese; even today,
Cantonese people and their language are still referred to as Yue. Văn Lang was thought to be a matriarchal society, similar to many
other matriarchal societies common in Southeast Asia and in the Pacific islands at the time. Various archaeological sites in northern
Vietnam, such as Đông Sơn have yielded metal weapons and tools from this age. In 111 BC, Chinese troops invaded Nanyue and
established new territories, dividing Vietnam into Giao Chỉ, pinyin: Jiaozhi, now the Red river delta; Cửu Chân now from Thanhhoa
to Hatinh; and Nhật Nam, now from Quangbinh to Hue. While the Chinese were governors and top officials, the original
Vietnamese nobles (Lạc Hầu, Lạc Tướng) still managed some highlands. Early in the 10th century AD, as China became politically
fragmented, successive lords from the Khúc family, followed by Dương Đình Nghệ, ruled Giao Châu autonomously under the Tang
title of Tiết Độ Sứ (Virtuous Lord), yet stopping short of proclaiming themselves kings. In 938, the kingdom of Southern Han sent
troops to conquer autonomous Giao Châu. Ngô Quyền, Dương Đình Nghệ's son-in-law, defeated the Southern Han fleet at the
Battle of Bach Dang River (938). He then proclaimed himself King Ngô and effectively began the age of independence for Vietnam.
When the king Lê Long Đĩnh died in 1009 AD, a Palace Guard Commander named Lý Công Uẩn was nominated by the court to
take over the throne, and founded the Lý dynasty. This event is regarded as the beginning of a golden era in Vietnamese history,
with great following dynasties. The Lý Dynasty had two major wars with Song China, and a few conquests against neighboring
Champa in the south. During the Trần Dynasty, Đại Việt repelled three invasions (in 1257 AD, 1284 AD, and 1288 AD) by the
Mongols under Kublai Khan, who had occupied China and founded the Yuan dynasty. It was also during this period that the Trần
kings waged many wars against the southern kingdom of Champa, continuing the Viets' long history of southern expansion (known
as Nam Tiến) that had begun shortly after gaining independence from China. Hồ Quý Ly forced the last Trần king to resign and
assumed the throne in 1400. The Lê dynasty was overthrown by its general named Mạc Đăng Dung in 1527. He killed the Lê
emperor and proclaimed himself emperor, starting the Mạc Dynasty. After defeating many revolutions for two years, Mạc Đăng
Dung adopted the Trần Dynasty's practice and ceded the throne to his son, Mạc Đăng Doanh, and became Thái Thượng Hoàng.
Meanwhile, Nguyễn Kim, a former official in the Lê court, revolted against the Mạc and helped king Lê Trang Tông restore the Lê
court in the Thanh Hóa area. Thus a civil war began between the Northern Court (Mạc) and the Southern Court (Restored Lê).
Nguyễn Kim's side controlled the southern part of Đại Việt (from Thanhhoa to the south), leaving the north (including Đông Kinh-
Hanoi) under Mạc control. The West's involvement in Vietnam dates back to 166 BC with the arrival of merchants from the Roman
Empire, 1292 with the visit of Marco Polo, and the early 1500s with the arrival of Portuguese and other European traders and
missionaries. Alexandre de Rhodes, a French Jesuit priest, improved on earlier work by Portuguese missionaries and developed the
Vietnamese romanized alphabet Quốc Ngữ in Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanam et Latinum in 1651. Between 1627 and 1775,
two powerful families had partitioned the country: the Nguyễn Lords ruled the South and the Trịnh Lords ruled the North. The Trịnh-
Nguyễn War gave European traders the opportunities to support each side with weapons and technology: The Portuguese assisted
the Nguyễn while the Dutch helped the Trịnh. After Nguyễn Ánh established the Nguyễn Dynasty in 1802, he tolerated Catholicism
and employed some Europeans in his court as advisors. However, he and his successors were conservative Confucians who
resisted Westernization. The next Nguyễn emperors, Ming Mạng, Thiệu Trị, and Tự Đức brutally suppressed Catholicism and
pursued a 'closed door' policy, perceiving the Westerners as a threat. Under the orders of Napoleon III of France, French gunships
under Rigault de Genouilly attacked the port of Đà Nẵng in 1858, causing significant damages, yet failed to gain any foothold. De
Genouilly decided to sail south and captured the poorly defended city of Gia Định (present-day Saigon). From 1859 to 1867,
French troops expanded their control over all 6 provinces on the Mekong delta and formed a French Colony known as Cochin
China. A few years later, French troops landed in northern Vietnam (which they called Tonkin) and captured Hà Nội twice in 1873
and 1882. France assumed control over the whole of Vietnam after the Franco-Chinese War (1884-1885). In the early 20th
century, Vietnamese patriots realized that they could not defeat France without modernization. Also, having been exposed to
Western philosophy, they aimed to establish a republic upon independence, departing from the royalist sentiments of the Cần
Vương movements. In 1940, during World War II, Japan invaded Indochina yet kept the Vichy French colonial administration in
place as a Japanese puppet. In 1941 Hồ Chí Minh, formerly known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, arrived in northern Vietnam to form Việt
Minh Front (short for Việt Nam Độc Lập Đồng Minh Hội). Việt Minh Front was supposed to be an umbrella group for all parties
fighting for Vietnam's independence, yet it was dominated by the Communist Party. Within Vietnam, Việt Minh had a very modest
armed force, which worked with the American OSS to collect intelligence on the Japanese. In August 1945, the Japanese
surrendered to the Allies, creating a power vacuum in Vietnam. The Việt Minh launched the "August Revolution" across the country
to seize government offices. Emperor Bảo Ðại abdicated on August 25, 1945, ending the Nguyễn Dynasty. On September 2, 1945
Hồ Chí Minh declared Vietnam independent under the new name of Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) and held the position
of Chairman (Chủ Tịch). In southern Vietnam, British forces landed in Saigon to disarm the Japanese, followed by French troops
trying to re-establish their rule. In 1947, full scale war broke out between Viet Minh and France. Realizing that colonialism was
coming to an end worldwide, France fashioned a semi-independent State of Vietnam, within the French Union, with Bảo Đại as
Head of State. On May 7 1954, French troops at Điện Biên Phủ, under Christian de Castries, surrendered to Viet Minh. On July
1954, the Geneva Accord was signed between France and Viet-Minh, paving the way for France to leave Vietnam. The Geneva
Conference of 1954 ended France's colonial presence in Vietnam and temporarily partitioned the country into 2 states at the 17th
parallel (pending unification on the basis of internationally supervised free elections). The Republic of Vietnam (RVN) was
proclaimed in Saigon on October 22, 1955. The United States began to provide military and economic aid to the RVN, training
RVN personnel, and sending U.S. advisors to assist in building the infrastructure for the new government. The Geneva Accord had
promised elections to determine the government for a unified Vietnam. However, as only France and Viet Minh (Democratic
Republic of Vietnam) had signed the document, the United States and Ngô Đình Diệm's government refused to abide by the
agreement, fearing that Hồ Chí Minh would win the election due to his war popularity, and would establish Communism in the whole
of Vietnam. Although the Tết Offensive was a catastrophic military defeat for the Việt Cộng, it was a stunning political victory as it
led many Americans to view the war as unwinnable. Duong Van Minh ordered a surrender on April 30 1975, sparing Saigon from
destruction. In 1976, Vietnam was officially unified and renamed Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRVN), with its capital in Hà Nội.
In 1986, the Communist Party of Vietnam changed its economic policy and began reforms of the private sector similar to those in
China. Since the mid-1980s, Vietnam has enjoyed substantial economic growth and some reduction in political repression.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Vietnam
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Vietnam is a densely-populated developing country that in the last 30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of
financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally-planned economy. Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed
their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms
needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive export-driven industries. Vietnam joined the WTO in January
2007 following more than a decade-long negotiation process. WTO membership has provided Vietnam an anchor to the global
market and reinforced the domestic economic reform process. Agriculture's share of economic output has continued to shrink from
about 25% in 2000 to about 21% in 2009. Deep poverty has declined significantly and Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet
the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one million people every year. The global recession has hurt Vietnam's
export-oriented economy with GDP growing less than the 7% per annum average achieved during the last decade. In 2009 exports
fell nearly 10% year-on-year, prompting the government to consider adjustments to tariffs to limit the trade deficit. The government
has used stimulus spending, including a subsidized lending program, to help the economy through the global financial crisis, and
foreign donors have pledged $8 billion in new development assistance for 2010. Domestic investment grew 16% while committed
foreign direct investment fell 70%, a steep reduction after 5 years of growth. Nevertheless, the weaker economy, current account
deficit, and subdued foreign investment environment means Vietnam's managed currency, the dong, faced downward pressure
through 2009, leading the government to devalue it by more than 5% in December.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Vietnam)
financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a centrally-planned economy. Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed
their commitment to economic liberalization and international integration. They have moved to implement the structural reforms
needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive export-driven industries. Vietnam joined the WTO in January
2007 following more than a decade-long negotiation process. WTO membership has provided Vietnam an anchor to the global
market and reinforced the domestic economic reform process. Agriculture's share of economic output has continued to shrink from
about 25% in 2000 to about 21% in 2009. Deep poverty has declined significantly and Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet
the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one million people every year. The global recession has hurt Vietnam's
export-oriented economy with GDP growing less than the 7% per annum average achieved during the last decade. In 2009 exports
fell nearly 10% year-on-year, prompting the government to consider adjustments to tariffs to limit the trade deficit. The government
has used stimulus spending, including a subsidized lending program, to help the economy through the global financial crisis, and
foreign donors have pledged $8 billion in new development assistance for 2010. Domestic investment grew 16% while committed
foreign direct investment fell 70%, a steep reduction after 5 years of growth. Nevertheless, the weaker economy, current account
deficit, and subdued foreign investment environment means Vietnam's managed currency, the dong, faced downward pressure
through 2009, leading the government to devalue it by more than 5% in December.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Vietnam)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The most important powers within the Vietnamese Government – in addition to the Communist Party – are the executive agencies
created by the 1992 constitution: the offices of the president and the prime minister. The Vietnamese President, presently Nguyễn
Minh Triết, functions as head of state but also serves as the nominal commander of the armed forces and chairman of the Council on
National Defense and Security. The Prime Minister of Vietnam, presently Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, heads a cabinet currently composed
of three deputy prime ministers and the heads of twenty-six ministries and commissions, all confirmed by the National Assembly.
They were elected in 2002.
Notwithstanding the 1992 Constitution's reaffirmation of the central role of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, according
to the Constitution, is the highest representative body of the people and the only organization with legislative powers. It has a broad
mandate to oversee all government functions. Once seen as little more than a rubber stamp, the National Assembly has become
more vocal and assertive in exercising its authority over lawmaking, particularly in recent years. However, the National Assembly is
still subject to party direction. About 80% of the deputies in the National Assembly are party members. The assembly meets twice
yearly for seven to ten weeks each time; elections for members are held every five years. There is a separate judicial branch, but it is
relatively weak. Overall, there are few lawyers and trial procedures are rudimentary.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is governed through a highly centralized system dominated by the Communist Party of Vietnam
(CPV) (Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam), which was formerly the Vietnamese Labor Party (1951-1976). The Socialist Republic of
Vietnam exists today as a communist state.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Vietnam
created by the 1992 constitution: the offices of the president and the prime minister. The Vietnamese President, presently Nguyễn
Minh Triết, functions as head of state but also serves as the nominal commander of the armed forces and chairman of the Council on
National Defense and Security. The Prime Minister of Vietnam, presently Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, heads a cabinet currently composed
of three deputy prime ministers and the heads of twenty-six ministries and commissions, all confirmed by the National Assembly.
They were elected in 2002.
Notwithstanding the 1992 Constitution's reaffirmation of the central role of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, according
to the Constitution, is the highest representative body of the people and the only organization with legislative powers. It has a broad
mandate to oversee all government functions. Once seen as little more than a rubber stamp, the National Assembly has become
more vocal and assertive in exercising its authority over lawmaking, particularly in recent years. However, the National Assembly is
still subject to party direction. About 80% of the deputies in the National Assembly are party members. The assembly meets twice
yearly for seven to ten weeks each time; elections for members are held every five years. There is a separate judicial branch, but it is
relatively weak. Overall, there are few lawyers and trial procedures are rudimentary.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is governed through a highly centralized system dominated by the Communist Party of Vietnam
(CPV) (Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam), which was formerly the Vietnamese Labor Party (1951-1976). The Socialist Republic of
Vietnam exists today as a communist state.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Vietnam
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese
squatters and armed encroachments along border; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a
maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; the decade-long
demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by
Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan over the Spratly
Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally
binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly
Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine
seismic activities in the Spratly Islands
squatters and armed encroachments along border; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a
maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; the decade-long
demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by
Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan over the Spratly
Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally
binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly
Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine
seismic activities in the Spratly Islands
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic
opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns
opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Reports: Vietnam
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with a population of approximately 87 million, is an authoritarian state ruled by the Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV). The most recent National Assembly elections, held in 2007, were neither free nor fair, since all candidates were
vetted by the CPV's Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), an umbrella group that monitored the country's mass organizations. Civilian
authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The government's human rights record remained a problem.
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with a population of approximately 87 million, is an authoritarian state ruled by the Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV). The most recent National Assembly elections, held in 2007, were neither free nor fair, since all candidates were
vetted by the CPV's Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), an umbrella group that monitored the country's mass organizations. Civilian
authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
The government's human rights record remained a problem.
- Citizens could not change their government, and political opposition movements were prohibited.
- During the year the government increased its suppression of dissent, arresting several political activists and convicting others
arrested in 2008. - Several editors and reporters from prominent newspapers were fired for reporting on official corruption and outside blogging on
political topics, and bloggers were detained and arrested for criticizing the government. - Police commonly mistreated suspects during arrest or detention.
- Prison conditions were often austere.
- Although professionalism in the police force improved, corruption remained a significant problem, and members of the police
sometimes acted with impunity. - Individuals were arbitrarily detained for political activities and denied the right to fair and expeditious trials.
- The government continued to limit citizens' privacy rights and tightened controls over the press and freedom of speech,
assembly, movement, and association. - The government maintained its prohibition of independent human rights organizations.
- Violence and discrimination against women as well as trafficking in persons continued to be significant problems, despite laws
and government efforts to combat such practice. - Some ethnic minority groups suffered societal discrimination.
- The government limited workers' rights to form and join independent unions.
2 February 2007
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Thirty-seventh session
15 January-2 February 2007
Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Viet Nam
Introduction
2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for the combined fifth and sixth periodic report, which followed the
Committee’s guidelines and has taken into account the Committee’s previous concluding comments. It also expresses its appreciation to
the State party for the written replies to the list of issues and questions raised by the pre-session working group and for the oral
presentation and further clarification in response to the questions posed orally by the Committee.
3. The Committee commends the State party for its high-level delegation headed by the Chairperson of the National Committee for the
Advancement of Women in Viet Nam and which included women and men representing different ministries. The Committee expresses
its appreciation for the constructive dialogue held between the delegation and the members of the Committee.
Positive aspects
4. The Committee commends the State party for the adoption of a number of new laws that aim at eliminating discrimination against
women and promoting gender equality in compliance with the State party’s obligation under the Convention. In particular, the Committee
welcomes the adoption of the Law on Gender Equality of November 2006, which will enter into force on 1 July 2007, the 2003
amendment to the Land Law and the Law on Marriage and Family.
5. The Committee also welcomes the recent adoption of the Law on Signing, Joining and Implementing International Conventions, which
entered into force in January 2006, according to which all reports related to international treaties are to be submitted to the National
Assembly for adoption prior to their submission to the relevant treaty bodies.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
7. While recalling the obligation of the State party to systematically and continuously implement all the provisions of the Convention, the
Committee views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding comments as requiring the State party’s
priority attention between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee calls upon the State party to
focus on those areas in its implementation activities and to report on action taken and results achieved in its next periodic report. It also
calls upon the State party to submit the present concluding comments to all relevant ministries and to Parliament so as to ensure their full
implementation.
8. While welcoming the adoption of the new Law on Gender Equality as an improvement of the legal regime and the implementation of
the Convention as well as other legal and policy measures that have been put in place in different areas in recent years to eliminate
discrimination against women and girls and to promote gender equality, the Committee regrets that the State party did not provide
sufficient information or data on the actual impact of these laws and measures and the extent to which they have resulted in accelerating
the advancement of women and girls and their enjoyment of their human rights in all areas covered by the Convention.
Click here to read more »
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Thirty-seventh session
15 January-2 February 2007
Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Viet Nam
Introduction
2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for the combined fifth and sixth periodic report, which followed the
Committee’s guidelines and has taken into account the Committee’s previous concluding comments. It also expresses its appreciation to
the State party for the written replies to the list of issues and questions raised by the pre-session working group and for the oral
presentation and further clarification in response to the questions posed orally by the Committee.
3. The Committee commends the State party for its high-level delegation headed by the Chairperson of the National Committee for the
Advancement of Women in Viet Nam and which included women and men representing different ministries. The Committee expresses
its appreciation for the constructive dialogue held between the delegation and the members of the Committee.
Positive aspects
4. The Committee commends the State party for the adoption of a number of new laws that aim at eliminating discrimination against
women and promoting gender equality in compliance with the State party’s obligation under the Convention. In particular, the Committee
welcomes the adoption of the Law on Gender Equality of November 2006, which will enter into force on 1 July 2007, the 2003
amendment to the Land Law and the Law on Marriage and Family.
5. The Committee also welcomes the recent adoption of the Law on Signing, Joining and Implementing International Conventions, which
entered into force in January 2006, according to which all reports related to international treaties are to be submitted to the National
Assembly for adoption prior to their submission to the relevant treaty bodies.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
7. While recalling the obligation of the State party to systematically and continuously implement all the provisions of the Convention, the
Committee views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding comments as requiring the State party’s
priority attention between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee calls upon the State party to
focus on those areas in its implementation activities and to report on action taken and results achieved in its next periodic report. It also
calls upon the State party to submit the present concluding comments to all relevant ministries and to Parliament so as to ensure their full
implementation.
8. While welcoming the adoption of the new Law on Gender Equality as an improvement of the legal regime and the implementation of
the Convention as well as other legal and policy measures that have been put in place in different areas in recent years to eliminate
discrimination against women and girls and to promote gender equality, the Committee regrets that the State party did not provide
sufficient information or data on the actual impact of these laws and measures and the extent to which they have resulted in accelerating
the advancement of women and girls and their enjoyment of their human rights in all areas covered by the Convention.
Click here to read more »
Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 7
Civil Liberties Score: 5
Status: Not Free
Trend Arrow
Vietnam received a downward trend arrow due to a serious tightening of space for civil society to comment on and criticize the
government, including arrests of reform advocates and an effective ban on private think tanks.
Overview
The state continued to seize land for development in 2009 despite the global economic downturn, and those who protested such moves
were harshly punished. The authorities also displayed a growing intolerance for political dissent, cracking down on democracy activists
and critical bloggers. In September, a government ban on public criticism of the Communist Party of Vietnam took effect, leading to the
closure of the country’s only independent think tank.
After Vietnam secured entry into the World Trade Organization in January 2007, the government embarked on one of the strongest
crackdowns against peaceful dissent in recent years, arresting nearly 40 dissidents and sentencing more than 20 to long prison terms.
National Assembly elections were held in May of that year, and only 50 of the 500 deputies chosen did not belong to the CPV.
The government’s reduced tolerance for open criticism and prodemocracy activism continued through 2008 and 2009. Among other
prominent dissidents arrested or sentenced during 2009, Le Cong Dinh, a U.S.-trained lawyer who had defended many democracy
supporters, was arrested in June for allegedly distributing antigovernment materials, libeling top political leaders, and colluding with
domestic and foreign reactionaries to sabotage the state. In October, nine prodemocracy activists received prison sentences of up to six
years for “spreading propaganda” against the government by hanging banners advocating multiparty democracy and through blogging
that criticized the CPV. In other actions during the year, the government forced the closure of Vietnam’s only independent think tank,
and the security forces and courts continued to punish residents who objected to state confiscations of land for development.
Vietnam is not an electoral democracy. The CPV, the sole legal political party, controls politics and the government, and its Central
Committee is the top decision-making body. The National Assembly, whose 500 members are elected to five-year terms, generally
follows CPV dictates. The Vietnam Fatherland Front, an arm of the CPV, vets all candidates. The president, elected by the National
Assembly for a five-year term, appoints the prime minister, who is confirmed by the legislature.
Corruption and abuse of office are serious problems. Although senior CPV and government officials have acknowledged growing public
discontent, they have mainly responded with a few high-profile prosecutions of corrupt officials and private individuals rather than
comprehensive reforms. Vietnam was ranked 120 out of 180 countries surveyed in Transparency International’s 2009 Corruption
Perceptions Index.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 7
Civil Liberties Score: 5
Status: Not Free
Trend Arrow
Vietnam received a downward trend arrow due to a serious tightening of space for civil society to comment on and criticize the
government, including arrests of reform advocates and an effective ban on private think tanks.
Overview
The state continued to seize land for development in 2009 despite the global economic downturn, and those who protested such moves
were harshly punished. The authorities also displayed a growing intolerance for political dissent, cracking down on democracy activists
and critical bloggers. In September, a government ban on public criticism of the Communist Party of Vietnam took effect, leading to the
closure of the country’s only independent think tank.
After Vietnam secured entry into the World Trade Organization in January 2007, the government embarked on one of the strongest
crackdowns against peaceful dissent in recent years, arresting nearly 40 dissidents and sentencing more than 20 to long prison terms.
National Assembly elections were held in May of that year, and only 50 of the 500 deputies chosen did not belong to the CPV.
The government’s reduced tolerance for open criticism and prodemocracy activism continued through 2008 and 2009. Among other
prominent dissidents arrested or sentenced during 2009, Le Cong Dinh, a U.S.-trained lawyer who had defended many democracy
supporters, was arrested in June for allegedly distributing antigovernment materials, libeling top political leaders, and colluding with
domestic and foreign reactionaries to sabotage the state. In October, nine prodemocracy activists received prison sentences of up to six
years for “spreading propaganda” against the government by hanging banners advocating multiparty democracy and through blogging
that criticized the CPV. In other actions during the year, the government forced the closure of Vietnam’s only independent think tank,
and the security forces and courts continued to punish residents who objected to state confiscations of land for development.
Vietnam is not an electoral democracy. The CPV, the sole legal political party, controls politics and the government, and its Central
Committee is the top decision-making body. The National Assembly, whose 500 members are elected to five-year terms, generally
follows CPV dictates. The Vietnam Fatherland Front, an arm of the CPV, vets all candidates. The president, elected by the National
Assembly for a five-year term, appoints the prime minister, who is confirmed by the legislature.
Corruption and abuse of office are serious problems. Although senior CPV and government officials have acknowledged growing public
discontent, they have mainly responded with a few high-profile prosecutions of corrupt officials and private individuals rather than
comprehensive reforms. Vietnam was ranked 120 out of 180 countries surveyed in Transparency International’s 2009 Corruption
Perceptions Index.
Click here to read more »
VIET NAM THICH QUANG DO MONK UNDER HOUSE ARREST
F O R A C T I V I S T S A N D I N T E R N A T I O N A L M E M B E R S
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2010 VOLUME 40 ISSUE 004
Thich Quang Do, an 81-year-old Buddhist monk and prominent scholar and writer, has spent much of the past 30 years under house
arrest or in prison for persistently calling for religious freedom, human rights and democracy. He is currently under house arrest at
Thanh Minh Zen monastery in Ho Chi Minh City, where he has been confined since 2003. He has been nominated nine times for the
Nobel Peace Prize. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience.
Thich Quang Do is the head of the Unified Buddhist Church of Viet Nam (UBCV), which the authorities banned in 1975 when they
established a new state-controlled Buddhist Church. Since then, UBCV members have been targets for repression at various times for
trying to continue their peaceful activities, including social welfare projects and criticism of human rights violations by the Vietnamese
authorities.
In 1995, Thich Quang Do was arrested while on a relief mission to help flood victims in the Mekong Delta. He spent three years in
prison and was released following international pressure. In February 2001, he wrote an eight-point plan for peaceful democratic change,
“Appeal for Democracy in Viet Nam”. He was arrested again and sentenced to two years’ administrative detention. In October 2003, he
was arrested while returning to Ho Chi Minh City from a UBCV meeting in another province. Security officials told him that he had been
placed in administrative detention for an indefinite period.
Click here to read more »
F O R A C T I V I S T S A N D I N T E R N A T I O N A L M E M B E R S
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2010 VOLUME 40 ISSUE 004
Thich Quang Do, an 81-year-old Buddhist monk and prominent scholar and writer, has spent much of the past 30 years under house
arrest or in prison for persistently calling for religious freedom, human rights and democracy. He is currently under house arrest at
Thanh Minh Zen monastery in Ho Chi Minh City, where he has been confined since 2003. He has been nominated nine times for the
Nobel Peace Prize. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience.
Thich Quang Do is the head of the Unified Buddhist Church of Viet Nam (UBCV), which the authorities banned in 1975 when they
established a new state-controlled Buddhist Church. Since then, UBCV members have been targets for repression at various times for
trying to continue their peaceful activities, including social welfare projects and criticism of human rights violations by the Vietnamese
authorities.
In 1995, Thich Quang Do was arrested while on a relief mission to help flood victims in the Mekong Delta. He spent three years in
prison and was released following international pressure. In February 2001, he wrote an eight-point plan for peaceful democratic change,
“Appeal for Democracy in Viet Nam”. He was arrested again and sentenced to two years’ administrative detention. In October 2003, he
was arrested while returning to Ho Chi Minh City from a UBCV meeting in another province. Security officials told him that he had been
placed in administrative detention for an indefinite period.
Click here to read more »
Vietnam: Widespread Police Brutality, Deaths in Custody
Fatal Police Beatings Cause Public Protests
September 22, 2010
(New York) - The Vietnamese government should promptly open thorough and transparent investigations into a series of deaths caused
by the use of lethal force by policemen and hold the responsible officers accountable, Human Rights Watch said today.
Human Rights Watch has documented 19 incidents of reported police brutality, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, all reported in the
state-controlled press in Vietnam during the last 12 months. The Vietnamese government should publicly recognize this problem, issue
orders outlawing abusive treatment by police at all levels, and make clear that any police officers found responsible for such practices
will face disciplinary action and, where appropriate, criminal prosecution, Human Rights Watch said.
"Police brutality is being reported at an alarming rate in every region of Vietnam, raising serious concerns that these abuses are both
systemic and widespread," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.
In some cases, detainees died after beatings inflicted while they were in the custody of the police or civil defense forces (dan phong). In
other instances, victims were killed in public areas when police used what appears to have been excessive force. Many of these incidents
provoked public protests throughout Vietnam during the past year.
Deaths of people in police custody or at the hands of police have been reported in provinces in the far north such as Bac Giang and Thai
Nguyen, in major cities such as Hanoi and Da Nang, in Quang Nam along the central coast, in the remote highland province of Gia Lai,
and in the southern provinces of Hau Giang and Binh Phuoc.
In many cases, those killed in detention were being held for minor infractions. For example, on June 30, 2010, Vu Van Hien of Thai
Nguyen died in police custody after being detained following a dispute with his mother. An autopsy revealed that he died due to severe
bleeding in the brain and that he had suffered multiple injuries, including a broken jawbone and broken ribs.
Three weeks later, on July 23, public protests erupted in Bac Giang in response to the death of 21-year-old Nguyen Van Khuong. He died
just hours after being taken into police custody for riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Local media coverage of these events has been uneven, raising continuing concerns about government control of the press in Vietnam.
In some instances, media reports have led to investigations of police brutality cases that had previously been covered up. For example, a
series of articles published by the newspaper Family and Society in February prompted the Justice Department in Hai Duong province to
request further investigation into the suspicious death in custody of Dang Trung Trinh on November 28, 2009, which police had
dismissed previously as a "death due to illness."
Click here to read more »
Fatal Police Beatings Cause Public Protests
September 22, 2010
(New York) - The Vietnamese government should promptly open thorough and transparent investigations into a series of deaths caused
by the use of lethal force by policemen and hold the responsible officers accountable, Human Rights Watch said today.
Human Rights Watch has documented 19 incidents of reported police brutality, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, all reported in the
state-controlled press in Vietnam during the last 12 months. The Vietnamese government should publicly recognize this problem, issue
orders outlawing abusive treatment by police at all levels, and make clear that any police officers found responsible for such practices
will face disciplinary action and, where appropriate, criminal prosecution, Human Rights Watch said.
"Police brutality is being reported at an alarming rate in every region of Vietnam, raising serious concerns that these abuses are both
systemic and widespread," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.
In some cases, detainees died after beatings inflicted while they were in the custody of the police or civil defense forces (dan phong). In
other instances, victims were killed in public areas when police used what appears to have been excessive force. Many of these incidents
provoked public protests throughout Vietnam during the past year.
Deaths of people in police custody or at the hands of police have been reported in provinces in the far north such as Bac Giang and Thai
Nguyen, in major cities such as Hanoi and Da Nang, in Quang Nam along the central coast, in the remote highland province of Gia Lai,
and in the southern provinces of Hau Giang and Binh Phuoc.
In many cases, those killed in detention were being held for minor infractions. For example, on June 30, 2010, Vu Van Hien of Thai
Nguyen died in police custody after being detained following a dispute with his mother. An autopsy revealed that he died due to severe
bleeding in the brain and that he had suffered multiple injuries, including a broken jawbone and broken ribs.
Three weeks later, on July 23, public protests erupted in Bac Giang in response to the death of 21-year-old Nguyen Van Khuong. He died
just hours after being taken into police custody for riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Local media coverage of these events has been uneven, raising continuing concerns about government control of the press in Vietnam.
In some instances, media reports have led to investigations of police brutality cases that had previously been covered up. For example, a
series of articles published by the newspaper Family and Society in February prompted the Justice Department in Hai Duong province to
request further investigation into the suspicious death in custody of Dang Trung Trinh on November 28, 2009, which police had
dismissed previously as a "death due to illness."
Click here to read more »
Statement by H.E. Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, at the General Debate of the sixty-
fifth Session of the United Nations General Assembly
10-11-2010, 10:42 am
Mr. President,
Our session coincides with the sixty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, the world’s largest multilateral organization established with
a noble mandate of coordinating actions of all nations towards peace, prosperity and justice. Over the past 65 years, the international
community and the United Nations have recorded extraordinary achievements in a wide range of areas.
Alongside the birth of the United Nations, a new Viet Nam, the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet
Nam, was founded. This country has since then surmounted uncountable harsh trials throughout its struggle for national independence
and freedom. Having mingled with the mainstream of history of mankind and the United Nations, the Vietnamese people’s struggle for
independence, freedom and development has made remarkable contributions to the common success of mankind in an effort for a world
of peace, justice and development.
For the past over thirty years as a United Nations member, Viet Nam has joined hands with other Member States in working towards the
adoption of many resolutions, decisions and concrete measures aimed at curbing the arms race, promoting comprehensive and full
disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, resolving international conflicts and disputes by peaceful dialogue,
developing social, cultural and economic cooperation, and ensuring human rights.
It is those commitments and determination that have led the multi-faceted cooperation between Viet Nam and the United Nations to
increased improvement and incessant development. In the past, the United Nations rendered valuable and practical assistance to Viet
Nam in finance and expertise for the country’s post-war reconstruction, helping Viet Nam particularly overcome the difficulties arisen
during the period of blockade and embargo.
Today, the United Nations system and its organizations have been active in providing policy advice and technical assistance to help Viet
Nam address development challenges as the country steps up industrialization and modernization for the goal of a strong country, a rich
nation, and an equitable, democratic and advanced society.
In the years ahead, building upon the past success of its foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralization of external
relations, Viet Nam will step up its international integration and make further contribution to the work of the United Nations for the sake
of peace, stability, equal relations among countries and an environment conducive to the development of all nations.
Click here to read more »
fifth Session of the United Nations General Assembly
10-11-2010, 10:42 am
Mr. President,
Our session coincides with the sixty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, the world’s largest multilateral organization established with
a noble mandate of coordinating actions of all nations towards peace, prosperity and justice. Over the past 65 years, the international
community and the United Nations have recorded extraordinary achievements in a wide range of areas.
Alongside the birth of the United Nations, a new Viet Nam, the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet
Nam, was founded. This country has since then surmounted uncountable harsh trials throughout its struggle for national independence
and freedom. Having mingled with the mainstream of history of mankind and the United Nations, the Vietnamese people’s struggle for
independence, freedom and development has made remarkable contributions to the common success of mankind in an effort for a world
of peace, justice and development.
For the past over thirty years as a United Nations member, Viet Nam has joined hands with other Member States in working towards the
adoption of many resolutions, decisions and concrete measures aimed at curbing the arms race, promoting comprehensive and full
disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, resolving international conflicts and disputes by peaceful dialogue,
developing social, cultural and economic cooperation, and ensuring human rights.
It is those commitments and determination that have led the multi-faceted cooperation between Viet Nam and the United Nations to
increased improvement and incessant development. In the past, the United Nations rendered valuable and practical assistance to Viet
Nam in finance and expertise for the country’s post-war reconstruction, helping Viet Nam particularly overcome the difficulties arisen
during the period of blockade and embargo.
Today, the United Nations system and its organizations have been active in providing policy advice and technical assistance to help Viet
Nam address development challenges as the country steps up industrialization and modernization for the goal of a strong country, a rich
nation, and an equitable, democratic and advanced society.
In the years ahead, building upon the past success of its foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralization of external
relations, Viet Nam will step up its international integration and make further contribution to the work of the United Nations for the sake
of peace, stability, equal relations among countries and an environment conducive to the development of all nations.
Click here to read more »
Vietnamese authorities release democracy activist Hong Vo
October 20, 2010
Hong Vo, a social worker and member of Viet Tan from Australia, has been released by the Vietnamese communist authorities after
being detained for ten days. Ms. Vo left Vietnam immediately following her release on October 20, 2010. She is currently on a flight to
Melbourne, where she will arrive at 9:35am on Thursday, October 21.
Viet Tan affirms that:
* The actions of Hong Vo and all other members of Viet Tan at the public demonstration on October 9 in Hanoi were entirely peaceful
and aimed at raising public awareness on a major issue facing the country. Although the Hanoi Foreign Ministry announced that Hong Vo
was arrested for “terrorism,” nobody believed such an outrageous claim and the Vietnamese authorities were compelled to free Hong Vo.
* By releasing Hong Vo, a member of Viet Tan, the Vietnamese communist authorities have themselves invalidated the “terrorism”
accusations that they have fabricated against Viet Tan in recent years. Viet Tan continues to challenge the Hanoi regime to explain why it
considers peaceful expression and promoting democracy to be acts of “terrorism.”
* Many other Vietnamese patriots—including professor Pham Minh Hoang, pastor Duong Kim Khai, Ms. Tran Thi Thuy and Mr.
Nguyen Thanh Tam—have been similarly arrested for engaging in non-violent political activities. The Vietnam authorities must apply a
consistent standard of justice, cease such arbitrary detentions and release all democracy activists.
Viet Tan wishes to express our appreciation to all the organizations, individuals, media outlets and government leaders, especially in
Australia, that have supported the call to Free Hong Vo. We ask everyone to continue to demand that the Hanoi regime release all political
prisoners in Vietnam.
Click here to read more »
October 20, 2010
Hong Vo, a social worker and member of Viet Tan from Australia, has been released by the Vietnamese communist authorities after
being detained for ten days. Ms. Vo left Vietnam immediately following her release on October 20, 2010. She is currently on a flight to
Melbourne, where she will arrive at 9:35am on Thursday, October 21.
Viet Tan affirms that:
* The actions of Hong Vo and all other members of Viet Tan at the public demonstration on October 9 in Hanoi were entirely peaceful
and aimed at raising public awareness on a major issue facing the country. Although the Hanoi Foreign Ministry announced that Hong Vo
was arrested for “terrorism,” nobody believed such an outrageous claim and the Vietnamese authorities were compelled to free Hong Vo.
* By releasing Hong Vo, a member of Viet Tan, the Vietnamese communist authorities have themselves invalidated the “terrorism”
accusations that they have fabricated against Viet Tan in recent years. Viet Tan continues to challenge the Hanoi regime to explain why it
considers peaceful expression and promoting democracy to be acts of “terrorism.”
* Many other Vietnamese patriots—including professor Pham Minh Hoang, pastor Duong Kim Khai, Ms. Tran Thi Thuy and Mr.
Nguyen Thanh Tam—have been similarly arrested for engaging in non-violent political activities. The Vietnam authorities must apply a
consistent standard of justice, cease such arbitrary detentions and release all democracy activists.
Viet Tan wishes to express our appreciation to all the organizations, individuals, media outlets and government leaders, especially in
Australia, that have supported the call to Free Hong Vo. We ask everyone to continue to demand that the Hanoi regime release all political
prisoners in Vietnam.
Click here to read more »
Labor Union Activists in Vietnam Charged with 'disrupting security' today.
DPA
Oct 18, 2010
Hanoi - Vietnamese authorities have brought charges against three labour activists for 'disrupting security,' an official said Monday.
The indictment said the three often contacted and received money from Tran Ngoc Thanh, chairman of the Warsaw-based Committee to
Protect Vietnamese Workers, to print and distribute anti-government leaflets and to foment labour strikes.
It said 'those offenders' crimes are very serious, operated and organized with the intention to destroy the country's security, and need
punishing.'
The accused are Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung, 29, Do Thi Minh Hanh and Doan Huy Chuong, both 25 years old, said Nguyen To Toan,
deputy head of security department No 2 of the prosecutor's office.
In November 2006, Chuong established the United Workers-Farmers Organization of Vietnam (UWFO) to advocate for labour rights. He
was arrested and sentenced to 18 months in prison in December 2007 for
'abusing democratic freedoms,' but was released on May 13, 2008 due to poor health.
His father, Doan Van Dien, 55, a co-founder of UWFO, was also sentenced to four-and-a-half years in December 2007.
Hung and Hanh were accused of distributing anti-government leaflets and soliciting farmers' complaints about government confiscation
of their land.
The three face jail sentences of five to 15 years if convicted.
Authorities in Vietnam have jailed dozens of democracy activists and independent bloggers over the past year.
Click here to read more>>
DPA
Oct 18, 2010
Hanoi - Vietnamese authorities have brought charges against three labour activists for 'disrupting security,' an official said Monday.
The indictment said the three often contacted and received money from Tran Ngoc Thanh, chairman of the Warsaw-based Committee to
Protect Vietnamese Workers, to print and distribute anti-government leaflets and to foment labour strikes.
It said 'those offenders' crimes are very serious, operated and organized with the intention to destroy the country's security, and need
punishing.'
The accused are Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung, 29, Do Thi Minh Hanh and Doan Huy Chuong, both 25 years old, said Nguyen To Toan,
deputy head of security department No 2 of the prosecutor's office.
In November 2006, Chuong established the United Workers-Farmers Organization of Vietnam (UWFO) to advocate for labour rights. He
was arrested and sentenced to 18 months in prison in December 2007 for
'abusing democratic freedoms,' but was released on May 13, 2008 due to poor health.
His father, Doan Van Dien, 55, a co-founder of UWFO, was also sentenced to four-and-a-half years in December 2007.
Hung and Hanh were accused of distributing anti-government leaflets and soliciting farmers' complaints about government confiscation
of their land.
The three face jail sentences of five to 15 years if convicted.
Authorities in Vietnam have jailed dozens of democracy activists and independent bloggers over the past year.
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Nguyen Minh Triet
President since 27 June 2006
President since 27 June 2006
Nguyen Thi Doan
Vice President since 25 July 2007
Vice President since 25 July 2007
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
Nguyen Sinh Hung
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister since 28 June 2006
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister since 28 June 2006
Hoang Trung Hai, Nguyen Thien Nhan, Pham Gia Khiem, Truong Vinh Trong
Deputy Prime Minister since 2 August 2007 and 28 June 2006
Deputy Prime Minister since 2 August 2007 and 28 June 2006