Record number of inmates expected for Vietnam's national day amnesty

With over 10,000 applications reviewed, this is projected to be Vietnam's largest amnesty to date.

Vietnam is preparing for its largest amnesty ever, timed with its National Day on 2/9. Over 10,000 inmate applications have been reviewed for consideration, according to a meeting held on 25/8 and chaired by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh.

Reflecting on the success of the previous amnesty on 30/4, Binh emphasized the positive national impact. Following the President's forthcoming decision on the 2/9 amnesty, interdisciplinary teams have assessed over 10,000 applications from prisons and detention centers under the Ministry of Public Security, provincial-level Public Security agencies, and prisons managed by the Ministry of National Defense. "Based on the reviewed files, this is expected to be the largest amnesty in terms of numbers to date," Binh, who also chairs the Amnesty Advisory Council, stated.

He stressed the importance of the amnesty in upholding Vietnam's humanitarian traditions and showcasing the Party and State's leniency towards the incarcerated. Binh urged precision while maintaining the humanitarian spirit of the process.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh chairs the meeting. Photo: VGP

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh chairs the meeting. Photo: VGP

Since 2009, the President has granted amnesty 11 times to over 104,000 prisoners. The Ministry of Public Security reports a very low recidivism rate among those pardoned, with most successfully reintegrating into society and leading stable, law-abiding lives.