Vietnam to free nearly 3,800 prisoners in amnesty

Vietnam to free 3,800 prisoners, excluding political activists, in latest amnesty; includes foreigners from various countries.

Vietnam will free nearly 3,800 prisoners including foreigners in the country's latest amnesty, the government said on Monday (September 30, 2024).

Vietnam has announced nine special amnesties since 2009, freeing more than 92,000 prisoners ahead of their expected release dates but always excluding political activists.

Those convicted for "attempting to overthrow" the communist government or "terrorism" are not eligible for release, according to Monday's official amnesty announcement.

This year, 3,765 detainees will be released including around 20 foreigners from Cambodia, China, Iceland, India, Laos, South Africa and the United States.

They are expected to be released on Tuesday (October 1) in a belated move following Vietnam's September 2 National Day.

The amnesty comes after the early release in mid-September of two high-profile detainees, as the country's top leader To Lam headed to the U.S.

Environmental activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong was serving a three-year jail term for tax evasion offences related to her environmental campaign group CHANGE.