Vietnam: a responsible partner of the international community

Vietnam has shared the view that human rights are universal and are aspirations and common values of mankind, along with other important contents in United Nations (UN) declarations and international treaties on human rights.

Vietnam’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023-2025 tenure aims to make a more active, responsible and effective contribution to the joint efforts to promote and protect human rights in the world.

Following a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, multilateralisation, diversification, and active international integration, Vietnam has been actively participating in international cooperation both regionally and internationally, multilaterally and bilaterally, in many fields, including in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Bilaterally, Vietnam has always advocated promoting cooperation and dialogue in order to share information and experiences, enhance mutual understanding, and support capacity building to better ensure human rights in Vietnam and other countries.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam has made practical contributions to strengthen solidarity on human rights in ASEAN, especially in the building the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN Community, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration as well as in the establishment and the operation of ASEAN mechanisms related to human rights.

In 2020, as the rotating ASEAN Chair, Vietnam assumed the position of Chairman of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) with priority given to promoting the rights of vulnerable groups, especially amidst the pandemic.

Together with ASEAN countries, Vietnam established and deployed the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, developed the operation regulations for the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health, and formed the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies.

Thanks to its practical contributions in recent time, Vietnam has received unanimous support from ASEAN as the association's only candidate for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

Vietnam has become a party to 7 out of 9 fundamental UN international conventions on human rights. The implementation of the Conventions has achieved comprehensive results, which are strictly implemented by the legal corridor and synchronous policy system.

Vietnam will continue to actively work with other countries to contribute to the UNHRC, targeting to improve efficiency, transparency, objectivity and balance, in the spirit of dialogue, cooperation, equality and mutual respect.

Vietnam has fully supported and participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process of the Human Rights Council, considering it as an effective mechanism to share information and experience, and enhance understanding between countries, thereby promoting and better ensuring human rights on the principle of equality and transparency.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the framework of the third UPR cycle (2019), Vietnam accepted 241 out of 291 recommendations (roughly 83%) made by UN member countries and actively implemented the master plan to realise these recommendations.

The development and implementation of the master plan was a Vietnamese initiative launched from the second UPR cycle to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of Vietnam's accepted UPR recommendations.

In addition, Vietnam has also actively cooperated with UN human rights mechanisms. Since 2010, Vietnam has welcomed seven special procedures of the UNHRC and is preparing to welcome the special rapporteur on development rights to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time in the near future.

Vietnam appreciates the role and contributions of the UNHRC in promoting the realisation of human rights in the world. Vietnam has always actively and responsibly participated in the UNHRC’s activities, especially during the period when it served as a member of the council for the 2014-2016 tenure.

At the UNHRC, Vietnam upholds and promotes the spirit of cooperation, dialogue, and enhanced understanding to narrow differences, seek effective and sustainable solutions to human rights challenges, on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality and mutual benefit.

Vietnam will continue to actively work with other countries to contribute to the UNHRC, targeting to improve efficiency, transparency, objectivity and balance, in the spirit of dialogue, cooperation, equality and mutual respect.

Based on its past experience, commitment and strong determination, Vietnam firmly believes in its ability to take over the role of a member of UNHRC, actively contributing to the Council’s work.

Vietnam’s outstanding human rights achievements

39 - The number of documents approved by the National Assembly of Vietnam from 2019 to January 2022, including many important legal documents related to human rights and citizenship.

0.706 - Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) in 2020, putting the country in the high human development category.

62 trillion VND and 26 trillion VND - The total amount of relief packages issued by the Vietnamese Government in 2020 and 2021 respectively to support workers and employers facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

73.7 - The average life expectancy of Vietnamese people in 2020.

20% - The minimum expenditure allocated from the State budget spending for education and training according to the Law on Education.

70 million – The number of internet users in Vietnam, 12th highest in the world.

93,425 – The number of associations in Vietnam, including organisations and associations of youth, women, workers, farmers, the elderly, people with disabilities, charity associations, scientific and professional organisations, and NGOs.

816 – The number of press agencies in Vietnam.

43 – The number of organisations of 16 religions recognised by functional state agencies in Vietnam.

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)