Authorities are checking if any of the 643 foreign prisoners serving sentences in detention facilities across Vietnam can be granted amnesty on the coming National Day occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc announced at a press conference in Hanoi on Friday.

The Presidential Office held the press conference to announce the 2024 amnesty decision by the state president.

Vietnamese State President To Lam signed an amnesty decision to celebrate the 49th National Day (September 2, 1975) and the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Hanoi (October 10, 1954), Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Office Pham Thanh Ha said.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngoc stated that Vietnamese authorities will announce the specific number of foreign prisoners to be pardoned after reviewing their records. 

A total of 643 foreigners are serving jail terms in Vietnam, he noted, adding that 16 of them received amnesty in 2022, and 21 in 2021.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung added that a detailed list of this year's amnesty beneficiaries will be announced on National Day.

Pardoning inmates who have displayed good behavior in prison is an annual tradition in Vietnam, pursuant to Article 3 of the 2018 Law on Pardon.

In particular, the state president of Vietnam will issue decisions to parole prisoners who are serving fixed jail terms or life sentences in celebration of the country’s important events, major holidays, or special cases to meet domestic and diplomatic demands.

Since 2009, Vietnam has conducted nine amnesties during important national events and holidays, benefiting over 92,000 inmates.

This year, prisoners eligible for parole include those serving fixed-term sentences and having completed at least half of their jail terms at the same time. Prisoners who have served at least one-third of their sentences and suffer from illnesses, are regularly sick, are over 70 years old, or are members of families facing difficult circumstances are also entitled to the policy.

However, those convicted of treason, riots, terrorism, or preparing, storing, and spreading information, documents, or items against the government are not eligible for the amnesty.

In response to a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter’s question about whether Chu Ngoc Anh, the former Minister of Science and Technology who was given a three-year jail term in January 2024 for his role in a coronavirus test kit scandal, is eligible for pardon consideration, Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung stated that Anh would be treated on equal terms with other prisoners.

He will be pardoned if he meets the requirements.

Hung added that corruption offenders must fully compensate for the consequences of their violations and return corrupt assets to be considered for amnesty.

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