Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Vietnam face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. From 2000, both male and female forms of same-sex sexual activity are legal and are believed to never have been criminalized in Vietnamese history.[2] However, same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are ineligible for the legal protections available to heterosexual couples. Vietnam provides limited anti-discrimination protections for transgender people.[3][lower-alpha 1] The right to change gender was officially legalized in Vietnam after the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Civil Code in 2015.[4]
While the majority of Vietnamese historical accounts up to the modern era are concerned with the patriarchal ideas of Confucianism, the presence of homosexual activities in Vietnam has been recorded for a long time. A supplemental text to the 15th-centuryCode of Hồng Đức mentioned the trial of two women who lived in the same house and had sex with one another while the husband of one of the women was away.[8] However, there was no mention of their sexual act during the trial, and they were only charged with adultery. In the Gia Long Code (Hoàng Việt luật lệ) of 1812 introduced by emperor Gia Long, Article 332 stated the prohibition of prostitutions and other illicit sexual activities including extra-marital sex relations, while Article 340 forbade prostitutes and songstresses from civil and military services. However, there was a great discrepancy in legal enforcement in pre-colonial Vietnam due to autocratic state institution that did not assure strong measures and application in reality, henceforth perhaps little to none known action and punishment were taken by the state against homosexuality compared to the West.[9] The Penal Code indicates that the age of consent is 16 years regardless of gender or sexual orientation.[10][11]
In July 2012, the Minister of Justice announced that the Government of Vietnam had started a consultation on whether to legalize same-sex marriage.[12] In June 2013, the Ministry of Justice submitted a bill that would remove the ban on same-sex marriage from the Law on Marriage and Family (Vietnamese: Luật Hôn nhân và Gia đình) and provide some rights to cohabiting same-sex couples.[13] The National Assembly debated it in October 2013.[14]
On 24 September 2013, the Government issued a decree abolishing the fines on same-sex marriages.[15][16] The decree took effect on 11 November 2013.[17][18][19]
In November 2013, the National Assembly approved a new constitution. Article 64 was repealed and replaced by article 36 which reads: "Men and women have the right to marry and divorce. Marriage must adhere to the principles of voluntariness, progressiveness, monogamy, equality and mutual respect between husband and wife".[20][16][21]
On 27 May 2014, the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs removed provisions giving legal status and some rights to cohabiting same-sex couples from the bill submitted by the Ministry of Justice.[22][23] The bill was approved by the National Assembly on 19 June 2014,[24][25] and took effect on 1 January 2015. It states that while Vietnam allows symbolic same-sex weddings, same-sex couples are neither recognized nor protected under the law. It does not allow same-sex partnership either, although the issue has been open for discussion during many house meetings.[26][24] Although Vietnam abolished its ban on same-sex marriage, the law has a very limited effect in practice. If not recognized by the state, such marriages will not be protected by law for matters such as personal and property rights.[27] Jamie Gillen, a National University of Singapore sociology researcher, stated that Vietnam's relaxation of stance contrasts with Vietnam's neighbors such as Singapore. It is estimated that such relaxed policies will attract tourism revenue as Vietnam attempts to promote themselves as a tolerant and friendly society.[28]
Transgender rights
Participants at Viet Pride 2016
In 2017, the Ministry of Health estimated that Vietnam's transgender population was at 270,000-300,000 people. In March 2019, a survey conducted by local transgender associations found there were nearly 500,000 transgender people in the country.[29]
A 2018 study revealed that 67.5% of surveyed transgender people suffered psychological issues and that around 60% had attempted suicide, 23% of were "forced to have sex with others", 16% had suffered sexual violence, and 83% had experienced humiliation.[30][31]
On November 24, 2015, Vietnam passed a landmark law by a vote of 282–84, enshrining rights for transgender people in a move, advocacy groups say, paves the way for sex reassignment surgery.[32] Such operations were previously illegal, forcing people to travel to nearby Thailand for the surgery. The legislation allows those who have undergone sex reassignment to register under their preferred sex.[33] The law went into effect in January 2017.[34] However, for that law to be fully enforced, a further bill needs to be passed, meaning it hasn't come into effect, so the transgender community has no protection from discrimination. This bill covers the requirements for gender change applicants and the requirements for those performing it.[35][36] In November 2018, speaking at a transgender rights event, the Vietnam's Union of Science and Technology Associations and Nguyễn Huy Quang, head of the Department of Legislation at the Ministry of Health, announced that the National Assembly was expected to discuss the bill in 2020.[31][37][38]
On April 10, 2023, lawmaker Nguyễn Anh Trí put forward a proposal to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly to create the new Gender Affirmation Law (formerly known as Gender Identity Law).[39][40][41] He said the law would show that Vietnam values protecting vulnerable communities and “leaving no one behind in its policies”.[41] The proposed law would allow people the right to change gender identity, request a different gender identity to the one assigned at birth, the right to choose a medical intervention method for gender-reaffirming surgery, and also strictly prohibit any form of discrimination and false information against transgender individuals, their families and relatives.[42] In a feedback document the day before presenting the proposal, Trí said the government had outlined its support for the proposed legislation.[40] In May 2023, the bill has been accepted by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.[43][44] On June 2, 2023, the bill has been approved to be included in the legislative agenda of the National Assembly for 2024,[45] and was supposed to be discussed during its session in October 2024 and voted on in the May 2025 session.[43][46] On September 13, 2024, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly announced the removal of the bill from its 8th plenary session, and stated that it would be needing further consultations from the government and the lawmaker Nguyễn Anh Trí himself.[47] The bill is now delayed indefinitely.
According to the provisions of the recent Law on Citizen Identification that comes into effect on July 1, 2024, transgender citizens are allowed to change their ID card when undergoing gender transition, and must present a number of confirmation documents and papers.[46][48][49] However, in order to be legally allowed to do so, the Gender Affirmation Law has to be passed first by the National Assembly.[46]
Military service
In Vietnam, individuals can voluntarily serve within the Armed Forces when 18 years old and above, regardless of sex or sexual orientation.[50]
Conversion therapy ban
In August 2022, it was reported that within Vietnam conversion therapy became legally banned and it was declared that LGBT individuals "are not diseased" and should never be treated as such according to the Health Ministry.[51][52][53]
Public opinion
In 2001, a survey found that 82% of Vietnamese believed homosexuality "is never acceptable".[54]
In 2007, Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogical University conducted a poll of 300 pupils at three junior high and high schools and discovered that 80% of pupils answered "no" when asked, "Is homosexuality bad?"[55]
A March 2014 poll indicated that 33.7% of Vietnamese supported same-sex marriage, whereas 53% were opposed.[56]
An online survey carried out from December 2015 to January 2016 found that 45% of respondents supported the legalization of same-sex marriage, while 25% opposed it and 30% answered "don't know".[57]
Living conditions
Participants at the 2014 Viet Pride parade
In 2000, crime journalist Bui Anh Tan's novel A World Without Women (Một Thế Giới Không Có Đàn Bà) was the first fictional Vietnamese book to deal extensively with gay people. In 2007, the story was turned into a television series.[58]
In 2002, the government-run media declared homosexuality to be a "social evil" comparable to prostitution, gambling and illegal drug use and promised that legislation would be forthcoming to allow the government to combat homosexuality and arrest same-sex couples.[59] Publications such as Thế Giới Phụ Nữ and Tiếp thị & Gia đình spoke of homosexuality as a disease and "deviant behavior that is incompatible with the good morals and time-honored customs of Vietnam."[60] In November 2002, the Communist Youth Newspaper carried a story about homosexuality that stated "some people are born gay, just as some people are born left-handed".[61]
On 29 November 2007, the first foreign same-sex wedding was held in Hanoi between a Japanese and an Irish national. The wedding raised much attention in the gay and lesbian community in Vietnam.[62]
In 2009, Pham Le Quynh Tram became the first transgender woman to be legally recognized by Vietnamese authorities as a woman.[63][64] As such, she was allowed to redefine her sex from male to female and to legally change her name to Pham Le Quynh Tram.[63][64] However, according to a report from the Huffington Post, her official recognition was apparently withdrawn in late January 2013.[65]
In September 2010, Tuoi Tre Online, the internet edition of the Tuoi Tre newspaper, published a letter from an 18-year-old reader describing his hard time dealing with family after they found out he was gay. The letter received hundreds of supportive responses from other readers that led the website to conclude it with an interview with Dr. Huynh Van Son, Dean of Psychology, at the Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogical University. For the first time, a major state media agreed that "homosexuality is normal".[66]
Another ceremonial same-sex wedding between two Vietnamese citizens, Quốc Khánh and Thành Lợi, was held in Haiphong in northern Vietnam in June 2018.[67]
On 5 August 2012, Vietnam's first gay pride parade took place in Hanoi, with participants expressing support for equal marriage rights for LGBT individuals.[68]
In 2013, Vietnamese filmer Dang Khoa, produced a sitcom entitled My Best Gay Friends. The series is published on YouTube as Vietnamese broadcasters were reluctant to air the episodes. Khoa wanted to create the show to debunk the caricature stereotypes of homosexuality.[69]
A 2015 study revealed that around 44% of Vietnamese LGBT students aged 14–22 faced stigma, discrimination and violence because of their identities. Another 2015 study conducted by UNESCO found that 19% of students perceived bullying against LGBT students as "harmless". 70% of Hanoi parents said they would not allow their children to talk to gay students, and some believed that conversion therapy could help "cure" LGBT children.[74] A 2014 USAID report showed that 54% of LGBT students said their school was not safe, with many dropping out. Of those who experienced violence, one third said they thought about committing suicide, with half of those attempting it. 85% of transgender students stated they dropped out because of assault and bullying.[27]
From 18 September 2017 to 24 September 2017, Vietnam's Hanoi Pride took place for a fifth consecutive year. The event hosted thousands of people, compared to only about a hundred at the first pride parade.[76] Irish drag queen Panti Bliss attended the event.[77] The sixth Hanoi Pride took place in November 2018, and saw the participation of more than 1,000 people. The parade uniquely involves supporters and participants peddling on their bikes to campaign for transgender rights and same-sex marriage in the country.[78][79] Over 35 similar events are held each year throughout Vietnam, including in the cities of Haiphong, Thanh Hóa, Da Nang, Qui Nhơn, Nha Trang, Vũng Tàu, Ho Chi Minh City and Cần Thơ. The events were aired by several Vietnamese television channels, namely VTV4, VTV6 and VTV9.[80][81]
HIV/AIDS
In 2006, the Government enacted legislation to protect citizens infected with HIV and people living with AIDS from discrimination, and health care is provided free to all Vietnamese citizens.[82]
Summary table
Same-sex sexual activity legal
(Always legal)
Equal age of consent (16)
(Always equal)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
/ (For transgender people only)
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
Same-sex marriage
Recognition of same-sex couples
Adoption for single people regardless of sexual orientation
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples
Joint adoption by same-sex couples
Gay, lesbian and bisexual people allowed to serve openly in the military
↑ Article 4, Decree 01/VBHN-BYT prohibits discrimination against people who has undergone sex reassignment. Article 35, Decree 176/2013/NĐ-CP establishes monetary fine of 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 Vietnamese dong for those engaging in discriminatory acts against transgender people, while Article 155 of the 2015 Penal Code specified a sentence of probation up to 3 years for repeated violation.
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↑ Meerkerk, Elise van Nederveen; Voss, Lex Heerma van; García, Magaly Rodríguez (2017). Selling Sex in the City: A Global History of Prostitution, 1600s-2000s. Boston: Brill. ISBN9789004346253.
↑ Báo Điện tử Chính phủ về Xây dựng chính sách, pháp luật (2023-12-11). "Dự thảo Luật Chuyển đổi giới tính". xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-07-28.
↑ Báo Điện tử Chính phủ về Xây dựng chính sách, pháp luật (2024-01-30). "Luật Căn cước". xaydungchinhsach.chinhphu.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-07-28.
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