Ensuring human rights in Vietnam: Consistent practice across all fields
WVR - From emergency responses, humanitarian policies, and timely disaster response to proactive and responsible contributions on the international stage, Vietnam once again affirms that ensuring and promoting human rights is not only a constitutional principle but also a consistent practice across all fields.
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| Ensuring human rights in Vietnam: General Secretary To Lam visits and encourages residents of Quang Dien commune, Hue City, on November 2. (Source: VNA) |
“Social safety net” in disaster response
The year 2025 is drawing to a close with the haunting memory of an intense and unusual storm season. More than 20 storms and tropical depressions, with many irregular developments, have caused severe damage across Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, by the end of November, natural disasters have resulted in 409 deaths and missing persons, with estimated damages of about 97 trillion VND. Over 3,700 houses collapsed, and more than 333,500 houses were damaged. The affected area of rice and crops reached nearly 900,000 hectares; millions of livestock and poultry, along with tens of thousands of aquaculture cages, were swept away.
Behind these numbers lies the threat to the most basic human rights: the right to life, safety, access to clean water, healthcare, education, livelihood, and development. As natural disasters become more extreme due to climate change, the challenge of ensuring human rights becomes even more daunting.
In this context, the Party and State of Vietnam remain steadfast in “putting people at the center” – a consistent viewpoint in the nation-building and development process, ensuring no one is left behind during disasters and crises.
Faced with the complex developments of storms and floods this year, the Party and Government have decisively directed early and remote response, rescue, and recovery efforts. Military, police, and militia forces were immediately deployed to isolated areas; tens of thousands of people were evacuated from dangerous zones. Food, medicine, and clean water were promptly supplied to deeply flooded areas. High-level delegations directly visited the sites, directing recovery efforts and encouraging affected residents.
Simultaneously, the State prioritized resources to restore infrastructure, support production recovery, and stabilize the lives of people in disaster-hit areas. The Prime Minister launched the “Quang Trung Campaign” to swiftly rebuild and repair resettlement houses for all families whose homes were destroyed or swept away.
As of December 8, in the central provinces and cities alone, construction had begun on 971 out of 1,635 collapsed houses, with 479 houses completed; repairs were made to 34,627 out of 39,461 heavily damaged houses, with ongoing repairs on 3,943 houses. The Government also implemented practical economic support mechanisms such as tax reductions, fee deferrals, and land rent postponements for severely affected residents and businesses.
These specific and timely actions affirm that even in the harshest circumstances, Vietnam remains committed to ensuring human rights. The people-centered policy has mobilized the strength of the entire political system, the unity of the people, businesses, and international community support in the post-disaster recovery process.
In the overall policy framework, ensuring human rights in disaster response in Vietnam is not a temporary solution but part of a long-term strategy. The United Nations affirms that human rights are essential for daily survival and development, which is clearly reflected in Vietnam's policies.
Numerous large-scale social welfare programs, sustainable multidimensional poverty reduction, universal education, universal health insurance, and priority policies for vulnerable groups – women, children, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities – have created an effective “social safety net,” helping people quickly recover from disasters and climate risks.
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| As an active member of the UNHRC, Vietnam not only strictly fulfills its international obligations but also contributes to promoting dialogue and cooperation for the common advancement of global human rights. (Source: UNHRC) |
Positive contributions for a just world
In reality, Vietnam's persistent efforts over many decades to ensure and promote human rights across all fields have been duly recognized by the international community. On October 14, Vietnam was re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–2028 term with 180 votes, the highest in the Asia-Pacific Group.
This marks the third term Vietnam has held this role, and the second consecutive term, reflecting the strong trust of UN member states in Vietnam's commitment and efforts to promote and protect human rights.
Vietnam's remarkable progress in socio-economic development, with the material and spiritual lives of its people increasingly improved, stands out. Many legal and administrative reforms have been vigorously implemented, placing people at the center, all for the happiness and better lives of the people. Being elected to the UNHRC three times is not only a victory for Vietnam's foreign policy but also demonstrates its capability and determination to take on active roles in multilateral institutions.
As an active member of the UNHRC, Vietnam not only strictly fulfills its international obligations but also contributes to promoting dialogue and cooperation for the common advancement of global human rights. Vietnam has successfully defended a series of important national reports, including the National Report on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Cycle IV, the National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD); committed to implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Additionally, Vietnam has proposed and drafted many important resolutions, such as the Resolution on the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th Anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action at the 52nd UNHRC Session; chaired the drafting of the Resolution on Climate Change and Human Rights in the Context of a Just Transition at the 56th UNHRC Session; was part of the Core Group drafting the Resolution on Protecting and Empowering Children in the Digital Environment; drafted 11 joint statements with co-sponsorship from many countries...
Continuing participation in the UNHRC provides Vietnam the opportunity to enhance cooperation with member countries, exchange and share experiences in the field of human rights, and continue contributing to the Council's common work to better ensure human rights worldwide.
It can be said that from emergency responses, humanitarian policies, and timely disaster response to proactive and responsible contributions on the international stage, Vietnam once again affirms that ensuring and promoting human rights is not only a constitutional principle but also a consistent practice across all fields: politics, law, economy, culture, society, education, and healthcare...
As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed, nearly 80 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights defined what every person needs to exist and develop. It was a breakthrough in both thought and politics, and since then, it remains the common foundation of the international community. This year, Human Rights Day (December 10) has the theme: “Human Rights: Essential Values Every Day”, reaffirming human rights values and showing that it remains the right choice for all humanity.
In the current volatile and unpredictable period, with the spirit of “Respect and Understanding – Dialogue and Cooperation – All Human Rights for All People”, Vietnam will continue to make positive contributions to the common cause of humanity, for a peaceful, just, and humane world.
