Human rights efforts 2025: Transforming for breakthroughs

The world in 2025 witnesses unprecedented profound changes in geopolitics, geo-economics, strategic competition, and the strong shift of economic centers, alongside scientific and technological booms, and challenges such as climate change, energy security, and both traditional and non-traditional security issues, directly affecting security, livelihoods, and the enjoyment of human rights.

In this context, Vietnam remains steadfast and consistent in its development path, maintaining political and social stability, and successfully achieving the goals set for the final year of the 13th National Party Congress, with notable achievements in human rights efforts.

Improving institutions to promote human rights

Amidst a bleak global picture, Vietnam has strived to emerge as a bright spot.

Positive transformations have been driven by strengthening internal capabilities and promoting robust domestic reforms. Notably, there has been a decisive effort to improve institutions, amend and supplement the legal system, streamline the organizational apparatus for efficiency and effectiveness, and promote digital and green transformations, environmental protection, aiming towards modern and transparent national governance.

The Politburo has issued seven key resolutions on institutions, science and technology, innovation, private economy, international integration, energy, education, and healthcare, laying the foundation and motivation for the country's advancement in the new era, focusing on people and for people.

General Secretary To Lam visits and presents gifts to war invalids at Thuan Thanh War Invalids Nursing Center (Ninh Xa Ward, Bac Ninh Province). (Photo: VNA)

In the context of streamlining the apparatus and reorganizing local governments at two levels, the consolidation of the Government's Human Rights Steering Committee and local Human Rights Steering Committees has been conducted urgently and decisively, quickly adapting to practical demands, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in directing and implementing policies to ensure and promote human rights nationwide.

The role of local Human Rights Steering Committees has been elevated with the Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees serving as Heads of the Steering Committees. Additionally, the human rights apparatus has quickly stabilized and operated smoothly after consolidation.

The work of building and perfecting the legal system has also seen breakthroughs, shifting from a "management" mindset to "development facilitation", contributing to building a transparent and honest executive branch.

The year 2025 is a "particularly busy" year in the legislative history of Vietnam, with a record number of laws passed by the National Assembly, promptly addressing "bottlenecks" and "obstacles" in institutions, meeting practical demands, and better serving the people and businesses.

Ensuring social welfare with steady progress

Amidst the strong impact of the global economic situation and U.S. tax policies, we have strived to "turn danger into opportunity" to successfully achieve and exceed 15/15 key socio-economic targets for 2025. GDP growth reached 8.02%, ranking among the highest in the region and globally; the economy's scale ranked 32nd worldwide; per capita GDP exceeded 5,000 USD, placing Vietnam among the upper-middle-income countries.

Social welfare policies continue to be comprehensively implemented. The Human Development Index continues to improve, and the happiness index has risen sharply from 83rd place in 2000 to 46th in 2025. The goal of eliminating temporary housing has been achieved early, with strong development in social housing (334,000 houses, social housing, over 100,000 apartments in 2025), and the multidimensional poverty rate has rapidly decreased to 1.3%.

Numerous policies have been implemented to care for the material and spiritual lives of over 9.2 million people with meritorious services to the revolution.

The "Quang Trung Campaign" swiftly contributed to rebuilding and repairing houses for residents affected by storms and floods in the Central region. (Photo: VGP)

Notably, ministries, departments, and especially the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security have promptly implemented measures to support people during natural disasters and storms; launched the "Quang Trung Campaign" to rebuild and repair houses for residents affected by storms and floods in the Central region. After 45 days of rapid action, a total of 34,759 houses were repaired, and 1,597 new houses were built.

The national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2021-2025 period has basically achieved its goals, with 6 out of 9 target groups meeting or exceeding the plan, with total resources of over 137 trillion VND. The poverty rate among ethnic minorities is about 11%.

Human rights in healthcare, education, and culture have also seen many breakthroughs. The health sector is actively implementing Resolution 72-NQ/TW, aiming for free periodic health check-ups for all citizens from 2026, progressing towards basic hospital fee exemption under health insurance benefits by 2030, ensuring access to basic healthcare services for all, leaving no one behind. Tuition fees are waived and supported for preschool children, students, and learners in the national education system.

Human rights diplomacy enhances national position

Human rights diplomacy continues to be promoted, contributing to spreading Vietnam's image internationally. With the third election, including two consecutive terms (2023-2025 and 2026-2028) to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Vietnam continues to leave its mark as a responsible, proactive, and actively contributing member of the international community.

This is also an important milestone affirming Vietnam's position and reputation in the world's most important "human rights arena", built on substantial progress in the country's human rights. During the 2023-2025 term, Vietnam has actively participated in the work of the UNHRC by promoting initiatives, discussions, and resolutions on climate change with human rights, the rights of vulnerable groups, gender equality, and the right to development...

Along with this is the flexibility and diplomacy in annual human rights dialogues with the U.S., EU, and Australia in a frank and constructive spirit, while proactively countering and refuting inaccurate information about Vietnam's human rights situation, helping to narrow disagreements and promote cooperation.

International friends congratulate Vietnam on re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term. (Photo: Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations)

In 2025, obligations under international human rights conventions to which Vietnam is a member were implemented seriously. Successful dialogues were held with the UN Human Rights Committee on the 4th National Report on the implementation of the ICCPR; dialogue with the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the national report on the implementation of the CRPD; completion of the national report on the implementation of the CAT; and the national report on the implementation of the CEDAW.

Notably, the event of the signing ceremony of the UN Convention on Cybercrime Prevention held in Hanoi is a strategic step affirming Vietnam's constructive role in shaping new standards in responding to global challenges.

Proactive and comprehensive human rights struggle

In 2025, issues of democracy and human rights continue to be exploited by hostile and extremist forces to distort and exert pressure against Vietnam with increasing intensity and frequency. In response, ministries, departments, and localities have proactively and comprehensively implemented measures to combat and decisively handle individuals exploiting democracy and human rights issues to violate the law, contributing to maintaining national security and social order. Measures have been implemented to address concerns and provide solid legal evidence to refute baseless allegations.

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Human rights in cyberspace: Global and Vietnamese practices

Human rights propaganda continues to be a sharp tool to counter false narratives about Vietnam's human rights situation at bilateral, multilateral, and international forums.

Human rights communication has been strengthened with many creative and innovative approaches to spread positive information, promote the image, and highlight strong advances in ensuring and promoting human rights across various information channels: mass media, newspapers, electronic magazines, websites, social media platforms (Facebook, TikTok), international photo exhibitions, etc., in multiple languages, creating widespread impact, forming a "spiritual vaccine" to help overseas Vietnamese and the international community recognize and repel distorted information about Vietnam.

Realizing the goal for human rights

In 2026, the global situation is expected to remain complex, heavily impacted by competition among major powers, humanitarian crises, and non-traditional security challenges. Domestically, many major, breakthrough, and historic policies will continue to be implemented. Activities exploiting democracy and human rights issues to oppose Vietnam will also become more sophisticated and dangerous.

In this context, the Government's Human Rights Steering Committee and local Human Rights Steering Committees need to seriously implement the conclusions of Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn, Head of the Human Rights Steering Committee, at the national conference summarizing human rights work in 2025 and deploying tasks for 2026, focusing on the following key tasks:

First, thoroughly grasp and implement the Party's directives in the 14th National Party Congress Resolution with the motto "Putting people at the center", "striving for the prosperity and happiness of the people".

Second, perfect a modern and synchronized legal institution from a human rights-based approach. Focus on building and amending the legal system in areas such as labor, ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups, ethnicity, beliefs, and religion. Continue to improve institutions to ensure and implement human rights, while enhancing the capacity of human rights staff, especially at the grassroots level.

Third, strengthen the implementation of human rights policies and laws at the grassroots level, promptly addressing the difficulties and obstacles faced by the people. Vigorously apply technology and digital transformation in various areas of social life to enhance the quality of human rights enjoyment. Ensure that all development achievements reach the people, especially in remote, isolated, and ethnic minority areas, in the spirit of "leaving no one behind".

Ensure that all development achievements reach the people, especially in remote, isolated, and ethnic minority areas, in the spirit of "leaving no one behind". (Photo: Quang Ninh Provincial Youth Union)

Fourth, effectively implement human rights diplomacy, emphasizing the role at the UN Human Rights Council. Strengthen cooperation, dialogue, and experience sharing, spreading the image of a humane, proactive, and responsible Vietnam; gradually demonstrating leadership in shaping the rules of the game. Enhance external communication on human rights by leveraging new, creative communication methods on digital platforms, maximizing social media and diverse languages to reach international readers more quickly and widely.

Fifth, intensify direct and proactive struggles. Accordingly, firmly grasp the global and regional situation, especially emerging challenges affecting human rights; activities exploiting human rights issues to oppose Vietnam, promptly deploying solutions to effectively combat and prevent them.

Sixth, focus on summarizing practical experiences, perfecting theoretical systems, clarifying foundational issues such as socialist human rights, and the value of socialist human rights to guide the development of proposals, plans, and solutions for human rights work in the new phase.

In the new momentum of the country, marked by breakthrough and bold decisions approved at the 14th National Party Congress, human rights work requires determined and breakthrough efforts from all levels, sectors, and the entire political system with a spirit of confidence, self-reliance, and resilience to achieve national development goals, where the People are the center, the subject, the goal, the motivation, and the resource of development.

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