Joint Press Release

The European Union and Viet Nam held their annual Human Rights Dialogue in Hanoi on 21 July, reaffirming their commitment to uphold human rights according to international human rights instruments to which they are parties. They underlined their shared interest in continuing dialogue and cooperation on human rights issues in a constructive and open spirit based on mutual respect and understanding.

Discussions covered four core areas: economic, social and cultural rights; civil and political rights; rule of law and legal reforms; and cooperation in multilateral human rights fora.

The EU and Viet Nam reviewed progress in promoting economic, social and cultural rights, and addressing the impact of climate change on persons in vulnerable situations. The EU welcomed progress and efforts of Viet Nam in strengthening full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, and promoting gender equality. 

The EU took note of recent legislative amendments in the area of labour rights through the Viet Nam Trade Union Law, which entered into effect on 1 July 2025, and welcomed the clarifications and information provided by Viet Nam in this respect. The EU placed particular emphasis on the ratification of ILO Convention No.87 and the decree on worker’s representative organisations and collective bargaining.

As regards the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Viet Nam shared its progress in promoting civil and political rights, including information on the recent dialogue on its fourth national report with the ICCPR Committee on 7 and 8 July 2025. The EU reiterated the importance of promoting and safeguarding civil and political rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of religion or belief. Both sides underlined the important role of the media, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders, including those participating in economic, social and environmental fields, and the need to ensure a conducive environment for their effective participation, including in the context of the PCA and EVFTA. 

Viet Nam shared information on its progress in strengthening the rule of law and efforts in restructuring its administrative system, streamlining the state apparatus to further efficiency, better serving citizens and promoting the enjoyment of rights in a new era of national advancement. The EU and Viet Nam exchanged views on legal and judicial reforms in Viet Nam aimed at strengthening the rule of law, underlining the importance of the independence of the judiciary, access to legal counsel, due process safeguards and fair trial standards, as well as decent prison conditions. While reiterating its firm opposition to the death penalty worldwide, the EU welcomed the recent legislative developments in Viet Nam whereby the number of crimes carrying the death penalty had been lowered from 18 to 10.

Viet Nam updated on the implementation of the Universal Periodic Review. The EU encouraged Viet Nam to extend an open invitation to all Special Procedures as well as further enhance engagement with UN mechanisms, especially as a member of the Human Rights Council. The EU and Viet Nam welcomed further cooperation at UN fora on issues of mutual interest, for example on human rights and climate change.

The Human Rights Dialogue was co-chaired by Pham Hai Anh, Director-General, Department of International Organisations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director, Asia and the Pacific, European External Action Service. 

The next Human Rights Dialogue will be held in 2026 in Brussels.