Why Vietnam is releasing nearly 10,000 prisoners after parliamentary polls

Vietnam announced on Friday that it will release nearly 10,000 prisoners, including dozens of foreign nationals, as part of a large-scale amnesty linked to the country's recent parliamentary elections.

According to AFP, the communist nation will free 9,950 inmates at the beginning of June under an amnesty order signed by Party General Secretary and President To Lam.

Vietnam regularly grants amnesties to mark major political events, national celebrations and significant anniversaries.

Amnesty linked to elections and party congress

Deputy Public Security Minister Le Van Tuyen said the latest amnesty was intended to commemorate the successful conclusion of the Communist Party Congress and elections to the National Assembly.

“The amnesty marks the success of the Communist Party Congress and the elections to the National Assembly,” Tuyen told a press conference on Friday.

More from World

Vietnam held National Assembly elections in March. The legislature is the country's highest law-making body, although it largely endorses decisions made by the ruling Communist Party.

Foreign prisoners among those released

The group of inmates set to be released includes 63 foreign nationals, comprising 56 men and seven women from various countries, officials said. No further details about their identities or nationalities were disclosed.

Under Vietnamese law, prisoners convicted of offences such as attempting to overthrow the government or terrorism are not eligible for amnesty.

Large-scale prisoner releases

Vietnam has frequently used amnesties as part of national commemorations. In 2025, authorities released more than 22,000 prisoners, the highest number freed in a single year, during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and 80 years since the country's declaration of independence.

According to official figures, Vietnam has granted early release to around 118,000 prisoners over the years. The Public Security Ministry previously reported that more than 190,000 inmates were serving prison sentences across the country.