Viet Nam and Australia held the 20th Australia-Viet Nam Human Rights Dialogue on 12 August 2025 in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
The Dialogue is an important part of Viet Nam and Australia's bilateral architecture and was co-chaired by Viet Nam's Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Pham Hai Anh and Assistant Secretary of the Human Rights Branch, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr James O'Brien. The Dialogue involved broad representation from both sides, including the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The Dialogue was sincere, frank and constructive, spanning civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in both countries. Discussion covered their respective approaches to human rights, updates on the rule of law and legal reform, the promotion and protection of human rights including economic, social and cultural rights, freedom of expression, association and assembly, and policies to protect the rights of women and children, Indigenous Australians and Vietnamese ethnic minorities, LGBTQI persons and communities, and persons with disability.
Viet Nam shared information on its efforts in completing its legislation, 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 two sides also discussed their respective approaches to the death penalty. Australia welcomed Viet Nam's decision to reduce the number of crimes subject to the death penalty from 18 to 10 and encouraged further progress in this area.
The two sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to the multilateral system, and the importance of our ongoing multilateral cooperation, including in the United Nations human rights fora. They discussed opportunities for technical cooperation to further enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Viet Nam and their willingness to continue exchanges on human rights.
The two sides also discussed their commitment to furthering cooperation to promote and protect human rights, and contribute to the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council as outlined in the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Plan of Action. The Dialogue underlined the important and positive contribution of the media, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders.
The two sides committed to continuing cooperation to foster inclusive societies that embrace and provide equal opportunities and respect for the human rights of all people, without discrimination of any kind.
Viet Nam and Australia look forward to the 21st Human Rights Dialogue, scheduled to occur in Australia in 2026.
