Vietnam Ends Death Penalty for Embezzlement | Tycoon Spared
- Image used for representation | Photo Credit: iStockphotos/GettyImages
- HANOI, Vietnam - Starting next month, Vietnam will eliminate the death penalty for eight crimes, including embezzlement adn actions aimed at overthrowing the government.
- The move could spare the life of Truong My Lan, a real estate tycoon convicted last year in a $12 billion fraud case.
Vietnam has abolished the death penalty for embezzlement and seven other offenses, a meaningful shift in the country’s legal landscape.This landmark decision,ratified by the National Assembly and effective next month,could directly impact the fate of real estate tycoon Truong My Lan,convicted in a massive fraud case.The amendment to the Criminal Code replaces capital punishment with life imprisonment for crimes including embezzlement and actions against the government, vandalism, espionage, and drug-related offenses. Truong My Lan’s sentence is now potentially reduced to life in prison.Find this and other global updates at News Directory 3. Stay informed on evolving legal frameworks and their impacts on individuals. Discover what’s next in the story of the tycoon,and the legal changes.
Vietnam Abolishes Death Penalty for embezzlement, Other Offenses
Updated June 25, 2025
Image used for representation | Photo Credit: iStockphotos/GettyImages
HANOI, Vietnam – Starting next month, Vietnam will eliminate the death penalty for eight crimes, including embezzlement adn actions aimed at overthrowing the government. The National Assembly ratified the amendment to the Criminal Code on Wednesday.
The move could spare the life of Truong My Lan, a real estate tycoon convicted last year in a $12 billion fraud case. The National Assembly, Vietnam’s lawmaking body, said in a statement that the amendment to the Criminal Code was unanimously approved.
Other offenses that will no longer carry the death penalty include vandalism of state property, producing counterfeit medicine, jeopardizing peace, initiating aggressive wars, espionage, and drug-related crimes, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
The maximum punishment for these crimes will now be life in prison. Individuals sentenced to death for these offenses before July 1, but not yet executed, will have their sentences reduced to life imprisonment, the report stated.
Ngo Anh Tuan, a lawyer not involved in Lan’s defense, told Reuters that Lan’s sentence would automatically be reduced to life imprisonment due to the Criminal Code amendment.
Ten crimes will still be subject to capital punishment in vietnam, including murder, treason, terrorism, sexual abuse of children, and drug trafficking.
Vietnam considers capital punishment data a state secret, and the number of people on death row is unknown. Lethal injection is the sole method of execution as firing squads were abolished in 2011.