Vietnam take further steps to protect LGBTI persons against discrimination

The event, titled "Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity: International and Vietnam's experiences" was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Hanoi.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and spokesperson for the ministry affirmed that, Vietnam has been pushing for legal reforms to provide suitable regulatory framework against all types of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As clearly stated in Vietnam’s candidate’s statement to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Vietnam wishes to strive through cooperation and dialogue for the goal “All human rights for all”, she noted, adding that Vietnam has accepted and carried out a number of recommendations related to combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang also said that, Vietnamese people are becoming increasingly open-minded and have a more balanced view, so this topic has been discussed more widely and diversely in both form and content. Meanwhile, the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community has become more visible in today’s society with more and more people coming out.

At the event, Ms. Caitlin Wiesen,UNDP Resident Representative commended the government of Vietnam for important progress made in the legal development in domestic laws for LGBTI persons.

"Notably, Vietnam supported the recommendation by Chile to develop legislation to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as the recommendation by Malta to take further steps to protect LGBTI persons against violence and discrimination", she said.

She then affirmed that, the United Nations in Viet Nam stands ready to support the Vietnamese government and people with the implementation of the recommendations to the third cycle Universal Periodic Review, and preparation for the next UPR cycles, including efforts to strengthen the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTI persons in both law and practice. 

Speakers at the workshop shared many experiences from their countries regarding anti-discrimination toward sexual orientation and gender identity. The delegates also shared a will to continue to collaborate with Việt Nam on raising the common public awareness of these issues.