As Vietnam approaches its Communist Party Congress, the country’s political trajectory is once again intertwined with a tightening grip on freedom of expression. A wave of recent arrests highlights the government’s growing intolerance toward criticism. Bloggers, independent journalists, and social media users who voice dissenting opinions are being detained under vaguely defined charges and handed lengthy prison sentences. The use of law as a shield to protect political power paints a troubling picture, suggesting that political stability in Vietnam is increasingly pursued at the expense of fundamental freedoms.
This climate of repression affects not only individual rights but also the broader public sphere. When freedom of expression is framed as a threat to national security, fear and self-censorship quickly take hold. The silencing of journalists through harsh prison terms effectively erases public debate, depriving society of open discussion and accountability. Treating criticism as a danger does not resolve underlying problems; it merely conceals them. Genuine stability, however, can only emerge from a public space where diverse voices are allowed to exist and be heard.
Growing international criticism serves as a significant warning for Vietnam’s leadership. Economic growth, trade agreements, and global integration cannot be meaningfully separated from a country’s human rights record. What is unfolding today concerns not only Vietnamese dissidents, but everyone who seeks a say in the country’s future. The steps taken on the road to the Party Congress send a clear message about the direction Vietnam is heading. The real question is whether this message will remain confined behind closed doors or evolve into an open conversation shared with society at large.
As Rights Defenders, we call on the Vietnamese authorities to uphold freedom of thought and expression, immediately end all repression against peaceful critics, and release detained journalists and activists without delay; respect for human rights is an indispensable foundation for lasting stability.
References
- Human Rights Watch – Vietnam: Arrests Escalate Ahead of Party Congress
(https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/15/vietnam-arrests-escalate-ahead-of-party-congress) - Committee to Protect Journalists – CPJ calls on Vietnam to roll back media repression ahead of Communist Party congress
(https://cpj.org/2026/01/cpj-calls-on-vietnam-to-roll-back-media-repression-ahead-of-communist-party-congress/) - Committee to Protect Journalists – Vietnam country page with alerts & reports
(https://cpj.org/asia/vietnam/) (Committee to Protect Journalists) - Radio Free – CPJ calls on Vietnam to roll back media repression ahead of Communist Party congress (alternate reporting)
(https://www.radiofree.org/2026/01/16/cpj-calls-on-vietnam-to-roll-back-media-repression-ahead-of-communist-party-congress/) - Human Rights Watch – Rights group condemns Vietnam crackdown on dissent, targeting ordinary citizens and activists
(https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/04/rights-group-condemns-vietnam-crackdown-targeting-ordinary-citizens-and-activists/) - The Vietnamese (independent reporting) – Vietnamese authorities crack down on online dissent ahead of Party Congress
(https://www.thevietnamese.org/2026/01/vietnamese-authorities-crack-down-on-online-dissent-ahead-of-party-congress-facebooker-hoang-thi-hong-thai-arrested-under-article-117/)
