The law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Criminal Code will take effect as of July 1, 2025

On the morning of June 25, 2025, the 15th National Assembly voted to pass the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Criminal Code. With 429 out of 439 deputies participating (accounting for 89.75% of the total number of deputies), the National Assembly officially adopted the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Criminal Code. This Law will take effect as of July 1, 2025.

Some notable contents include:

• Narrowing the scope of the death penalty: Abolishing the death penalty for eight offenses that are no longer practically applied, in line with international trends and humanitarian requirements in criminal policy.

• Adding a new offense of “illegal use of narcotic substances” (Article 256a): This offense only targets individuals who are in the process of undergoing rehabilitation or have just completed drug rehabilitation but continue to use narcotic substances illegally. The aim is to reduce drug use and improve the effectiveness of state management.

• Increasing prison sentences and fines for certain offenses related to the environment, food safety, corruption, and narcotics, in order to enhance deterrence and reflect the current socio-economic conditions.

Source: Portal of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam