5 - The Right to Freedom of Thought in Vietnam

Summary

Although Vietnam’s current 2013 Constitution does not recognize a specific right to freedom of thought, it does recognize the constituent rights of freedom of thought, including freedom of religion and belief, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly. Since Doi Moi (1986), the implementation of these freedoms has been much improved, but there are still many obstacles and limitations. These include strict control over media, restrictions on political dissent, and limitations on the activities of religious groups. The main reason for these limitations is the Communist Party’s concern that the exercise of these rights will lead to political instability and the changing of the socialist regime in Vietnam today. Vietnam is continuing to integrate more deeply into the world, and this is one of the main driving forces promoting freedom of thought in this country. However, in the short term, there will not be any significant changes because there have been no signs of the Communist Party of Vietnam relaxing civil liberties. Despite this, there is still room for freedom of thought, and it is crucial to advocate for its promotion. The journey towards promoting freedom of thought in Vietnam is undoubtedly a long-term one. It necessitates the active participation and coordination of numerous stakeholders, who must approach the task with patience, persistence, and flexibility.