Vietnam Human Rights Act

This proposal would make human rights a top part of U.S. relations with Vietnam. It says the U.S. should link trade and security talks with Vietnam to clear steps on free speech, worker rights, and religious freedom. It notes that while trade has grown, political rights have not, and points to tighter online controls in Vietnam that lead to arrests and censorship .

It would direct the U.S. to use sanctions (like travel and financial bans) against Vietnamese officials and others tied to abuses, corruption, online censorship, or severe violations of religious freedom. It urges blocking goods linked to forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region, even if they come through Vietnam. It encourages naming Vietnam a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom. It also pushes for a freer internet by supporting tools that help people avoid censorship, protecting bloggers and journalists, and requiring U.S. government contractors to publicly report if they comply with Vietnam’s requests to censor content or hand over user data. The State Department would give yearly updates on progress, including stopping torture, returning seized religious properties, handling U.S. citizens’ property claims, and protecting internet freedom .

• Who is affected: Vietnamese government officials; Vietnamese bloggers, journalists, people of faith, and workers; U.S. internet and social media companies; U.S. government contractors; U.S. importers sourcing from Vietnam .
• What changes: Use of U.S. sanctions for abuses; tougher scrutiny of imports linked to forced labor; support for anti-censorship tools and online safety; public reporting by contractors on censorship and data demands; annual human rights reports on key issues .
• When: Ongoing policy direction with annual reporting on U.S.–Vietnam human rights talks and actions.