Summary

Directs U.S. policy to make human rights a central part of relations with Vietnam by monitoring abuses, restricting imports tied to forced labor, supporting internet freedom, and promoting religious liberty. It requires identification and sanctions for Vietnamese officials and others responsible for serious human rights abuses, expands U.S. reporting and monitoring requirements, and adds new topics to annual human rights dialogue reports with Vietnam.

Key Points

• Requires U.S. policy to prioritize human rights, labor rights, internet freedom, and religious freedom in relations with Vietnam.
• Directs identification and use of existing statutory sanctions against Vietnamese officials and others responsible for serious abuses, corruption, or online repression.
• Calls for blocking imports that include inputs made with forced labor from Xinjiang and expanding labor-rights monitoring regarding Vietnam trade.
• Finds Vietnam’s recent laws increased surveillance, censorship, and data localization; directs U.S. steps to promote a free and open internet and protect online users.
• Urges designation of Vietnam as a "country of particular concern" for severe religious freedom violations consistent with expert recommendations.
• Expands annual reporting topics for U.S.–Vietnam human rights dialogue to include property restitution, U.S. expropriation claims, and internet/press protections.
• Requires regular reporting to Congress on sanctions applied, with counts, rationales, and identifications where appropriate.
• Uses existing authorities and administrative tools rather than creating new sanction statutes or direct spending programs.

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