Vietnam Reforms End Death Penalty for 8 Crimes, Affecting Real Estate Tycoon
Vietnam has lifted the death penalty for eight crimes, including financial fraud, which could spare the life of a prominent real estate tycoon involved in the country's largest financial fraud case.
VietnamLegal ReformsDeath PenaltyReal EstateFinancial FraudReal EstateJun 26, 2025
The legal reforms in Vietnam ended the death penalty for eight crimes, including trying to overthrow the government, damaging state infrastructure, making and selling fake medicine, starting wars, spying, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and taking bribes.
Vietnamese lawmakers passed the reforms on Wednesday, according to state media. Truong My Lan, sentenced to death for her involvement in Vietnam’s largest financial fraud case, will be eligible to have her sentence reduced after the reforms, her lawyer said Thursday.
The 67-year-old chair of the real estate company Van Thinh Phat who was facing execution for her involvement in fraud amounting to $12.5 billion — nearly 3% of the country’s 2022 GDP — will now be “eligible for the exemption for the death penalty” according to the new rules, her lawyer Phan Minh Hoang told The Associated Press.
“We are still waiting for the official instructions of implementing the law amendment for next steps in her case,” Hoang said. The new rules also say that anyone already sentenced to death for these crimes but not yet executed by July 1 will have their sentence changed to life in prison after a final decision by Vietnam’s highest court.
After the legal changes, the maximum punishment for Lan’s crimes will be life imprisonment without parole. Hoang said that they were continuing to work on repaying the damages to get her sentence further reduced.
The law change will likely impact other ongoing trials such as the one that started earlier this week involving the real estate and infrastructure development company Phuc Son Group, whose chairman Nguyen Van Hau is accused of paying over $5 million in bribes to win contracts for major infrastructure projects across three provinces.
Following the change, Vietnam now has the death penalty for 10 crimes like murder, sexual abuse of children, treason, and terrorism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What crimes are no longer eligible for the death penalty in Vietnam?
Vietnam has ended the death penalty for eight crimes, including trying to overthrow the government, damaging state infrastructure, making and selling fake medicine, starting wars, spying, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and taking bribes.
Who is Truong My Lan and what is her case about?
Truong My Lan is the 67-year-old chair of the real estate company Van Thinh Phat. She was sentenced to death for her involvement in a financial fraud case amounting to $12.5 billion, which is nearly 3% of Vietnam’s 2022 GDP.
What will happen to Truong My Lan's sentence after the legal reforms?
Truong My Lan will now be eligible for the exemption of the death penalty according to the new rules. Her sentence could be reduced to life imprisonment without parole.
How will the legal reforms affect ongoing trials?
The legal reforms will likely impact other ongoing trials, such as the one involving the real estate and infrastructure development company Phuc Son Group, whose chairman Nguyen Van Hau is accused of paying over $5 million in bribes to win contracts for major infrastructure projects.
What crimes still carry the death penalty in Vietnam?
Following the legal changes, Vietnam now has the death penalty for 10 crimes, including murder, sexual abuse of children, treason, and terrorism.
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