Thu Jun 26 08:34:06 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Vietnam has reformed its laws, removing the death penalty for eight crimes, including embezzlement and bribery. This change potentially spares the life of Truong My Lan, a real estate tycoon sentenced to death for a massive $12.5 billion fraud case. Anyone sentenced to death for the removed crimes, and not yet executed by July 1, 2025, will have their sentence changed to life in prison, after a final decision by Vietnam’s highest court. The lawyer of Truong My Lan is working to further reduce the sentence by repaying damages. The reforms also impact ongoing trials. Vietnam will still have the death penalty for crimes such as murder and terrorism.

**News Article:**

**Vietnam Abolishes Death Penalty for Eight Crimes, Offering Reprieve to Tycoon in Landmark Fraud Case**

*HANOI, Vietnam -* In a significant legal reform, Vietnam has eliminated the death penalty for eight crimes, a move that could offer a lifeline to real estate mogul Truong My Lan, who was previously sentenced to death in connection with the nation’s largest financial fraud case.

The newly passed legislation removes the death penalty for offenses including embezzlement, bribery, drug trafficking, damaging state infrastructure, and trying to overthrow the government. The changes, which took effect this week, come as a surprise to many observers of Vietnam’s legal system, which has historically favored harsh punishments.

Lan, the chair of Van Thinh Phat real estate company, was sentenced to death earlier this year for her role in a $12.5 billion fraud, equivalent to roughly 3% of Vietnam’s 2022 GDP. However, the reforms now make her eligible to have her sentence reduced to life imprisonment.

“We are still waiting for the official instructions of implementing the law amendment for next steps in her case,” said her lawyer, Phan Minh Hoang, to the Associated Press. He added that efforts to repay the damages would continue, with the aim of further reducing the sentence.

The legal changes will also apply retroactively. According to the new rules, those sentenced to death for crimes that now exclude the death penalty, and have not yet been executed, will have their sentences changed to life in prison, after a final decision by Vietnam’s highest court.

The reforms are expected to have a ripple effect on ongoing trials, including the case of Nguyen Van Hau, chairman of Phuc Son Group, who is accused of paying over $5 million in bribes.

While the reforms mark a significant shift, Vietnam retains the death penalty for ten crimes, including murder, terrorism, and sexual abuse of children. This means that Vietnam continues to have one of the most punitive legal systems globally, with the death penalty continuing for other crimes.

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