Vietnam

Vietnam has never criminalized consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults. In 2013, fines on same-sex «marriages» were abolished, allowing symbolic ceremonies without legal recognition. Same-sex couples are not recognized or protected; same-sex marriage remains banned. Legal gender change permitted since January 2017 after reassignment surgery; the proposed Gender Affirmation Law was withdrawn from Parliament in September 2024 and delayed indefinitely. In August 2022, the Health Ministry declared LGBTQI+ people «are not a disease» and banned conversion therapy by medical professionals. Ho Chi Minh City with growing LGBTQI+ scene (Apocalypse Now, Lush); VietPride in multiple cities; Confucian society with rising support among 18-34 (79%); strong generational gap.

Population 102,3M Capital Hanói Language Vietnamese Currency Vietnamese Dong (VND)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Vietnam

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LGBT identity

Legal · never criminalized

Same-sex acts have never been criminalised in Vietnam · equal age of consent

Partnership recognition

No recognition

No legal status for same-sex couples · no registered-partnership option · symbolic ceremonies allowed without legal value since 2013

Legal protection

Only trans in goods/services

Trans-specific anti-discrimination cover is limited (goods and services) · no general SO protection · no comprehensive employment anti-discrimination

Trans rights

Legal change after surgery (2017)

Law in effect since January 2017 allows legal gender change after sex reassignment surgery · proposed Gender Affirmation Law withdrawn from Parliament September 2024 · indefinitely delayed

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Conversion therapies

Banned for professionals (2022)

Health Ministry statement (Aug 2022): being LGBT is not a disease · practice banned for medical professionals

Social context · Vietnam

Social acceptance

Mixed

Mixed · 79% youth supportive

Recent polling shows rising support: 79% among 18-34-year-olds · 57% among those 35 and above · strong generational gap · VietPride in multiple cities

Source →

Anti-LGBT violence

Low

Low · no official tracking

No specific official hate crime tracking · physical violence rare in urban areas · family pressure as primary vector · no specific hate aggravator

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Indicative data as of 2026-05-18. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · Vietnam

Top-booked tours and activities, with instant booking via Viator.

Affiliate links to selected experiences

Recent
LGBT news · Vietnam

Latest changes — new laws, rulings, events relevant to LGBTQI+ travelers.

SEP 01, 2024 · LEGAL

Gender Affirmation Law withdrawn

The Gender Affirmation Law proposal was withdrawn from Parliament in September 2024 and delayed indefinitely, leaving the existing trans framework without reform.

AUG 01, 2022 · SALUD

Health Ministry bans conversion therapy

The Health Ministry declared LGBTQI+ people are not a disease and banned medical professionals from practicing conversion therapy.