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11 Apr 2023

Vietnam to introduce landmark new bill making it easier for trans people to change gender

文字Gareth Johnson

A big step forward for the LGBTQ community.

Plans are underway for a new gender identity law to be included in Vietnam's parliamentary agenda for the year ahead.

Currently in Vietnam, there is no legal framework regulating gender identity. The proposed law would enable people to change gender identity, request a different gender identity to the one assigned at birth, and to choose a medical intervention for gender-reaffirming surgery. 

The government of Vietnam reportedly supports the proposed law.

What's life like for LGBTQ people in Vietnam?

What's life like for LGBTQ people in Vietnam? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is it legal to be gay?
Same-sex sexual activity has never been addressed in Vietnam’s criminal code.
Is there anti-discrimination legislation in place?
There was an important step forward in 2006 when the government enacted legislation that gave anti-discrimination protection to people living HIV or AIDS.
Is there marriage equality?
There has been some progress on this front in recent years. The country’s constitution used to define marriage as being between a man and a woman, however in 2013 that provision was repealed. In 2015, legislation came into effect that same-sex marriages could be performed, however no legal recognition or protection would follow. These appear to be important stepping stones to full legal recognition of same-sex relationships and marriage equality.
What’s it like for LGBTQ people who live there?
Same-sex relations are generally considered taboo within Vietnamese society, awareness and acceptance has been improving in recent years.
Vietnam’s first gay pride event was held in Hanoi in 2012.Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have gay scenes, but gay venues still keep a low profile.Most gay Vietnamese have to hide their sexuality from their families and friends and a lot of stigma remains.
What’s it like for LGBTQ people who visit?
A relatively easy place to visit for gay travellers.
You shouldn’t have any dramas checking into hotels as a same-sex couple.
Be cautious about public displays of affection — culturally it’s not something that Vietnamese people do (gay or straight).

What's life like for LGBTQ people in Vietnam? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.

Is it legal to be gay?

Same-sex sexual activity has never been addressed in Vietnam’s criminal code.

Is there anti-discrimination legislation in place?

There was an important step forward in 2006 when the government enacted legislation that gave anti-discrimination protection to people living HIV or AIDS.

Is there marriage equality?

There has been some progress on this front in recent years. The country’s constitution used to define marriage as being between a man and a woman, however in 2013 that provision was repealed. In 2015, legislation came into effect that same-sex marriages could be performed, however no legal recognition or protection would follow. These appear to be important stepping stones to full legal recognition of same-sex relationships and marriage equality.

What’s it like for LGBTQ people who live there?

Same-sex relations are generally considered taboo within Vietnamese society, awareness and acceptance has been improving in recent years.

Vietnam’s first gay pride event was held in Hanoi in 2012.Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have gay scenes, but gay venues still keep a low profile.Most gay Vietnamese have to conceal their sexuality from their families and friends and a lot of stigma remains.

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