Vietnam's Rise vs. LGBTQ+ Rights: A Growing Gap

Vietnam's ascent and the risk of leaving LGBTQ+ behind

During a 2024 VietPride event in Ho Chi Minh City, participants unfurled a rainbow flag, a symbol of diversity. As the country enters its „era of national rise,” with a socioeconomic blueprint to become a democratic, fair, and civilized society, expectations are rising that marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, will receive more attention from the forward-looking government led by President and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. Many argue that legalizing same-sex marriage rests on economic logic, contending that social inclusion supports the national development agenda by engaging LGBTQ+ individuals in family-oriented markets. Yet, the prospect of recognizing same-sex marriage in the near future remains unlikely. To assess the evolution of the LGBTQ+ community in Vietnam and the government's tolerance, Pride events serve as a useful indicator. Since its inception in 2012, VietPride has organized film screenings, workshops, and public rallies, reaching over 30 cities and provinces.

This year, events took place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City between September 26 and October 4, representing the community's most dynamic initiatives. However, compared to festivals in Taiwan or Thailand, Vietnam's events remained largely confined to indoor spaces. A setback was the inability to organize a parade with a giant rainbow flag in central Ho Chi Minh City, the second consecutive year this symbol was absent from public spaces. The lack of parades reduces the group's visibility, as these events are an essential platform for social presence and the fight for equality. The exact cause of the parade's cancellation remains unclear, but its coincidence with the state's tightened control over civil society and a campaign against independent unions and human rights activists is telling. Some analysts attribute the ban to authorities' fear of youth-led protests in Asia.

Legal ambiguity and social stigma

Organizers cited „unprecedented pressure” on those involved, both online and in real life, as the reason for the 2025 parade cancellation. Given the government's long-term tolerance of the LGBTQ+ movement, the absence of the main march raises serious questions about its commitment to equal rights, despite earlier progress.

In 2025, Vietnam symbolically removed the ban on same-sex marriage but did not reach full recognition. Couples can cohabit and hold public wedding ceremonies, yet marriage is not legally recognized by a certificate. Community members and activists were too optimistic in expecting the right to marry to be recognized by law. This pivotal moment, followed by the legal recognition of transgender people, attracted international attention, with Western press naming Vietnam a leader in gay rights in Asia. However, this momentum quickly faded as the government shifted focus to economic priorities like foreign direct investment, economic growth, and public investment laws. Thus, the legal ambiguity of „no ban, but no recognition” has persisted for over a decade, leaving Vietnam behind Taiwan and Thailand in regional LGBTQ+ rights progress.

Worse, this unclear outcome was used as a pretext by a minority of the population to oppose same-sex marriage legalization and weaken the fight for equality. Conservatives argue that since the government no longer forbids couples to marry, they should live like others without „making too much fuss.” These arguments reflect persistent stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite unceasing efforts for social inclusion, legalizing marriage appears to be an issue the government deliberately avoids. For example, a viral online campaign led by the Institute for Social, Economic and Environmental Research (iSEE) encouraged participation in last year's public consultation on constitutional amendments.