The European Union and Vietnam held their annual Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels on 2 July 2026, the first such meeting since the two sides upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026. The dialogue, co-chaired by EEAS Deputy Managing Director Dominic Porter and Vietnamese Director-General Hoang Thi Thanh Nga, with opening remarks by EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren, covered political and civil rights, economic and social rights, rule of law, and human rights in multilateral forums.
Vietnam shared updates on its national development policies, efforts to protect vulnerable groups, and its February 2026 presentation of the ninth national report on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The EU reiterated the importance of civil and political rights, including freedom of expression, assembly, and religion, and expressed serious concerns about reports of transnational repression affecting individuals in EU territory. The EU raised specific cases of political prisoners and human rights defenders, called for prison visits and the release of those with serious medical conditions, and urged Vietnam to adopt a moratorium on the death penalty.
Both sides discussed legal and judicial reforms, access to justice, and administrative reform. Vietnam informed of an Action Plan to implement recommendations from its 2025 ICCPR review. The EU encouraged Vietnam to extend an open invitation to all UN Special Procedures and enhance engagement with UN mechanisms, given Vietnam's membership in the Human Rights Council. The two sides also reiterated the importance of labour rights commitments under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), with the EU reminding Vietnam of its written commitment to ratify ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association.
The dialogue was described as candid, constructive, and respectful. Both sides agreed to maintain the dialogue as a key channel for mutual understanding and to hold the next meeting in Hanoi in 2027.