Vietnam Human Rights Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would embed human rights at the center of U.S.-Vietnam relations. It would use targeted sanctions, digital-rights rules, and trade measures to press Vietnam on political freedoms and the rule of law.
Show full summary
- Vietnamese officials and others tied to the government could face travel and financial restrictions for arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, severe religious freedom violations, censorship, or major corruption.
- Covered U.S. internet companies would have to report censorship or identity disclosure requests to the State Department when made and publicly disclose the nature of those requests. The bill directs U.S. agencies to promote circumvention tools and protect bloggers and human rights defenders.
- Would push for independent unions and ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 87 and No. 98, bar U.S. imports of Xinjiang-linked inputs made with forced labor, and expand annual reporting on torture, expropriation restitution, girls' education, and internet freedom. The bill notes U.S.-Vietnam trade reached $124 billion in 2023 and cites at least 187 arbitrary detentions in its findings.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Sanctions on Vietnamese rights abusers
If enacted, U.S. officials would identify people tied to serious abuses or corruption in Vietnam and could impose travel bans and asset blocks. The bill points to tools like the Global Magnitsky Act, a State/Foreign Operations visa ban authority, and immigration penalties for severe religious freedom violations. The State Department would report to Congress on who was sanctioned and why.
Press Vietnam to improve worker rights
If enacted, U.S. agencies would report on Vietnam’s progress protecting basic worker rights. They would press Vietnam to allow independent unions and to ratify key ILO conventions. The goal is to help protect American workers from unfair labor practices abroad.
Fight Vietnam online censorship and surveillance
If enacted, the State Department would prioritize sending tools that help people in Vietnam bypass internet blocks on phones and computers. The Secretary of State, with Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative, would brief Congress on a plan to promote a free internet and help U.S. platforms resist censorship demands. U.S. government contractors that follow Vietnamese requests to censor or reveal sensitive personal data would have to tell the State Department right away and publicly disclose what was asked and how they responded.
Block Vietnam goods with Xinjiang inputs
If enacted, imports from Vietnam that include inputs made with forced labor in Xinjiang could be blocked at the U.S. border. Examples include cotton, aluminum, polysilicon, and rayon, with more materials identified by Homeland Security. This could disrupt some supply chains and raise costs for buyers, while advancing anti–forced labor goals.
Urge religious-freedom label for Vietnam
If enacted, Congress would urge the Secretary of State to label Vietnam a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom. This is a recommendation and would not by itself force action.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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