Bill · H.R. 3122· House(119-HR-3122)
Vietnam Human Rights Act
- Introduced
- 4/30/2025
- Last activity
- 4/30/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Smith
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 4
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Vietnam Human Rights Act aims to protect human rights and the rule of law in the United States' relations with Vietnam. It establishes policies to embed human rights concerns into diplomatic and trade interactions. The bill authorizes sanctions against Vietnamese officials involved in human rights violations, corruption, or religious freedom abuses. It also focuses on combating online censorship and surveillance. Additionally, it encourages the designation of Vietnam as a "country of particular concern" for religious freedom.
Yes· 3 of 15
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+8
Actively promotes the free flow of information and opposes the removal of political speech.
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?+8
Directly combats online censorship and surveillance in Vietnam.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+7
Prioritizes the distribution of censorship circumvention tools and an open internet in Vietnam.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Increases reporting burdens and potential sanctions risks for businesses operating in Vietnam.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Workers: The bill seeks to ensure American workers are not disadvantaged by unfair labor practices in Vietnam and presses for the recognition of independent labor unions (Section 3).
-
Combatting Forced Labor: It bars imports from Vietnam that use forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Section 3).
-
Protection of U.S. Entities: The act aims to protect U.S. nationals and businesses from transnational repression and cyber-espionage conducted by Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security (Section 3).
-
Support for Free Speech: The Secretary of State is authorized to distribute censorship circumvention tools and fund projects to ensure the safety and privacy of human rights defenders, journalists, and bloggers in Vietnam (Section 5).
-
Accountability for Abuses: The bill allows for travel and financial restrictions on foreign persons responsible for torture, arbitrary detention, or significant corruption (Section 4).
-
Property Restitution: The bill requires reporting on the return of properties expropriated from independent religious communities and addressing claims by U.S. citizens whose properties were taken without fair compensation (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reporting Burdens for Businesses: U.S. companies with government contracts that comply with Vietnamese censorship or data requests must now report those requests to the Department of State and make them public (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+8Improves Privacy Rights+6Improves Government Transparency+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+7Improves Data Privacy+6Increases Big Tech Regulation+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+8Improves Religious Freedom+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+6Improves Diplomatic Engagement+5Improves International Trade+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+6Good For Asian Americans+5Good For Young Adults+4Good For Business Owners-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections+5
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
J. CorreaDemocrat · California
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Young KimRepublican · California
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Derek TranDemocrat · California