{"id":24400,"date":"2023-06-01T06:40:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T11:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abroader.org\/?p=24400"},"modified":"2023-08-11T13:07:20","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T18:07:20","slug":"how-vietnams-lgbtqia-friendly-for-foreigners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abroader.org\/how-vietnams-lgbtqia-friendly-for-foreigners\/","title":{"rendered":"How Vietnam is LGBTQIA+ friendly for Foreigners?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vietnam has experienced notable advancements concerning LGBTQIA+ rights and the level of acceptance within society. While attitudes towards the Vietnam’s LGBTQIA+ community may vary across the country, Vietnam is relatively LGBTQIA+ friendly for foreigners, especially when compared to certain other nations in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LGBTQIA+ are those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (which is represented by the more inclusive LGBT initialism). Moreover, it includes those who identify as queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and individuals whose identities extend beyond the commonly used expressions of sexuality and gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LGBTQIA+ Rights and Protections in Vietnam<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Pride Month marks the start of huge change within the LGBT+ community<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

From Progress to Pride: The Journey of LGBTQIA+ Rights <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, Vietnam has made notable progress toward recognizing the importance of the LGBTQIA+ community. Since 2013, the government took a significant step by removing same-sex unions from the list of prohibited relationships, although it did not establish legal recognition for such relationships. Not to mention, same-sex relationships and sexual acts are legal, and the ban on same-sex marriages was lifted in January 2015. This positive shift is further exemplified by the annual occurrence of Viet Pride marches in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the representation of gay characters in mainstream television and films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognition and Empowerment: Advancing Vietnam’s LGBTQIA+ Rights <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like many country, Vietnam’s LGBTQIA+ community used to face many human rights abuses due to misconceptions and stereotypes, as highlighted in Human Rights Watch’s 2020 report. At the time there was a prevailing belief in Vietnam is that same-sex attraction is a diagnosable mental health condition. This erroneous belief stems from the government failing to effectively communicate that same-sex attraction is a natural variation of human experience.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, changes have been made in 2022 with Vietnam’s Health Ministry aligned its health policy with global standards that same-sex attraction and being transgender are not mental health conditions. The spokesperson of the Ministry also cited that international health organisations have affirmed sexual orientation and gender identity are not illnesses, advocating for non-discriminatory health rights for LGBT individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting LGBTQIA+ Individuals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The movement from the Health Ministry of Vietnam involved a set of instructions that all medical centres across the country must follow. These instructions aim to promote a better understanding of homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender individuals among medical professionals, staff, and patients: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Information Propagation: <\/strong>Medical centres should enhance the dissemination of accurate information regarding homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender people. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Gender Equality and Respect: <\/strong>Health workers must ensure gender equality and treat LGBT patients with respect during medical examinations and treatment. Discrimination and prejudices against these groups should be actively avoided.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Non-Illness Classification:<\/strong> Homosexuality, bisexuality, and being transgender should not be considered as illnesses. It is important to acknowledge and respect the diverse sexual orientations and gender identities of individuals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Non-Interference and Psychological Assistance: <\/strong>Medical practitioners should not interfere with or force treatment upon LGBT patients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Internal Review and Inspection: <\/strong>Medical examination and treatment centres, as well as practitioners, should enhance internal review and inspection efforts. This is to ensure compliance with professional codes in medical services as required by the law.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Homosexuality is not a disorder, calling out self-proclaimed “treatments, cures”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As the country adopted the Global LGBT Health Standard and distributed relevant documents to address reports of compulsory medical examinations and treatments targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The ministry emphasized that homosexuality is not a medical condition and, therefore, cannot be treated or cured. They referenced the findings of the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization (WHO) to support this statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    LGBT Community: A Diverse and Integral Part of Society<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The health ministry also acknowledges that the Vietnam’s LGBTQIA+ community is a diverse and integral part of society. Homosexuality, like heterosexuality, is a natural variation of human sexuality. It is essential to recognize and respect the rights, dignity, and healthcare needs of individuals from the LGBT community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n