VIETNAM: GOVERNMENT ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS ON THE EXECUTION OF DEATH SENTENCES BY LETHAL INJECTION

June 15, 2026:

The vietnamese government has just issued Decree No. 203/2026 regulating the execution of death sentences by lethal injection.
The decree specifies regulations related to injectable drugs, facilities, equipment, and means used for carrying out the death penalty.
The drugs used for executions consist of three types: a drug to induce unconsciousness, a drug to paralyze the motor system, and a drug to stop the heart. Each dose contains all three drugs and is administered to one person. The drugs used for executions are supplied by the Ministry of Health upon request from the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense.
The procedure for lethal injection in those sentenced to death.
Prepare the necessary conditions before administering the lethal injection.
The execution of the death penalty must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Article 77 of the 2025 Law on Execution of Criminal Sentences; and other relevant legal provisions.
The drugs used for the execution must be inspected, unsealed, and recorded in a report by the Death Penalty Execution Council as prescribed.
The person sentenced to death is secured to the bed in a supine position, ensuring that blood circulation is not obstructed.
Administer the lethal injection.
The officer directly carrying out the death penalty receives three doses of medication from the Death Penalty Execution Council (including two reserve doses).
Identify the vein of the person sentenced to death for the lethal injection. If a vein cannot be identified, report to the Chairman of the Execution Council to request assistance from medical personnelin identifying the vein.
Insert the needle into the identified vein and connect it to the tubing attached to the injection machine according to the procedure:
Step 1: Injecting medication to induce unconsciousness.
After administering the injection, the executioner must check if the condemned person is still conscious. If so, they must continue administering the injection until the person loses consciousness.
Step 2: Inject medication to paralyze the motor system.
Step 3: Inject medication to stop the heart from functioning.
Monitor the heart activity of the condemned prisoner using an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. If, ten minutes after the first dose, the condemned prisoner is not dead, the monitoring officer must report to the Chairman of the Execution Council to order the administration of a second dose.
If, after ten minutes, the condemned person has not died after the second dose, the supervising officer must report to the Chairman of the Execution Council to order the administration of a third dose.
If, after ten minutes, the condemned person has not died after the third dose of the drug has been administered, the Head of the Execution Team must report to the Chairman of the Execution Council to decide on temporarily suspending the execution.
The injection procedures prescribed in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article may be carried out using automated or manual methods.
The lethal injection is complete.
By order of the Chairman of the Council for the Execution of Death Sentences, the forensic doctor conducts an examination to determine the condition of the person sentenced to death and reports the results to the Council for the Execution of Death Sentences.
After the forensic doctor concludes that the person sentenced to death is dead, by order of the Chairman of the Execution Council, the execution officer removes the needle and tubing from the person sentenced to death.
The death penalty execution council shall record, in accordance with regulations, that the person sentenced to death has died.
Regarding benefits and policies, those participating in the death penalty execution team are entitled to a compensation equal to three times the basic salary for each execution and 10 days of rest and recuperation as per the general regulations on rest and recuperation for officers and soldiers of the People's Public Security and People's Army.
Those participating in the death penalty execution council, prison guards, those recording audio and video, taking photographs, interpreting, taking fingerprints of the executed person, embalming, handing over the corpse or ashes, or burying are entitled to a one-time allowance equal to the basic salary for each execution.
Security and order maintenance personnel; representatives of the People's Committee of communes, wards, and special zones (commune-level police); and investigators are entitled to a compensation equal to half of the basic salary when carrying out the death penalty on one person.
The decree will come into force on July 1, 2026.