Exploiting freedom and democracy to undermine the country.

Freedom and democracy have always been core values and ideals that progressive humanity strives for in its development process. In Vietnam, these rights are not only affirmed politically but are also concretely and fully institutionalized through the legal system.

Báo Nhân dân•21/05/2026

Vietnam has always guaranteed the right to education for all. (In the photo: A practical chemistry lesson for students at N'Trang Lơng Ethnic Boarding High School, Dak Lak). (Photo: THU CUC)

Freedom and democracy have always been core values and ideals that progressive humanity strives for in its development process. In Vietnam, these rights are not only affirmed politically but also concretely and fully institutionalized through the legal system. However, there are still manifestations of exploiting freedom and democracy to distort and undermine the Party, the State, and the regime. Therefore, we need to clearly identify the boundary between the exercise of legitimate rights and acts of abuse, and resolutely fight to prevent them in a timely manner, ensuring legal discipline and social stability.

In essence, freedom and democracy are fundamental human rights to actively and equally participate in the management of political, economic , cultural, and social life. However, these rights must always be linked to the duties and responsibilities of each individual, with commitments for the common good and development of the community and society. Currently, most Vietnamese citizens understand and correctly exercise their freedom and democratic rights by participating in the formulation of national development strategies, building policies and laws; monitoring the organization and operation of the political system; detecting, denouncing, and complaining about negative aspects of society; engaging in social criticism; and actively participating in socio-economic development in accordance with their rights and responsibilities as masters of the country. Thanks to this, Vietnam has made remarkable progress, creating important foundations for the country to confidently move into a new era.

However, some individuals and organizations have exploited these rights as tools to serve personal or political purposes, undermining the Party and the State, and acting against national interests. These individuals distort concepts, using the names of "freedom of speech," "democracy," and "human rights," taking advantage of the limited legal awareness of some people who do not clearly distinguish between exercising rights and fulfilling obligations, and the open information environment, especially cyberspace, to spread fabricated and false information, distorting the correct policies and guidelines of the Party and the State; inciting and promoting illegal acts, disrupting public order, and undermining social security; and inciting and spreading discontent, division, and undermining national unity…

The tactics they employ are extremely sophisticated and difficult to detect, such as: mixing true and false information, blending genuine negative reflections with unfounded inferences and accusations; exploiting limitations and shortcomings in social development management, and complex, sensitive issues to exaggerate and distort the nature of the problem, thereby leading public opinion in a negative direction; and using the guise of "social criticism" and "fighting for democracy" to legitimize violations of the law, turning freedom of speech into a tool for attack and distortion.

Given the serious consequences of abusing freedoms and democracy, Vietnam has established a strict legal system and severe penalties. Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code (amended and supplemented in 2017 and 2025) stipulates the "Crime of abusing freedoms and democracy to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals," punishable by non-custodial correctional measures for up to 3 years or imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years for those who abuse freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of belief and religion, freedom of assembly and association, and other democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals; and imprisonment from 2 to 7 years for crimes that negatively affect security, order, and social safety.

In light of strict legal regulations and the timely and public handling of numerous cases involving the abuse of freedom and democracy that resulted in serious consequences, the true nature of actions disguised as "social monitoring," "policy critique," and "promoting freedom, democracy, and human rights" has gradually become clear. Cases like those of Pham Doan Trang, Le Trung Khoa, and Nguyen Van Dai, when brought to trial, reveal a familiar tactic: exploiting freedom and democracy to spread false information, distorting the Party and State's policies, disseminating unverified news to manipulate public opinion, and harming national security and the interests of the people.

In response to strict legal action, hostile and reactionary forces have intensified their subversive activities on the ideological and media fronts. They deliberately distort the nature of the incidents, misrepresenting Vietnam's law enforcement as "repression" and "suppression of freedom and democracy," thereby spreading the narrative that Vietnam does not respect or uphold human rights. This is entirely a baseless fabrication.

International legal practice shows that not only Vietnam but most democratic countries in the world establish legal barriers to address acts that abuse freedom and democracy to harm the community and national security. Regulations concerning defamation and libel (UK, US, and Australian law), incitement to hatred (many European laws), dissemination of false information causing panic (French and German law), or insulting national symbols (US and Indian law) are the clearest evidence of the universal principle: freedom and democracy always come with responsibility and are limited by law.

It must be clearly stated that strictly punishing acts of abusing freedom and democracy is entirely different from ensuring and promoting genuine freedom and democracy. One involves acts that violate the law and harm the common good, requiring appropriate punishment; the other involves the legitimate rights of citizens, exercised on the basis of respect for the truth, adherence to the law, and the principle that rights are accompanied by duties and responsibilities. This clear distinction is the foundation for protecting genuine freedom and democracy, while maintaining discipline, stability, and sustainable development.

From this perspective, the urgent need arises to implement a comprehensive set of solutions that both ensure the genuine exercise of freedom and democracy and effectively prevent the abuse of these rights.

Accordingly, it is necessary to strengthen education and propaganda to help citizens understand their rights and obligations, understand the manifestations, true nature, and consequences of acts that abuse freedom and democracy, thereby using freedom and democracy correctly; continue to improve relevant legal regulations on the exercise of freedom and democracy, while clearly defining prohibited acts and penalties; promote the role of guiding public opinion correctly, refuting false and hostile arguments of the press and media, and strengthen the application of modern technology to effectively prevent and manage harmful and toxic information. Promptly detect and strictly handle, in accordance with the law, acts that abuse freedom and democracy to undermine the Party and the State, and go against the interests of the people.

Dr. Hoang Thu Trang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/loi-dung-tu-do-dan-chu-de-chong-pha-dat-nuoc-post963927.html