This report reviews the legal and social environment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Vietnam. It is a product of the Vietnam National LGBT Community Dialogue held in June 2013. The Dialogue brought together Vietnam’s LGBT communities, alongside associated research and advocacy organizations, to discuss the legal, social, cultural, political and work environments faced by Vietnam’s LGBT communities. The Vietnam National LGBT Community Dialogue comprised two events: the National Conference of the Vietnamese LGBT Community, held in Ho Chi Minh City with about 30 participants, a closed meeting with only LGBT community members; and the National LGBT Community Dialogue, held in Ha Noi with about 40 participants that included CSO representatives, media and multilateral agencies. The Dialogue was organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
 
This country report is the product of a broader initiative entitled ‘Being LGBT in Asia: A Participatory Review and Analysis of the Legal and Social Environment for LGBT Persons and Civil Society.’ Launched on Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012, ‘Being LGBT in Asia’ is a first-of-its-kind Asia-wide learning effort undertaken with Asian grassroots LGBT organizations and community leaders alongside UNDP and USAID. With a focus on eight priority countries – Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – the effort examines LGBT lived experience from a development and rights perspective.