Vietnam reelected to UN Human Rights Council for third term with top Asia-Pacific votes
Vietnam has been re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term with the highest vote in the Asia–Pacific, marking its third tenure and reaffirming its growing global standing.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam has been re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–2028 term with 180 votes, the highest among Asia-Pacific nations, reaffirming its growing global standing.
Vietnam's team at the election at the UN General Assembly's headquarters in New York on October 14. Photo: MOFA
This is Vietnam’s third time serving on the UN’s top human rights body.
The election, held on October 14 (New York time), saw 190 member states voting to choose 14 new council members. Vietnam was the only Asia–Pacific country re-elected, following its successful 2023–2025 term.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), this result reflects international trust in Vietnam's consistent commitment and progress in promoting and protecting human rights, advancing sustainable development, and engaging actively in multilateral mechanisms.
Vietnam’s growing international standing
Speaking after the vote, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang said the outcome confirms Vietnam’s rising reputation and position on the global stage.
“Vietnam’s leading vote count shows broad recognition of its socio-economic achievements, especially in social welfare and living standards,” said Hang.
The country’s re-election, immediately following its current term, shows the international community’s confidence in Vietnam’s balanced, cooperative and dialogue-based approach to human rights amid a complex global context.
The result shows strong coordination between the Party, State, diplomatic missions in New York and Geneva, relevant ministries and the media, a result of unity and determination across the entire political system.
Vietnam previously served two terms on the Human Rights Council, with the first term (2014–2016) with 184 out of 192 votes, one of the highest among Asian candidates at the time.
In the second term (2023–2025), the country gained 145 out of 189 votes, reaffirming the continued confidence of the international community.
Throughout both terms, Vietnam has been recognized as a constructive and responsible member , consistently promoting dialogue, cooperation and balance in addressing human rights issues.
It has introduced well-received initiatives on human rights in the context of climate change, gender equality, protection of vulnerable groups, the right to health and the right to education.
Vietnam’s active participation has strengthened its image as a dynamic, compassionate and responsible partner of the international community, while reinforcing confidence in its independent, self-reliant and multilateral foreign policy guided by the Party and the State.
Ethnic childre play under ancient plum trees in Moc Chau, the northern province of Son La. Photo: Trong Hai, Tuan Huy/QDND
Commitment to “All human rights for all people”
Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang reaffirmed that during the 2026–2028 term, Vietnam will continue to uphold its principle of “Respect and understanding – Dialogue and cooperation – All human rights for all people.”
Vietnam will focus on eight priority areas, including enhancing the Human Rights Council’s effectiveness; ensuring rights amid climate change and digital transformation; promoting gender equality; protecting vulnerable groups; and advancing rights to health, employment, education and human rights education.
The country also plan to launch new initiatives addressing emerging global challenges in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, health and education, aiming to make more substantive contributions to the UNHRC.
Hang said that this achievements, together with Vietnam’s upcoming hosting of the UN Cybercrime Convention signing ceremony later this month, demonstrates the country’s new international standing from a proactive, responsible partner to a nation actively shaping global agendas.
She expressed confidence that, with broad international support and the collective efforts of the entire political system, Vietnam will fulfill its 2026–2028 UNHRC term with distinction, making a meaningful contribution to the Party and State’s foreign policy goals of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
