Image from the Vietnam Rise group activity. Used with permission
Restrictions on civil status in Vietnam have made it difficult for human rights groups and activists to work without being targeted by the authorities. Despite the risks, several initiatives and campaigns aim to get more people to exercise their rights and promote positive change in their communities. Among those actively advocating reform are members of the Vietnamese diaspora, concerned about their homeland and eager to explore their heritage.
Vietnam Rise, whose three founders are members of the diaspora, has published research, promoted grant programs, and collaborated with networks based in Southeast Asia to highlight the deteriorating state of Vietnam’s civic space and promote innovative approaches to supporting and assisting grassroots activists. citizens in opposing harsh policies.
Global Voices interviewed Vietnam Rise about its mission, the challenges it faces in its work and the role of regional cooperation in restoring civic space.
Global Voices (GV): What is the goal of Vietnam’s rise? How are you going to accomplish your mission?
Vietnam Rise (VR): The core goal of Vietnam Rise is to strengthen grassroots activists and civil society in Vietnam. We try to fulfill this task primarily every six months by participating in incubator and grant programs. The grant program selects Vietnamese activists and trains them for leadership. The incubator program provides seed grants and project management support to grassroots activist groups. Fellows and incubator groups work in a variety of areas, such as workers’ rights, access to education, and LGBT issues. We organize personal training and study tours for activists to meet and share best practices with like-minded business people in Southeast Asia. These programs aim to initiate self-sufficient and empowered communities in Vietnam.
GV: What challenges do you face in your work and how do you overcome them?
VR: The challenges we face in Vietnam are the spread of misinformation by the state media about the purpose of Vietnam Rise and the risk of political punishment. Vietnam is a one-party state with a abolished legal space for civil society. This movement is marked by charges of tax evasion, anti-state propaganda and “abuse of democratic freedoms” against activists. Organizations that are unlisted and encourage people to be suspicious of authority are labeled reactionary or, in extreme cases, terrorists. Punishment for political dissent is severe, forcing many grassroots activists into discreet and underground channels or into silence altogether.
In the international community, another challenge is the relative obscurity of the authoritarian state of Vietnam compared to places like China and North Korea. Undoubtedly, one reason for outsiders’ ignorance of Vietnam’s politically closed society is its image of successful economic growth and a sought-after tourist destination. The lack of reliable and easily accessible information written in English about Vietnamese activism also makes it difficult to inform non-Vietnamese-speaking audiences about Vietnamese civil society.
GV: How important is regional cooperation and solidarity in protecting and restoring civil space in Vietnam?
VR: Due to the scarcity of financial resources, regional cooperation and solidarity among already marginalized Southeast Asian activists has become more important than ever. One way to reclaim civic space is to pool each other’s skills, knowledge, and deep regional knowledge to solve problems. Following the example of our organization, Vietnam Rise is part of the Terali Project, an advisory service for human rights defenders in East and Southeast Asia to address cybersecurity issues. Participating helpdesk providers include TibCert (Tibet), Vietnam Rise (Vietnam) and Security Matters (Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Malaysia). Our services aim to serve our specific communities and produce a shared database of common information threats and issues that enrich our understanding of digital rights threats in Southeast Asia.
Image from the Vietnam Rise group activity. Used with permission
Vietnam Rise has participated in regional dialogues such as the 2025 Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly (DRAPAC) to promote its work and learn from the experiences of other activists. Its program manager shared this about his involvement in DRAPAC.
Even in the midst of geopolitical challenges, we cannot assume that resources are as scarce as they seem. It is clear that there are many motivated young activists who continue to participate in DRAPAC and share experiences with each other. Through strategic reallocation of resources and collaboration, we are able to adapt to and thrive in hostile environments. This measured optimism and commitment to mutually beneficial connections drives NGOs forward.
Vietnam Rise will hold a Social Movement Festival in November, which is expected to bring together and celebrate communities, groups and activists leading Vietnamese movements and youth initiatives. It also includes an offline Regional NGO Roundtable that brings together the perspectives of regional youth activists on the effective participation of marginalized communities in Southeast Asia.