The ministry has promulgated Circular No. 82/2026, which governs inmate visitation, receipt of gifts and communication with relatives. The regulation takes effect on July 1 and introduces several changes aimed at strengthening family connections while supporting rehabilitation and correctional management.

Longer visits for well-behaved inmates

Under the new rules, inmates who demonstrate good conduct may receive extended visitation privileges, including private meetings with their spouses.

Prisoners who have been rated "good" or higher in their sentence compliance assessments during at least one consecutive quarter and continue to maintain positive behavior may be granted extended visits with relatives or private meetings with their spouse for up to three hours.

Those who achieve a "good" rating for at least two consecutive quarters and maintain that standard afterward, or who receive formal commendations, may be allowed private visits with their spouse lasting up to 24 hours.

Inmates who are rewarded with an increase in family visitation privileges may receive one additional family visit per month.

By contrast, prisoners who violate prison regulations and are subject to disciplinary measures will be limited to one family visit every two months, with each visit lasting no more than one hour until they are officially recognized as having improved their behavior.

Prisoners serving disciplinary confinement are not permitted to receive family visits.

Larger gift allowances

The circular also introduces revised rules governing gifts sent to inmates.

Prisoners meeting with relatives, organizational representatives or other individuals may now receive up to 5 kilograms of goods during each visit.

In addition, inmates may receive parcels through postal services twice per month, with each package weighing no more than 3 kilograms. If only one package is sent in a month, its weight may not exceed 6 kilograms.

The revised allowance increases the maximum weight of goods that can be received during visits from 3 kilograms under previous regulations to 5 kilograms.

If an inmate refuses a gift, prison authorities must prepare a written record and return the items to the sender. If the sender declines to reclaim them, the goods may be destroyed or handled in accordance with applicable regulations.

All items must be thoroughly inspected before entering detention facilities. Prohibited items will be dealt with according to legal procedures.

Prisoners rewarded with additional gift privileges may receive one extra delivery of goods weighing up to 5 kilograms.

However, inmates who repeatedly violate regulations, are held in separate detention areas or are serving disciplinary sanctions may have their right to receive gifts restricted for up to three months, depending on the severity of the violation.

Video calls introduced

One of the most significant changes under the new circular is the introduction of video communication between inmates and their relatives.

The regulations permit prisoners to communicate with family members through either traditional telephone calls or video calls that include both audio and visual connections, in accordance with Vietnam's Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments.

Detention facilities will work with telecommunications providers to install fixed-line or wireless telephone systems, allowing inmates to make one domestic phone call per month lasting no more than 10 minutes and involving no more than three registered telephone numbers.

Call charges will be paid by inmates using funds deposited in their prison accounts or other approved sources of support, subject to approval by detention facility authorities.

For video calls, detention facilities will use specialized communication systems managed by the Ministry of National Defence and connected through the internet.

Prisoners must register the contact details of relatives in advance. Before a video call is connected, family members will be required to provide information verifying their identity, relationship to the inmate and the planned duration of communication.

Video calls will be limited to one session per month, with each session lasting no longer than 10 minutes.

Inmates who receive commendations in the form of additional communication privileges may be granted one extra telephone or video call per month, with a maximum duration of 10 minutes.

Mail remains subject to review

The circular also maintains existing provisions allowing inmates to send and receive correspondence through postal services.

Detention facility commanders are responsible for supervising and reviewing incoming and outgoing mail. Correspondence deemed inconsistent with correctional management or rehabilitation objectives may be withheld and documented.

Prisoners who repeatedly violate facility regulations or are subject to disciplinary sanctions may also face temporary restrictions on sending or receiving mail for up to three months, depending on the nature of their violations.

The new regulations form part of Vietnam's broader efforts to modernize prison management while balancing security requirements with policies aimed at supporting rehabilitation and maintaining family connections.

Tran Thuong