A foreign ministry spokesman said on February 1 that prisons nationwide have requested the State President to reduce jail terms for around 17,000 inmates, including 37 foreigners, on the occasion of the traditional New Year festival (Tet).

At a regular press briefing in Hanoi, spokesman Le Dung said that based on proposals and recommendations submitted by prisons, relevant authorities will consider and decide on the reduction of prison terms for the inmates in question.

"The granting of amnesty to term-serving prisoners is a demonstration of the Vietnamese State's humanitarian policy," Mr Dung stated.