History of the LGBTI+ Movement in Vietnam

Photos of the LGBTI+ community in Vietnam and illustrative details

The journey towards pride and equality for LGBTI+ people in Vietnam is a path from darkness into light, from individual people to a connected community.

before 2000
Collage illustration: a computer screen showing a rainbow flag and colourful artistic portraits

Stigma and prejudice

2000–2011
Group of young friends taking a group photo in a room, beside a crowd holding flags at an event

Stepping into the light

2007–2008
Members posing for a group photo in front of a building with a Swedish flag above

The emergence of pioneering organisations for LGBTI+ people

2012–2017
Members working together at a whiteboard, one person using a laptop

Towards pride: from personal identity to equality under the law

2012
Young people holding rainbow and transgender pride flags at a public event

VietPride: pride event for gay and lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gender-diverse people in Vietnam

2013
People holding 'I Agree' signs at a campaign event, and a person hugging another in the crowd

"I Agree" and the journey towards equality for the LGBTI+ community in Vietnam

2015
Outdoor crowd holding rainbow and transgender flags, beside a board showing statistics

Law on gender transition passed

2022
Many participants holding 'I Agree' signs at a relaunch of the campaign

Relaunch of the I Agree campaign

2022
Delegates in traditional dress from many countries at a conference

ILGA Vietnam Conference

2025
Crowd of participants in front of the Pride 2025 stage, with a rainbow banner above

Shrinking space for LGBTI+ people, and determination to keep the spirit of Pride

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