Hanoi University of Science and Technology

FL3080 Research Methodology

Literature Review

Topic: The shifting attitude toward LGBT

Group No.: _05_
of the Vietnamese.

Date of Submission: May 15th 2024

Group members and ID (alphabet order) In charge of Part number (write the part that
each member has written)
1. Vi Ngọc Ánh (20214351) Introduction

I, Overview of LGBT in Vietnam

1, LGBT community and population

of LGBT people in Vietnam
1.1 LGBT community in Vietnam
1.2 Population of LGBT people in Vietnam

II, Community attitudes towards LGBT cult

ure
1,Changes in social awareness about LGBT
people

2. 3
3. Lê Xuân Quỳnh (20214453) II. Community attitudes towards LGBT cult
ure

2. Differences in attitudes towards the LGBT

community between Vietnamese generations

2.1 Positive attitude

2.1.1 Increasing acceptance

2.1.2 Growing support and activism

 2.2 Negative attitude

2.2.1 Persistent Discrimination

2.2.2 Knowledge Gaps and Prejudice

2.3 Different attitudes toward the LGBT co

mmunity
4. 4

Table of contents
 ABBREVIATION

iSSE Institute for Social, Economic and Environmental Re

search
LGBTQ+ Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or question
ing (LGBTQ)
LGBT Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
USAID United States Agency for International Development
 Introduction ( Vi Ngọc Ánh)

Vietnam is playing its part in the worldwide trend of fostering an open-minded public attitude to
ward the LGBT community with several steps toward marriage equality and a growing number o
f residents willing to support homosexual. (Tien Bui, 2018) The rate of LGBT comes out in the c
ommunity and the media information is increasing, we use media data sources to show the cause
s leading to changes in social attitudes towards the LGBT community in Vietnam over the past 1
0 years, characterized by interactions between social activities and social activities, political chan
ge and media effects. This paper attempts to understand the change in social attitudes towards the
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Vietnam over the past 10 years.

I. Overview of LGBT in Vietnam

1. LGBT community and population of LGBT people in Vietnam

I.1 LGBT community in Vietnam

Like in many countries around the world, homosexual and transgender behaviors have
been recognized in Vietnam. The phrase “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
community” (or “LGBT community”) refers to a broad coalition of groups that are
diverse concerning gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and socio-economic status
(National Academies Press, 2011). The term LGBTQ community is also commonly used
to refer to groups of LGBTQ persons who support or participate in LGBTQ activism or
(in its most general sense) to all LGBTQ persons, no matter their particular gender
identity, culture, or geographic location. (Duignan B, 2024)

1.2 Population of LGBT people in Vietnam

There is no accurate data on the number of LGBT people in Vietnam as many have yet to
come out. A statistic represents the familiarity of the Vietnamese population with
members of the LGBT community based on an online survey. According to the survey,
32% of respondents in Vietnam claimed to know someone in the LGBT community.
(Statista, 2023). In addition, according to a survey conducted, Vietnam has an estimated
2.5 million LGBT people out of a population of more than 90 million people (VietNamNe
t News, 2018).

II. Community attitudes towards LGBT culture

People in the LGBTQ+ community are always under pressure. According to statistics,
when discovered to be gay, 20% of these people lost friends, 15% were scolded or beaten
by their families. More seriously, 4.5% had been attacked for being gay, 1.5% said they
had been expelled from school, 4.1% had been kicked out of their accommodation and
6.5% had lost their job because they were gay. (iSSE)

1. Changes in social awareness about LGBT people

The change in legal documents on LGBT is a positive development that helps LGBT
people be more "comfortable" in society. In 2022, the Ministry of Health issued
official dispatch 4132/BYT-PC to regulate medical examination and treatment for gay,
bisexual and transgender people. Every year, people participate and accompany to
call for Vietnamese people's support for the LGBT community on May 17th
(International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia) (MA. Le The
Hanh). Today's society does not strongly criticize and discriminate against the
differences in sexual orientation of the LGBT community. Instead, they gradually
open up, accept and accompany more people from the LGBT community. (IOJ, 2023)

2. Differences in attitudes towards the LGBT community between Vietnamese generatio

ns

2.1 Positive attitude

2.1.1 Increasing acceptance

Over the past decade, attitudes toward the LGBT community in Vietnam have undergone
a notable shift, particularly among younger generations, leading to a rising acceptance of
LGBT individuals (Pham, 2022). Media representations have evolved in tandem, with an
increase in positive programs and documentaries featuring LGBT individuals, which has
contributed to moving away from negative stereotypes (UNDP & USAID, 2014). While s
ame-sex marriage remains illegal, amendments to the Law on Family and Marriage in 20
14 removed provisions penalizing same-sex unions, marking progress in legal recognition
(UNDP & USAID, 2014).

2.1.2 Growing support and activism

The emergence of LGBT rights movements across different generations signifies a growi
ng commitment to equality in Vietnam (Nguyen, 2022). Peiris et al. (2020) attribute youn
g people's support for LGBT rights to their global outlook and exposure to diverse perspe
ctives, leading to active engagement in activism. This observation aligns with Phương's
(2022) findings of increasing visibility of LGBT individuals in Vietnamese society, indic
ating a more conducive environment among younger generations.

Support for LGBT rights among young Vietnamese is evident in their participation in Pri
de events, which serve as powerful platforms for expressing solidarity and raising awaren
ess (Peiris et al., 2020). Additionally, young people utilize social media platforms to supp
ort and initiate discussions (Institute for Studies of Society, Economy, and Environment
[ICS], 2023). A recent study by ICS found that 72% of young Vietnamese internet users a
ctively follow and engage with online campaigns supporting LGBT rights.

2.2 Negative attitude

2.2.1 Persistent Discrimination

Despite advancements, deep-rooted discrimination persists, particularly among older gen

erations, rooted in traditional beliefs emphasizing family lineage and heteronormativity
(Nguyen, 2022; UNDP & USAID, 2014). Research by Long and Greene (2014) further s
upports this, highlighting how Confucian values emphasizing family lineage and heteron
ormativity create a social climate where LGBT identities are often seen as incompatible.

Discrimination against the LGBT community is widespread, affecting many aspects of lif
e, including denied access to safe housing, workplace discrimination limiting career oppo
rtunities, and fear of judgment within healthcare settings (UNDP & USAID, 2014). This f
inding supports Nguyen's (2022) argument that discrimination has a significant negative e
ffect on the overall well-being of LGBT individuals in Vietnam.

2.2.2 Knowledge Gaps and Prejudice

Despite advancements, knowledge gaps and prejudiced attitudes persist, particularly amo
ng older generations who may have limited exposure to LGBT issues (Nguyen, 2022). Th
is lack of awareness can fuel discrimination. Educational initiatives are emerging as cruci
al tools in bridging this divide and fostering empathy and understanding across generatio
ns. As Choi and Nguyen (2020) point out in their critical policy analysis, these initiatives
can play a significant role in promoting LGBT inclusion within the Vietnamese education
system.

2.3 Different attitudes toward the LGBT community

The contrasting attitudes toward the LGBT community across generations reflect a multif
aceted interplay of various socio-cultural and contextual factors. Peiris et al. (2020) revea
l that younger Vietnamese generations, buoyed by greater exposure to diverse perspective
s facilitated by the internet and global trends, tend to accept and support the LGBT comm
unity. Conversely, Long and Greene (2014) highlight how older generations may hold ont
o traditional beliefs and values that can influence their attitudes towards the LGBT comm
unity, making them less likely to accept societal changes, including acceptance of LGBT
individuals
 References

VietNamNet News. (n.d.). Vietnam’s LGBT community stand proud. VietNamNet News. https://
vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnams-lgbt-community-stand-proud-E212796.html

Duignan, B. (2024a, April 7). LGBTQ Community | Definition, Meaning, & Flag. Encyclopedia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-queer-comm
unity

National Academies Press (US). (2011). Introduction. The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender People - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64810/

Statista. (2023, November 7). Familiarity with the LGBT community in Vietnam as of 2016. https:
//www.statista.com/statistics/719887/familiarity-with-the-lgbt-community-in-vietnam/

Tien Bui / Tuoi Tre News Contributor. (2018, October 12). LGBT in Vietnam: a promising path t
oward equality. Tuoi Tre News. https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/features/20180316/lgbt-in-vietnam-
a-promising-path-toward-equality/44563.html

Góc nhìn của xã hội về cộng đồng LGBT đang thay đổi - IOJ. (n.d.). Viện Báo Chí - Học Viện B
áo Chí & Tuyên Truyền. https://truyenthongtre.vn/tieu-diem/goc-nhin-cua-xa-hoi-ve-cong-dong-l
gbt-dang-thay-doi-84332

Pham, Q. T. (2022). Changing social attitudes towards LGBT in Vietnam. Journal of Positive Sc
hool Psychology. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/6cvqf.

UNDP, & USAID. (2014). Being LGBT in Asia: Viet Nam Country Report. Bangkok, Thailand:
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Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (ICS). (2023). Digital activism and t
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Phương, P. Q. (2022). From “Social Evils” to “Human beings”: Vietnam’s LGBT movement and
the politics of recognition. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 41(3), 422–439. https://do
i.org/10.1177/18681034221108748

Nguyen, H. T. (2022). The Evolving Landscape of LGBT+ Rights in Vietnam. Journal of Southe
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Peiris, R., Tran, T. V., & Ong, C. (2020). Generational Differences in Attitudes Towards Sexual
and Gender Diversity in Southeast Asia. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 23(2), 147-157.

Long, H. T., & Greene, M. E. (2014). Negotiating sexualities in contemporary Vietnam: The role
of tradition and modernity. Journal of Vietnamese Studies, 9(2), 227-252.

Choi, K., & Nguyen, C. H. (2020). LGBTQ+ inclusion in Vietnamese education: A critical polic
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