#FreeDangDinhBach #StandWithBach #4YearsTooLong
Bring Him Home
Statement in Solidarity with
Dang Dinh Bach on the Fourth Anniversary
of His Trial and Sentencing
January 24, 2026
Today marks four years since environmental lawyer Dang Dinh Bach was sentenced to five years in prison in Vietnam. With significant time already served, and with Tết Lunar New Year - the Year of the Horse commencing on February 17 - this moment offers an important opportunity for amnesty and reunion.
Bach was taken from his home in Hanoi in June 2021 when his son was just two weeks old, and has not seen him since, as four Tết holidays have come and gone. Bach’s health has been compromised in prison, as he suffers from asthma, and as a vegetarian, often does not receive proper nutrition.
After years of separation, Bach's wife, Tran Phuong Thao, and their young son await his return. As the Year of the Horse arrives - symbolizing strength, freedom, and generosity - we appeal to Vietnamese leaders to extend these qualities to Bach and his family.
For more than two decades, Dang Dinh Bach dedicated himself to protecting Vietnam's environment and communities. He co-founded the Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Research Centre (LPSD), supported reforms to Vietnam’s Environmental Protection Law, advocated for communities affected by public health challenges, and helped adopt legislation to limit plastic production and ban asbestos.
Bach's work contributed to Vietnam's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 and helped pave the way for the US $15.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) - achievements that have positioned Vietnam as a regional leader in climate action.
On this fourth anniversary of Bach's sentencing, we express our firm hope that Vietnam – a forerunner in sustainable development and the green energy transition – will match its ambitious climate commitments with clemency and humanitarian action. We hope that amnesty for Bach will be taken into consideration by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and the Vietnamese Amnesty Advisory Council.
The release of Dang Dinh Bach will demonstrate Vietnam's earnestness in pursuing its net-zero commitments and a just energy transition, sending a powerful message that Vietnam values both environmental progress and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting the country's environment and people, while exemplifying values of compassion and renewal.
Let this year bring freedom, reunion, and hope for Dang Dinh Bach and his family.
The Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition is a group of international and regional environmental, climate justice, and human rights organizations concerned about threats to civic space and environmental defenders in Vietnam in the context of the energy transition.
#FREEBACH
#FOURYEARSTOOLONG
Stand with Dang Dinh Bach: Four Years of Unjust Imprisonment
Join our global movement to free Vietnam's climate and environmental defenders.
Join the Global Letter Writing Campaign
We're calling on the world to write letters of solidarity for Bach and other detained environmental and climate leaders, who are wrongfully imprisoned on trumped-up charges and under harsh and degrading conditions.
We cannot stay silent. Please join our global letter-writing campaign to express solidarity with Bach and call for his immediate release.
The Climate Crisis and Arrests in Vietnam
Climate Leaders Imprisoned Amid Vietnam’s Climate Commitments
Vietnam is making public commitments to net zero emissions and joining global partners to mitigate climate change, while simultaneously arresting and detaining the country’s most prominent climate leaders.
We call on the Vietnamese government to release Bach and the other climate and environmental leaders in Vietnam.
We call on G7 nations and financiers who are supporting Vietnam’s just energy transition to call for Bach’s release and demand civil society involvement in this crucial climate solution.
The green energy transition will not succeed until environmental defenders can speak openly and lead freely.
The Missing ‘Just’ in Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)
Vietnam’s Violation of the JETP
The country’s human rights record is under scrutiny as it implements the $15.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) announced in December 2022.
Vietnam is already in violation of the 'just' aspect of the JETP. Civil society is severely constrained in its ability to participate, and the wrongful arrests of climate leaders have created a disabling environment for environmental organizations.
This raises significant concerns that the funds for a 'clean energy transition' could lead to more, not less, coal investments.
COP28 Participation
Vietnam’s Climate Defenders at COP28
The Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition attended COP28 to present how the JETP framework has failed to protect climate leaders and how the crackdown on civic space threatens global climate action.
You can watch full recordings of the coalition’s presentations, including:
Global Call to Action
We call on the Vietnamese government to release Dang Dinh Bach and other climate and environmental leaders.
We also call on G7 nations and financiers supporting Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition to demand civil society’s involvement in this crucial climate solution.
The green energy transition will not succeed until environmental defenders can speak openly and lead freely.
The Time to Act Is Now
Coalition Information
About the Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition
This website is supported by the Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition, who call for the release of Bach and other environmental defenders globally.
