A medical worker conducts a health check for a prisoner at Ngoc Ly prison in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ha Thanh / Tuoi TreThe draft, which is expected to take effect on July 1, would raise monthly food standards to 1.5 kg of pork and 1.5 kg of fish per prisoner, up from 1 kg each, and add five eggs per month, a food item not previously included in inmate rations. The ministry said the current average food allowance of about VND700,000 (US$27) per prisoner per month was too low to meet nutritional requirements and far below allowances for other state-managed groups, such as residents of drug rehabilitation centers. Under the proposal, prisoners would also be allowed to use their own money to buy additional food up to five times the monthly ration level, compared with the current limit of three times, through detention facility canteens. The ministry said the proposed revisions aim to better align prisoner welfare standards with current socio-economic conditions and state budget capacity.

Source: Tuoitre News February 11, 2026 03:20 UTC