The office of the state president says the 8,623 prisoners who have received a pardon obeyed regulations at their prisons and detention camps, and showed a good attitude while serving their sentences.
Among them are 48 other foreign nationals including one Japanese, nine Cambodians, 13 Laotians and 28 Chinese.
Amnesties have not been granted to prisoners who have committed serious crimes and crimes threatening national security. All the prisoners will be released on Thursday when the country celebrates its independence from France.
By Kyodo 31 August 04
