As part of its National Day amnesty, Vietnam will release 18,539 prisoners, reports Tuoi Tre.

Starting on Monday, prisons across the country began releasing inmates ahead of the Vietnamese independence day. The list of freed prisoners includes those convicted of murder, drug-related crimes, robbery and rape. No inmates convicted of national security crimes will be released.

In addition to thousands of Vietnamese prisoners, 34 foreign nationals – from Australia, China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines – will also be granted amnesty. The prisoners range in age from 16 to 85.

This year's amnesty is one of the largest ever granted, second only to the National Day release of 20,599 prisoners in 2009.

Deputy Head of the President Office Giang Son told reporters that the release of these inmates reflected the Vietnamese government's “humanitarian nature”, encouraging prisoners to become contributing members of society.

[Top photo via 3News]