Promote Justice Accessibility in Vietnam
Workshop on Enhancing Access to Justice
Opening remarks from representatives of HSF and MoJ
HSF
The workshop on "Enhancing Access to Justice in Vietnam," co-organized by the Institute for Legal Strategy and Science (Ministry of Justice) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, brought together legal experts, policymakers, academics, and representatives from government and civil society to discuss both the theoretical and practical aspects of promoting justice accessibility in the country. The event aimed to identify existing barriers to justice, share comparative experiences from other Asian jurisdictions, and recommend concrete solutions to improve the legal empowerment of citizens, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Opening presentations emphasized the foundational role of justice in Vietnam’s judicial reform strategy. Speakers highlighted the critical relationship between legal knowledge and access to justice, pointing out that while Vietnam has made considerable efforts to strengthen its judicial institutions and legal frameworks, challenges remain. Barriers such as complex legal language, uneven access to information, and procedural burdens continue to limit the public's ability to seek and obtain justice, especially among ethnic minorities, rural communities, and individuals with limited formal education.
Several key findings emerged from discussions on the Vietnamese public’s legal awareness and capacity. Surveys and assessments showed that although public interest in legal rights is rising, there remains a significant gap in citizens’ understanding of legal procedures and mechanisms for redress. Many individuals are unaware of their rights or lack confidence in engaging with legal institutions due to fears of complexity, cost, or bureaucratic entanglement. These challenges are further compounded by geographical barriers and a general distrust in the fairness or responsiveness of the justice system.
Participants are legal experts, representatives of Ministry lines, lawyers from law firms, and scholars from universities and think-tanks
HSF
Based on the workshop discussions, several key recommendations were put forward. First, the delivery and availability of legal services must be expanded, especially in rural and underserved areas. This includes increasing the number and capacity of legal aid centers, training more community paralegals, and introducing mobile legal clinics. Second, legal education must be made more accessible and relatable. Authorities should prioritize the use of plain language, engaging formats such as videos and infographics, and interactive digital platforms to communicate laws. Integrating legal knowledge into school curricula and vocational training was also emphasized as a long-term solution. Overall, there is a need to reform procedural laws to make justice more accessible and cost-effective. This involves reviewing litigation procedures, increasing transparency, and simplifying complaints. Investing in the training of legal professionals is vital to build public trust. The workshop also stressed improving access for women, children, people with disabilities, and minorities, as well as encouraging civil society participation in legal assistance and education.
Since 2022, HSF has been part of the Rule of Law Dialogue between Vietnam and Germany under which umbrella this activity was organised. This workshop has underscored HSF’s ongoing support for MoJ in enhancing legal institutions, promoting inclusive justice, and advancing the rule of law in line with national reforms. It also reaffirmed HSF's commitment to strengthening Vietnam-Germany cooperation, especially during the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relationship.