In recent years, Vietnam has made notable strides in expanding legal aid services, with a particular focus on digitalization, inclusivity, and professional development for those providing assistance. These efforts are reshaping how citizens—especially vulnerable groups like people with disabilities and ethnic minorities—access justice and exercise their legal rights.
According to the Department of Legal Dissemination, Legal Education and Legal Aid of the Ministry of Justice, as of October 25, 2025, twelve administrative procedures related to legal aid have been made publicly available on the National Public Service Portal. This development is part of a broader push to simplify administrative processes and promote online public services that transcend traditional administrative boundaries. Among the procedures now accessible online are legal aid requests, changes in legal aid personnel, complaint resolution, issuance and reissuance of collaborator cards, contract signing with lawyers or legal practice organizations, and registration or termination of legal aid participation.
Mr. Le Ve Quoc, Director of the Department, emphasized the significance of this digital transformation, stating that the department has worked closely with related units to streamline administrative procedures and foster the provision of online public services. "In the near future, we plan to implement fully online legal aid procedures, allowing citizens to submit applications, track processing, and receive results entirely online without direct contact with administrative bodies," he explained. This shift is expected to make legal aid more convenient and accessible for all citizens, regardless of their location.
However, Mr. Le Ve Quoc also acknowledged the challenges ahead. "A synchronized technical infrastructure is required to ensure connectivity among agencies and organizations, with cooperation from the entire political system, to achieve this digital transformation," he noted. The success of this initiative depends not only on technological upgrades but also on the coordinated efforts of various governmental and political entities.
While digitalization is a key priority, on-the-ground outreach remains crucial, particularly for marginalized communities. On October 26, 2025, the State Legal Aid Center of Lao Cai province, in collaboration with Yen Thanh commune, organized a communication session aimed at raising awareness about legal aid among people with disabilities and other local residents. The event drew a large crowd, including representatives from various organizations and the local community.
During the session, legal aid workers presented information on legal topics such as the Legal Aid Law and the Law on Persons with Disabilities. They provided advice and answered questions on issues ranging from criminal law and marriage to land disputes and household registration. According to coverage by local media, the session not only clarified legal procedures but also highlighted legal aid as a practical and humane policy of the Party and State. Residents expressed satisfaction with the consultations, reporting that their legal concerns were addressed effectively.
This outreach activity played a vital role in equipping attendees with foundational knowledge of the Legal Aid Law and the Law on Persons with Disabilities. By improving legal awareness and compliance, such sessions aim to reduce disputes in daily life—especially for people with disabilities, who often face additional barriers to justice. As reported by local outlets, these efforts are helping to "raise awareness among the general public and especially people with disabilities about legal aid as a practical and humane policy."
Meanwhile, professional development for legal aid workers is also receiving renewed attention. As part of the national program for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas (2021–2025), a series of training conferences on legal aid access were organized in Nam Cuong, Quang Bach, Yen Thinh, and Yen Phong communes in Thai Nguyen province. These events were designed to enhance the professional skills of legal aid providers and to improve access to justice for ethnic minority residents—groups that have historically faced systemic challenges in navigating the legal system.
Participants in the training included officials from the Department of Legal Dissemination, Legal Education and Legal Aid, representatives from the Department of Justice and State Legal Aid Center of Thai Nguyen province, legal aid workers, legal experts, contract lawyers, and lawyers from registered legal practice organizations across the country. Local government representatives, village elders, community leaders, and ethnic minority residents also took part, underscoring the inclusive and community-driven nature of the initiative.
The training focused on deepening expertise in criminal legal aid work, with practical instruction on communication skills, document research, evidence collection, working with prosecution agencies, building arguments, and participating in court sessions. Trainees engaged in group discussions, case studies, and exchanges with experienced presenters. The sessions were intentionally lively and accessible, using concrete examples and legal stories to help participants absorb information more effectively.
According to organizers, "the training also aimed to raise legal awareness and improve access to free legal aid services for ethnic minority and mountainous residents, helping them understand their legal rights and procedures for requesting and using legal aid effectively." This emphasis on practical knowledge and empowerment is seen as a crucial step toward implementing legal policies on equality in legal access and ensuring that even those in remote areas can protect their rights and legitimate interests.
The broader context for these initiatives is Vietnam's ongoing commitment to legal reform and social inclusion. The push for online legal aid services is aligned with the country's administrative modernization agenda, which seeks to leverage technology to make public services more efficient and citizen-centric. At the same time, targeted outreach and professional training help bridge the gap for those who might otherwise be left behind by digital transformation—such as people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and residents of mountainous or rural areas.
Community feedback has been largely positive. Residents who attended outreach sessions in Lao Cai reported feeling more confident in their understanding of the law and their ability to seek help when needed. Legal aid workers, for their part, have welcomed the opportunity to develop specialized skills and to connect more closely with the communities they serve.
Challenges remain, of course. Building a fully integrated digital infrastructure for legal aid will require significant investment and coordination. Ensuring that all citizens—regardless of geography or personal circumstance—can benefit from these advancements is an ongoing task. Yet, as the recent activities in Lao Cai and Thai Nguyen demonstrate, progress is being made on multiple fronts.
Vietnam's efforts to modernize and humanize its legal aid system are setting an example for how technology, policy, and community engagement can work together to promote justice and equality. Whether through a click on the National Public Service Portal or a face-to-face conversation in a rural commune, the message is clear: legal aid is becoming more accessible, more responsive, and more attuned to the needs of every citizen.
As these reforms continue to unfold, the hope is that every Vietnamese—no matter where they live or what challenges they face—will find it easier to understand their rights, resolve disputes, and secure the legal support they deserve.
