In Vietnam, a quiet but vital transformation is unfolding in the justice system: legal aid for juveniles and other vulnerable groups is being prioritized, not just as a matter of fairness, but as a fundamental pillar of human rights and social reintegration. Recent events and expert commentary highlight how this approach is reshaping outcomes for young offenders, their families, and the broader community.
Legal aid, provided entirely free of charge, serves as a lifeline for those who might otherwise be left to navigate the intimidating legal system alone. According to Dân trí and provincial legal authorities, these services are especially crucial for children and individuals aged 16 to under 18 years old—groups recognized as particularly susceptible to legal missteps and social marginalization. The human stories behind these statistics reveal both the urgency and the hope embedded in such efforts.
Take, for instance, the case of a minor known as K., a resident of Xuân Lập ward in Đồng Nai province. On September 19, 2024, K. found himself swept up in a plan, orchestrated by a friend with a grudge against another youth, Q. The group gathered weapons and confronted Q. at a local billiard club in Long Khánh. In the ensuing chaos, one member of K.'s group stabbed Q., causing injury. K. himself chased after Q., but did not land a blow. Less than a week later, on September 25, Q. filed a formal complaint, and K.—still under 18—was promptly prosecuted for intentional injury.
At the first-instance trial held on June 30, 2025, the People's Procuracy recommended a sentence of six to eight months' imprisonment for K., with the possibility of probation. But the outcome was far from predetermined. Legal aid workers from the State Legal Aid Center No.1 in Đồng Nai stepped in to defend K.'s rights and interests. Their advocacy focused not only on the facts of the case, but also on K.'s youth, his family's financial hardship, and his ethnic minority background—factors that, under Vietnamese law, are considered as mitigating circumstances.
The court listened. Taking into account the arguments raised by K.'s legal aid team, the judges acknowledged these extenuating factors and ultimately sentenced K. to four months' imprisonment, suspended for probation. This decision, while recognizing the seriousness of the offense, reflected a broader legal and social philosophy: that education and rehabilitation should take precedence over punishment, especially for young offenders.
This approach is not accidental. As Phan Thị Thơm, a legal aid provider at the State Legal Aid Center No.1, explained to Báo Đồng Nai, "The humanitarian principle in legal aid is that it is completely free for vulnerable groups in society, including children and those aged 16 to under 18. Most juveniles who break the law do so because of limited legal awareness or negative peer influence, without fully understanding the consequences." She further emphasized that legal aid participation in criminal proceedings helps ensure that verdicts are not just legally sound, but also fair and compassionate, giving young offenders a real chance to change their lives.
The numbers bear out the importance of this work. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, the State Legal Aid Center No.1 in Đồng Nai handled 473 legal aid cases involving vulnerable populations. Of these, a striking 285 cases (60%) concerned individuals aged 16 to under 18, and 151 cases (32%) involved children. Each case represented not just a legal file, but a young person at a crossroads, and a family facing uncertainty.
But legal aid is more than just a safety net—it's a carefully constructed bridge to justice. According to Dr. Nguyen Van Diep, former Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy, the success of legal aid workers depends on a wide range of skills. Speaking at a legal aid training conference in Tây Ninh province on October 15, 2025, Dr. Diep stressed, "The success of legal aid workers and lawyers participating in proceedings depends on many factors: communication, interviewing the accused, suspects, or those detained; the ability to verify and gather evidence; meeting witnesses; reviewing case files; and preparing defense arguments."
He also highlighted the importance of empathy and professionalism: "Legal aid workers and lawyers must choose appropriate times and places to meet with those they assist, building trust from the very first interaction. They must offer proper sympathy and be a source of psychological support." Dr. Diep further advised that legal aid professionals should prepare their clients for all possible developments in an investigation, instructing them on their rights and obligations, such as carefully reviewing statements before signing and ensuring their words are accurately recorded.
There is also a strong ethical dimension to this work. As Dr. Diep put it, "In any circumstance, with conscience, responsibility, and professional ethics, legal aid workers and lawyers must not act to the detriment of those they assist. During proceedings, they must maintain independent opinions that benefit their client, never blindly echoing accusations or uncritically accepting their client's denial if unsupported by evidence."
This commitment to justice is enshrined in Vietnamese law. The Law on Legal Aid (2017) and its guiding documents have expanded the scope of beneficiaries and improved the professionalism of legal aid services. The Juvenile Justice Law (2024) mandates that all proceedings involving minors prioritize their best interests, ensure friendly procedures, and guarantee equal treatment and representation. The Criminal Procedure Code (2015) devotes an entire chapter to the special procedures required for defendants under 18, while the Law on Children (2016) and the Law on Enforcement of Criminal Judgments (2019) underscore the state's responsibility to protect, educate, and reintegrate young offenders.
Lawyer Trần Cao Đại Kỳ Quân, Deputy Head of the Đồng Nai Bar Association, told Báo Đồng Nai, "The consistent viewpoint of Vietnam's legal system is to value education over punishment, creating every condition for juveniles who make mistakes to correct themselves and start anew." He added that lawyers are required to participate in criminal proceedings for defendants under 18 to ensure their rights are protected, and may do so free of charge—either by assignment or voluntary registration.
Indeed, the presence of legal aid lawyers in courtrooms and police stations across Vietnam is more than a formality. It is a testament to a society grappling with the complexities of youth, justice, and redemption. Their work not only ensures that young people like K. have a fair shot at rehabilitation, but also reinforces the public's trust in the rule of law.
As Vietnam continues to refine and expand its legal aid system, stories like K.'s offer a glimpse into a future where justice is not just about punishment, but about hope, second chances, and the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to make things right.
