On September 23, 2025, policy makers, legal experts, and community representatives gathered in Lam Dong for a pivotal conference evaluating Vietnam’s legal aid (TGPL) initiatives. The event, organized by the Department of Legal Dissemination, Education and Legal Aid (Cục PBGD&TGPL), was more than a routine check-in—it was a deep dive into how legal aid is transforming access to justice for Vietnam’s most vulnerable populations, particularly ethnic minorities and residents of mountainous regions.
Deputy Director To Thi Thu Ha of the Department didn’t mince words in her opening remarks. "The awareness of people about their rights to legal aid is increasing," she emphasized, pointing to the growing number of individuals proactively seeking help from legal aid centers. This shift, she argued, is no accident. Legal aid has been strategically woven into the fabric of Vietnam’s national target programs for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, as well as the ambitious new rural construction agenda for the 2021-2025 period.
Why does this matter? For many, especially those living in remote or marginalized communities, legal disputes and bureaucratic hurdles can seem insurmountable. Free legal aid, as enshrined in these national programs, offers a crucial lifeline. It ensures that poor people, ethnic minorities, and other vulnerable groups aren’t left to navigate the justice system alone. According to the official evaluation presented at the conference, this policy commitment has paid off handsomely: the number of legal aid cases handled has surged year after year.
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2022, legal aid centers across Vietnam managed more than 37,400 cases. That figure climbed to over 47,000 in 2023, and then soared past 56,000 in 2024. The upward trajectory continued into 2024, with more than 63,360 cases implemented nationwide, including over 39,640 newly accepted cases and more than 37,340 concluded—a 13% increase from the previous year. Perhaps most strikingly, the number of cases completed in legal proceedings reached over 30,500, marking a 19% jump. These are the highest levels recorded to date, a testament to both rising demand and the system’s growing capacity.
What’s driving this surge? As reported by Báo Điện Tử Chính Phủ, the answer lies partly in outreach and education. "Many people have proactively sought legal aid centers to receive support when facing legal difficulties," noted the conference’s summary, reflecting the fruits of a sustained campaign to raise awareness about legal rights. Ms. Le Thi Thuy, Director of the Legal Information and Support Center, explained, "Legal aid content in the national target programs has been implemented synchronously from central to local levels, thereby raising public awareness of the right to legal aid."
This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. The human impact is profound. Successful legal aid cases have delivered tangible, positive results, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of those who might otherwise be left voiceless. As Ms. To Thi Thu Ha underscored, "Legal aid plays a crucial role in the social welfare policy system, assisting poor people, ethnic minorities, and vulnerable groups to access free legal services when facing legal disputes."
But 2025 isn’t just another year—it’s a turning point. It marks the final year of the current phase of Vietnam’s national target programs, and, as many at the conference noted, a “milestone year” for shaping the next chapter (2026-2031). With this in mind, the Department organized the event not only to celebrate successes but also to confront persistent challenges and sketch out a roadmap for future progress.
What are those challenges? For starters, geography and infrastructure still loom large. Some localities, especially those with large, scattered populations and difficult terrain, struggle to communicate legal aid opportunities effectively. Transportation difficulties and uneven educational levels compound the problem, making it tough to reach those most in need. The conference heard candid accounts from legal aid officials in provinces such as Ca Mau, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, and Thai Nguyen, who described both their progress and the obstacles they continue to face.
Funding, too, remains a sticking point. While the state budget allocates annual resources to legal aid centers, these are often insufficient for the scale of the task. As one participant put it, "State budget funds are allocated annually to some legal aid centers to implement legal aid activities but are still insufficient compared to assigned tasks." This mismatch between ambition and resources can slow progress, particularly in places where the need is greatest.
Despite these hurdles, there’s a strong sense of momentum. High-level policy backing has been unwavering. Politburo Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW, issued on November 9, 2022, calls for "enhancing the role, professionalism, and quality of legal aid, especially in judicial prosecution activities; modernizing, and increasing IT application in the legal aid system; and expanding the beneficiaries of legal aid in line with the country’s conditions." Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW, dated April 30, 2025, goes further, urging a "strong development of legal service systems, legal support, and legal aid… so that citizens and businesses can easily access the law and manage legal risks." And Conclusion No. 108/TB-VPTW, delivered by General Secretary To Lam on November 18, 2024, reaffirms the critical role of legal aid in realizing social welfare policies.
Conference participants didn’t just dwell on problems—they rolled up their sleeves to brainstorm solutions. Suggestions included refining regulations to boost the status of legal aid officers, making legal aid explanations a mandatory procedure in legal proceedings, and creating smoother pathways for legal aid professionals to transition into law practice. There was enthusiastic support for leveraging technology—digital transformation, online communication, and IT applications—to reach even the most remote communities. "We need to diversify communication methods, strengthen digital transformation, and effectively use online communication channels," one delegate urged.
Collaboration emerged as another key theme. Better coordination between agencies, more robust support from local governments, and increased investment in both personnel and funding were all on the wish list. As representatives from local governments and community organizations pointed out, legal aid isn’t just a technical service—it’s a cornerstone of social equity. "Legal aid is not only a legal support activity but also an important tool to ensure social justice," said one community leader from Lam Dong.
With the whole political system engaged and society at large increasingly aware of its rights, the outlook for legal aid in Vietnam is bright. As the country prepares to enter a new phase of its national programs, the lessons of recent years—both the triumphs and the trials—will shape a more inclusive, responsive, and effective legal aid system. The journey toward equitable justice continues, and with each passing year, it seems more within reach for all.
