In Vietnam, the legal landscape is witnessing significant strides across various sectors, from grassroots legal education to specialized support for cooperatives and academic collaboration on victim protection. Recent initiatives highlight the expanding role of lawyers and legal institutions in fostering a more informed, equitable society.
Starting in Thanh Hoa province, the Thanh Hoa Bar Association has been actively promoting legal education and assistance to its citizens. In March 2025, the association partnered with the Thuong Xuan District People's Committee to launch a free legal awareness and aid program in Bat Mot commune, targeting disadvantaged residents. This initiative focused on critical areas such as the Law on Juvenile Justice, regulations against domestic and school violence, and laws governing marriage, family, labor, and employment.
The growth of the legal profession in Thanh Hoa has been remarkable in recent years. The Provincial Bar Association now includes 39 practicing organizations with a total of 130 lawyers. Between 2019 and 2024, these lawyers participated in over 2,000 criminal cases defending defendants and protecting victims' rights, took part in nearly 380 civil and administrative cases, and offered legal advice in more than 7,200 instances, including free legal aid. In the first half of 2025 alone, 495 cases were handled, spanning litigation, legal consultation, and legal aid.
Lawyers in Thanh Hoa have shown a strong commitment to providing free legal advice and assistance to the poor and policy beneficiaries. The association and its member organizations have organized numerous free legal counseling sessions aligned with significant dates such as the Bar Association's Establishment Day, Vietnam Lawyers' Day, and Vietnam Law Day. Their outreach extends to mass media legal columns, support for local businesses through the Provincial Business Association, and educational programs for students. Notably, a cooperation agreement with Hong Duc University has facilitated mock trials and career guidance for law students, alongside mobile legal aid programs benefiting ethnic minorities in mountainous regions.
Deputy Head Nguyen Duc Tai of the Thanh Hoa Bar Association emphasized the importance of focused, relevant legal education that addresses citizens' concerns. He called for enhanced coordination with government agencies, improved training for lawyers, and the use of technology and social media to disseminate legal information in a concise and accessible manner. Recognizing active contributors to legal education and aid with timely rewards was also highlighted as essential.
Meanwhile, in Hanoi, a scientific seminar titled "Sharing Experiences in Protecting, Supporting Victims of Crime" marked a significant collaboration between the Hanoi Bar Association and the University of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Held as part of the 2025 work plan and in celebration of major national holidays, the seminar gathered legal professionals, academics, and students to exchange knowledge on criminology and victimology.
PGS. TS. Trinh Tien Viet, Acting Rector of the University of Law, underscored the seminar's role in integrating victimology into undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. The project aims to enhance teaching and research capacities, publish new studies, and foster cooperation between researchers and practitioners to advise on policy improvements. This is particularly timely as Vietnam revises key laws such as the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
Lawyer Nguyen Van Ha, Deputy Head of the Hanoi Bar Association, described the seminar as a practical extension of the cooperation agreement with the university, designed to create impactful, real-world legal activities and strengthen ties between the two institutions. He noted that sharing experiences in victim protection is vital for developing academic materials and enriching lawyers' practical knowledge.
The seminar provided lawyers with deeper, more systematic perspectives on applying legal provisions related to victim protection in criminal cases, encouraging innovative approaches to safeguarding clients' rights. Nguyen Van Ha also referenced the National Assembly's recent constitutional amendments focusing on local government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, highlighting the state's commitment to protecting human and civil rights, including those of crime victims.
Participants discussed theoretical and practical issues such as recognizing victims' rights, legal aid, lawyers' skills in victim protection, and the realities of legal support for victims in Hanoi. These conversations led to proposals for legislative innovation and enhanced victim support mechanisms. PGS. TS. Le Lan Chi, Head of the Criminal Justice Department at the University of Law, concluded by stressing the need for humane, effective, and culturally appropriate legal approaches. The seminar bridged legal science and legislative practice, offering valuable recommendations to improve teaching and research on victimology.
On another front, a meeting convened between Mr. Le Ve Quoc Cuong, Head of the Department of Legal Dissemination, Education, and Legal Aid, and Ms. Cao Xuan Thu Van, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, spotlighted the pressing need for enhanced legal support for cooperatives. Vietnam currently hosts over 30,000 cooperatives and 100 cooperative unions, which require robust legal backing to mitigate risks and foster economic growth and effective internal governance.
Ms. Cao pointed out that despite their importance, cooperatives face challenges due to insufficiently specific state policies and the absence of dedicated legal support programs comparable to those available for small and medium-sized enterprises. To address this, the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance proposed expanding legal support policies to explicitly include cooperatives and their representative organizations. They also suggested integrating cooperatives into the Ministry of Justice's ongoing project to improve legal support quality and effectiveness for businesses through coordinated efforts with relevant ministries.
For 2025, the Alliance proposed resource allocation for training legal advisors within its system, organizing conferences to address legal challenges for cooperatives in both northern and southern regions, and conducting legal education programs for cooperative managers. Discussions during the meeting explored mechanisms to implement these proposals effectively, including legal research and tailored support solutions.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Ngoc highlighted the recent launch of the National Legal Portal, a comprehensive online platform offering access to legal documents, updates on new laws, and a channel for citizens and organizations to provide feedback. The portal is evolving into a trusted tool for legal research and communication between the public and the state. He urged the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance to promote the portal among its members.
Additionally, Deputy Minister Ngoc called on the Department of Legal Dissemination, Education, and Legal Aid to collaborate with the Cooperative Alliance in developing a dedicated legal support program for cooperatives. He emphasized the need to allocate funding and incorporate plans to hold legal issue seminars and training for local cooperative administrators.
These concerted efforts across provinces and sectors demonstrate Vietnam's commitment to strengthening the rule of law, enhancing legal literacy, and ensuring vulnerable groups and economic actors receive the support necessary to thrive. From grassroots legal education in Thanh Hoa to academic and practical advancements in Hanoi, and targeted legal aid for cooperatives nationwide, the legal community is actively shaping a more just and informed society.
