Vietnam – annual report 2024

Details
Published: September 4, 2025

Strategic Framework

Legal Policy Starting Point

The Communist Party dominates the political leadership in Vietnam across all state bodies and ensures stability in the country, despite the relatively frequent turnover of personnel in the highest offices. In October 2024, for example, the National Assembly appointed army general Luong Cuong as President – the fourth in two years.

The recent anti-corruption campaign, initiated by former long-standing General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, led to the prosecution of numerous high-ranking officials under criminal law. As a result, the National Assembly held a special session to decide on the reappointment of top positions. This also happened at some of the IRZ’s cooperation partners, such as the Supreme Peoples’ Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Peoples’ Procuracy and the Ministry of Public Security. The fight against corruption as an ongoing relevant issue was also reflected programmatically in the cooperation with Vietnamese partner institutions.

Vietnam’s legal policy orientation has changed little in the past. The development of a socialist Rule of Law, as understood by the Communist Party, which has issued various resolutions to this end, continues. New impetus is expected at the 14th Party Congress in early 2026.

Overall Concept

The German-Vietnamese dialogue on the Rule of Law, which has been ongoing since 2009, is the basis for the IRZ’s activities in Vietnam. The activities are agreed upon in an annual work plan between the BMJV and the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and implemented jointly by the respective partners. The content reflects ongoing reform projects, which can extend over several years. For example, the IRZ advised the Supreme Peoples’ Court on developing a Law on Juvenile Justice in line with modern standards. This law was submitted to the National Assembly for approval in October 2024.

The human rights situation in Vietnam remains precarious, which is why special attention will continue to be paid to human rights priorities in future. In the reporting year, this priority was addressed through a seminar on the abolition of the death penalty, held in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. The seminar focused on international trends to reduce the death penalty and its legal classification. Additionally, ongoing consultations on the legislative project “Rights of Transgender People” contributed to this priority.

This legislative project faces considerable challenges, as numerous adjustments to the existing legal system would be necessary and some parts of society perceive the regulatory matter as extremely progressive.

A new focus was commercial arbitration, which is to be amended in 2025 in order to develop Vietnam as an attractive location for out-of-court dispute resolution.

Focus of Activity in 2024

Constitutional Law, Human Rights and their Enforceability

  • International exchange of experience with the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and in cooperation with the BMJV on tendencies to reduce or abolish the death penalty in Hanoi

Civil und Commercial Law

  • Workshop on the legislative project “Rights of Transgender People” with the Ministry of Justice in Hanoi
  • Study trip on the amendment of civil procedure law regarding the legal standing of vulnerable groups and affected individuals in relation to the public interest as well as an exchange of experience on cybercrime and interrogation methods with the Supreme Peoples’ Procuracy in Berlin
  • Expert discussions with the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the BMJV, as part of the study trip, focussing on the exchange of experience on the topics of notariy’s office, enforcement of civil law judgements/compulsory enforcement and the bailiff system in Berlin
  • Workshop on commercial arbitration with the Vietnam Lawyers’ ­Association in Hanoi

Administration of Justice

  • Workshop for the exchange of experience on legal ethics (professional law issues, professional law violations) with the Judicial Academy and in cooperation with the German Federal Bar in Hanoi 

Criminal and Penitentiary Law

  • Seminar in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Security on the development of a code of conduct for prison officers, on aspects of corruption prevention and compliance regulations as well as on ­interrogation methods in Hanoi
  • Workshop in cooperation with the Supreme Peoples’ Court on the legislative project on juvenile jurisdiction in Hanoi
  • Study trip on military jurisdiction with the Supreme Peoples’ Court to Potsdam/Berlin

Outlook

Cooperation on legislative projects often leads to follow-up consultations on the application of the law and the implementation of new regulations. The IRZ can therefore expect further demand in this area (for example on juvenile criminal law), which will be set out in a work plan for 2025. In addition, there will be cooperation on new legislative projects such as the amendment to commercial arbitration and the strengthening of institutions.