Vietnamese Minister of Justice Hoang Thanh Tung engaged in discussions with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Khamphan Phommathat in Ha Noi, reiterating a pledge to strengthen sectoral connections and fulfill high-level agreements between the two Parties and States.
Tung outlined Vietnam's extensive institutional and legal reform agenda, highlighting the Politburo's Resolution 66-NQ/TW aimed at reshaping law-making and enforcement to satisfy national development needs in the new era, Conclusion 09-KL/TW focused on improving the legal system structure, Conclusion 17-KL/TW regarding legislative directions for the 16th National Assembly term, and Conclusion 18-KL/TW mapping out the 2026–30 socio-economic plan.
Also Read: Agri-biotech Exhibition Series Underway in Ho Chi Minh City
He mentioned that the Vietnamese Politburo has established a central steering committee for institutional development and law enforcement reform, led by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, with the Justice Ministry's Party Committee serving as its main body. Thus, the ministry is concentrating on enhancing the legal system, increasing enforcement measures, reforming the judiciary, implementing digital changes, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in legal and judicial processes.
Regarding bilateral cooperation, the minister appreciated tangible outcomes and advocated for the successful implementation of the 2026–2030 cooperation agreement. He encouraged more profound exchanges of experiences in legal development, implementation, judicial reform, staff training, and digital transformation, along with coordinated efforts to expedite the approval and initiation of the Vietnamese Government’s technical assistance project aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Lao judicial officials.
Concerning the technical assistance initiative, Tung mentioned that both ministries have collaborated to embed it in inter-governmental agreements and urged the Lao side to accelerate clearance processes for an early commencement. He presented it as a possible hallmark of legal and judicial collaboration that will provide tangible substance to the “strategic cohesion” aspect of Vietnam – Laos relations.
Also Read: Vietnam Eyes Mutually Beneficial Economic Partnership With US
In discussing legal education and professional training, the host commended collaborations between Vietnamese law schools and Lao institutions that have successfully educated groups of Lao legal professionals.
A scholarship initiative has begun to bring judicial officials from Laos to the Ha Noi Law University (HLU) for Master's in Laws degrees. He suggested enhanced cooperation between the Lao National Institute of Justice, the HLU, and the Vietnam Judicial Academy to improve the standard of legal and judicial personnel in both nations.
Regarding the coordination at the local level and the preparations for the 7th expanded justice conference of the Vietnam – Laos border provinces, he described the conference as a remarkable aspect of bilateral judicial collaboration. He indicated improvements after the sixth edition in civil status and nationality, legal dissemination, judicial assistance, enforcement of civil judgments, and personnel training.
Regarding multilateral collaboration, Tung emphasized the strong partnership between the two ministries within ASEAN's legal and judicial cooperation frameworks, as well as in other international and regional platforms. He suggested that both parties maintain information exchange, consultations, and reciprocal support within multilateral frameworks.
Also Read: Hyundai Motor and Kia Unveil World’s First In-Car UV Sanitizer
The minister extended an invitation to the Lao ministry for an ASEAN Law Forum focused on the use of AI in law creation and implementation in the digital age, scheduled to be organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice in August.