THE STATE OF VIETNAM
DEFINITION
- Vietnam is currently oriented toward a socialist regime and is known as
The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
( Socialist republic is a form of government combining elements
of socialism with a republican structure, in which the state typically
aims for an emphasis on social welfare and equality. )
- The State of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is the central organization and
the pillar of the political system that realizes the will and power of the people, acts on
behalf of the people and manages all activities of the social life and in both domestic
and external affairs.
FEATURES
- The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a unitary state, possessing independence,
sovereignty, and a unified legal system that is effective throughout the entire
country. (Article 8, 2013 Constitution)
- The State of Vietnam is the unified state of all ethnic groups within the territory
of Vietnam. The State implements policies to ensure great national solidarity,
preserve, and promote the customs and traditions of all ethnic groups. (Article
5, 2013 Constitution)
- The State of Vietnam is the sole organization within the political system that
holds national sovereignty.
- Vietnam’s political regime is a democratic political regime. The core principle
in ensuring the implementation of democracy is: People know, people discuss,
people do, people check, people supervise and people benefit. This serves as a
goal and guideline for all actions of the Party and state.
=> Example: Citizens who are from 18 years old have the right to vote in the election
for the National Assembly and People’s Councils
STRUCTURE
- In Vietnam, the supreme power of the state is organized under a one-party
system led by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The CPV is the only political
party with the authority to govern, and it creates and directs the functioning of state
agencies including the National Assembly, the government, and the judiciary.
+ The National Assembly is the highest representative body and the only body
with constitutional and legislative power.
+ The Government, led by the Prime Minister, exercises executive power.
+ The Judiciary is responsible for handling legal violations and resolving
disputes.
- This structure ensures that all levels of government align with the directives
and policies set forth by the central authority , maintaining consistency in governance
across the country
- The three-tier government system of Vietnam: Before the government reform in
April 2025, Vietnam had a four-tier government structure : Central level, provincial
level, district level, and commune level. But the reform eliminated the district level,
introducing a three-tier government structure → significantly enhanced governance
efficiency, decentralization, and policy responsiveness.
COURT SYSTEM (2025)
Before:
- Supreme People’s Court (Tòa án Nhân dân Tối cao)
- High People’s Courts (Tòa án Nhân dân Cấp cao)
- Provincial People’s Courts (Tòa án Nhân dân Cấp tỉnh)
- District People’s Courts (Tòa án Nhân dân Cấp huyện)
After:
- Supreme People’s Court = Tòa án nhân dân tối cao
- Provincial People’s Court = Tòa án nhân dân cấp tỉnh
- Regional People’s Court = Tòa án nhân dân khu vực
=> Under the new structure:
- The existing High People’s Courts are to be abolished, and district-level courts
are consolidated into Regional People’s Courts with broader geographical
jurisdiction.
Practical Impacts:
• Positive:
+ A leaner court system,
+ Greater specialization in adjudication (The Family and Juvenile Court),
+ Improved operational efficiency
+ Support for digital transformation across the judiciary.
• Challenges:
+ Potential overload during the transition period,
+ Access-to-justice concerns in remote areas,
+ The need for alignment across related legal instruments.
QUOTES
- Wealthy people, strong country, democracy, justice, and civility. (Dân giàu,
nước mạnh, dân chủ, công bằng, văn minh) = the objective of VN
- Lifelong learning is the key for Vietnam to enter a new era (Tô Lâm): học tập
suốt đời là chìa khóa để việt nam tiến vào kỷ nguyên mới
COMPARE
State of Viet Nam China The United States
Form of states Unitary state Unitary state Federal state (50 states)
Form of Socialist republic Socialist republic Presidential republic
government
Court system People’s Courts People’s Courts Dual court system: federal
courts and state courts
Has anyone ever heard about the abortion law in the US?
Example:
- The US: Abortion laws vary by state.
• Illegal: Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama
• Legal: California, New York, Colorado
• Restricted (six-week ban from the last menstrual period): Florida, Georgia,
South Carolina
- Vietnam and China: Abortion is regulated by national law and the same rules
apply to everyone throughout the country.