 |
| Deputy Director To Thi Thu Ha speaks at the event__Photo: Department of Law Dissemination and Education and Legal Aid |
As part of the project “Enhancing Legal Aid for the Poor and Vulnerable Groups” funded by the World Bank through the Japan Social Development Fund, the Department of Law Dissemination and Education and Legal Aid under the Ministry of Justice held a consultation workshop on October 7, 2025, in Hue city to gather feedback on a research report on the development of a mobile legal aid application. The event was chaired by Deputy Director To Thi Thu Ha.
Attending the workshop were representatives of state legal aid centers in the provinces and cities of Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Ngai, along with delegates from several local departments and agencies of Hue city and members of the project management unit under the Ministry of Justice.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Director To Thi Thu Ha emphasized that amid the ongoing nationwide digital transformation, the application of information technology in legal aid is not only a trend but also an urgent requirement to improve efficiency, ensure equal access, and protect citizens’ rights, particularly those of vulnerable groups.
 |
| Delegate shares their opinions at the event__Photo: Department of Law Dissemination and Education and Legal Aid |
She noted that developing a mobile legal aid application aims to provide a convenient tool for citizens to quickly access information and free legal aid services when facing legal difficulties, while also helping state management agencies enhance the effectiveness of legal aid administration. The application will first be piloted in Dien Bien and Lao Cai provinces during the project’s implementation phase before being further studied for nationwide expansion.
At the workshop, IT experts from UPNEXT Technology Joint Stock Company presented key findings from their research and surveys, outlining proposed technical solutions and functions of the mobile legal aid application. Participants welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a practical tool to support people, especially disadvantaged groups, in accessing and benefiting from free legal aid services. The application is also expected to assist legal aid organizations and officers in promptly addressing citizens’ needs.
Delegates actively contributed ideas to improve the application’s functionality and development direction. Recommendations included adding timely notification features for both legal aid beneficiaries and providers, creating a more user-friendly interface, and incorporating a frequently asked questions section and detailed information on legal aid activities to enhance public trust.
To achieve full digital integration, participants expressed hope that the application would be connected and synchronized with the existing Legal Aid Management System, Legal Aid Database, and the National Public Service Portal. They also suggested additional functions such as recording reasons for rejecting legal aid requests, transferring requests for convenience, saving and tracking withdrawn requests, and particularly, a voice communication feature to enhance interaction between aid seekers and providers.
In her closing remarks, Deputy Director To Thi Thu Ha acknowledged the valuable feedback shared at the event and affirmed that the Department will continue working with UPNEXT Technology JSC to refine and complete the application. She expressed the hope that the platform will become an effective tool, marking an important step forward in Vietnam’s digital transformation of legal aid services.- (VLLF)
