Legal Aid for Domestic Violence Victims in Vietnam: Comparative Insights from International Legislative Instruments

Bich Ngoc Nguyen, Tuan Van Vu, Tuan Van Vu

Abstract


Domestic violence remains a pervasive human rights concern that demands integrated legal and social responses. Legal aid plays a critical role in enabling survivors to access justice, yet the effectiveness of such provision varies considerably across jurisdictions. This article examines the extent to which Vietnam’s legal aid framework for domestic violence survivors aligns with internationally recognised standards and identifies areas for further development. Adopting a qualitative comparative research design, the study conducts documentary and textual analysis of national legislation, key international instruments – including the Istanbul Convention and UNODC guidance – and relevant regional frameworks issued by AICHR. The findings reveal that Vietnam has made notable progress in establishing a legislative foundation consistent with global principles of accessibility and state responsibility. However, meaningful alignment remains constrained by limited integration of survivor-centred approaches, inconsistent service quality, and uneven implementation across regions. Moreover, gaps persist in specialised training, multi-agency coordination, and outreach to marginalised communities. The article concludes that Vietnam’s legal aid system possesses a promising platform for further harmonisation with international standards, yet sustained institutional reform, capacity-building, and culturally responsive practice are required to ensure that legal aid becomes genuinely accessible, effective, and empowering for domestic violence survivors.

Keywords


domestic violence, Istanbul Convention, gender equality, legal aid, policy reform

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5102/rdi.v22i3.10352

ISSN 2236-997X (impresso) - ISSN 2237-1036 (on-line)

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