Vietnam Promulgates Three New Ordinances

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnam’s State President has officially promulgated three ordinances recently adopted by the National Assembly Standing Committee, the Presidential Office announced during a press conference in Hà Nội on Saturday.

The newly promulgated ordinances cover preferential treatment for revolution contributors, court procedures for compulsory drug rehabilitation of addicts aged 12 to 18, and amendments to litigation costs, introducing a range of reforms aimed at improving social welfare, judicial efficiency and legal clarity.

Expanded Support for Revolution Contributors

The ordinance on preferential treatment for revolution contributors introduces significant reforms to ensure greater consistency, fairness and the resolution of long-pending recognition cases.

Under the new provisions, the categories of individuals eligible for recognition and preferential benefits have been expanded. A key principle established by the ordinance requires that people who have rendered meritorious service to the nation, along with their families, should enjoy living standards that are at least above the average level of their local communities.

The ordinance also makes housing assistance for revolution contributors and relatives of fallen soldiers a regular, long-term policy, subject to the country’s socio-economic conditions.

In addition, regulations governing the recognition of “martyr” status for war invalids who die due to the recurrence of war-related injuries have been revised. The assessment process will no longer be required for deceased war invalids with a bodily impairment rate of 81 percent or higher, while it will remain applicable to those with impairment rates between 61 and 80 percent.

The reforms further extend recognition as martyrs and war invalids to members of law enforcement and other competent forces who are injured or killed while directly engaged in crime prevention and law enforcement duties.

The ordinance also broadens eligibility criteria for individuals performing national defence and security tasks and authorizes the Government to recognize, or delegate authority to recognize, meritorious service in exceptional cases where official documentation is incomplete but supported by clear historical and factual evidence.

Streamlined Procedures for Juvenile Drug Rehabilitation

The ordinance on court procedures for compulsory drug rehabilitation establishes new judicial procedures for handling cases involving addicts aged 12 to 18.

Under the revised framework, courts are empowered to decide on the postponement, exemption, temporary suspension or remission of compulsory rehabilitation orders, as well as address complaints, recommendations and protests related to such decisions.

The ordinance also streamlines court proceedings by allowing first-instance hearings to proceed even in the absence of a procurator. However, the presence of a procurator remains mandatory during appellate hearings, and courts are required to adjourn proceedings if the procurator is absent.

Revised Rules on Litigation Costs

The ordinance amending litigation costs expands the categories of individuals eligible for exemptions or reductions in appraisal costs to include victims requiring damage assessments under the Law on State Compensation Liability.

It also broadens exemptions and reductions in forensic examination costs in criminal proceedings to align with Clause 5, Article 135 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In addition, the ordinance provides greater legal clarity regarding bankruptcy and restructuring proceedings by specifying how bankruptcy costs are determined when financed by the state budget. It also outlines rules governing advances for bankruptcy expenses, payment procedures and the handling of advance payments in state-funded bankruptcy cases.

The three ordinances are expected to strengthen Vietnam’s legal framework by enhancing social protections for national contributors, improving judicial procedures involving minors, and increasing transparency and efficiency in litigation and bankruptcy processes.