Workshop on "Improving Vietnamese Law in the Era of Integration" and Practical Proposals

On May 25, 2024, the Faculty of Law at Van Lang University organized the workshop "Improving Vietnamese Law in the Era of Integration." The event provided a platform for young lecturers, doctoral candidates, postgraduate students, and law students to engage in research, exchange knowledge, and share experiences.

Today, globalization and international integration have become inevitable trends. In this context, Vietnam's integration process presents both development opportunities and challenges, necessitating the enhancement of our legal system. This involves assimilating international legal standards while preserving and promoting the time-tested values of Vietnamese law through various epochs.

The workshop received 32 papers from young lecturers, students, and learners currently studying and working at various universities across the country that offer law programs. These papers covered a wide range of topics including civil, commercial, labor, and criminal law. Many of the submissions were of high professional quality.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, Principal of Van Lang University, shared: “For an ordinary citizen, comprehending legal issues deeply and thoroughly is always a challenge. This raises many questions about enhancing community awareness of the legal framework, as well as researching, applying, and developing innovative technologies in practice. The workshop 'Improving Vietnamese Law in the Era of Integration' serves as a foundation for researchers and students to take their first steps in research and practice, making positive contributions to the community.”

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Anh Thuy, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Van Lang University and Head of the Organizing Committee of the workshop, Vietnam's socio-economic landscape has significantly integrated with international life over the past three decades. Consequently, to ensure compatibility and relevance, Vietnam needs to refine its legal system by selectively embracing the best of modern international law while simultaneously preserving core values that align with the nation's traditional cultural identity.

At the workshop, Master Tran Thien Trang, a lecturer from the Faculty of Law at Van Lang University, presented a paper titled “The Legality of Electronic Signatures in Electronic Contracts - Experiences from the European Union, the United States, and Recommendations for Improvement.” According to Master Tran Thien Trang, Vietnam's increasingly vibrant e-commerce market has led to a higher demand for electronic contract signing. However, the execution of these transactions still faces challenges due to limitations in IT infrastructure and legal assurance. Focusing solely on one form of electronic signature might overlook other forms of contract signing such as scanned signatures, biometrics, or OTP codes. Drawing from current legislation in the European Union and the United States, Msc. Tran Thien Trang proposed measures and recommendations to enhance the legality, voluntariness of the parties involved, and improve the monitoring of electronic contracts.

The paper titled “Improving Law on Online Dispute Resolution Methods in Commercial Disputes during the Era of Integration” by Vietnam Court Academy students Bui Le Hieu and Dinh Le Quynh Nhu was highly regarded for its thought-provoking recommendations.

Authors Bui Le Hieu and Dinh Le Quynh Nhu introduced the concept of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and the legal practices involved in implementing online commercial dispute resolution in the era of integration. According to Bui Le Hieu, although significant achievements have been made, Vietnam still faces risks related to cybersecurity in controlling illegal intrusions, deficiencies in technical infrastructure, and the absence of specific regulations.

The solutions proposed in the paper mainly focus on supplementing and enacting specialized law, clarifying procedural issues in dispute resolution, investing in infrastructure, and participating in the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts. Additionally, the author affirms that developing online dispute resolution methods does not imply eliminating direct court resolution. Instead, applying technology and digitizing data will enhance efficiency in practical work processes.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Kim Oanh, Head of the Department of Research Development at Van Lang University, shared: "The workshop has brought forth many intriguing topics, delving into various legal aspects that directly impact societal life. The papers have also proposed practical recommendations, influencing the younger generation, exploring prominent themes to demonstrate the authors' professional competence and developmental potential in the academic research environment."

As a provider of undergraduate education in Law, Economic Law, as well as offering Master's degrees in Economic Law and Bachelor's second degrees in Economic Law, Van Lang University encourages its faculty, lecturers, students, and learners to leverage the resources and support provided by the institution to pursue scientific research topics, consider transferring and developing meaningful projects, engage in consulting activities, and share legal information. Through these efforts, they aim to contribute to enhancing community awareness and elevating professional competence.

News: Thanh Tam
Photos: Minh Phu