Reforming Statutory Interpretation in Vietnam

Vietnam is struggling to adapt its Soviet inspired legal system to the demands of a globally integrated mixed market economy. This transformation requires clear and consistent laws that not only delineate the public and private orders, but also provide transactional certainty in the private sector. In addition to well drafted laws, this transformation needs a system of interpretation that enables state officials and citizens to clarify the meaning of statutory provisions. This article discusses the key issues confronting the Vietnamese state in developing a system of statutory interpretation.