1. LEGAL SYSTEM
1.1 Legal System and Judicial Order
The legal system in Vietnam follows the civil law tradition and
is noticeably influenced by continental European codifications of
civil law (particularly the French Civil Code). The Vietnamese
legal system consists of a Constitution, codes, laws, ordinances,
decrees, decisions, circulars, directives and resolutions. Legal
texts are published in the Official Gazette. Decrees and circulars
contain guidelines to implement laws, codes and ordinances. Local
governmental agencies may also issue official letters further
guiding the implementation of any of these pieces of
legislation.
Vietnam is a one-party socialist republic, and the judiciary
falls under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and is
accountable to the National Assembly. Judges and procurators are
members of the Party. The judicial order of Vietnam's court
system is separated into the local, regional and national levels.
Usually, a civil
