Residents and organisations in Ho Chi Minh City will soon be able to submit lawsuits online as the People’s Court of Region 1 pilots expanded digital court services. The initiative forms part of Vietnam’s broader judicial digital transformation, aiming to streamline case handling while maintaining procedural safeguards. Details of the pilot were reported by Vietnamnet following a cooperation agreement signed on 17 March.
Three-party cooperation to expand digital justice
The People’s Court of Region 1 in Ho Chi Minh City has signed a three-party cooperation agreement with Global Telecommunications Technology Corporation (GTEL) under the Ministry of Public Security and Trustsol Tech. The partnership focuses on upgrading and deploying technology applications that support citizens, banks and credit institutions, while building on the court’s existing electronic court model.
The court has one of the broadest dispute jurisdictions in the country and handles a high volume of credit and banking cases, reflecting the concentration of financial institutions and large enterprises in the area. This makes it a practical test site for a model that could be replicated elsewhere, particularly as financial disputes are closely linked to wider issues of financial security.
Online case submission and tracking
Under the pilot, the court will test an online system for receiving litigation-related documents. This includes lawsuits, petitions, evidence and other electronic records submitted in line with legal requirements. Each submission will be assigned a case code, with automatic confirmation of receipt time and initial processing status.
Users will be able to track the status of their cases and monitor progress throughout the resolution process. Importantly, online submission will not be restricted by office hours, administrative boundaries or geographical distance, reducing procedural barriers for both individuals and organisations.
Data integration and digital identity verification
The cooperation framework also covers the integration and use of data for verification and identification. This includes lawful access to the national population database, electronic identification and authentication systems, and other permitted data sources to confirm the identities of litigants and related parties.
These measures are intended to improve accuracy in verifying parties involved in proceedings, representatives and other stakeholders. Secure identity verification and data protection are essential to maintaining trust in digital public services, aligning with national efforts to strengthen cyber resilience, such as the southern cybersecurity hub.
Supporting, not replacing, judicial authority
Beyond online submissions, the project includes solutions to digitise procedural notifications, manage civil cases—particularly credit and banking disputes—and develop digital infrastructure and governance platforms. All internal processes at the court are expected to be conducted in a digital environment.
However, the partners emphasised that technology will serve only as a support tool. All systems will operate in compliance with the Constitution and existing laws, without altering judicial authority, adjudication powers or procedural rules. Decisions and professional responsibilities will remain with judges and judicial bodies, reflecting international principles on the responsible use of digital systems in justice administration.
