In implementation of the Ministry of Justice's 2025 Ministry-level Foreign Affairs Plan, with the permission of the Prime Minister in Official Letter No. 6681/VPCP-QHQT dated July 18, 2025, and based on Article 39 of the Government's Working Regulations issued together with Government Decree No. 39/2022/NĐ-CP dated June 18 , 2022 , the Ministry of Justice respectfully reports to the Prime Minister on the results of Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh 's working trip. In Cuba and Canada from August 11th, 2025 to August 14th, 2025 (excluding travel time and 1.5 working days in each country) as follows:
1. Regarding the main content and work results
1.1. Regarding purpose and composition
The purpose of the trip to Cuba and Canada:
- In Cuba: Strengthening cooperation in the legal and judicial fields between Vietnam and Cuba; signing an Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of Cuba on the implementation of a technical assistance project for the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Cuba on strengthening capacity in lawmaking and enforcement (hereinafter referred to as the Technical Assistance Project Agreement).
- In Canada: Strengthen legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries , advocate for the development and implementation of a project to support capacity building in international dispute resolution, international law work, and capacity building for lawyers serving integration.
The working group consists of 6 members, led by Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh. Members of the working group include representatives from the Central Organizing Committee and the Ministry of Justice.
1.2. Regarding the results of work in Cuba
During his working visit to Cuba, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh laid wreaths at the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh in Havana; met with Comrade Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba ; and held talks and signed a Technical Assistance Project Agreement with Cuban Minister of Justice Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez . Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Cuba, Le Quang Long, also participated in the delegation's activities.
a) Audience Comrade Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez , First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba
, at the Palace of the Revolution (Havana), Comrade Nguyen Hai Ninh and the delegation met with Comrade Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba ; Comrade Eduardo Martínez Díaz, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Cuba, also attended the meeting .
First Secretary and President of the Republic of Cuba affirmed that the relationship between the two Parties, the two countries, and the peoples of Vietnam and Cuba is a special fraternal relationship, meticulously nurtured by pioneering leaders such as President Ho Chi Minh, President Fidel Castro, and General Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz . Conveying greetings to Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam , and other key Vietnamese leaders, Comrade Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez The First Secretary and President of the Republic of Cuba affirmed that the Vietnam-Cuba cooperation has undergone 65 years of development and growth, becoming increasingly strong, loyal, and pure , serving as a model of solidarity, trust, and mutual respect between the two nations . He congratulated the two countries on their achievements in judicial cooperation, emphasizing the important role of legal cooperation in creating a framework to promote other areas. He stated that Cuba always seeks Vietnam's legislative experience and pays close attention to recent reforms in Vietnam .
Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh expressed his gratitude to the First Secretary and President of the Republic of Cuba and his profound appreciation to the Party, State, and people of Cuba, who have always stood shoulder to shoulder with Vietnam in the cause of national liberation and socialist construction. He stated that the main purpose of this trip was to deepen and elevate legal cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba through the signing of a Technical Assistance Project Agreement; and to exchange solutions to further strengthen and make the cooperation between the Ministries and Departments of Justice of the two countries more substantive. The Minister also provided information on four recent strategic resolutions of the Vietnamese Politburo on science and technology, international integration, reform of lawmaking and enforcement, and private sector development – considered important institutional foundations for Vietnam to become a developed, high-income country by 2045.
Regarding the Technical Assistance Project for the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Cuba on strengthening capacity in lawmaking and enforcement, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh stated that the approval process received strong support from Party and State leaders, as well as consensus within the Vietnamese Government. This is the first project in the field of lawmaking in which Vietnam has provided technical assistance to another country. Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice will closely cooperate with the Cuban Ministry of Justice, focusing resources to seriously, effectively, and qualitatively implement the Project, contributing to strengthening the special relationship between the two countries.
(b) Regarding the results of the talks with Cuban Minister of Justice Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez and the signing of the Technical Assistance Project Agreement.
On the morning of August 11, 2025, a meeting took place at the headquarters of the Cuban Ministry of Justice between Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh and Cuban Minister of Justice Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez.
During the talks, the Cuban Minister of Justice affirmed that the Vietnam-Cuba cooperation is a special traditional relationship, which is increasingly being strengthened and developed. The Cuban Minister of Justice highly appreciated Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh's visit and work, which coincided with Cuba's preparations to celebrate the 99th and upcoming 100th anniversary of President Fidel Castro's birth. He also thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice for its continuous support and cooperation with the Cuban Ministry of Justice. The Cuban Minister of Justice also provided information on the robust legislative process to implement the 2019 Constitution, with 123 new laws
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Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh expressed his pleasure at the talks with Minister Oscar Manuel Silvera Martínez, and congratulated Cuba on 2025 – the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba (December 2, 1960 – December 2, 2025) and also the “Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year”. Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh emphasized that, over 65 years of close ties, the relationship between the two Parties, the two States, and the peoples of the two countries has not only remained a traditional bond, but has become an exemplary symbol of special, loyal, and pure solidarity, forged from the years of struggle for national independence and the construction and protection of the Fatherland in each country. This friendship has withstood the test of time and the changes in the international situation and continues to develop strongly, becoming an invaluable asset that both nations cherish and are responsible for preserving and promoting.
Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh also informed that, in Vietnam, the work of building and enforcing laws is receiving special attention from the Party and State leaders to create an institutional foundation for the goal of rapid and sustainable development, striving to become a developed, high-income country by 2045 under the socialist orientation. In this process, the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice always values building upon the achievements of cooperation with the Cuban Ministry of Justice over the years; and at the same time , affirms its commitment to continue promoting legal cooperation between the two Ministries in an increasingly comprehensive, substantive, and effective manner, contributing to deepening the traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and special brotherhood between the Vietnamese and Cuban peoples.
At the conclusion of the talks, authorized by the Governments of the two countries, the two Ministers signed an Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of Cuba on the implementation of a technical assistance project for the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Cuba on strengthening capacity in lawmaking and enforcement. The project focuses on three main components: (1) Supporting the Cuban Ministry of Justice and relevant ministries and agencies in developing legal documents on topics that Cuba needs and Vietnam has experience in, mainly in the civil and economic fields, especially property and enterprises; (2) Supporting the Cuban Ministry of Justice in perfecting notary law and notary management models; sharing experiences on improving the efficiency of state management of justice and digital transformation in the justice sector; (3) Sharing experiences with the Cuban Ministry of Justice and relevant ministries and agencies on implementing international cooperation activities in law, and experiences in participating in multilateral organizations in the field of law.
The two Ministers expressed confidence that the signing and implementation of the Project would bring about substantive changes, providing Cuba with necessary experience in the process of improving its legal framework, contributing to the promotion of Cuba's socio-economic development, and further strengthening the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba. In addition, the two Ministers also agreed to soon sign the Cooperation Program between the two Ministries for the period 2026-2027.
1.3. Regarding work results in Canada
During his time in Canada, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh worked with the Canadian Ministry of Global Affairs, the Canadian Ministry of Justice, met with the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and the University of Montreal, and visited and worked with the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada . Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Canada, Pham Vinh Quang, also participated in the delegation's activities.
a) Working with the Canadian Department of Global Affairs
On the morning of August 14, 2025, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh and the delegation held a working meeting with the Deputy Minister of Global Affairs, David Morrison. Both sides acknowledged the positive development of Vietnam-Canada relations, both bilaterally and multilaterally, especially within the mechanisms of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans -Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP), the UN, APEC, ASEAN-Canada, and the Francophone Community.
Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh informed that Vietnam is implementing many breakthroughs in improving legislation, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and private sector development. He noted that the four strategic resolutions of the Politburo (Resolutions No. 66-NQ/TW, 68-NQ/TW, 57-NQ/TW, and 59-NQ/TW) are considered the "four pillars" to usher Vietnam into a new era. Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh also shared that, with the goal of enhancing the capacity of officials and civil servants of the Ministry of Justice, as well as lawyers, arbitrators, and mediators, through learning from Canada's experience in the aforementioned areas, the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice is collaborating with several Canadian partners to develop a technical assistance project proposal and hopes that the Canadian Ministry of Global Affairs will approve this project.
Deputy Minister David Morrison highly appreciated Vietnam's strategic vision and consistency in its policies, stating that the reform steps being implemented by the Vietnamese Party and State are correct and will create momentum for leaps forward in development in the near future. Deputy Minister David Morrison also affirmed that the legal and judicial cooperation process over the past 35 years is an important foundation for both sides to continue promoting cooperation in the new phase. Regarding Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh's cooperation proposals, Deputy Minister David Morrison expressed his agreement and optimism, committing that the Canadian Department of Global Affairs will actively coordinate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice to realize them soon, thereby bringing practical benefits to both sides.
b) Working with the Canadian Ministry of Justice
During a meeting with Canadian Deputy Minister of Justice Isabelle Jacques, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh emphasized the strong cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Canada over the past 52 years, especially since the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership in 2017. In the field of law and justice, Canada is one of the early development partners supporting Vietnam through many exemplary cooperation projects, providing important references in the process of improving the legal system and enhancing law enforcement capacity .
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To usher in a new phase of cooperation, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh proposed six key areas of collaboration: (i) Promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms outside of court ; (ii) Enhancing the capacity to participate in and resolve international investment disputes; (iii) Promoting the training of judicial positions through support for the Vietnam Judicial Academy; (iv) Strengthening and piloting the application of information technology and artificial intelligence in the process of lawmaking and enforcement; (v) Sharing experiences in perfecting the legal framework for an international financial center in Vietnam; and (vi) Supporting the review and improvement of laws to ensure compatibility . We agree with the commitments in the CPTPP Agreement .
Canadian Deputy Minister of Justice Isabelle Jacques expressed strong agreement with the proposals, assessing them as practical areas of cooperation that would benefit both sides, and affirmed that Canada also wishes to share and learn from Vietnam's experience.
Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh and Deputy Minister Isabelle Jacques agreed to maintain practical and effective bilateral cooperation activities, enhance information sharing, promote international cooperation, and explore the possibility of negotiating and signing a cooperation agreement between the two Ministries in the near future.
In addition, during their working visit to Canada, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh and the delegation also held meetings with the Canadian Bar Association and the University of Montreal to discuss the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the field of law and justice.
2. Regarding compliance with Party and State regulations while abroad.
During his participation in the working delegation, the Minister of Justice complied with the regulations of Directive No. 38-CT/TW dated July 21, 2014, of the Politburo on strengthening the management of delegations traveling abroad, Regulation No. 58-QĐ/TW dated February 8, 2022, of the Politburo, Decision No. 272-QĐ/TW dated January 21, 2015, of the Politburo, and Guidance No. 01-HD/BĐNTW dated June 30, 2015, of the Central Committee for Foreign Affairs; strictly implemented regulations on internal political security and protection of state secrets while abroad; did not contact or work outside the approved program; and ensured that the working time in both countries was strictly adhered to, at 3 days.
3. Comments and suggestions
3.1. Comments
The working visit of the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice delegation to Cuba and Canada ( August 11-14 , 2025 ) achieved all the objectives set out in the plan reported to the Prime Minister, and was highly appreciated by the Canadian side. The meetings, discussions, and working sessions took place in a spirit of goodwill, constructiveness, and mutual respect, contributing to strengthening legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries.
In Cuba, the visit marked a significant milestone, opening a turning point in elevating legal cooperation between the two countries' Ministries of Justice towards greater depth, focusing on concrete, practical activities with tangible outcomes and clear deadlines. The signing of the Technical Assistance Project Agreement on Lawmaking and Enforcement – the first project in which Vietnam has assisted a foreign country in the field of lawmaking – elevated the cooperative relationship to a new level. In the context of Cuba facing numerous difficulties due to its blockade and embargo, this project is even more practically significant.
In Canada, both sides agreed that the potential for cooperation remains very large, especially within the framework of the CPTPP and other multilateral mechanisms; Canada also expressed its willingness to consider funding a technical assistance project to enhance the capacity of Vietnamese officials, civil servants, lawyers, and arbitrators. At the same time, strengthening legal cooperation is also crucial for protecting the more than 200,000 Vietnamese people living in Canada.
3.2. Recommendations
Based on the results of the working trip, the Ministry of Justice respectfully recommends that the Prime Minister assign the following tasks to the Ministry of Justice:
- With Cuba:
+ To chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government Office to complete the legal procedures so that the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of Cuba on the implementation of the Technical Assistance Project for the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Cuba on strengthening the capacity for lawmaking and enforcement can soon come into effect and be implemented;
+ To chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Construction, and other relevant agencies of Vietnam to effectively implement the Technical Assistance Project Agreement;
+ Continue to maintain and strengthen cooperative relations with Cuban law and judicial agencies through the effective implementation of the signed Memorandum of Cooperation;
+ To chair and coordinate with the Cuban Ministry of Justice to expedite the signing of the Cooperation Program between the two Ministries for the period 2026-2027.
- With Canada: continue to maintain and strengthen good relations with Canadian legal authorities, promote cooperation in the legal and judicial fields; coordinate closely with Canadian partners to encourage Canada to: (i) approve the Project to support capacity building for lawmaking officials, train judicial positions to serve economic development and international integration, and (ii) sign a formal cooperation agreement between the two Ministries of Justice.