The full implementation of UNCAC contents will help prevent and control corruption in Vietnam more effectively since according to the convention, developed countries are committed to helping developing countries resolve anti-corruption issues. When joining the convention, Vietnam’s international prestige will be further enhanced to help mobilize attract more official development assistance (ODA) fundings. In addition, Vietnam can also cooperate with other countries to retrieve lost properties in corruption cases. This will create a legal corridor to deter the transport of illegal assets abroad, Mr Thanh said.

Regarding advantages and difficulties Vietnam will face when joining the Convention, Mr Thanh said the foremost advantage is that the spirit of the Convention is in line with Vietnam’s development interest and Vietnamese leaders’ high determination to fight corruption. In recent years, Vietnam has approved a series of laws required by the convention such as the Anti-Corruption Law, the Bidding Law and the State Auditing Law, bracing many contents of the convention.

One of the difficulties is that Vietnam is still in the process of perfecting its legal system and therefore the system has not yet met all the convention’s requirements.

For example, Vietnam started its bidding activities nine years ago, much later than developed countries. Therefore, the country needs time to implement the laws.

Regarding the response of Vietnam’s legal system to the compulsory regulations of the Convention, Mr Thanh said Vietnam’s legal system has met most of the compulsory regulations. The problem is how to implement the laws. “We will ask the Ministry of Justice to re-examine the legal system and make prompt supplements to the programme on formulating the laws and ordinances in the coming years”, he added.

The Convention also asks member countries to set up two anti-corruption bodies to prevent corruption and implement the anti-corruption law. Regarding Vietnam’s efforts to meet the compulsory requirements, Mr Thanh said for the present, the country has the state auditing agency, the Government Inspection agency, and other agencies in charge of disseminating legal information to prevent corruption. As for agencies in charge of implementing the laws, the country has the police, procuracy and court. In addition, the anti-corruption law also stipulates the establishment of specialized agencies on anti-corruption among the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People’s procuracy and government inspection agency.

He said relevant agencies are busy preparing documents for submission the higher level of authority responsible for issuing regulations on the functions, tasks and organization structure agencies. Regarding government inspection, the Prime Minister has considered principles on setting up the Anti-corruption Department. Currently, the government inspection agency is carefully considering the mandates of the Department. 

In addition, in the government’s action plan, the government inspection agency will co-ordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the National Administration Institute to introduce anticorruption education into the national education system.