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Foreigners who are invited to work with the police, placed under investigation, or involved in criminal cases in Vietnam often worry that they do not fully understand what is happening. Do they have the right to request an interpreter? What legal risks may arise if they sign written records without understanding Vietnamese? This article helps clarify an important legal right that is often overlooked.
When a foreigner is summoned to work with investigative authorities, confusion and anxiety often arise very quickly. Not because they are certainly guilty, but because they:
do not understand what the officers are asking
are unsure whether the written record reflects what they actually said
fear signing legal documents written in Vietnamese
worry that “not understanding” may be considered uncooperative or obstructive
This is the greatest legal risk, because in criminal proceedings, every statement has legal value.
When working with the police or judicial authorities in Vietnam, language barriers are one of the biggest concerns for foreigners. If they do not fully understand the questions or the content of written records, do they have the right to request an interpreter to protect themselves under the law?
Under the Criminal Procedure Code of Vietnam 2015, the right to use one’s own language and to have an interpreter is clearly protected.
Specifically, Article 29 provides that:
Participants in criminal proceedings have the right to use their spoken and written language; if they do not know Vietnamese, they have the right to request an interpreter.
This right applies to all stages of criminal proceedings, including:
investigation
prosecution
trial
In other words, foreigners fully have the right to request an interpreter when working with competent authorities in Vietnam.
The right to request an interpreter applies not only to suspects or defendants, but also to:
foreign victims
foreign witnesses
persons with related rights and obligations
persons held in custody or detention
foreigners invited to work during the initial verification stage
This is very important because even before formal charges are filed, the right to an interpreter still exists.
This is the question that worries many foreigners the most after they have signed written records in Vietnamese that they did not fully understand. Are those signatures legally binding? Can they be challenged or reconsidered? Does the absence of an interpreter affect their legal rights during criminal proceedings in Vietnam?
In practice, many foreigners:
are questioned in simple Vietnamese
are asked to sign records “because it is just a normal working session”
are not fully informed of their right to an interpreter
This may lead to risks such as:
the record not accurately reflecting their true intentions
statements being misunderstood or incorrectly recorded
difficulty correcting the record later once it has been signed
In principle, a record made without an interpreter while the participant does not understand Vietnamese may be reviewed for legality. However, whether it will be invalidated depends on many factors and is not automatically null and void.
This is why early involvement of a lawyer is extremely important.
After learning that they have the right to request an interpreter, many foreigners wonder whether they can choose an interpreter they trust. In reality, who serves as the interpreter and whether they accurately understand both the language and legal terminology can significantly affect how statements are recorded and how the foreigner’s rights are protected.
Under the law, interpreters are usually:
appointed by the competent procedural authority, or
proposed by the participant in the proceedings and approved
However, in practice:
not all interpreters have legal expertise
some translations are incomplete or inaccurate
many foreigners do not know they have the right to object
A lawyer does not replace an interpreter, but plays a crucial role in:
supervising the quality of interpretation
requesting that objections be recorded if interpretation is inaccurate
protecting the right not to sign records before fully understanding them
requesting a change of interpreter when there are valid grounds
This is why foreigners should have a lawyer involved from the very first working session, rather than waiting until formal charges are brought.
In practice, DEDICA Law regularly:
advises foreigners invited to work with the police
protects the rights of foreign suspects and defendants
supports foreigners who are victims in criminal cases in Vietnam
We have found that:
Many legal risks do not come from criminal acts themselves, but from misunderstanding the process and not having rights properly protected.
DEDICA approaches each case by:
clearly explaining rights and obligations
focusing on preventing procedural risks
ensuring clients understand each legal step
(Note: Each case is different; legal advice depends on the specific file and circumstances.)
If you or your family member is a foreigner who is:
invited by the police to work
under criminal investigation
a victim or related party in a criminal case
please remember:
you have the right to request an interpreter
you have the right not to sign documents you do not understand
you have the right to engage a lawyer to protect your lawful interests
Being proactive does not worsen the situation; on the contrary, it helps ensure transparency and legality in criminal proceedings.
If you or your loved one is a foreigner involved in a criminal case in Vietnam, contact DEDICA Law for:
appropriate legal strategy consultation
assistance in working with competent authorities
careful and professional protection of your lawful rights
📞 Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (WhatsApp, WeChat, Zalo available)
🕒 Working hours: Monday – Friday (8:30 – 18:00)
Contact us now for an initial free consultation with our experienced lawyers.
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