Dong Nai’s courts advance digital transformation to meet metropolitan demands

The digitization of case files and the adoption of online hearings facilitate legal proceedings, contribute to the timely resolution of cases, ensure transparency, and reduce the possibilities of trial adjournments caused by the inability to transport defendants to courts.                                                            

A judge at the Dong Nai People's Court uses the court's Virtual Assistant software to access legal information. Photo: To Tam

This clearly demonstrates that Dong Nai City’s two-tier People's Court system is gradually innovating its operational methods, building a modern, transparent, and more accessible judiciary, and adapting to the development requirements of a major urban area.

Digital transformation accelerates in court sector

At the Dong Nai People's Court, instead of flipping through dozens of law books or searching through thick stacks of documents, judges and clerks now need only a few clicks on their computers to access legal texts, case precedents, or relevant professional guidelines. Such scenes are becoming increasingly common at court units across the city following the acceleration of digital transformation throughout the sector.

After its reorganization and merger, Dong Nai City’s two-tier People's Court system has had to ensure that trials run smoothly while handling a growing number of cases. In this context, information technology has become a powerful tool for improving operational efficiency.

From October 2025 to May 2026, 100% of the accepted case files were updated on the management and monitoring software; more than 122,000 marriage and family case files were digitized; over 4,600 judgments and decisions were made public; and Dong Nai City’s two-tier court system organized more than 170 online hearings and nearly 100 online experience-sharing trials.

According to Judge Dinh Kieu Luong, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Court at the Dong Nai People's Court, one of the applications most frequently used by court officials and civil servants is the Virtual Assistant software. With a single click, users can quickly access legal regulations, case precedents, or necessary professional guidelines.

"The court's software has significantly reduced the time required for file research. It also helps participants in legal proceedings access all relevant regulations, enabling more accurate application of the law," said Judge Dinh Kieu Luong.

Beyond supporting professional research, technology also helps bridge geographical distances. Dong Nai City’s two-tier People's Court system recently held a briefing meeting entirely online in late May. From the central venue, the municipal court leaders were able to connect simultaneously with 14 regional courts. Clear visual and audio transmission ensured smooth communication. All directives and task implementation were carried out promptly through the digital environment.

This transformation is also taking place in trial activities. Recent online hearings have helped resolve many cases in which defendants, litigants, or other participants in legal proceedings faced difficulties attending courts in person due to geographical distance. Connections between different online points of presence save time and costs and help ensure the timely resolution of cases in accordance with the law.

Judge Bui Ba Dien, Chief Justice of the Dong Nai Region 2 People's Court, said the unit has proactively developed and put into operation internal case management software. Through this system, leadership can monitor the progress of each case, oversee procedural deadlines for each file, and provide timely reminders and supervision when necessary. At the same time, the unit is gradually establishing an electronic workflow, reducing dependence on paper files.

Building a modern digital court

While the Virtual Assistant software and online hearings are visible aspects of digital transformation, behind them is a comprehensive process of building data platforms, improving management systems, and changing operational methods across the entire court sector.

An online hearing takes place at the Dong Nai People's Court. Photo: To Tam

According to Nguyen Thi Tuyet Thanh, Chief Justice of the Dong Nai People's Court, the two-tier court system in the city has identified digital transformation, file digitization, and the application of information technology as key tasks and breakthroughs in judicial reform. Units throughout the sector are increasing their use of executive document systems, digital signatures, case management software, internal case management software, judgment publication software, the Virtual Assistant, online meeting systems, and many other shared professional platforms.

Regarding the Virtual Assistant software, judges, court examiners, and clerks have gradually utilized it effectively to look up legal normative documents, case precedents, and professional guidelines, as well as to address legal situations arising in practice. This tool supports file research, promotes a unified understanding of the law, and helps limit errors in legal application.

Another important area is the publication of judgments and decisions in an electronic environment. Once the information is securely encrypted as required, legally valid judgments and decisions are shared on the system for research, study, and public oversight. This contributes to enhancing the transparency of trial activities as well as the accountability of those conducting legal proceedings.

In the roadmap for building an electronic court, online hearings are considered a crucial step. Dong Nai City’s two-tier People's Court system has coordinated with the procuracy, enforcement agencies, detention centers, and relevant units to organize numerous online hearings for eligible cases.

Chief Justice Nguyen Thi Tuyet Thanh said that in the near future, the Dong Nai People's Court will keep following the instructions from the Supreme People's Court, improve how they check and oversee units in organizing data, and speed up the process of gathering and preparing all necessary files and documents as required. At the same time, it will inspect and cross-check data after digitization to ensure that the digitized information is accurate, complete, and consistent with the original paper files, thereby facilitating the effective use of data and supporting the construction of the People's Court system's digital database, with the goal of completion in 2026.

According to many units, this model has demonstrated clear effectiveness in saving time and costs while reducing pressure related to trial organization.

Lawyer Ha Manh Tuong, Deputy Chairman of the Dong Nai City Bar Association, said that the digitization of files and online hearings facilitate legal proceedings, contribute to the timely resolution of cases, ensure transparency, and reduce trial postponements caused by the inability to transport defendants to court. He expressed hope that the digitization system will continue to be upgraded in a more synchronized manner, making file searches more convenient and ensuring stable connectivity during hearings.

These efforts have made a positive impression on many international partners. During a visit and working session at the Dong Nai People's Court, Judge Tom Crabtree, Director of the Judicial Administration Board at Canada's National Judicial Institute, highly praised the unit's online hearing system. He expressed surprise at the relatively modern equipment installed in the courtrooms and noted that the pace of digital transformation at the Dong Nai People's Court is rapid and holds considerable promise for the development of a modern and transparent court system in the near future.

By To Tam – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha