University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2011 Recognising customary law in Vietnam: legal pluralism and human rights Nhat Thanh Phan University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Phan, Nhat Thanh, Recognising customary law in Vietnam: legal pluralism and human rights, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Faculty of Law, University of Wollongong, 2011. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3455 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact Manager Repository Services: [email protected]. RECOGNISING CUSTOMARY LAW IN VIETNAM: LEGAL PLURALISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS The thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY from UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG By PHAN, NHAT THANH LLB, Hochiminh City University of Law (Vietnam) LLM, Transnational Law and Business University (South Korea) FACULTY OF LAW 2011 CERTIFICATION I, Phan Nhat Thanh, declare that this thesis, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy, in the Faculty of Law, University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Phan Nhat Thanh 19 July 2011 ABSTRACT This thesis examines whether customary law should be more effectively recognised in Vietnam. By exploring how customary law is treated in different parts in the world, the thesis provides a survey overview of the position of customary law in a number of legal systems. Customary law is regarded as law, infra state law, or non- law depending on social circumstances and the attitude of the state. Legal pluralism and human rights are considered as key arguments for the recognition of customary law. However, by approaching via the various paradigms of law (including legal centralism and legal pluralism) the evidence reveals that customary law has some advantages and disadvantages. A serious examination of the impacts of recognition of customary law is needed if this position is ever to be adopted. Customary law may also have positive or negative impacts on human rights. On the one hand, it may be the best instrument for protecting and developing human rights for minority groups and Indigenous people. On the other, it may also cause violations of human rights because it provides different laws for people in regard to the same issues or disputes with such differentiation generally based on the ethnicity of the persons concerned. Via an examination of the Vietnamese legal system and the country‘s social circumstances, this thesis considers: whether customary law could enjoy more effective recognition; what might be the drawbacks of such a plan; and how could implementation benefit the country‘s development? i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The thesis would not been possible without the help and support of many individuals and organisations. The greatest thanks go to my supervisor, Professor Luke McNamara, for providing me with his expert guidance and meaningful criticisms. His intelligence, enthusiasm and sense of responsibility have created the cornerstone of my research and academic life. Secondly, I am heartily thankful to my co- supervisor, Dr Nadirsyah Hosen, for helping me study, research and complete the thesis. Also, many thanks to Professor Greg Rose and Professor Warwick Gullett, of the University of Wollongong, and Professor Mai Hong Quy, Chancellor of Hochiminh City University of Law, for their advice and support during the course. I owe my deepest grateful thanks to Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (Project 322), Hochiminh City University of Law, University of Wollongong, and the Faculty of Law, University of Wollongong for their financial, academic and technical support, which created favourable conditions for my study. I also would like to show my gratitude to Ms Mary Sparks, Student Resident Manager for offering me great help, both materially and psychologically. Thank you also to the staff members of the Faculty of Law, University of Wollongong, for their continuous help and encouragement. I would like to express my special thanks and gratitude to Ms Elaine Newby for editing my thesis. As language is a relative barrier for non-native English students, I unavoidably made a number of grammatical errors. Her editing services were highly appreciated. ii I am especially indebted to my family for their love and sacrifice. The great love of my deceased Mother, the sacrifices made by my wife, and the images of my children bring belief and hope into my life. I also would like to make a special reference to Mr and Mrs Samaras, Long–Chi Family, Mr Adrian White, and my PhD colleague Badar Alanazi, who have made available their support in a number of ways. Lastly, I offer my regards and blessings to all of those who supported me in any respect during the completion of the thesis. For Nhat Mai, Nhat Nam iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ iv LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... x 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1 1. 1 Background .................................................................................................. 1 1. 2 Statement of the Problems ........................................................................... 6 1.2.1 Source of law............................................................................................ 6 1.2.2 The problem of the multi-ethnic and multi-religion nature of Vietnam .. 7 1.2.3 The shortcomings of the current Vietnamese legal system .................... 17 1. 3 Existing Literature in Vietnam ................................................................... 18 1. 4 Research Questions .................................................................................... 26 1. 5 Scope and Methodology ............................................................................. 27 1. 6 Contributions of the Thesis ........................................................................ 28 1. 7 Synopsis of the thesis ................................................................................. 30 PART 1 CUSTOMARY LAW LEGAL PLURALISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS WORLDWIDE 2 SURVEY OVERVIEW OF HOW CUSTOMARY LAW IS TREATED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD .................................................................. 33 2. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 33 2. 2 Custom vs. Customary Law ....................................................................... 36 2. 3 Customary law: Law vs. Non-law .............................................................. 41 2.3.1 Customary law itself is law .................................................................... 43 2.3.2 Customary law is law that relies on recognition by the state ................. 47 2.3.3 Customary law is regarded as infra state-law ........................................ 53 2.3.4 Customary law is regarded as non-state law .......................................... 55 iv 2. 4 Mode and Criteria for a Custom to be Customary Law ............................. 62 2.4.1 Mode of recognition ............................................................................... 63 2.4.2 Criteria for recognition ........................................................................... 66 2. 5 Advantages of Customary Law in Application .......................................... 70 2.5.1 Particularity ............................................................................................ 70 2.5.2 Jurisdiction ............................................................................................. 71 2.5.3 Customary courts and procedures .......................................................... 72 2. 6 Disadvantages of Customary Law ............................................................. 73 2.6.1 Particularity ............................................................................................ 74 2.6.2 Jurisdiction ............................................................................................. 76 2.6.3 Customary courts and procedures .......................................................... 78 2. 7 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 79 3 WHY COUNTRIES SHOULD RECOGNISE CUSTOMARY LAW AS A SOURCE OF LAW: LEGAL PLURALISM ............................................................. 83 3. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 83 3. 2 The Concept of Legal Pluralism ................................................................ 85 3.2.1 Approaching the concept of legal pluralism through the prism of sociology ............................................................................................................ 87