Are there any differences in how privilege operates in civil, criminal, regulatory or investigatory situations?
Vietnamese law does not recognize the doctrine of privilege. In any case, the protection and disclosure of documents must be in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Civil Procedure Code on evidence, and legally speaking, there are no differences between these procedures.
Can notes of interviews with employees and other documents produced during investigations be covered by privilege?
Since there is no doctrine of attorney-client privilege in Vietnam, interview notes with employees are not outside the scope of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Civil Procedure Code on evidence. Thus, it is very much possible that the courts and/or relevant competent agencies may request such notes be produced during investigations.