Vietnam advances digital border controls while limiting lawyers' tech use

Vietnam is expanding digital tools at its border crossings. At the Móng Cái International Gate, more than 5,000 QR codes have been issued to vehicles, allowing electronic verification of drivers, cargo and permits, which officials say speeds clearance and strengthens security. Similar QR‑code passes are being used at the Chi Ma gate in Lạng Sơn to streamline cross‑border movement while maintaining strict checks.

At the same time, officials have imposed new restrictions that prohibit lawyers from bringing laptops, smartphones or other electronic devices into courtrooms. Critics argue the rule undermines the country's broader digital‑transformation goals, forcing attorneys to rely on paper records despite the growing availability of electronic case files and AI‑assisted tools.

Both measures illustrate the tension in Vietnam's push toward a “4.0” society: embracing technology for efficiency and security while imposing limits that may hinder its own modernization efforts.