Vietnam Proposes Dropping Written Exam for Notary Trainees, Citing Efficiency

Vietnam's Department of Judicial Support is proposing a significant shift in the examination process for aspiring notary public trainees, suggesting the elimination of the written test in favor of a fully computer-based multiple-choice format. This move comes as Vietnam anticipates a potential shortfall in the number of practicing notaries.

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The written exam makes the organization and grading process more time-consuming and costly (requiring multiple committees) compared to multiple-choice tests. Candidates also spend more time completing it and waiting for results.

By December 2024, Vietnam had approximately 3,500 notaries public. However, under the Notary Law of 2024, an estimated 500 to 600 notaries are expected to be automatically relieved of their duties by July 1, 2027, due to reaching the age of 70. To ensure a sufficient supply of qualified professionals, the Department of Judicial Support believes organizing training and examination sessions is crucial.

Recent examinations, which included both a computer-based multiple-choice test and a written component, have revealed limitations. The department argues that the written exam is time-consuming and resource-intensive for both organization and grading. Candidates also face longer waiting times for results. The proposed amendment to Circular No. 06/2025, which governs notary public traineeships, would replace the written exam with two computer-based multiple-choice tests: one on notary law, certification, and professional ethics, and another on practical notary skills.

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testing notary public practice skills through multiple-choice questions will not adequately assess the core competencies (legal thinking, reasoning skills, expression, situation handling, and document drafting) of the candidates; the written format should be maintained on the computer.

However, the proposal has met with reservations. The Judicial Academy, for instance, voiced concerns that a purely multiple-choice format might fail to evaluate a candidate's fundamental abilities, such as legal reasoning, argumentation, and document drafting. They advocate for retaining a written component, even if computer-based, to better assess these core competencies. Similarly, the Departments of Justice in Hanoi and Lào Cai emphasized the demanding nature of notary work, which requires direct assessment of transaction legality, risk identification, and situational problem-solving, arguing that essay-style questions are better suited for evaluating these skills. The Department of Judicial Support maintains that a 100% multiple-choice exam will ensure objectivity, fairness, and efficiency, with assessment methods for practical skills to be further developed.

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The nature of the notary profession requires directly checking the legality of transactions, identifying risks, and handling situations, thus only essay-style tests can assess the applicant's ability to apply the law and legal reasoning.