The family serves as the fundamental unit of society and the primary environment for individual development and social stability. In Viet Nam, the legal framework governing marriage and family has evolved significantly since 1959, with the adoption of the Law on Marriage and Family in 2014 marking a critical milestone in codifying and protecting the rights and obligations of family members. However, after more than a decade of implementation, reviewing and modernizing family law has become increasingly essential. This urgency is driven by rapid transformations in social structures, demographic trends, migration patterns, women’s labour force participation, and advancements in reproductive technologies, all of which give rise to unprecedented legal challenges.

Furthermore, this modernization aligns with Viet Nam’s broader efforts to strengthen the socialist rule-of-law state and enhance human rights protection in accordance with Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW (2022) and Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW (2025). To address these complexities, Hanoi Law University (HLU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam are co-organizing the International Conference on Marriage and Family Law and Society in a Changing Context. The event is designed to foster an informed academic dialogue grounded in domestic realities and international comparative experiences regarding the legal protection of families.

The conference seeks to achieve the following primary objectives:

• To provide a high-quality academic forum for exchanging the latest theoretical and empirical research on marriage and family law within the context of ongoing social and technological transformations.

• To comprehensively assess the current legal framework and propose necessary reforms through an in-depth analysis of the Law on Marriage and Family 2014 and the Law on Adoption.

• To share international experiences and lessons learned regarding the protection of vulnerable groups, women, and children.

• To evaluate these protective measures specifically through the lenses of gender equality and the best interests of the child across diverse family models.

• To contribute directly to legislative policymaking by utilizing the conference findings to inform a Conference Summary Report and a UNDP Policy Brief tailored for policymakers and legislators in Viet Nam.