The Crime of Forging Seals and Documents of Agencies and Organizations and Judicial Practice in Vietnam

In the context of digital transformation and the rapid expansion of electronic transactions, the crime of forging seals and documents of agencies and organizations has become increasingly complex, employing sophisticated methods that seriously threaten state administrative order and legal security in social relations. This offense not only directly undermines the legitimacy and credibility of agencies and organizations but also erodes public trust in the legal system. The article examines the provisions of the 2015 Penal Code of Vietnam (as amended in 2017, 2025) on the crime of forging seals and documents, clarifying its constitutive elements and applicable penalties. It further reviews judicial practice through selected judgments to highlight difficulties in proving criminal intent, distinguishing administrative from criminal liability, and addressing emerging challenges posed by forgery in the digital environment. By drawing on comparative insights from selected foreign legal systems, the article proposes legislative refinements and judicial guidelines to improve the effectiveness of criminal justice in preventing and combating forgery of seals and documents.