Public Policy in Private International Law

This article discusses the public policy or ordre public in private international law. Private international law is generally open in accepting or recognizing foreign law or foreign decisions. The public policy constitutes a limit to that openness. It impedes the application of foreign law or the recognition of a foreign decision in cases in which the application or recognition would violate fundamental values or interests of the forum. As an ultimate limit to foreign law, thus, it is an essential part of private international law and also part of instrument of Vietnamese legal system.