Tenancy protection

Good luck. Landlords here do what they like. Is it a maintenace issue or money issue?. Most VN landlords are quite difficult as the laws here are never enforced.

Sorry Lorna

Col is correct.   The (Western) ideal of 'Rule of Law' doesn't exist in Vietnam

Yes, there are (some) rules & regulations which only apply to the ratio...

..of how much money you can afford to lose...

The policeman in your pocket is the best bet   

Good luck with that...     

Find a lawyer; better yet, move. They can't hold you to the lease.

Looks like we will never know what the issue was with her landlord.

colinoscapee wrote:

Looks like we will never know what the issue was with her landlord.

Anyone in Vietnam looking for an ombudsman really doesn't understand the situation.

This says it all

om·buds·man
/ˈämbədzmən/Submit
noun
an official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities.

Maybe hiring a half-dozen Vietnamese "cousins" to come along to the meeting would help? As already noted, especially helpful if one is a cop...

Seriously though, if OP is reading this, consider an interpreter. Not legal help, I know, but is there a possibility this is a communications breakdown?