The protection of child victims’ rights in criminal proceedings in general, and in the first-instance stage in particular, is a matter of significant importance in both legal theory and practice. Vietnamese law provides certain provisions to ensure the rights of child victims; however, there remain shortcomings in the legal framework and difficulties in implementation. Based on an analysis of the legal regulations on child-friendly justice for child victims in first-instance criminal proceedings and their application in practice, this article proposes solutions to improve the law and strengthen its enforcement, thereby ensuring the best possible protection for child victims in first-instance criminal proceedings.