Message from General Secretary 2025

MESSAGE FROM GENERAL SECRETARY

Mr. Vu Anh Duong - Permanent Vice President Cum General Secretary, Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC)

Dear all,

2024 continued to be a year of significant transformation for VIAC, preparing for further steps in its journey to build and promote the growth of VIAC as well as Arbitration and Mediation in Vietnam. Amid unpredictable fluctuations in both domestic and international economies, VIAC has continually enhanced its adaptability by closely monitoring market dynamics and socio-economic developments, while proactively and comprehensively reviewing its operations towards ongoing improvement and reinforcing its foundations for future stages of development.

In the past year, VIAC handled 478 cases, marking another record-breaking year in terms of the number of cases accepted and resolved in VIAC’s over 30 years of operation. The largest proportion of disputes arose from the sale of goods (25%), followed by construction (22%) and real estate business (14%). Notably, disputes in the real estate sector continued to witness a significant increase, with 79 new cases accepted in 2024. This rise is partly attributed to the impact of the 2024 Land Law and the 2023 Housing Law, which expanded the application of arbitration in real estate-related disputes. This also reflects the fluctuations of the real estate market in the past few years. In addition, the number off disputes arising from financial transactions also showed an upward trend, with 54 cases accounting for 11% of the total cases received during the year. This shift reflects arbitration’s growing and positive reception by the financial market.

In 2024, VIAC remained steadfast in pursuing its development orientation, focusing on two groups of strategic goals.

First, improving its professional quality and reputation, gradually affirming its position as the leading Arbitration and Mediation institution in Vietnam, while becoming a reliable choice for international commercial disputes in the region. This objective continued to be realized through enhancing the expertise of its personnel - including Arbitrators and the Secretariat, standardizing dispute resolution procedures, and continuously adopting international arbitration best practices tailored to the specific conditions of Vietnam, specifically:

• After years of intensive research and development, VIAC has officially launched the VIAC Online Case Management Platform – VIAC eCase. This platform is equipped with features designed to make the arbitration process more flexible and convenient, optimizing time and cost efficiency for disputing parties.
• VIAC issued a Guide on the Selection of Arbitrators and Related Procedures under the VIAC Rules of Arbitration. This guide provides information to help disputing parties better understand the process and their rights in selecting arbitrators in accordance with VIAC’s Rules. It also offers guidance on evaluating the qualifications, experience, and suitability of arbitrators based on the nature of each dispute. In addition, VIAC has continuously reviewed its recommended model documents and others to support the efficient conduct of arbitration, with new documents scheduled for release in 2025.

Second, strengthening its role in the development of the Vietnam legal framework through active involvement in policy recommendations and expert commentary during the drafting and revision of laws related to Arbitration, Mediation, commerce, and investment. By actively collaborating with legislative and judicial bodies, VIAC not only helped promoting dispute resolution but also made meaningful contributions to building the legal framework for alternative dispute resolution (ADRs), enhancing contract enforcement, and improving the stability and transparency of the business environment in Vietnam.

Over the past year, VIAC representatives have participated in the Drafting Committee for the Review Report and the Draft Amendment of the Law on Commercial Arbitration, actively providing feedback and comments on limitations encountered in the law’s implementation in commercial arbitration. At the same time, VIAC maintained frequent professional exchanges and dialogues with the Supreme People’s Court, the Economic Court of the Hanoi People’s Court, and the Economic Court of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court, aiming to enhance the courts’ supporting and supervisory roles in arbitration.

In addition, in 2024, VIAC was delighted to meet with Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh to report on its operations and discuss key issues related to the development of the arbitration and mediation framework in Vietnam. With the Minister’s guidance, evaluations and strategic directions, VIAC gained valuable insights to refine its future operational orientation. In particular, VIAC is committed to positioning itself as a pioneering institution actively contributing to the advancement of Arbitration and Mediation institutions that are Friendly, Transparent, Fair, and Effective.

Looking forward to 2025 and the journey ahead, we believe that a sustainably developed market needs to be accompanied by effective dispute resolution mechanisms that uphold the freedom of contract and respect parties' autonomy. VIAC aspires to continuous improvement by enhancing its operational competence, professional expertise, and international integration to deliver the best experience for the community. In doing so, VIAC aims to build trust, promote trade and investment, and contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s economy in the context of global integration.

Best regards.

Highlights of 2024:

*Message from the General Secretary is extracted from VIAC's 2024 Annual Report, read in full HERE