The Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and Agribank launched Training Series on Skills for out-of-court dispute resolution in the Banking and Finance sector and civil judgment enforcement

This training series is part of a collaborative training initiative between Agribank and the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), aimed at equipping Agribank staff with essential knowledge and practical skills to identify, prevent legal risks and effectively handle conflicts arising in the banking and finance sector. The first training session takes place on July 24th & 25th, 2025, in Hanoi, with subsequent sessions scheduled to be held in nine provinces and cities across the country during August and September. The program is expected to attract around 1,000 participants.

Trainers and participants at the Hanoi training session

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Duong – Member of the Member’s Council in charge of legal affairs at Agribank – emphasized the critical importance of strengthening the capability to prevent legal risks and effectively resolve arising disputes. She particularly highlighted the role of out-of-court dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation in the banking and finance sector. According to Ms. Duong, in the context of banks facing increasing challenges such as growth pressures, credit quality, digital transformation, and the need to comply with international governance standards, legal compliance and dispute resolution capabilities have become indispensable pillars in every bank’s risk management system.

In practice, disputes arising from credit, security and debt recovery activities are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to control. Along with the growing demand for effective dispute resolution in banking and finance, expanding access to and promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, alongside court proceedings, has become an inevitable trend. These mechanisms enable banks to be more proactive in managing risks and protecting their legitimate interests.

Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Duong – Member of the Member’s Council in charge of Legal Affairs at Agribank delivering the opening speech for the Training series

This training program marks a concrete and practical step in implementing Agribank’s 2025 Core Training plan. It reflects the bank’s strong commitment to enhancing the legal and professional capacity of its workforce, promoting greater professionalism and proactivity in dispute resolution. Thus gradually building a core team of specialists with systematic and in-depth expertise in debt handling. The program focuses on key topics such as the value of timely resolution of banking and financial disputes, practical skills in handling credit and banking disputes through arbitration and mediation, and competencies in civil judgment enforcement.

Agribank’s leader also expressed hope that, upon completion of the course, participants will serve as “knowledge ambassadors” within their units, helping colleagues address legal issues, reducing disputes, improving debt recovery efficiency, and protecting the bank’s reputation. This underscores Agribank’s belief that sustainable development must be grounded in the quality of human resources, particularly the capacity to manage legal risks and challenges in every business decision.

Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh - President of Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) delivering his introductory speech

In his introductory speech titled “The value of timely resolution of banking and financial disputes – A practical perspective from the banking operation,” Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh outlined and shed light on existing issues and areas for improvement in identifying legal risks and effectively resolving disputes that are specific to the banking and finance industry. The president of VIAC emphasized that as Vietnam continues to deepen its international integration, banks must also align with international standards, especially in the area of dispute resolution.

In the banking and finance sector, disputes are almost inevitable due to the complexity of operations, the diversity of contractual arrangements, and the inherently high financial risks. Prompt resolution of such disputes not only protects the rights of the parties involved but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and credibility of the banking system. Prof. Hanh also provided an overview of the dispute resolution methods currently used both globally and in Vietnam, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each. This provided participants with broader insights into handling financial and banking disputes. He recommended that, in addition to the traditional approach of litigation that banks typically rely on, greater attention should be paid to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as arbitration and mediation, which can offer strategic advantages and maximize benefits for financial institutions.

Lawyer Truong Thanh Duc, CEO at ANVI Law firm, Arbitrator at VIAC

Continuing the program, Lecturer Truong Thanh Duc delivered in-depth sessions on fundamental knowledge in resolving banking and financial disputes, skills in arbitration and mediation, civil judgment enforcement techniques, and practical notes on civil enforcement cases. Mr. Thanh Duc also emphasized that in addition to helping participants grasp and understand the fundamental issues in each field to comply with regulations and prevent legal risks, it is also important to note the complexities, obstacles, and inadequacies of the law in real life. This is to remind banking officers and staff to consider, reflect, and think critically when performing their tasks, thereby achieving the best goals, solutions, and actions that align with practical circumstances.

Mr. Phan Trong Dat, Acting Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) and Ms. Vu Thi Hang, Deputy Head of VIAC's Secretariat delivering their speech

At the training session, Mr. Phan Trong Dat, Acting Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) under VIAC, introduced the mechanism of commercial mediation and shared practical insights from VMC’s operations. He emphasized that mediation is a voluntary and neutral dispute resolution method that supports parties in negotiating and identifying mutually acceptable solutions, while saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring confidentiality. Several proposals for applying mediation in the banking and finance sector were discussed, including establishing internal mediation mechanisms, collaborating with professional mediation centers, and incorporating mediation clauses into contracts.

As part of the program, Ms. Vu Thi Hang, Deputy Head of VIAC's Secretariat, presented practical practices of resolving disputes through arbitration at VIAC. With over 3,300 cases handled over more than 30 years of operation, VIAC has continuously improved its procedures, aligned more closely with international standards, and expanded the application of online dispute resolution (ODR). Real case studies related to banking and finance disputes provided participants with practical and valuable perspectives. The session concluded with a Q&A segment led by VIAC experts, which received positive feedback from participants and Agribank’s Board of Directors. The training series is scheduled to continue in various provinces and cities across the country.

Overview of the training course in Hanoi

In addition to its role in resolving disputes through arbitration and commercial mediation, VIAC, with a team of leading experts in the fields of economics and law, has been organizing numerous training courses tailored to the needs of businesses and partners.

For more information regarding training programs, please contact:

Promotion and Training Department, Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC)
Address: No. 9 Dao Duy Anh Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Phone: +84 24 3574 4001 | Email: info@viac.org.vn