VIAC eNewsletter - Issue 25.11.03

INVESTMENT LEGAL SUPPORT FORUM  – ILS FORUM 2025

As a vital segment of the economy, industrial zones and economic zones have, for many years, attracted substantial investment capital, contributed significantly to the state budget, enhanced national competitiveness, and accelerated international integration. Recently, with a series of important amendments to the legal framework, the investment, construction, and development activities in industrial zones are expected to undergo a new phase of transformation. However, alongside these opportunities, the evolving regulatory environment also presents certain challenges for investors and enterprises.

Amid significant changes in administrative boundaries and legal policies, with the goal of fostering dialogue, discussion, and the proposal of timely adaptive and effective implementation solutions, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) in collaboration with the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC) organized the annual Investment Legal Support Forum 2025, themed “Industrial  zone infrastructure development investment: Legal innovations and implementation recommendations”. The forum took place from 07:45 to 11:45 on 21st November, 2025. [See more]

NEWS & UPDATES

VIAC DELEGATION ATTENDS HONGKONG ARBITRATION WEEK 2025 AND SIGNS MOUS WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh, President of VIAC, together with VIAC delegation, attended the HongKong ADR Week 2025, visited and signed MoUs with HKIAC and eBRAM

From October 21 to 24, 2025, the VIAC delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh – President of VIAC paid a working visit to Hong Kong (China).

As part of the trip, the VIAC delegation attended the “ADR in Asia Conference”, the flagship event of Hong Kong Arbitration Week 2025, held on October 22, 2025. On the following day, October 23, the delegation visited and signed MoU with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre on October 23, 2025.

With the signing of the MoUs, VIAC, HKIAC, and eBRAM reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting fair, transparent, and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms. The parties also agreed to collaborate in advancing digital transformation in arbitration, encouraging the use of online platforms and technology-based dispute resolution, thereby improving access to justice, enhancing procedural efficiency, and providing a better user experience. [See more]

HIGHLIGHT EVENTS

LEGAL MANAGEMENT SERIES IN HOCHIMINH CITY - LMS 2025

Legal Management series in Ho Chi Minh City - LMS 2025

In the context of a wave of new policies and legal regulations being issued and coming into effect, the business community faces a landscape filled with both promising opportunities and significant challenges. Accordingly, the annual Legal Management Series in Ho Chi Minh City 2025 (LMS 2025) continues to be implemented in the August, 2025 with the main theme “Forging new directions in legal risk management”.

LMS 2025 comprises 09 events delivered in 03 formats: Conference, Training Workshops, and Online Talkshow - focusing on 03 key sectors: Finance - Banking, Energy, and Real Estate. Many topical issues were brought up for in-depth discussion, such as the legal framework and capital mobilization solutions for businesses, current trends in cooperation in investing energy projects, or new policies expected to impact the real estate market in the near future…

With over 1,500 participants, nearly 40 domestic and international economic - legal experts attending, LMS 2025 fostered valuable exchanges, provided the business community with curated insights into market and legal developments, as well as practical guidance on contract implementation control and corporate legal risk management in the current context. [See more]

TRAINING SERIES ON SKILLS FOR OUT-OF-COURT DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE BANKING AND FINANCE SECTOR AND CIVIL JUDGMENT ENFORCEMENT

VIAC and AGRIBANK co-organized the Training series on Skills for out-of-court dispute resolution in the Banking and Finance sector and civil judgment enforcement

From July to September, 2025, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank), in collaboration with VIAC, organized Training Series on Skills for out-of-court dispute resolution in the Banking and Finance sector and civil judgment enforcement. The training series is going to be held in nine provinces and cities across the country, expected to attract around 1,000 participants. The series 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. [See more]

ADR BLOG

THE "THIRD PARTIES" IN ARBITRATION: THE VIEW FROM PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF ARBITRATION LAW

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Nghia, MPP Program Director, Faculty Member, Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, VIAC Arbitrator

According to the Department of Judicial Support under the Ministry of Justice, as of the time this article is written, Vietnam has 48 established arbitration institutions with over 600 arbitrators, collectively handling thousands of commercial disputes each year. A distinct arbitration service sector has thus taken shape. As this sector continues to grow, its unique characteristics have become increasingly evident, among which is the issue of addressing third-party interests. Unlike court litigation, arbitration is, in principle, a non-public procedure, and the involvement of third parties is considered an exception. The following article discusses how to consider and safeguard third-party interests in arbitral proceedings, illustrating several situations where the disputing parties or the arbitral tribunal may need to take such interests into account. The objective of arbitration proceedings is to promote the fair resolution of disputes, encourage voluntary compliance with obligations, and avoid the escalation of litigation. With these considerations in mind, this article also proposes a number of policy options concerning third-party participation that may be worth referencing in the upcoming revision of the Law on Commercial Arbitration. [See more]

*Disclaimer: The articles in this ADR Blog section only express the opinions and views of the independent experts and do not have any connection or purpose to express the views and opinions of the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC) or any other agency or organization. Any references or quotations from any third party to this document are void and are not recognized by VIAC.

PUBLICATIONS

ICCA'S GUIDE TO THE INTERPRETATION OF THE 1958 NEW YORK CONVENTION (SECOND EDITION)

In August 2024, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) formally published the second edition of the ICCA’s Guide to the Interpretation of the 1958 New York Convention. Since its publication in 2012, the Guide has proven remarkably effective. It has become an influential and often cited authoritative text on the New York Convention. The Second Edition is the result of a thorough review, covering developments in case law on the application of the New York Convention and recent court practices. In addition, certain additional aspects of the Convention not included in the First Edition are now covered.

In concrete, the main changes included in the Second Edition are the following (i) updated references to relevant case law, in particular case law illustrating essential principles; (ii) a more comprehensive treatment of the most favored principle contained in Article VII.1 of the Convention; (iii) a new section on Article VI of the Convention; (iv) clarification of certain points to reflect court practice; and (v) redrafting across the text to improve clarity.

Download ICCA’s Guide to the Interpretation of the 1958 New York Convention (Second edition): Vietnamese | English | Other languages

EVENT MATERIAL - CONFERENCE ON LEGAL UPDATES IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR: IMPACTS ON INVESTORS

The legal framework in the fields of finance and taxation is undergoing significant changes, with the purpose of creating a transparent business environment, promoting fair competition, and protecting investors’ rights. With the objective of equipping enterprises and investors with timely access to new legal regulations and enabling them to develop appropriate responses to emerging opportunities and challenges, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), is organizing the Conference “Legal updates in the financial sector: Impacts on investors".

Download the Conference’s material HERE

Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC)

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