VIAC had a working meeting with the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) about ADRs in the Asia - Pacific

On the afternoon of September 19, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) held a working session with the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) on the development of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution methods (ADRs) in the Asia–Pacific region.

Attending the meeting on behalf of VIAC were Prof. Dr. Lê Hồng Hạnh – President of VIAC, Mr. Châu Việt Bắc – Vice Secretary General of VIAC cum Deputy Director of the VIAC Ho Chi Minh City Branch, Ms. Hoàng Nguyễn Hạ Quyên – Deputy Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC), VIAC's Arbitrator, along with managers of professional departments under VIAC.

Prof. Dr. Lê Hồng Hạnh – President of VIAC welcome the AIJA delegation to VIAC

Opening the meeting, Prof. Dr. Lê Hồng Hạnh – President of VIAC, welcomed the AIJA delegation to the VIAC Ho Chi Minh City office as part of AIJA’s 2025 Asia–Pacific Regional Meeting. He emphasized that this was an opportunity for both sides to exchange, share experiences, and assess practices in dispute resolution in Vietnam and across the region.

Speaking about VIAC’s activities, Prof. Dr. Hạnh noted that VIAC and its divisions, including the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) and the Vietnam Institute for Arbitration Research and Training (VIART), aspire to build a diverse and robust ADR ecosystem, creating favorable conditions for the development of ADR in Vietnam. Over the years, VIAC has continuously improved its procedures, reviewed and refined its rules and guidelines. Looking ahead, he expressed his expectation that arbitration and mediation at VIAC and VMC will continue to advance in line with international standards, ensuring the best possible support for the parties involved.

Drawing from practice, Prof. Dr. Lê Hồng Hạnh also shared that ADR has become an increasingly popular choice thanks to its user-friendly, swift, and effective nature. Therefore, organizations such as VIAC and AIJA, with their strengths and resources, should contribute positively to supporting businesses and legal professionals in enhancing their understanding and effective use of ADR.

Mr. Châu Việt Bắc – Vice Secretary General of VIAC cum Deputy Director of the VIAC Ho Chi Minh City Branch, with Ms. Bùi Thị Yến Trinh – Deputy Manager of the Promotion & Training Department at VIAC sharing about VIAC's activities

Continuing the meeting, Mr. Châu Việt Bắc – Vice Secretary General of VIAC cum Deputy Director of the VIAC Ho Chi Minh City Branch, together with Ms. Bùi Thị Yến Trinh – Deputy Manager of the Promotion & Training Department at VIAC, presented an overview of statistics and some highlights of VIAC’s activities. Over more than 30 years, VIAC has resolved thousands of disputes in diverse fields, involving parties from various countries. The VIAC representatives highlighted the growing proportion of disputes with foreign elements, which brings higher demands for professionalism, efficiency, and international standards. In response, VIAC has been improving its arbitration procedures and taking initial steps to adopt digital technologies, ensuring tighter and more scientific case management. Alongside dispute resolution, VIAC also prioritizes cooperation with domestic and international organizations, opening channels for professional exchanges and tailored information-sharing with different audiences. These efforts aim to enhance community awareness of ADRs and provide guidance for parties to resolve disputes in a compliant and effective manner.

Ms. Hoàng Nguyễn Hạ Quyên – Deputy Director of VMC, VIAC's Arbitrator introduced mediation practices

On behalf of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC), Ms. Hoàng Nguyễn Hạ Quyên – Deputy Director of VMC, VIAC's Arbitrator introduced mediation practices at VMC, as well as the broader context of commercial mediation development in Vietnam. She shared that VMC handled its first mediation cases in 2018 and has resolved 42 cases since then, with a remarkable success rate of 91%. All successful cases concluded with a Mediation Settlement Agreement (MSA), and 100% of these were voluntarily complied with by the parties. Ms. Quyên further noted that most parties in mediation came from Asia–Pacific countries, reflecting the familiarity and readiness of these jurisdictions to use mediation as an effective dispute resolution method, particularly for maintaining and strengthening business relationships post-dispute – an increasingly vital factor in today’s business environment.

Mr. Ng Si Ming – Partner of Chua & Partners representing the Association

Representing AIJA, Mr. Ng Si Ming – Partner of Chua & Partners presented practical observations on the development of arbitration in Southeast Asia and analyzed key aspects of arbitration rules from several international arbitration institutions. From the users’ perspective, including lawyers and disputing parties, arbitration is valued for its convenience, predictability of costs, timelines, and professional institutional support. Arbitration procedures are becoming more standardized, with clearer requirements for form and content, while institutions focus on shortening response times for greater efficiency. A notable highlight is the strong development of emergency arbitrator mechanisms and expedited procedures, which meet the demand for quick resolution of small-value or simple claims. Consolidation and joinder procedures are also gaining traction, reflecting broad recognition of the need for efficient and consistent dispute management. These adjustments, adopted by regional centers such as those in Vietnam and Singapore, demonstrate increasing alignment in procedural and rule-making approaches among arbitration institutions.

The meeting continued with discussions and Q&A between VIAC representatives and AIJA members. Numerous questions and exchanges were raised regarding the practical application of arbitration and mediation in Vietnam, as well as comparisons with practices in Hong Kong (China) and Singapore. The working meeting concluded in an open and constructive atmosphere, with multiple perspectives shared, contributing to stronger connections and deeper mutual understanding among legal practice organizations in the region.

Other photos of the meeting