[RECAP VAW 2026] Seminar “Commercial Mediation: Perspectives from International and Vietnamese Mediation Experts”

On the morning of 28 May 2026, within the framework of Vietnam Arbitration and Mediation Week 2026 (Vietnam ADR Week 2026 – VAW 2026), the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) under the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) held the workshop “Commercial Mediation: Perspectives from International and Vietnamese Experts” in Hanoi. The event served as an in-depth forum for exchanging practical experience, sharing professional insights and discussing directions for the development of commercial mediation in Vietnam, particularly as this mechanism is increasingly recognised as a flexible, confidential and resource-efficient method of dispute resolution that can help preserve business relationships between parties.

Programme Overview

In their opening remarks and introduction to the programme, Mr. Le Van Tuan – Deputy Director General of the Department of Judicial Support, Ministry of Justice, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai – Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) under VIAC, Former Deputy Director General of the Department of Judicial Support, Ministry of Justice, and VIAC Arbitrator, emphasised the significance of promoting commercial mediation within Vietnam’s dispute resolution ecosystem. In a context where not all commercial disputes are suited to an adversarial approach or need to be immediately brought before adjudicatory proceedings, commercial mediation is viewed as a mechanism with its own distinct value, enabling parties to manage conflict in a more flexible, effective and less disruptive manner for business relationships.

Mr. Le Van Tuan – Deputy Director General of the Department of Judicial Support, Ministry of Justice & Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai – Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) under VIAC, Former Deputy Director General of the Department of Judicial Support, Ministry of Justice, VIAC Arbitrator

Following the opening session, the programme marked an important milestone in cooperation with the Signing Ceremony of a Cooperation Agreement between the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) and the Guangxi Commercial Mediation Association (GCMA). The signing reflected VMC’s direction of strengthening international connectivity, while also contributing to the expansion of professional cooperation in commercial mediation between Vietnam and regional partners.

Signing Ceremony of the Cooperation Agreement between the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) and the Guangxi Commercial Mediation Association (GCMA)

Continuing the programme, Mr. Nguyen Trung Nam – Deputy Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) under VIAC, delivered the keynote address on “The 2019 Singapore Convention on Commercial Mediation & An Overview of Commercial Mediation in Vietnam from 2017 to 2026”. His presentation laid the groundwork for the subsequent discussions by introducing the international legal framework relating to commercial mediation, while also outlining the recent development of commercial mediation in Vietnam. Through this, the speaker raised important issues concerning the enforceability, reliability and practical applicability of commercial mediation in dispute resolution.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Nam – Deputy Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) under VIAC

Opening Session 1, themed “Introduction to the Legal Framework and Practice of International Commercial Mediation”, Mr. Nguyen Trung Nam continued to serve as both moderator and speaker. The session focused on clarifying international experience in commercial mediation through perspectives from Malaysia, Japan and Singapore, thereby providing further references for the development of commercial mediation in Vietnam.

Ms. Pei Yin Yap – Counsel at the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) (front row, right); Mr. Kazuhiko Nishihara – Founding Attorney of Honmachi International Law Office, P.C.; Founding Secretary General of the Japan International Mediation Center in Kyoto (JIMC-Kyoto) (second row, left); Ms. Shanti Abraham – Lawyer, Mediator & Arbitrator, Founder of Shanti Abraham & Associates (Malaysia) (second row, right).

Within Session 1, Ms. Shanti Abraham – Lawyer, Mediator & Arbitrator, Founder of Shanti Abraham & Associates (Malaysia), shared insights into the legal framework and practice of commercial mediation in Malaysia. Mr. Kazuhiko Nishihara – Founding Attorney of Honmachi International Law Office, P.C.; Founding Secretary General of the Japan International Mediation Center in Kyoto (JIMC-Kyoto), then presented on the legal framework and practice of commercial mediation in Japan. From the Singapore perspective, Ms. Pei Yin Yap – Counsel at the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), discussed mediation as a strategic lever in international commercial disputes. The presentations demonstrated that commercial mediation is not only an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, but also a practical conflict management tool in cross-border commercial relations.

Following the presentations, Session 1 continued with an open discussion, allowing speakers and participants to further exchange views on the conditions for application, operating mechanisms and factors affecting the effectiveness of commercial mediation in the international context. The discussions further clarified the role of the legal framework, mediation institutions and mediator skills in building trust in this mechanism.

Overview of Session 02

The programme continued with Session 2, themed “Roundtable Discussion on Key Issues of Skills and Effectiveness in Mediation”, moderated by Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huyen – Program Lead for Financial Infrastructure Development in Vietnam and Cambodia, International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group (WBG); VMC Mediator; VIAC Arbitrator.

Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huyen – Program Lead for Financial Infrastructure Development in Vietnam and Cambodia, International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group (WBG); VMC Mediator; VIAC Arbitrator.

While Session 1 focused on international experience, Session 2 addressed practical issues in Vietnam, particularly the current legal framework, mediation skills and recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of commercial mediation in practice.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai – Director of the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC) under VIAC, Former Deputy Director General of the Department of Judicial Support, Ministry of Justice, VIAC Arbitrator

In Session 2, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai delivered a presentation on “Vietnamese Law on Commercial Mediation: Issues for Further Improvement”. Her sharing focused on the issues arising in the process of improving Vietnam’s legal framework on commercial mediation, thereby emphasising the need to further enhance the clarity, feasibility and practical relevance of the relevant legal provisions.

Prof. Dr. Mai Hong Quy – Former Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, VMC Mediator, VIAC Arbitrator

Prof. Dr. Mai Hong Quy – Former Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, VMC Mediator, VIAC Arbitrator, then presented on the topic “How Should the Provision ‘The Mediator May Make Proposals for the Resolution of the Dispute’ Be Understood and Applied in Vietnam?”. This topic raised an important practical issue concerning the skills and role of mediators, particularly in balancing the facilitation of parties’ search for solutions with the need to maintain neutrality and objectivity in the mediation process.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nam – Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, National Economics University, VMC Mediator, VIAC Arbitrator

Also in Session 2, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nam – Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, National Economics University, VMC Mediator, VIAC Arbitrator, shared on the topic “Developing Commercial Mediation in Vietnam: Drawing on Good Practices from China to Overcome Existing Barriers”. His presentation introduced a comparative approach, identifying experiences that may serve as useful references in promoting the development of commercial mediation in Vietnam, especially amid the growing demand for ADR mechanisms.

The seminar concluded with an open discussion and closing session, featuring extensive professional exchanges on the legal framework, skills and practical application of commercial mediation. The event not only helped clarify the distinctive value of commercial mediation within the modern ADR ecosystem, but also created a platform for connecting domestic and international experts, regulatory authorities, legal practitioners and the wider community interested in commercial dispute resolution. Through this, the workshop continued to affirm VMC’s role in raising awareness, building capacity and developing the practice of commercial mediation in Vietnam.

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VIETNAM ADR WEEK 2026 | ARBITRATION & ADR: EMBRACING NEW HEIGHTS

⏰ Date: May 25 – 29, 2026 (5 days)

📍 Venue: Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City

💻 Website: www.vaw.vn