Training Conference on Contract Drafting, Negotiation and Execution Skills, Dispute Resolution, and the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Justice and the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC)

With the aim of strengthening the legal skills of businesses, and in implementation of Plan No. 28/KH-UBND dated January 26, 2026, on the implementation of judicial affairs tasks in 2026, and Plan No. 90/KH-UBND dated February 26, 2026, on the implementation of the Inter sectoral Legal Support Program for Small and Medium sized Enterprises and Business Households for the 2026 - 2030 period in Ha Tinh Province, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the Ha Tinh Department of Justice jointly organized a Training Conference on Contract Drafting, Negotiation and Execution Skills and the Resolution of Arising Disputes.

As part of the Conference, a Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties was also held to promote their cooperative relationship and strengthen coordination across various areas between the two organizations.

The Signing Ceremony and Training Conference were attended by Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh, Chairman of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre; and Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Justice. The Conference also brought together Deputy Directors of the Department, representatives of the leadership of professional divisions under the Department of Justice, experts, arbitrators and lawyers from VIAC; representatives of the Executive Board of the Ha Tinh Bar Association, law-practicing organizations and lawyers, as well as participants of the lawyer training course in Ha Tinh; representatives of the Ha Tinh Provincial Business Association, Young Entrepreneurs Association, Women Entrepreneurs Association, Provincial Cooperative Alliance, and businesses and cooperatives operating in the province

Speaking at the Conference, Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh emphasized the importance of strengthening legal capacity among public officials, lawyers, the business community and cooperatives. Proactively equipping these stakeholders with skills in contract drafting and negotiation, as well as commercial dispute resolution, is a practical step toward implementing the Inter-sectoral Legal Support Program for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Business Households for the 2026–2030 period, while contributing to a safe and effective investment and business environment in Ha Tinh Province.

Accordingly, the Ha Tinh Department of Justice and VIAC have officially established a strategic coordination mechanism for providing legal support, disseminating knowledge, and enhancing professional expertise in business and investment law. Strengthening connections between the business community, local associations, and VIAC’s network of experienced arbitrators, experts and lawyers will help businesses enhance their capacity to proactively prevent and address legal risks. This represents a practical step toward mobilizing specialized resources to support businesses in negotiating, drafting and entering into contracts in a safe and effective manner.

Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh – Chairman of VIAC, delivering remarks at the conference.

Immediately following the signing ceremony, a training conference on contract drafting, negotiation and execution skills, as well as the resolution of arising disputes was held, with Dr. Ha Cong Anh Bao – Dean of the Faculty of Law, Foreign Trade University; Arbitrator at the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC); and Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Lawyers Association serving as the speaker.

Dr. Ha Cong Anh Bao – Dean of the Faculty of Law, Foreign Trade University; Arbitrator at the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC); Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Lawyers Association.

At the conference, Dr. Ha Cong Anh Bao provided an in depth analysis of the entire lifecycle of a commercial contract, guiding businesses to approach contracts through a “risk flow” from partner due diligence to contract execution. The speaker emphasized the importance of identifying legal pitfalls and verifying the authority of signatories, while also equipping businesses with negotiation skills based on a package of interests approach and flexible strategies for handling deadlocks, thereby balancing commercial objectives with legal security.

In addition, the conference focused on practical solutions for contract performance management and skills for handling arising disputes. The speaker provided detailed guidance on establishing provisions on sanctions and force majeure, mechanisms for collecting and managing evidence, and, in particular, methods for anticipating and incorporating commercial arbitration clauses from the outset. These were highlighted as essential skills for managing disputes, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the parties, and identifying key criteria to consider when selecting an appropriate dispute resolution mechanism.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan – Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Justice, delivering the keynote remarks at the Conference.

During the conference, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan emphasized that economic development should not be measured solely by the number of enterprises or the scale of investment, but also by the level of legal certainty and security provided to businesses. In the context of Ha Tinh emerging as a destination for major investment projects, alongside the strong development of the private sector in the spirit of Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW of the Politburo, civil, commercial and investment relations are becoming increasingly diverse and complex. This requires businesses to strengthen their capacity for legal risk management, particularly in the establishment and execution of contracts.

Accordingly, a contract is not merely the basis for establishing the rights and obligations of the parties, but also serves as a “legal shield” protecting businesses against potential risks. At the same time, it is a modern management tool that helps minimize dispute-related costs, enhance predictability, and strengthen trust in business cooperation and investment.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan expressed his expectation that, through the Conference, businesses would gain additional knowledge and practical skills to proactively identify and prevent risks from the negotiation and contract-signing stages. This, in turn, reinforces the view that the law should not only come into play when disputes arise; rather, legal considerations should accompany businesses from the very formation of a cooperation idea.

A carefully prepared contract not only safeguards the lawful rights and interests of the parties, but also contributes to preserving trust, improving the investment environment, and laying a solid foundation for sustainable development.

The conference provided an open and constructive forum for delegates to discuss, share practical experiences, and address common challenges and concerns. Through these exchanges, participants strengthened their professional expertise, enhanced the quality of advisory work and task implementation within their respective organizations, and became more proactive and flexible in managing and operating production and business activities.