VIAC as Academic sponsor for the VMOOT 2023 Competition

On 27 November 2023, Hanoi Law University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Law entered the Final match of the VMoot 2023. It marked the 7th VMoot – a national-level competition – that has been held, equivalent to the long-term academic sponsorship provided by the Vietnam International Centre (VIAC) to the competition. The event was sponsored by YKVN Law Firm, Vietcombank Tan Binh Branch, LNT & Partners Law Firm, DL & Partners Law Firm, ASL Law Firm, Southern Commercial Arbitration Center (STAC), WESET English Center, and the Law TV as a media sponsor.

Since 2017, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (HCMC Ulaw) has been hosting the National Vietnamese Moot Court Competition (VMoot) with the academic sponsorship from the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC). VMoot has consistently provided an annual and encouraging academic platform for law students to step into the role of advocates, representing parties at arbitral tribunal to protect the rights and legitimate interests of parties. After 06 successful seasons, the VMoot National Competition 2023 returned with over 40 teams from law schools nationwide.

Dr. Le Truong Son - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Rector of Ho Chi Minh City Law University – delivered his opening speech of the National Finals of the VMoot Competition 2023

The Preliminary round of The VMoot National Competition 2023 commenced in early September, concluding with the selection of 12 outstanding teams to participate in the final rounds held in late November. The grand finale unfolded on the morning of November 27, 2023, in Hall C.302 of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law (Nguyen Tat Thanh Campus). The finale was conducted with a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere, fueled by the support of the attending students. Lawyer Chau Viet Bac, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC), graced the occasion and served as esteemed Chairman of the Judges.

This year, the competition has made a breakthrough improvement in its rules. At each round, the contestants will be provided with additional situations and evidence to develop the content of their arguments. This posed more challenges for the contestants, forcing them to be flexible and adjust their strategies accordingly at each round. In terms of content, this year's competition is considered to be close to reality as it is built around the relationship of a share purchase contract dispute, a common issue in the era of the market economy and raises many legal issues between the parties involved. The legal questions in the competition are posed by the competition's professional committee, with the input of ideas from leading arbitrators and lawyers in Vietnam.

The 2023 VMoot competition witnessed the participation of outstanding teams. The contestants exhibited comprehensive preparations, demonstrated profound understanding of the dispute area of the case, and at the same time grasped the basics of arbitration procedural rules and the proceedings of dispute settlement session. Concluding the arguments, with thorough preparation in terms of legal knowledge as well as confident litigation style, the Final Round came to an end with the first place belonging to THE CRESCENDO team from Hanoi University of Law.

After more than 2 months of taking place, VMoot 2023 has successfully concluded, continuing to provide an academic but also highly practical playground in the field of arbitration and bringing memorable experiences for the teams and students. VIAC hopes that VMoot will continuously firm its position as a leading moot competition and resiliently develop to be a reputable “legal arena”, thereby nurturing the dream of Vietnamese lawyer-to-be in the future.