VIAC Delegation Visits Nanning, China to Strengthen Cooperation through Meetings, Engagements and MoU Signing

As part of a working visit to Nanning, Guangxi Province, China, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) held a series of meetings and working sessions with the Guangxi Arbitration Association (GAA) and the Nanning International Arbitration Commission (NIAC) and signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation and exchanges in arbitration and mediation.

Participating in the activities on behalf of VIAC were Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh - President of VIAC; Lawyer Bui Van Thanh - Head of New Sun Law Firm and VIAC Arbitrator; Ms. Tran Bao Ngoc - Director of VIAC’s Promotion and Development Department; and representatives from VIAC’s professional departments.

Representing the Guangxi Arbitration Association (GAA) was Mr. Huang Duheng - President, Guangxi Arbitration Association of Guangxi Arbitration Association (China). Representing the Nanning International Arbitration Commission (NIAC) were Mr. Lan Xugao - Deputy Director and Secretary-General of NIAC; Ms. Yan Hui - Deputy Secretary-General of NIAC; Ms. Zuo Shiyi - Director of Case Filing Department (NIAC).

During the working session with the Guangxi Arbitration Association (GAA), the VIAC delegation had the opportunity to visit and learn about GAA’s facilities, establishment and development, organisational structure and operations. Through the presentation by GAA representatives, the VIAC delegation gained further insights into the Association’s organisational model, operational practices and professional activities in Guangxi.

Both sides also discussed and explored directions for establishing regular cooperation between VIAC and its partners in Guangxi, focusing on the exchange of legal information and arbitration practices, sharing professional experience, training and capacity building, as well as raising awareness among the business community of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. These directions are in line with the growing trend of strengthening connections among arbitration institutions in the region, particularly as increasingly complex cross border commercial transactions create greater demand for effective, flexible and internationally oriented dispute resolution mechanisms.

Continuing the programme, the VIAC delegation met and held a working session with the Nanning International Arbitration Commission (NIAC). The activities in Nanning formed part of VIAC’s series of external relations activities in China held in conjunction with China Arbitration Week 2026 (CAW 2026) and the 23rd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS 2026), which took place from 17 to 19 September 2026.

Representatives of the leadership of the parties at the meeting

Representatives of the leadership of the participating organisations at the meeting, on behalf of NIAC, Mr. Lan Xugao - Deputy Director and Secretary - General of NIAC welcomed the VIAC delegation to Nanning. In his remarks, he spoke highly of VIAC’s role and standing in the field of commercial arbitration in Vietnam, as well as the Centre’s contributions to the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Introducing NIAC’s activities, Mr. Lan Xugao highlighted the Commission’s achievements in handling and resolving cases, including disputes involving foreign elements and multiple countries and jurisdictions. Alongside its focus on the quality and efficiency of dispute resolution, NIAC also places particular emphasis on expanding cooperation with arbitration and legal institutions, strengthening professional exchanges, sharing practical experience, and promoting training and infrastructure activities. He noted that these orientations provide a favourable  foundation for NIAC to strengthen connections with arbitration institutions in the region, including VIAC, with a view to developing a long term, substantive and effective cooperative relationship.

On behalf of VIAC, Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh - President of VIAC expressed his appreciation for NIAC’s warm welcome and shared his positive impression of the achievements NIAC has made in developing its arbitration activities, as well as its orientation towards strengthening international cooperation. Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh introduced VIAC’s establishment and development, highlighting its gradual growth into an institution trusted by both domestic and international business communities. Over the course of its operations, VIAC has handled thousands of disputes across various sectors, involving parties from nearly 70 countries and territories worldwide. 

Building on the discussions and understandings reached between the two sides, VIAC and NIAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), providing a framework for the two institutions to further develop cooperative activities in the coming period. The cooperation will focus on information exchange, sharing experience in arbitration and ADR, strengthening professional interaction and coordinating training, research, communication and knowledge sharing activities on dispute resolution.

During the meeting, representatives of the participating organisations exchanged commemorative gifts, reflecting their mutual appreciation, close ties and spirit of cooperation

Representatives of the organisations exchanging gifts

The meetings and working sessions with GAA and NIAC in Nanning not only provided VIAC with an opportunity to exchange practical experience directly with arbitration institutions in Guangxi, but also contributed to strengthening the Vietnam - China arbitration cooperation network.

Building on the cooperative relationships established and further strengthened through these engagements, VIAC will continue to expand connections with dispute resolution institutions across the region, promote professional exchanges and work with its partners to develop an increasingly professional and effective ADR ecosystem, thereby providing greater support to the business community in cross border trade and investment activities.