VIAC Welcomes and Meets with Delegation from the Japanese Ministry of Justice

On the afternoon of 19 August 2026, at its headquarters in Hanoi, representatives of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), led by Mr. Vu Anh Duong - Permanent Vice President cum Secretary General, together with representatives from VIAC’s specialized departments, welcomed and worked with a delegation from the Minister’s Secretariat of the Japanese Ministry of Justice, headed by Mr. Yamada Yuki - Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department. The meeting focused on discussions on arbitration and mediation at VIAC, the practice of commercial dispute resolution, and the development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in Vietnam.

Overview of the meeting

Welcoming the delegation to VIAC, Mr. Vu Anh Duong - Permanent Vice President cum Secretary General of VIAC, expressed his expectation that the meeting would provide an opportunity for both sides to share information and practical experience, and enhance mutual understanding of commercial dispute resolution in Vietnam. On behalf of the delegation, Mr. Yamada Yuki - Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Justice of Japan, thanked VIAC for its warm reception. He highlighted the delegation’s particular interest in the development of commercial arbitration and mediation in Vietnam, as well as the role of ADR institutions amid the continued expansion of international investment and trade. He expressed his hope that the discussions at VIAC would contribute to strengthening professional connections and exchanges in the fields of law and dispute resolution, laying the groundwork for future cooperation in the judicial sector between the two sides.

Mr. Vu Anh Duong – Vice President cum Secretary General of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) (left) and Mr. Yamada Yuki – Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Justice of Japan (right)

During the meeting, Ms. Vu Thi Hang - Chief & Deputy Secretary General of Secretariat at VIAC, provided an overview of VIAC’s establishment and development, as well as its organisational structure and operations. As one of the longest-established arbitration institutions in Vietnam, VIAC has administered and resolved thousands of disputes across a wide range of sectors, involving parties from numerous countries and territories. Cases involving foreign elements account for a significant proportion of VIAC’s caseload, reflecting the increasing internationalisation of investment and commercial activities in Vietnam.

Furthermore, Ms. Hang noted that Japanese businesses have consistently ranked among the foreign nationalities most frequently represented among parties to large-scale disputes administered by VIAC. Notably, the largest-value dispute ever administered by VIAC also involved a Japanese company. In addition, a number of reputable Japanese arbitrators and mediators currently serve among VIAC’s panel of experts, further enhancing VIAC’s international profile, professional expertise, and capacity to handle Japan-related and increasingly diverse and complex cross-border disputes.

The two sides exchange views on procedural practice

During the discussion, the Japanese delegation paid key attention to the growth in the number of disputes administered by VIAC, especially since the milestone year of 2011, following the enactment and entry into force of the Law on Commercial Arbitration 2010. The delegation also raised questions regarding the mechanisms for judicial support and oversight of arbitration proceedings in Vietnam. VIAC representatives explained that the development of commercial arbitration has been driven by a number of factors, including the refinement of the legal framework, greater clarity in judicial support mechanisms, the increasing volume of cross-border commercial transactions, and growing demand among businesses for flexible, professional, and effective dispute resolution mechanisms.

Another topic of mutual interest was the emerging use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of ADR. VIAC representatives shared several research directions concerning the governance and use of AI in arbitral proceedings, particularly with respect to information confidentiality, transparency, procedural integrity, and the responsibilities of participants in arbitral proceedings. The two sides also discussed the potential application of technology in mediation and other dispute resolution support activities, while emphasising the need to preserve human decision-making and safeguard the procedural rights of the parties.

The two delegations exchanged gifts

The meeting concluded in an open and cordial atmosphere, with substantive exchanges on ADR practices in Vietnam. The meeting also provided an opportunity for VIAC and the delegation from the Japanese Ministry of Justice to further strengthen connections, share practical experience, and exchange professional knowledge in the fields of arbitration, mediation, and commercial law. Through such activities, VIAC continues to expand its international cooperation and contributes to supporting the business community in accessing dispute resolution mechanisms suited to the increasingly diverse needs of cross-border commercial and investment activities.