Within the framework of Vietnam ADR Week 2026, Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang – Secretary General of the Vietnam International Commercial Mediation Center (VICMC) – participated in the seminar “Commercial Mediation: Perspectives from International and Vietnamese Experts”, co-organized by the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), the Vietnam Mediation Center (VMC), and the Vietnam Lawyers Association.
The seminar welcomed representatives from the Department of Judicial Support, leaders, arbitrators and mediators of VIAC and VMC, as well as lawyers, experts, and numerous students interested in commercial mediation.
📌 The seminar was divided into two main discussion sessions:
• International commercial mediation practices in Malaysia, Japan, and Singapore;
• Mediation skills and the effectiveness of commercial mediation.
Through presentations delivered by Vietnamese and international speakers, participants gained updated information and practical perspectives on the development of commercial mediation in the context of deep international economic integration. Alongside its great potential, the speakers also openly addressed several challenges facing commercial mediation in Vietnam today, including:
- The relatively small number of mediation cases, which remains disproportionate to its development potential;
- Limitations in facilities and professionalism at certain mediation centers;
- The shortage of mediators proficient in foreign languages, posing challenges for international investment and commercial disputes;
- The lack of clear mechanisms regarding tax incentives, institutional support, and specialized mediation judges;
- The continuing preference among businesses for litigation and arbitration.
💬 Drawing from VICMC’s practical dispute resolution experience and perspectives on Vietnamese business and dispute resolution culture, Secretary General Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized the particularly important role of lawyers in mediation. According to her, lawyers participating in mediation not only provide legal value but also generate significant economic value for clients by helping parties achieve efficient solutions while saving time and costs.
In addition, Ms. Hang agreed with many speakers regarding the importance of “trust” in mediation. Mediators must possess empathy, listening skills, and the ability to connect with parties so that trust can genuinely be established throughout the mediation process.
✨ During the in-depth discussion session, Secretary General Nguyen Minh Hang raised an important question regarding the skills required for mediators to act as an “independent lawyer” — assisting parties in understanding their issues without causing doubts about the mediator’s neutrality and independence.
Responding to this issue, Prof. Dr. Mai Hong Quy – Former President of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, VMC Mediator, and VIAC Arbitrator – highlighted that questioning techniques are among the most essential skills of a mediator. Proper questioning not only strengthens the parties’ trust in the mediator but also helps them better recognize their strengths, weaknesses, and actual interests within the dispute.
Another notable discussion concerned a party wishing to include an ICC arbitration clause in a mediated settlement agreement due to concerns over confidence in the Vietnamese court system. Regarding this issue, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Nam – Former Dean of the Faculty of Law, VMC Mediator, and VIAC Arbitrator – and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Mai – Director of VMC – affirmed that a mediated settlement agreement possesses legal value equivalent to a court judgment, and that judicial support plays a particularly important role in ensuring enforceability. At the same time, the speakers acknowledged that commercial mediation in Vietnam is still relatively new and requires more time to build trust within the business community.
🔍 From the discussions and exchanges, the speakers proposed several measures to promote the development of commercial mediation in the coming years, including:
• Improving the legal framework and establishing a dedicated Mediation Law;
• Acceding to the Singapore Convention;
• Strengthening confidence in mediation among businesses and lawyers;
• Enhancing support from state authorities, particularly the courts;
• Introducing dispute resolution as a compulsory subject in legal education;
• Promoting and building the professional image of mediators practicing in Vietnam.
🌱 In particular, Secretary General Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized the importance of “cultivating” a mediation culture from the student generation through academic and practical initiatives such as the Vietnam Mediation Competition – V-MED. This is considered one of the key foundations for promoting the sustainable development of commercial mediation in Vietnam in the future.
The seminar concluded successfully. VICMC congratulates the organizers on the success of the seminar within the framework of Vietnam ADR Week 2026 and firmly believes that commercial mediation will continue to grow strongly in Vietnam. With the support of the legal community, businesses, and educational institutions, mediation will further affirm its role as a modern, efficient, and sustainable dispute resolution mechanism. VICMC also hopes that younger generations of lawyers and mediators will continue spreading the culture of mediation in the years to come.
Secretariat
