On March 18, 2026, a specialized workshop on the skills of mediators and lawyers in the mediation process was held exclusively for students of the Master of Economic Law program at Foreign Trade University, as part of the “Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)” module. The program featured guest speaker Mediator Phung Quang Cuong – Mediator at the Vietnam International Commercial Mediation Center (VICMC) and Partner at NHQuang&Associate.

In the first half of the session, Mediator. Cuong seamlessly integrated core theoretical frameworks with case studies from complex commercial disputes he has personally mediated. This session helped students clearly identify the multifaceted roles involved: the mediator as a skillful “bridge-builder” seeking common interests, and the lawyer as a strategic advocate protecting the client’s legal rights throughout the process.

The highlight of the workshop was the skills practice session. Under Mediator. Cuong’s guidance, students participated in a simulation of the Opening Statement phase. This hands-on activity provided students the opportunity to: 

✨ Cultivate a confident demeanor and master the neutral language required of a mediator; 

✨ Learn how to establish ground rules and confidentiality commitments from the very start; 

✨ Practice questioning techniques, process management, and handling sensitive situations—such as when parties doubt the mediator’s neutrality.

To conclude the workshop, Mediator. Cuong provided detailed feedback and constructive critiques for the practice groups. He also addressed insightful questions regarding real-life scenarios, such as managing power imbalances between parties and navigating potential conflicts of interest.

We hope that the passionate insights shared by Mediator. Cuong will serve as valuable lessons for the students, deepening their understanding of Commercial Mediation—a dispute resolution method that is increasingly asserting its preeminence both globally and in Vietnam.

Secretariat