As commercial and investment ties between Vietnam and Singapore continue to expand, effective legal risk management and appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms are increasingly important for businesses operating across borders.
The Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) is one of Vietnam’s leading institutions for commercial arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. Established on 28 April 1993 by a Decision of the Prime Minister of Vietnam, VIAC operates as an independent institution. Arbitral awards rendered by VIAC tribunals are final and binding and may be recognised and enforced internationally under the 1958 New York Convention.
Extensive experience in commercial disputes
VIAC handles disputes arising from commercial activities across sectors including sale of goods, construction, transportation, insurance, finance and banking, and investment.
In 2025, VIAC handled 532 cases, bringing the cumulative number of cases handled between 1993 and 2025 to 3,923. Of the 2025 caseload, 258 cases, or 48.5%, involved foreign investment and/or a foreign element, reflecting VIAC’s significant role in cross-border dispute resolution.
Sale-of-goods disputes accounted for 24% of cases in 2025, followed by construction, including energy and infrastructure, at 23%, real estate at 20%, and finance and banking at 10%. Other cases covered logistics, investment, corporate matters, insurance and intellectual property.
Strong relevance to Singapore-related business
By the end of 2025, businesses from 68 countries and territories had participated in dispute resolution proceedings at VIAC. Notably, Singapore ranked first among the foreign nationalities of disputing parties at VIAC in 2025, followed by China and the United Kingdom.
VIAC’s panel currently includes 176 Vietnamese and 40 foreign arbitrators, including professionals from Singapore and other major jurisdictions.
For Vietnamese companies based in Singapore or conducting business with Singapore partners, these capabilities provide an additional option when considering dispute resolution clauses for cross-border contracts.
Arbitration, mediation and digital case management
VIAC also provides commercial mediation through the Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC). Together, VIAC and VMC offer integrated mechanisms such as Mediation–Arbitration (Med-Arb) and Arbitration–Mediation–Arbitration (Arb-Med-Arb), allowing parties greater flexibility in resolving commercial disputes.
VIAC has also developed VIAC eCase, an online platform that enables parties to file and manage documents, monitor proceedings, receive notifications and track deadlines and hearings. The platform supports both English and Vietnamese and is designed to facilitate dispute resolution across different locations and time zones while reducing administrative and travel costs.
For Vietnamese businesses in Singapore, understanding available arbitration and mediation mechanisms at the contract negotiation stage can form an important part of cross-border legal risk management.
Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC)
Website: www.viac.vn
Email: info@viac.org.vn
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