International conference “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms in Commercial and Investment Dispute Settlement in Ho Chi Minh City”
On August 20, 2026, the Institute for Socio-Economic Research (RISE) of Saigon University and KAS Vietnam jointly organized an international conference titled “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms in Commercial and Investment Dispute Settlement in Ho Chi Minh City”. Mr. Nguyen Hung Quang – Founding and Managing Partner of NHQuang&Associates – served as one of the four keynote speakers during the morning session. He presented a study titled “Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Vietnam: Current Status and Recommendations for Improvement to Enhance National Competitiveness.”
The presentation analyzed data from the World Bank’s Doing Business and B-Ready reports to demonstrate that ADR is highly valued by many countries as a mechanism for refining contractual dispute resolution measures and as a factor influencing the business environment. Based on his analysis, Mr. Quang proposes that Vietnam implement measures to develop ADR mechanisms to foster economic growth and enhance national competitiveness. Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City should leverage the framework of the Law on Urban Development to promote the dispute resolution services sector, thereby supporting the City’s strategic development goals – such as the International Financial Center (VIFC), free trade zones, integrated logistics hubs, open port zones, and non-tariff zones. To effectively implement Resolution 68 on private sector development – specifically the goal of “striving to place Vietnam’s investment and business environment among the top three in ASEAN and the top 30 globally by 2028” – Vietnam requires breakthrough solutions.
During the afternoon discussion session themed “Boosting Confidence in Commercial Mediation and the ADR Operational Model for Ho Chi Minh City”, Mr. Quang shared insights regarding the legal framework designed to protect dynamic and innovative officials – those who dare to think, act, and assume responsibility for the common good (specifically Decree 73/2023/ND-CP). He noted that this decree, alongside Resolution 24/2026/NQ-QH16 on the pilot implementation of the public lawyer institution, the Law on Urban Development, and the Law on the Capital, is establishing a legal foundation to protect and encourage officials and participants involved in resolving state-invested disputes through mediation, thereby helping to overcome existing bottlenecks. Mediation is a dispute resolution method that demands creativity for the common good; therefore, legal provisions are essential to protect and exempt from legal liability those who act in the State’s interest without seeking personal gain.
[Photo provided by the organizers]
