Looking back at the journey of the Vietnam Commercial Mediation Competition 2023

Vietnam Commercial Mediation Competition 2023 (V-Med 2023) was organized by the College of Economics, Law and Government of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH CELG) in collaboration with the Vietnam International Commercial Mediation Center (VICMC) to promote and to disseminate knowledge and skills on how to resolve disputes through commercial mediation in Vietnam.

V-Med 2023 is a competition on commercial mediation in Vietnamese with a competition model for practicing mediation sessions. The contest creates conditions for candidates to cultivate, supplement their knowledge and improve their mediation skills. In addition, V-Med 2023 offers a series of skills training workshops, discussions on commercial mediation and many other activities on Fanpage V-Med - Vietnam Mediation Moot.

The contest took place in the context of the trend of resolving civil and commercial disputes by mediation, which is becoming popular in the world because of the many advantages of this method, listed as time, cost, and preserving relationships and security level. Mediation is considered a method of supporting business, commercial and economic development. This is a method of resolving international disputes that overcome cultural and jurisdictional barriers. According to the provisions of Decree 22/2017/ND-CP of the Government on commercial mediation, if there is any dispute arising from commercial activities or dispute with a party having commercial activities and these parties choose Mediation to resolve disputes, they can rely on commercial mediation activities.

Continuing the success from the previous seasons, V-Med 2023 welcomeed 106 teams from 28 different universities nationwide. The competition took place from July 2023 to September 25, 2023, including activities listed as a training workshop on knowledge and skills about mediation, 02 competition stages and scientific discussions. Participating in this year's competition, in addition to the participation of the contestants, V-Med 2023 was honored to welcome mediation experts with many years of experience as follows: Mr. Nguyen Hung Quang, lawyer - Chairman of Vietnam International Commercial Mediation Center, Head of NHQuang & Associates law office; Mr. Luong Van Ly, lawyer - Head of VICMC Foreign Affairs Department; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang - General Secretary of Vietnam International Commercial Mediation Center VICMC; Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huyen, mediator and Mr. Dang Viet Anh, mediator from the Vietnam Mediation Center (VMC) and other mediators are from VICMC.

The candidates went through Stage 1 including 4 training workshops and took 1 theory test. At the end of the first stage of the competition, the Organizing Committee selected the 20 best teams from universities to continue Stage 2 of the competition with the topic of Practicing a mock mediation session. Stage 2 includes 3 rounds, took place on September 23-24, 2023, and was conducted based on 3 hypothetical situations developed by the Organizing Committee. Armed with youthful enthusiasm and careful preparation, the Top 20 teams went through exciting mock mediation sessions.

After fierce competition rounds, the closing ceremony and awarding ceremony for the Top 20 best teams of stages 1 and 2 were held with great success with medals and prizes given to the contestants worthy of:

Gold Medal for Mediation Participants: ATCN EPIPHANY; HUL STAR; PPGS; Hawk Eyes; CTU CMeds; Cha Cha Cha.
Silver medal for Mediation participants: TDMU; AFAL; PNNP; BYL.
Bronze medal for Mediation participants: HAAC; Law Lang; TVK; BonaFide; ULTrio; Mercury; Napa S-Law; Sparklin; Hunter.
Gold Medal for Mediators: HAAC; Law Lang; BYL; TVK; ATC Eipiphany
Silver Medal Mediators: PPGS; Hawk Eyes; BonaFide; ULTrio; Mercury.
Bronze Medal Mediators: HUL Star; CTU CMeds; Cha Cha Cha; PNNP; AFAL; TDMU; Napa S-Law; Spaklin; Hunter.
Best mediator: Cao Duc Anh (HAAC)
Most promising team: ATCN EPIPHANY
Best mediation participant: HUL STAR
Most favorite team: Law Lang

In addition to the stressful competition stages, a scientific discussion according to the ‘round table’ model was held on September 25, 2023. The discussion was an opportunity for speakers, mediators and students to discuss, to ask questions and to express their interest in mediation. The closing ceremony took place with the participation of students, sponsors who are companies and law offices: NHQuang & Associates, Rajah&Tann Vietnam Law LCT Lawyers, EP Legal, LTT & Lawyers, LNT & Partners, Omega Books and Individual Sponsors.

The closing ceremony ended successfully with the joy of the competing teams, parents and the pride of the Organizing Committee in providing a useful academic playground for students. With the desire to bring the message that not only the winning contestants but also the students participating in the contest have also received valuable gifts of knowledge and experience as luggage for their future journey.

V-Med 2023 is an activity to promote connections between the University and State agencies, scientists, societies, associations, businesses and alumni community to bring intellectual values and sustainable values firmly contributing to the development of the community and society. UEH will constantly expand its cooperation network with localities, professional associations, other organizations and individuals and bring more meaningful activities to students in the future.