UEH Co-organizes Conference on Jurisdiction in Chain Disputes and Financial Dispute Practice

27 Mar, 2026

On the morning of March 19, 2026, the College of Economics, Law and Government (CELG), under the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), in collaboration with the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC) and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), organized the thematic conference titled “Jurisdiction Issues in Chain Disputes and Financial Dispute Practice.”

The rising trend of financial disputes and the need to improve the legal mechanisms

The conference was held simultaneously in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, attracting more than 250 participants, including experts, arbitrators, lawyers, lecturers, and representatives from the business community. The event served as an important academic–practical forum to discuss prominent legal issues in the context of increasingly complex financial transactions in terms of scale, structure, and interconnectivity among participating parties.

Dr. Tran Thi Tuan Anh - Vice Rector of CELG, UEH, delivered the opening remarks

Assoc. Prof. Pham Duy Nghia - Vice Chairman of VIAC, also delivered opening remarks.

Speaking at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Pham Duy Nghia noted that financial disputes have increased significantly since 2024 and continued to rise in 2025, becoming one of the most frequently handled case groups at VIAC. In the context of increasingly complex financial transactions, correctly determining the jurisdiction of dispute-resolution bodies has become a key factor in the effectiveness of case handling.

From a policy perspective, M.A. Nguyen Manh Dong, Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, stated that the establishment of an International Financial Center will accelerate multi-party and multi-contract financial transactions, thereby requiring the development of transparent, effective, and enforceable dispute resolution mechanisms.

Representing the co-organizing institution, Dr. Tran Thi Tuan Anh - Vice Rector of CELG, UEH, emphasized that the conference serves as a forum for connecting academic research with practical application, clarifying legal issues, and proposing directions for improving the legal framework on arbitration and mediation in line with international practices.

Dr. Duong Kim The Nguyen - Dean of the School of Law, UEH CELG, moderated the discussion session.

Professional exchanges in the discussion session

The first session focused on legal issues related to arbitral jurisdiction in chain disputes, particularly differences in arbitration agreements across contracts within the same transaction. Experts noted that this may lead to jurisdictional conflicts, inconsistent rulings, and increased costs and time for dispute resolution.

The principle of Kompetenz-Kompetenz was also highlighted as a fundamental principle of commercial arbitration. However, its application in practice requires arbitral tribunals to conduct comprehensive assessments to accurately determine jurisdiction, avoiding overlap or omission of related disputes.

The second session addressed the multi-layered structure of modern financial transactions, involving multiple independent contracts with close legal interconnections. Experts noted that limitations on arbitral jurisdiction over parties not bound by arbitration agreements may lead to the fragmentation of disputes, thereby affecting the efficiency of dispute resolution.

Recommendations for designing a dispute resolution clause

From the discussions and analyses at the conference, experts agreed that legal risk control should be addressed from the transaction design stage. Developing consistent or highly compatible arbitration clauses, clearly defining jurisdictional scope, and proactively anticipating the involvement of relevant parties are considered key factors in minimizing conflicts and enhancing the effectiveness of dispute resolution.

Discussion session at the conference

Strengthening cooperation between CELG - UEH and VIA

Within the framework of the conference, VIAC and CELG – UEH re-signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), further strengthening their cooperative relationship. Previously, during the 2023–2026 period, CELG and VIAC implemented various practical activities, including co-organizing academic conferences, conducting professional exchanges, and creating opportunities for UEH students to gain exposure to arbitration practices at VIAC.

The signing ceremony between the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC) and the College of Economics, Law and Government (CELG) – UEH

The ceremony further reaffirmed the roles of CELG - UEH and VIAC in bridging academia and practice, contributing to the development of arbitration in Vietnam in the context of international integration.

The College of Economics, Law and Government (CELG) - UEH and the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC)

Pillars: Education, Community

Project: UEH Connecting

New, photos: School of Law, UEH CELG