VIAC and AusCham Vietnam signed MoU to foster legal risk management and promote sustainable trade & investment between Vietnam and Australia

HCMC, 21 November, 2025 - The Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing the capacity of businesses in legal risk prevention and effective dispute resolution, thereby contributing to sustainable trade and investment between Vietnam and Australia. The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the Investment Legal Support Forum (ILS Forum) 2025.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Sam Conroy – President of AusCham Vietnam, and Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh – President of VIAC, in the presence of Ms. Cao Thi Phi Van – Deputy Director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC); Mr. Joel Smouha – Trade & Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade); Mr. Edwin Law – AusCham Executive Director; Ms. Huong Tran – AusCham Head of Advocacy & Partnerships, along with other representatives of VIAC and AusCham, as well as all delegates attending the ILS Forum 2025. Through this partnership, VIAC and AusCham will share a common objective of supporting enterprises and investors in preventing and mitigating legal risks when conducting business in Vietnam through legitimate and effective mechanisms, thereby contributing to sustainable trade and investment between Vietnam and Australia

Key Highlights of the Partnership

Under the MoU, AusCham and VIAC commit to:

1. Co-organising seminars, training programmes, and workshops on arbitration, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods.

2. Sharing knowledge and practical resources to support businesses in identifying and mitigating legal risks.

3. Engaging in policy dialogue to contribute to Vietnam’s ongoing legal and regulatory reforms in arbitration and ADR.

4. Developing joint initiatives to support AusCham members, including specialised reports, training modules, and engagement with government agencies.

This partnership reinforces the commitment of both organisations to fostering a transparent, efficient, and internationally aligned business environment in Vietnam, particularly for Australian enterprises.

Benefits for AusCham Members

• Stronger access to ADR resources: The MoU enables AusCham to provide enhanced legal support and dispute resolution tools to its members.

• A more influential policy voice: AusCham’s active involvement at the Forum ensures that the concerns of Australian businesses are represented in legal and regulatory dialogue.

• Improved investment conditions: Through collaboration with VIAC and key stakeholders, AusCham contributes to efforts that remove legal bottlenecks and enhance investor confidence.

AusCham President Sam Conroy Speaks at ILS Forum 2025

During the Forum, AusCham President Sam Conroy joined the session on “Investment in Industrial Infrastructure Projects,” offering insights into the challenges that Australian and foreign investors encounter when doing business in Vietnam.

He highlighted several persistent issues, including:

• Complex and fragmented regulatory procedures;

• Limited predictability in land-use rights and project transfer processes;

• Inconsistencies in administrative practices across different authorities, leading to delays and uncertainty.

He also emphasised the significant potential of PPP and BOT models for developing industrial infrastructure, such as ports, logistics hubs, and green industrial zones, while underscoring the need for a more stable and clear legal framework to unlock this potential.

Looking Ahead

AusCham is committed to translating the MoU into concrete action. In the coming months, AusCham and VIAC will collaborate on targeted training activities, joint policy advocacy, and member support programmes. This partnership is an important step toward strengthening legal certainty, promoting fair dispute resolution, and supporting a more competitive investment environment in Vietnam.