The launch of the VIAC Panel of FinTech and Digital Economy Dispute Specialists in HCM City on May 29. — Photo courtesy of the organisers

HCM CITY — A transparent, predictable and internationally compatible dispute resolution framework, together with modern financial and technological infrastructure, is needed to boost investor confidence and support Việt Nam’s ambition of building a competitive international financial centre, experts have said.

Speaking at the launch of the VIAC Panel of FinTech and Digital Economy Dispute Specialists and the Vietnam International Financial Centre Symposium 2026 held in HCM City on May 29, Prof. Dr. Lê Hồng Hạnh, President of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), said the surge in digital finance, fintech and cross-border transactions has made financial disputes increasingly complex and demanding more specialised resolution mechanisms.

According to him, Việt Nam’s push to develop the Vietnam International Financial Centre (VIFC) in HCM City and Đà Nẵng requires not only financial and technological infrastructure, but also a modern, transparent legal framework and dispute resolution mechanism that is aligned with international practices.

He noted that in an era of intensifying global competition, a commitment to a predictable and investor-friendly dispute resolution mechanism is a decisive factor in enhancing the competitiveness of financial centers.

Nguyễn Khánh Ngọc, President of the Vietnam Lawyers Association, echoed this sentiment, stressing that together with the establishment of the VIFC, building a transparent legal framework and an effective dispute resolution mechanism is essential to strengthening investor confidence and ensuring sustainable development of the business environment.

He highlighted that arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods are particularly suited for modern transactions due to their flexibility, confidentiality, and high degree of specialisation.

Trần Tuấn Phong, Chairman of the Vietnam Business Lawyers Club (VBLC), also said the rapid growth of fintech, digital assets and new transaction models is leading to increasingly complex and cross-border disputes that require more flexible and specialised dispute settlement mechanisms.

He expressed hope that the launch of the VIAC Panel of FinTech and Digital Economy Dispute Specialists would contribute to improving institutional capacity and strengthening the dispute resolution ecosystem for Việt Nam’s digital finance market.

Hoàng Huy Trường, head of legal affairs at the Executive Agency for the Vietnam International Financial Centre in HCM City (VIFC-HCMC), outlined the centre's vision to act as a gateway connecting international capital flows with Việt Nam through four main pillars: international capital markets, trade finance, digital banking and fintech, and green finance and niche financial products.

Under this orientation, dispute resolution infrastructure is considered one of the centre’s key components. Institutions such as specialised courts, an international arbitration centre at the VIFC, and both domestic and foreign arbitration centres could all be used to resolve disputes.

According to Trường, the diversity and specialisation of the dispute resolution ecosystem would serve as an important foundation for enhancing the VIFC’s competitiveness and attracting international investors.

Professor Xuân Thảo Nguyễn, Pendleton Miller Chair in Law and director of the Asian Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law, as well as a consultant for the International Finance Corporation under the World Bank Group, said disputes in the financial sector are becoming increasingly cross-border, multilayered and linked to multiple legal systems as international financial centres continue to develop.

Drawing from international experience, she said sustainable financial centres must establish effective and specialised dispute resolution mechanisms capable of building trust among international investors.

Vietnam International Financial Centre sign cooperation agreements with the Vietnam Association of Financial Investors and the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Asset Association to strengthen cooperation in resolving disputes related to finance, fintech and digital assets. — Photo courtesy of the organisers

At the symposium, experts also discussed capital flows and dispute risks within the VIFC ecosystem, mechanisms for preventing and managing risks in financial transactions, and the role of arbitration and ADR in resolving financial disputes. They also proposed recommendations to improve the legal framework and strengthen investor confidence in Việt Nam’s financial environment.

Speakers highlighted the need for a stable, transparent and predictable legal framework to support long-term capital mobilisation for infrastructure and green finance projects. Experts noted that alongside incentives and support policies, effective contract enforcement and reliable dispute resolution mechanisms would be critical to improving the “bankability” of projects in Việt Nam.

Organised by the VIAC in collaboration with the Vietnam Lawyers Association and the Vietnam Business Lawyers Club, the event also featured in-depth discussions on legal sandbox mechanisms for digital finance, the role of specialised courts within the VIFC, judicial assistance and cross-border enforcement, as well as integrated dispute resolution models combining arbitration and specialised courts.

According to VIAC, the launch of the VIAC Panel of FinTech and Digital Economy Dispute Specialists marks a step toward preparing specialised human resources for emerging disputes related to finance, technology and the digital economy. The panel is expected to help VIAC develop highly specialised dispute resolution mechanisms tailored to modern financial transactions and evolving market trends.

As part of the programme, VIAC signed cooperation agreements with the Vietnam Association of Financial Investors and the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Asset Association to strengthen cooperation in resolving disputes related to finance, fintech and digital assets. — VNS