Author
Ms LE THI KHANH DUONG
Organisation/Institution
Hanoi Law University
Country
VIETNAM
Panel
International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Title
Online Arbitration: Lessons from Asia and Recommendations for Vietnam
Abstract
The rapid development of digital transformation and e-commerce across Asia has encouraged many jurisdictions to adopt online arbitration as a fast, cost-effective, and efficient mechanism for dispute resolution.. As technologies matured, online arbitration evolved from an emergency response, as in the Covid-19 pandemic, into a viable and sophisticated form of justice delivery. Yet, the very technologies enabling this progress also introduce new procedural and ethical challenges. Virtual hearings raise questions about privacy, cybersecurity, and the authenticity of digital evidence. The credibility of witnesses and experts may be affected by the online environment, where non-verbal communication and cross-examination dynamics are altered. Risks of hacking, data leakage, and manipulation of digital records challenge the legitimacy and enforceability of arbitral outcomes. Jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and China have responded by institutionalising online arbitration through e-filing systems, encrypted virtual-hearing protocols, and mechanisms for secure digital-award issuance. ASEAN’s Guidelines on Online Dispute Resolution (2019) similarly reflect a collective regional effort to harmonise these emerging practices, while Vietnam remains at a nascent stage, with no specific legal provisions. This paper examines the development of online arbitration in several Asian jurisdictions - including Singapore, Hong Kong, and China - with the aim of identifying effective legal models, technical standards, and operational mechanisms. Using comparative analysis and case study methodology, the paper clarifies how these jurisdictions leverage digital technologies to enhance transparency, procedural efficiency, and access to justice in dispute resolution. Based on an assessment of Vietnam’s current legal framework and digital infrastructure capabilities, this paper also makes recommendations to improve laws, strengthen the institutional capacity of arbitration centers, and promote the adoption of technology in online arbitration procedures.
Biography
Le Thi Khanh Duong is a student of the High-Quality Program in Economic Law at Hanoi Law University, distinguished by her strong academic performance and a clear specialization in international law and public policy. Throughout her studies, Dương has consistently maintained an impressive GPA and has been awarded multiple Academic Excellence Scholarships as well as the High-Quality Program Scholarship of the university. In addition to her academic achievements, Dương is actively engaged in scientific research and has earned several notable awards. She won Third Prize in the 2024 University-Level Student Scientific Research Competition with a study on ensuring children’s participation rights in law-making processes, and received the Consolation Prize in 2025 for her research on the global minimum tax. Dương is also a co-author of a research paper presented at a national conference organized by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on the legal framework for data as a property regime in the digital era. Furthermore, Dương actively participates in extracurricular activities. She served as the Head of Communications and Technical Affairs of the Law Research Club Hanoi Law University and has achieved distinctions such as Co-Champion of the Hanoi Mock Trial competition and Top 8 in the “Law Ambassador” contest.
