Author
Ms NGUYEN HA CHI
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
Nguyen Ha Chi is a fourth-year student in the High-Quality Economic Law Program at Hanoi Law University, with a strong academic focus on data law, technology law, and international commercial dispute resolution. Chi has built a solid academic foundation with a GPA of 3.67 and has demonstrated outstanding research capabilities through various works published in journals and presented at scientific conferences at both the university and national levels. Alongside her research pursuits, Chi actively participates in academic competitions and sharpens her advocacy skills. In 2024–2025, she won the Hanoi Mock Trial competition as a Lawyer, ranked in the Top 10 of the Law Ambassador Contest, and placed in the Top 8 of the ICA Moot 2025, showcasing her sharp legal reasoning and comprehensive analytical abilities. In addition, Chi has experience as a legal intern at a law firm, where she assisted in legal research and case preparation in a professional environment. With a clear academic direction, strong foundational knowledge, and diverse practical experience, Chi aims to become a legal expert in the fields of technology and international commerce in the future.
