Vietnam Establishes Specialized Courts at International Financial Centers

On December 11, 2025, Vietnam's National Assembly passed Law No. 150/2025/QH15, creating specialized courts at International Financial Centers (IFCs) in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Effective January 1, 2026, this law introduces a dedicated judicial framework for financial disputes within these centers.

Exclusive Jurisdiction

The IFC specialized courts have exclusive authority over:

• Investment and business disputes involving at least one IFC member.
• Recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments and arbitral awards concerning IFC members.
• Requests related to commercial arbitration involving IFC members.

Appellate judgments from these courts are final, not subject to further review.

Inclusion of Foreign Judges

In a groundbreaking move, the law permits foreign judges to serve on these courts, provided they have:

• At least 10 years of experience in investment and business dispute resolution.
• Proficiency in English sufficient for adjudicating cases.

Procedural Flexibility and Language

The law introduces specialized procedural rules to ensure swift and flexible dispute resolution, aligning with international standards. English is recognized as a functional language of the court, allowing proceedings and judgments to be conducted and issued in English, with Vietnamese translations as needed.

This development reflects Vietnam's commitment to enhancing its legal infrastructure to support international investment and financial activities.