The Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC) has launched its Vietnam Liaison Office in Ho Chi Minh City, aiming to strengthen arbitration cooperation and provide streamlined dispute resolution services for businesses engaged in China-Vietnam cross-border commerce.
- Vietnam Liaison Office provides local arbitration support in Ho Chi Minh City
- China-Vietnam trade topped US$250 billion in 2025, driving dispute resolution needs
- GZAC's digital dispute platform handles cross-border cases globally
What happened
The Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC) officially inaugurated its Vietnam Liaison Office in Ho Chi Minh City in June 2026. This new office aims to facilitate arbitration cooperation between China and Vietnam, reflecting the institutions’ commitment to supporting businesses operating across borders.
Located in a major commercial hub, the office is designed to improve access to arbitration information, procedural guidance, and dispute resolution support for companies involved in China-Vietnam trade and investment. It will act as a regional service platform drawing on GZAC’s extensive international arbitration experience.
Why it matters
The bilateral trade volume between China and Vietnam exceeded US$250 billion in 2025, with Vietnam as China’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. This intensifying economic relationship creates increased need for reliable and efficient mechanisms to resolve commercial disputes, especially across borders.
By establishing a presence in Vietnam, GZAC responds to this demand, facilitating smoother dispute resolution and supporting growth in key sectors such as renewable energy, digital economy, infrastructure, and cross-border investment under the Belt and Road cooperation framework.
What to watch next
The Vietnam Liaison Office is expected to expand collaboration with local arbitration institutions and legal service providers throughout Vietnam and the wider ASEAN region. This could enhance the regional dispute resolution ecosystem and further internationalize GZAC’s services.
Observers should also monitor how GZAC leverages its pioneering digital dispute resolution platform, which integrates negotiation, mediation, and arbitration with multilingual real-time translation, to handle the increasing volume and complexity of cross-border cases involving China and Vietnam.