Faculty of International Law

Formation and Development

The establishment and development of the Faculty of International Law is closely associated with significant milestones in the history of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. In 1956, international law was taught in the first training classes for diplomatic officials organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. In 1960, after the merger of the Diplomatic School into the Central School of Economics and Finance, the Department of International Law was established. In 1963, along with the establishment of the University of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Department of International Law was part of the Faculty of Diplomacy. In 2002, the Faculty of International Law was established and became one of the key faculties of the Institute for International Relations (IIR).

In 2008, the Institute for International Relations was renamed to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), and in the same year, the Faculty of International Law launched the Bachelor of International Law program making the DAV the first higher education institution which provides such a program. Most of the legal officials recruited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since then are the graduate of the program. In 2022, the Faculty of International Law opened the Bachelor of International Trade and Business Law program to meet the needs of the labor market. Postgraduate programs were also launched including the master and doctoral programs on international law. In addition, following the establishment of the Vietnam’s Society of International Law (VSIL), the Faculty was honored to serve as the Office of the VSIL.

Training Programs

The Faculty of International Law currently offers two undergraduate programs: International Law and International Trade and Business Law. Both programs are designed to equip students with a solid foundation in legal knowledge within an increasingly interconnected global environment, while cultivating essential professional skills that enable graduates to meet the demands of a competitive and evolving labour market.

The International Law program focuses on core areas of public international law, including the law governing relations among states and international organizations, international dispute settlement, the law of treaties, human rights law, and the law of the sea. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, preparing students for careers in diplomacy, governmental agencies, international organizations, and legal research. (See the 2023 Program here.)

The International Trade and Business program places greater emphasis on the legal frameworks that regulate cross-border commercial activities. Students are introduced to international economic law, WTO law, international investment law, cross-border business transactions, and commercial arbitration. This program aims to develop professionals capable of navigating the complex interplay between states and private actors in global trade, finance, and business, thereby meeting the increasing demand for legal expertise in Vietnam’s integration-driven economy. (See the 2023 Program here.)

Faculty Members

The Faculty of International Law is comprised of highly qualified lecturers who have been trained at leading academic institutions around the world, including the United Kingdom, United States, France, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium and Ireland. In addition to their strong academic backgrounds, many faculty members possess extensive practical experience gained through diplomatic postings abroad, legal advisory work, and participation in international cooperation activities. The Faculty is also committed to continuous professional development, with lecturers regularly undertaking overseas training programs to stay updated with global legal developments and best practices. In addition, to provide students with authentic knowledge and professional orientation, the Faculty regularly invites diplomats, scholars, leading experts and practitioners in international law, as well as reputable lawyers from top law firms in Vietnam, to deliver guest lectures and engage with students.

The Faculty of International Law is led by one Dean and two Vice Deans, who bring extensive expertise and leadership to the Faculty.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, is a leading expert in international law and the law of the sea. Her work focuses on ocean governance, maritime boundary delimitation, maritime security, and Vietnam’s foreign policy in the South China Sea. She frequently provides legal and policy advice to Vietnamese government agencies and contributes to regional and international Track 1.5 and Track 2 initiatives. Alongside her responsibilities at the East Sea Institute, she serves as Dean of the Faculty of International Law, where she teaches international law and the law of the sea. She previously held the post of Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Vietnam in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Tran Huu Duy Minh is the Vice Dean of the Faculty of International Law, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. His research interests and publications focus the law of the sea, the settlement of international disputes, and the South China Sea disputes, and public international law in general such as legal theories and sources of international law. Inspired by well-known blogs Opinio Juris and EJIL:Talk!, he found the website to raise awareness on international law in Vietnam: https://iuscogens-vie.org/

Dr. Ngo Thi Trang is Vice Dean of the Faculty of International Law at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. From 2020 to 2023, she served as Second Secretary at the Embassy of Vietnam in Indonesia. Her research focuses on International Trade Law, Public International Law, Law of International Organizations and International Humanitarian Law. She is co-author of a textbook on Public International Law and multiple reference books and scholarly articles published in reputable legal journals. Dr. Ngo holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Economics (MILE), magna cum laude, from the World Trade Institute, University of Bern, and a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Nagoya University, Japan.

Contacts details:

Email: KHOALUATQUOCTE@dav.edu.vn

Tel: (84-24) 3834 4540; Fax: (84-24) 3834 3543

Address: Room 609-614, Floor 6, Building D, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam