On May 27, 2026, Hanoi Law University (HLU) held a formal welcoming and working session with representatives from Leiden University (the Netherlands) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam. The meeting not only strengthened diplomatic ties but also opened up extensive cooperation prospects in legal education and scientific research between the two leading educational institutions.

The working session was attended by high-level representatives from both sides. Representing Hanoi Law University were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Quang – Vice Rector (Chairperson); Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tu – Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Huong – Deputy Head of the Postgraduate Training Department; and Dr. Tran Minh Ngoc – Dean of the International Law Faculty.

On the side of the Leiden University delegation were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mamadou Hébié – Associate Professor of International Law at Leiden University and Co-Director of the regular Master of Laws (LL.M.) program in International Law. He is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Geneva and a legal expert with extensive litigation experience before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Accompanying him was Mr. Tomas Königs – Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hanoi.

At the beginning of the session, the representative of Hanoi Law University delivered a welcoming speech and expressed deep gratitude to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mamadou Hébié and the representative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A special highlight of this meeting was its timing, as 2026 marks the historic 80th anniversary of the establishment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the principal judicial organ of the United Nations tasked with maintaining global legal order, peace, and justice.

Following a brief introduction by Vice Rector Nguyen Van Quang regarding HLU's history, training scale, and spearhead research orientations, both sides discussed strategic cooperation directions in detail:

- Training Cooperation & Scholarships: The two sides discussed Master of Laws (LL.M.) scholarship opportunities at Leiden University for outstanding HLU students. Leiden University introduced its three master's tracks in detail: the regular Master's program (1 year) focusing on International Law and European Business Law; the Advanced Master's program diving deep into International Arbitration, Technology Law, and Corporate Governance; and the Research Master's program (2 years) with an intensive academic orientation preparing students for doctoral studies. In particular, both universities hope to establish special scholarship schemes or dedicated preferential admission mechanisms, creating optimal conditions for candidates from Hanoi Law University to access Europe's leading legal education environment.

- Development of Short-term Courses: Leiden University offers Summer and Winter Schools lasting from 1 to 3 weeks in Leiden or at its The Hague campus. These courses focus on core strengths such as International Criminal Law, Commercial Law, and Intellectual Property, helping students accumulate credits and gain practical experience at international judicial bodies.

- Student and Faculty Exchange: Both sides agreed to enhance academic exchange by establishing an annual student exchange quota. Simultaneously, they will promote Visiting Scholars programs and expert secondment to share teaching experiences and access advanced academic resources.

- Scientific Research Cooperation: Strongly promoting joint research projects, co-organizing international seminars and conferences, and co-publishing prestigious scientific works in the future.

Concluding the meeting, Vice Rector Nguyen Van Quang highly appreciated the goodwill for cooperation from Leiden University and the invaluable bridge provided by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Vice Rector affirmed HLU's desire to establish an effective, substantive, and sustainable partnership in both education and scientific research. The university leadership also committed to creating all favorable conditions and working closely with partners to promptly implement the discussed agendas.

The courtesy meeting concluded in a warm atmosphere. Representatives from both sides presented meaningful souvenirs and took commemorative photos, wishing the delegation from Leiden University and the Dutch Embassy a successful working trip with many beautiful impressions in Vietnam.

On this occasion, Hanoi Law University was honored to coordinate with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to organize a seminar titled "Arbitration and the International Law of the Sea." The event carried profound practical significance, providing the university's lecturers and students with a valuable opportunity to hear insights from Professor Mamadou Hébié – a prestigious scholar and expert who previously served as a Legal Officer and Special Assistant to the President of the ICJ.