REPORT ON RESULTS Organizing Cooperation Activities with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France in 2025
11/12/2025
In implementing the Cooperation Agreement between the Judicial Academy and the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France (RFR) on cooperation in the field of training in civil enforcement and auctioneering, signed on December 15, 2023, the Judicial Academy (Academy) has carried out two cooperation activities with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the RFR, including: (i) Organizing a seminar on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in the Republic of France and experiences in training, fostering and apprenticeship in auctioneering in the Republic of France; (ii) Welcoming a delegation from the Republic of France to visit and work at the facility in Ho Chi Minh City
REPORT ON RESULTS
Organizing Cooperation Activities with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France in 2025
Organizing Cooperation Activities with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France in 2025
In implementing the Cooperation Agreement between the Judicial Academy and the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France (RFR) on cooperation in the field of training in civil enforcement and auctioneering, signed on December 15, 2023, the Judicial Academy (Academy) has carried out two cooperation activities with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the RFR, including: (i) Organizing a seminar on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in the Republic of France and experiences in training, fostering and apprenticeship in auctioneering in the Republic of France; (ii) Welcoming a delegation from the Republic of France to visit and work at the facility in Ho Chi Minh City. The Academy would like to report the results of the following two activities:
A. SEMINAR ORGANIZATION ACTIVITY I. General Information about the Seminar
1. Seminar Title: New Points in the Procedures for Auctioning Various Types of Assets in the Republic of France and Experiences in Training, Professional Development, and Apprenticeship in Auctioneering in the Republic of France.
2. Seminar Objectives
The seminar was organized with the aim of exchanging and learning about the knowledge and experience of French experts on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets; experiences in training, professional development, and apprenticeship in auctioneering in the Republic of France; creating a scientific forum to share, exchange, and gather contributions from delegates on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in Vietnam; and introducing the training and professional development activities for auctioneers at the Academy of Justice.
3. Time and Location of the Workshop
The workshop will be held for half a day (morning of November 26, 2025) at the headquarters of the Judicial Academy in Hanoi (No. 9 Tran Vy Street, Phu Dien Ward, Hanoi), combined with online participation via Zoom.
4. Content, Program, and Publicity of the Workshop 4.1 The workshop will be held for one morning on November 26, 2025, and will include the following three working sessions:
- Exchange of experiences on training, professional development, and apprenticeship in auctioneering in the Republic of France.
- Exchange of experiences on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in the Republic of France.
- Some important new points in the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Auctioning Assets in 2024 and the training and professional development activities for auctioneers at the Judicial Academy.
4.2 Conference Information and Communication
The conference activities were reported on the Ministry of Justice's electronic portal and the Vietnam Law Newspaper.
5. Chairperson: Dr. Nguyen Van Bon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy.
6. Organizing Agency/Unit: The Judicial Academy, in coordination with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France, organized the conference.
7. Speaker Information
- Vietnamese Speaker: Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang, Head of the Auctione Profession Department, Faculty of Notary Training and Other Positions, Judicial Academy.
- French Speaker: Mr. CICUTO Robert, Anthony, Delegate of the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France, and Mr. ASSANTE DI CUPILLO Jean-Luc, Antoine, Delegate of the Auction House Council of the Republic of France.
8. Composition, number, and composition of Vietnamese delegates and delegates with foreign nationalities.
- The Vietnamese side had 43 delegates attending, including: Dr. Nguyen Van Bon,
Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy; Delegates from Department A03 (Ministry of Public Security), Southern Law College, Vietnam Law Newspaper, auction centers; Lecturers from the Faculty of Notary Training and other positions and visiting lecturers of the auctioneer vocational training program, representatives from the Center for Cadre Training, Leaders and specialists of the Administration, Management and External Relations Department, Editors of the internal electronic portal of the Judicial Academy; and trainees participating in the 17th Auctioneer Vocational Training Course in 2025.
The French side included 3 delegates, including: Mr. FERRAND Luc, Pierre-Emile, Director of Compliance, National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France and 2 French speakers.
9. Funding: The National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France will arrange interpreters and French experts; The Judicial Academy will cover the costs of renting equipment and software for online connectivity via Zoom, the cost of hiring Vietnamese experts, the cost of delegates attending, and other expenses related to organizing the workshop in Vietnam.
II. RESULTS OF THE WORKSHOP 1. Workshop Results
Following the opening, the workshop worked on the following topics:
• Working Topic 1 “Exchange of experiences on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in France” presented by Mr. CICUTO Robert,
Anthony, Representative of the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France:
Mr. Cicuto Robert stated: The procedure for the seizure of real estate in the French legal system is certainly the most complex, technical, and binding procedure, in which the judicial commissioner plays a decisive role and acts like a conductor of an orchestra because each action sets a deadline, marks the starting point of the next stage, and opens up rights for both creditors and debtors, under the supervision of the judge. Given the characteristics I just mentioned, the procedure for foreclosure of real estate is usually the last resort, applied after simpler, less costly, and less damaging procedures involving the debtor's residence.
Typically, this procedure is applied as a result of the debtor failing to pay a large sum (at least 5,000 euros) related to unpaid mortgage payments or outstanding apartment expenses for several months. Formally, the Code of Procedure stipulates the conditions for foreclosure of real estate and sets out three conditions: A legally enforceable document; a debt that is due and recoverable; and property that is foreclosed.
Regarding enforceable documents: The most commonly used documents are notarized documents, court and administrative decisions, and decisions of social organizations. Regardless of the document, it must be the final document that cannot be appealed.
The document allowing for litigation must confirm a payable debt, that is, a debt with a defined or identifiable amount, or a debt that can be valued in monetary terms. Another characteristic of the debt is its payable nature. This means that the debt must not be overdue or uncollectible even with an extension of the payment deadline. Foreclosure of real estate will target a real estate property, which could be an apartment, a house, or a plot of land, and this real estate property must necessarily be owned by the debtor, and may be their primary or secondary residence or rental property. One might think that all real estate can be seized, but one should not forget some exceptions. In fact, state property cannot be seized, and some other properties cannot be seized either, but these are rare cases stipulated in Article L 112-2 of the CPCE.
Another limitation is that multiple properties cannot be seized at the same time if the seizure of a single property is sufficient to settle one or more creditors. It should be noted that one of the principles of enforcement is the proportionality of the measures applied to settle the outstanding debt.
After determining the scope of the real estate seizure and the conditions for its execution, we can begin the procedure. At this point, the commissioner of justice will step in and initiate the procedure. The first and most important action is performed only by the commissioner of justice, not by a clerk, as this action is very formal.
Order for the seizure of real estate: At least 13 clauses must be stated in this document; otherwise, it will be considered invalid. Therefore, you can understand the high degree of caution that the judicial judge must demonstrate. I won't take your time reading the entire Code of Procedure, but I want to reiterate some particularly important provisions. From the date the judicial commissioner serves the order, the payment deadline is 8 days. Immediately after serving the document, the seized property cannot be sold by the debtor without the judge's permission, and if the property is leased, the debtor cannot use the rental income. In practice, the seizure of rental income from tenants has been carried out very frequently.
Alongside the obligations and payment orders against the debtor, the service of the order grants the debtor certain rights, particularly the right to object to the enforcement measure before the judge. The service of the document by the judicial judge to the debtor must be accompanied by a public announcement. This is called the announcement of the order at the Mortgage Office. The purpose of this procedure is to inform third parties that the defendant's property has been seized and will be auctioned. Therefore, this procedure should be carried out as soon as possible. The judicial commissioner's role does not end there; as I mentioned earlier, he is the central figure in this procedure. After the 8-day period from the date of service of the decision document, which is the Order to Seize Real Estate, our task is to prepare a descriptive record, a document that only the judicial commissioner can prepare.
Description of the property: We are at a very special stage of the procedure because we are at the crossroads of two activities we are very familiar with: enforcing court decisions and drawing up a record. The judicial commissioner is required to draw up a description of the seized property. To do this, we are allowed to enter the apartment or house alone with the consent of the occupant. If the occupant does not consent or is absent, the law allows us to request the assistance of a locksmith and the police force or, in practice, usually two witnesses to enter the seized apartment or house. Then, we are responsible for describing the property, its composition, area, condition of use, and all factors that help to understand the property. The assistance of a technician can sometimes also be helpful in determining the correct measures according to certain criteria. We are particularly considering Carrez method measurements or questions related to energy diagnostics taken into account in the valuation of a real estate property.
Submission Order: Within two months of the order's publication, the debtor will be summoned before the enforcement judge. The hearing will take place at least one month after the judicial commissioner issues the submission order and no more than three months thereafter. If we become aware of other creditors (referred to as registered creditors), they will also be summoned before the judge to present their claims. At this hearing, the defendant may object to the proceedings alone or through their attorney. The judge may decide to continue or not continue the proceedings. The judge has several options: allow a sale by agreement, order an auction sale, or terminate the proceedings permanently or provisionally. The judge's decision will be communicated by the judicial commissioner, who will open the timeframe for appeal. If the judge allows the sale of the property by agreement, the judge will set a minimum price. The description we prepared beforehand will be particularly important in determining the value of the property. This description will also be helpful for creditors in accepting the principle of selling the property by agreement.
When the judge decides to auction the property, they will set the auction date and determine the conditions for viewing the property. In practice, potential buyers who are allowed to view the property will be allowed to participate in the auction. To ensure the highest possible number of bidders, advertising should be done at least one month before the auction. In this regard, we intervene to ensure on-site advertising, i.e., at the location of the property. Our role is to post the auction notice. Specifically, we post a poster at the property's location so that many people can see it. This poster clearly states the nature of the property, the auction date, the contact information of the creditor's lawyer, and the starting price set by the judge. Please note that the name of the defendant is not explicitly stated. After posting the poster, we create a record including a photograph of the exact location of the poster. Because we are engaged in a legal procedure in which the rights of each party must be ensured, the legislature assigns us a task that will again lead to the creation of a record as a confirmation document.
Property Visit: On the appointed date and time, the judicial commissioner will allow potential bidders to visit the property. As described in the record, there may be the assistance of a locksmith and police officers, as well as the presence of two witnesses. This visit may be conducted in the presence of the person occupying the property. This is often a difficult time for the debtor as it is the first time they have seen this procedure carried out. No longer just a matter of the notary, judge, or lawyer, now their property is visited by potential buyers, and some do not hesitate to ask them about the reason for the foreclosure. After completing the procedures, we drew up a record documenting the visit, stating the date, time, number of people present, and whether assistance from a locksmith or police was needed, as well as any incidents that occurred. Next came the official auction.
Auction of assets: Despite the promotional measures I just mentioned, the auction was not open to everyone. Those whose assets were confiscated were not allowed to participate in the auction or even be represented by a lawyer. Similarly, all auxiliary judicial positions and judges involved in this procedure were not allowed to participate in the auction. We were unable to participate. This decision by the legislature can easily be explained by a conflict of interest. To participate in the auction, a deposit equivalent to 10% of the starting price was required. This money was deposited into an escrow account and would be refunded to those who did not win the auction. Before the auction begins, the judge will determine the cost of the procedure. This amount must be at least 5000 euros. The price increase is not regulated by law but is decided by the judge.
The auction ends when 90 seconds have elapsed since the last bid. Typically, a visible stopwatch is installed in the courtroom. In the past, candles were used as timers, a practice known as candle auctions. A 10% increase in price is possible within 10 days, leading to a new trial. Within two months of the sale, the winning bidder must pay the sale price and legal costs. After the auction concludes, the judge issues a decision called the Auction Award. This award is communicated to the debtor and creditors by the judicial judge. A key characteristic of this award is that it is not appealable. Appeals to the Supreme Court are possible unless the judge, in their ruling, addresses a dispute that arose at the trial where the auction took place.
This judgment is also very important for the winning bidder because it is an enforceable document allowing the eviction of the debtor if the debtor is not permitted by the judge to remain in the seized and sold property. The distribution of the sale price of the property will be carried out among the creditors by agreement or by court decision if there is no agreement.
We have seen that the commissioner of justice intervenes throughout the proceedings, from initiating litigation by serving the payment order to serving the Auction Judgment. This important role is further emphasized when there are appeals and disputes in the proceedings, which I will not mention so that we can focus on the main points and a simple diagram of the foreclosure of real estate. This procedure is unusual in our judicial system because it is the only procedure in which the commissioner of justice intervenes to perform the functions of service, enforcement, and confirmation. The only other procedure in France in which we perform these three activities is the seizure of counterfeit goods.
• Working Content 2: “Exchange of experience on training, professional development, and apprenticeship in auctioneering in France” presented by Mr. Assante Di Cupillo Jean-Luc, Antoine, Representative of the Council of Auctioneers of the Republic of France.
Mr. Assante Jean-Luc presented: After the 2000 reforms, the legal operation of our business was divided into two separate entities. This requires expertise in the arts, lawyers, and knowledge of commerce. There are two types of auctions:
- Court auctions/Judicial auctions: Conducted by judicial auction commissioners, now called judicial commissioners. These auctions are conducted by court decision (seizure, AGRASC, bankruptcy proceedings, Commercial Court, etc.).
- Voluntary auctions - Auction House: Conducted by auction commissioners. Private or Inherited Sale (Furniture, Art, Jewelry, Vehicles, etc.)
Note: As of February 22, 2022 (Law 2022-267), these two types of auctions also sell intangible assets such as businesses, licenses, patents and trademarks, stocks, and real estate. All of these are governed by Section L.320.1 of the Civil Code.
Initial Training: - Volunteer Auctioneer + Master's degree in Law.
+ Bachelor's degree or diploma in art history; archaeology or visual arts.
+ Two-year internship at an auction house.
+ Final internship competency assessment exam organized by the Auction House Council.
- Judicial Auctioneer
+ Merged in 2022 with court clerks.
+ Master's degree in Law. + Training at the National School of Judicial Justice (ENCJ) in Paris.
+ Two-year professional internship.
+ Professional competency examination.
+ The curriculum includes: Civil law, commercial law and bankruptcy procedures, regulations on public auctions and professional ethics, art appraisal and valuation, communication and business management.
Both positions are eligible to take the recruitment exam. Individuals who are secretaries or managers of auction houses or judicial offices must demonstrate seven years of experience before taking the recruitment exam.
The goal of this training course is to train competent professionals in both the legal and artistic fields and to ensure the transparency and legal security of transactions.
20 hours of continuous training per year is mandatory:
- Provided by the Auction House Council for voluntary auctioneers.
- The Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers acts in accordance with judicial auctioneers.
- Purpose: To update and upgrade (legal laws and doctrines); to keep up with developments in the art market; to become familiar with new technologies (online sales, digital practices, electronic auctions); to acquire fundamental knowledge of appraisal techniques (jewelers, jewelry, furniture, paintings); to understand professional ethics and conduct (morality, justice, and integrity); to improve traceability; and to combat money laundering.
- Training Organizations: National Institute of Judicial Training; AUCHAIRHOUSES partner art schools and universities (through roundtables, conferences, and workshops); and international training programs such as Christie's Education.
- Why Training is Needed: To stay updated on market trends and artificial intelligence; to become familiar with sales channels (online, in-person, etc.); to stay informed about ongoing legal reforms; to maintain expertise; to maintain public credibility; and to monitor abandoned properties.
Conclusion: We are the only country in the world that trains auctioneers with full qualifications in both legal and artistic aspects. A strict regulatory system helps us gain the trust of both sellers and buyers. We are responsible for the quality and authenticity of the items sold. Unlike foreign auction houses, we are not dealers (we cannot buy and resell). Therefore, we do not buy anything and we protect the items sold to achieve the best price – completely transparent.
• Working Content 3 “Some important new points in the Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Auction of Assets in 2024 and the training and professional development of auctioneers at the Judicial Academy” presented by Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang, Head of the Auction Profession Department, Judicial Academy
Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang provides information on some new points regarding the procedures for auctioning and the management and operation of asset auction businesses in Vietnam:
- New points regarding auction procedures:
+ Procedures before conducting the auction: Selecting an auction organization; Signing an auction service contract; Issuing auction regulations; Announcing and posting the auction notice; Organizing viewings of the auctioned assets for participants; Selling auction invitation documents to potential bidders; Registration of potential bidders.
+ Procedures for conducting auction activities: Direct verbal bidding; Direct voting at the auction; Indirect voting; Online bidding.
+ Procedures for conducting activities after the auction: Handling matters in case of unsuccessful or successful auctions; Regarding simplified auction procedures; Canceling the auction results. - New points regarding the management and operation of asset auction organizations in the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Asset Auctions in 2024:
+ Firstly, the amended and supplemented Law creates a favorable legal framework for the development of asset auctions owned by individuals and organizations.
+ Secondly, the amended and supplemented Law allows asset auction organizations the right to collect, manage, and use the proceeds from the sale of auction participation documents.
+ Thirdly, the amended and supplemented Law creates flexibility for asset auction organizations regarding registration and changes to registration details.
+ Fourthly, the amended and supplemented Law expands the legal framework for asset auction organizations in changing the registration details of their businesses and branches.
+ Fifthly, the regulation on exemption from auctioneer training is abolished to improve the uniform quality of auctioneers. + Sixth, the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Auctioning Assets clearly stipulates that any judicial position granted an auctioneer's practice certificate must undergo professional training and internship to build a truly professional team of auctioneers.
+ Seventh, regulations on mandatory annual training for auctioneers are added.
+ Eighth, mechanisms to prevent and penalize violations and negative practices in asset auctioning activities are strengthened.
+ Ninth, supplementing some specific regulations on the auction procedures for special assets including land use rights for investment projects, mineral exploitation rights, and radio frequency usage rights, such as longer auction notice periods compared to ordinary assets, direct participation of the asset owner in reviewing the eligibility of auction participants, and methods for determining the deposit in specific cases... aiming to resolve difficulties and obstacles encountered in applying the general auction procedures to these special assets in the past, contributing to unlocking resources and improving the efficiency of public asset management.
- Training and professional development activities in auctioneering at the Judicial Academy: Auctioneer training program; Faculty; Auctioneer training methods; Textbook system, reference materials, case studies; Auctioneer internship activities. • Discussion Section
- Ms. Le Thi Huong Giang, Head of the Auctioneering Department, Faculty of Notary Training and Other Positions, Judicial Academy, asked: In France, can a person whose property is confiscated continue to use it until the time of auction, for both movable and immovable property? What is the procedure for voluntarily putting a work of art up for auction?
- Mr. Cicuto Robert responded: The property of a person whose property is confiscated remains in the possession of the debtor or owner until the time of auction. The seller provides documents proving the origin of the property. According to the French Civil Code, there is a provision related to confiscated property that may require verification. For some voluntarily confiscated properties that may be prohibited from being auctioned on exchanges, the State has also published a list of properties that cannot be auctioned on exchanges.
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc asked: Why aren't auctioneers in Vietnam allowed to act as appraisers?
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, responded: This is an important issue, and in Vietnam, it's not permissible to simultaneously perform both the functions of auctioneer and appraiser. In France, auctioneers are allowed to perform appraisal or assessment functions. In 2026, Vietnam plans to comprehensively amend the Auction Law to address these shortcomings.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: Can Vietnam send people to France for training?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc responded: In France, a certain number of trainees are allocated annually for foreign students, and there are exams specifically for foreigners. Besides that, I find the training and practical training period before the certification exam, at 6 months, too short. In France, the training period is 2 years.
- Mr. Nguyen Dai Dan, Director of Dai Thanh Auction Company, asked: What is the increase or decrease in the number of auctioneers over the years in France?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc explained: In France, an average of 30 auctioneers are trained annually, and nationwide, as of now, there are approximately 800 appraisers and over 500 auctioneers. Not all auctioneers work for auction houses; some may work in the judicial field and may work part-time for auction houses.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: What does it mean to increase the price by 10% compared to the selling price within 10 days?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc explained: This only applies to real estate assets. In France, for real estate assets, the court, as the entity handling the asset, can set a higher price within 10 days.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: Which assets are the most difficult to auction in France?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: The most difficult assets to auction in France currently are old real estate from the 18th and 19th centuries. For example, the house of King Louis XV was worth 50,000 Euros, but now it's only 1,000 Euros and there are no buyers.
- Mr. Nguyen Dai Dan, Director of Dai Thanh Auction Company, asked: Are there many assets that cannot be delivered to the winning bidder?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: In many cases, when a sale is made but the buyer is a foreigner, there are many instances where the buyer does not receive the property. Auctioned assets from Vietnam and China fetch very high prices, but they could be subject to money laundering. In cases where there are signs of such activity, a warning would need to be sent to all parties involved, which is very complicated.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: To develop a voluntary auction market, does the state need specific policies, or should it develop according to the normal mechanism?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: The state does not have a specific mechanism; instead, joint ventures are making efforts to develop auction systems as they are now. Professional associations and auctioneers all have shares in auction houses.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: France allows auctioneers to simultaneously act as bailiffs; does this create a conflict of interest? - Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: In reality, there is a conflict of interest between auctioneers and bailiffs in France. After 2022, there was a merger of auctioneers and bailiffs. However, currently, most auctioneers do not want to do the work of bailiffs. The training program in France is still undergoing many changes and may not be called auctioneers but rather judicial commissioners.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: Are auctioneers in France allowed to practice in other countries?
- Mr. Cicuto Robert commented: Auctioneers in France are not allowed to practice in other countries.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, stated: Currently, Lac Viet Company is cooperating to open a company with foreign investment capital in accordance with the law on investment. The company only functions to exploit the Vietnamese market in terms of goods and customers. Auction activities are conducted according to French regulations and French time. Individual Vietnamese auctioneers only conduct the auction online. During the auction, the auctioneer's performance will be streamed live to Vietnam via the auctioneer and supporting unit. Regarding payment, all contracts include commitments to prevent money laundering.
Through presentations by experts from the Republic of France and Vietnam, and through exchanges and discussions, the workshop participants gained knowledge and experience from experts of both countries regarding regulations, procedures, and processes for auctioning various types of assets, as well as learning about auctioneer training and professional development in the Republic of France. The information obtained from the workshop serves as a valuable resource for the Judicial Academy to use in its research, teaching, and training of auctioneers, and for use by asset auction organizations in conducting auctions in Vietnam. The workshop successfully completed its program and content, meeting its objectives and requirements; ensuring compliance with the regulations and the Ministry of Justice's foreign affairs regulations on organizing international workshops.
2. Evaluation of Advantages
The workshop was organized with many advantages in terms of expertise and organization: The workshop's content and the in-depth knowledge and experience of Vietnamese and French experts attracted the attention, interest, exchange, and discussion of the participating delegates. The combination of in-person and online formats via Zoom facilitated participation for the delegates. The Academy prepared and arranged the best facilities and technical equipment to organize the workshop effectively and ensure quality.
B. ACTIVITIES FOR WELCOMING THE DELEGATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE TO VISIT AND WORK WITH THE ACADEMY OF JUSTICE IN HO CHI MINH CITY
1. Time and Location: 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM on November 28, 2025 at the Headquarters of the Academy of Justice, 821 Kha Van Can Street, Ward 56, Linh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Participants:
- The delegation from the Republic of France consists of 9 people:
+ Mr. FERRAND Luc, Pierre-Emile, Director of Compliance, National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France.
+ Mr. CICUTO Robert, Anthony, Representative of the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France.
+ Mr. ASSANTE DI CUPILLO Jean-Luc, Antoine, Delegate to the Council of Auction Houses of the Republic of France.
+ Ms. Estelle Barthelemy, Officer in charge of cooperation with Vietnam, Department of International and European Cooperation, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of France.
+ Ms. Priscille de Cambourg, Officer in charge of judicial cooperation, French Embassy in Vietnam.
+ Ms. Caroline Charpentier, Liaison Judge for Southeast Asia, French Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
+ Ms. Shana ELKAIM, trainee lawyer at the French Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
+ Mr. Bruno Lasserre, President of the Continental Law Foundation.
+ Ms. Tran Lan Huong, Head of Administration, French Embassy in Vietnam.
- Ten participants from the Judicial Academy:
+ Mr. Nguyen Truong Thiep, Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy. + Mr. Nguyen Canh Tuyen, Deputy Head of the Facility, in charge of the facility in Ho Chi Minh City.
+ Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Deputy Head of the Training and Student Affairs Department.
+ Mr. Dang Don Danh, Deputy Head of the Administration - Management - Finance Department.
+ Mr. Vo Hong Nam, Deputy Head of the Quality Assurance and Examination Department.
+ Mr. Ho Quan Chinh, Head of the Department for Training Civil Enforcement Officers.
+ Mr. Vo Xuan Cuong, Head of the Department for Training Notaries and Other Positions.
+ Mr. Pham Lien, Deputy Head of the Department for Training Lawyers, Judges, and Prosecutors.
+ Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang, Deputy Head of the Department for Training Lawyers, Judges, and Prosecutors.
+ Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, Specialist.
3. Content of the Working Session
At the meeting with the delegation, Mr. Nguyen Truong Thiep, Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy, informed the delegation from the Republic of France about the organizational structure, functions, and activities of the facility in Ho Chi Minh City; The potential for developing training and professional development in auxiliary judicial professions in the Southern region in the coming period was discussed. Both sides also exchanged information and shared experiences on training judicial positions, focusing on training auctioneers, bailiffs, judges, and lawyers.
The Academy strictly adhered to the Party's regulations on internal political security, state secret protection, and the principles stated in Articles 21 and 22 of the Regulations on the Management of Foreign Affairs Activities of the Ministry of Justice, issued under Decision No. 2038/QD-BTP dated October 28, 2024, by the Minister of Justice, when exchanging information and interacting with foreign parties.
The above is a report on the results of organizing cooperation activities with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France in 2025. The Academy respectfully submits this report to the Leadership of the Ministry of Justice./.
A. SEMINAR ORGANIZATION ACTIVITY I. General Information about the Seminar
1. Seminar Title: New Points in the Procedures for Auctioning Various Types of Assets in the Republic of France and Experiences in Training, Professional Development, and Apprenticeship in Auctioneering in the Republic of France.
2. Seminar Objectives
The seminar was organized with the aim of exchanging and learning about the knowledge and experience of French experts on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets; experiences in training, professional development, and apprenticeship in auctioneering in the Republic of France; creating a scientific forum to share, exchange, and gather contributions from delegates on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in Vietnam; and introducing the training and professional development activities for auctioneers at the Academy of Justice.
3. Time and Location of the Workshop
The workshop will be held for half a day (morning of November 26, 2025) at the headquarters of the Judicial Academy in Hanoi (No. 9 Tran Vy Street, Phu Dien Ward, Hanoi), combined with online participation via Zoom.
4. Content, Program, and Publicity of the Workshop 4.1 The workshop will be held for one morning on November 26, 2025, and will include the following three working sessions:
- Exchange of experiences on training, professional development, and apprenticeship in auctioneering in the Republic of France.
- Exchange of experiences on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in the Republic of France.
- Some important new points in the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Auctioning Assets in 2024 and the training and professional development activities for auctioneers at the Judicial Academy.
4.2 Conference Information and Communication
The conference activities were reported on the Ministry of Justice's electronic portal and the Vietnam Law Newspaper.
5. Chairperson: Dr. Nguyen Van Bon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy.
6. Organizing Agency/Unit: The Judicial Academy, in coordination with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France, organized the conference.
7. Speaker Information
- Vietnamese Speaker: Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang, Head of the Auctione Profession Department, Faculty of Notary Training and Other Positions, Judicial Academy.
- French Speaker: Mr. CICUTO Robert, Anthony, Delegate of the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France, and Mr. ASSANTE DI CUPILLO Jean-Luc, Antoine, Delegate of the Auction House Council of the Republic of France.
8. Composition, number, and composition of Vietnamese delegates and delegates with foreign nationalities.
- The Vietnamese side had 43 delegates attending, including: Dr. Nguyen Van Bon,
Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy; Delegates from Department A03 (Ministry of Public Security), Southern Law College, Vietnam Law Newspaper, auction centers; Lecturers from the Faculty of Notary Training and other positions and visiting lecturers of the auctioneer vocational training program, representatives from the Center for Cadre Training, Leaders and specialists of the Administration, Management and External Relations Department, Editors of the internal electronic portal of the Judicial Academy; and trainees participating in the 17th Auctioneer Vocational Training Course in 2025.
The French side included 3 delegates, including: Mr. FERRAND Luc, Pierre-Emile, Director of Compliance, National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France and 2 French speakers.
9. Funding: The National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France will arrange interpreters and French experts; The Judicial Academy will cover the costs of renting equipment and software for online connectivity via Zoom, the cost of hiring Vietnamese experts, the cost of delegates attending, and other expenses related to organizing the workshop in Vietnam.
II. RESULTS OF THE WORKSHOP 1. Workshop Results
Following the opening, the workshop worked on the following topics:
• Working Topic 1 “Exchange of experiences on new points in the procedures for auctioning various types of assets in France” presented by Mr. CICUTO Robert,
Anthony, Representative of the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France:
Mr. Cicuto Robert stated: The procedure for the seizure of real estate in the French legal system is certainly the most complex, technical, and binding procedure, in which the judicial commissioner plays a decisive role and acts like a conductor of an orchestra because each action sets a deadline, marks the starting point of the next stage, and opens up rights for both creditors and debtors, under the supervision of the judge. Given the characteristics I just mentioned, the procedure for foreclosure of real estate is usually the last resort, applied after simpler, less costly, and less damaging procedures involving the debtor's residence.
Typically, this procedure is applied as a result of the debtor failing to pay a large sum (at least 5,000 euros) related to unpaid mortgage payments or outstanding apartment expenses for several months. Formally, the Code of Procedure stipulates the conditions for foreclosure of real estate and sets out three conditions: A legally enforceable document; a debt that is due and recoverable; and property that is foreclosed.
Regarding enforceable documents: The most commonly used documents are notarized documents, court and administrative decisions, and decisions of social organizations. Regardless of the document, it must be the final document that cannot be appealed.
The document allowing for litigation must confirm a payable debt, that is, a debt with a defined or identifiable amount, or a debt that can be valued in monetary terms. Another characteristic of the debt is its payable nature. This means that the debt must not be overdue or uncollectible even with an extension of the payment deadline. Foreclosure of real estate will target a real estate property, which could be an apartment, a house, or a plot of land, and this real estate property must necessarily be owned by the debtor, and may be their primary or secondary residence or rental property. One might think that all real estate can be seized, but one should not forget some exceptions. In fact, state property cannot be seized, and some other properties cannot be seized either, but these are rare cases stipulated in Article L 112-2 of the CPCE.
Another limitation is that multiple properties cannot be seized at the same time if the seizure of a single property is sufficient to settle one or more creditors. It should be noted that one of the principles of enforcement is the proportionality of the measures applied to settle the outstanding debt.
After determining the scope of the real estate seizure and the conditions for its execution, we can begin the procedure. At this point, the commissioner of justice will step in and initiate the procedure. The first and most important action is performed only by the commissioner of justice, not by a clerk, as this action is very formal.
Order for the seizure of real estate: At least 13 clauses must be stated in this document; otherwise, it will be considered invalid. Therefore, you can understand the high degree of caution that the judicial judge must demonstrate. I won't take your time reading the entire Code of Procedure, but I want to reiterate some particularly important provisions. From the date the judicial commissioner serves the order, the payment deadline is 8 days. Immediately after serving the document, the seized property cannot be sold by the debtor without the judge's permission, and if the property is leased, the debtor cannot use the rental income. In practice, the seizure of rental income from tenants has been carried out very frequently.
Alongside the obligations and payment orders against the debtor, the service of the order grants the debtor certain rights, particularly the right to object to the enforcement measure before the judge. The service of the document by the judicial judge to the debtor must be accompanied by a public announcement. This is called the announcement of the order at the Mortgage Office. The purpose of this procedure is to inform third parties that the defendant's property has been seized and will be auctioned. Therefore, this procedure should be carried out as soon as possible. The judicial commissioner's role does not end there; as I mentioned earlier, he is the central figure in this procedure. After the 8-day period from the date of service of the decision document, which is the Order to Seize Real Estate, our task is to prepare a descriptive record, a document that only the judicial commissioner can prepare.
Description of the property: We are at a very special stage of the procedure because we are at the crossroads of two activities we are very familiar with: enforcing court decisions and drawing up a record. The judicial commissioner is required to draw up a description of the seized property. To do this, we are allowed to enter the apartment or house alone with the consent of the occupant. If the occupant does not consent or is absent, the law allows us to request the assistance of a locksmith and the police force or, in practice, usually two witnesses to enter the seized apartment or house. Then, we are responsible for describing the property, its composition, area, condition of use, and all factors that help to understand the property. The assistance of a technician can sometimes also be helpful in determining the correct measures according to certain criteria. We are particularly considering Carrez method measurements or questions related to energy diagnostics taken into account in the valuation of a real estate property.
Submission Order: Within two months of the order's publication, the debtor will be summoned before the enforcement judge. The hearing will take place at least one month after the judicial commissioner issues the submission order and no more than three months thereafter. If we become aware of other creditors (referred to as registered creditors), they will also be summoned before the judge to present their claims. At this hearing, the defendant may object to the proceedings alone or through their attorney. The judge may decide to continue or not continue the proceedings. The judge has several options: allow a sale by agreement, order an auction sale, or terminate the proceedings permanently or provisionally. The judge's decision will be communicated by the judicial commissioner, who will open the timeframe for appeal. If the judge allows the sale of the property by agreement, the judge will set a minimum price. The description we prepared beforehand will be particularly important in determining the value of the property. This description will also be helpful for creditors in accepting the principle of selling the property by agreement.
When the judge decides to auction the property, they will set the auction date and determine the conditions for viewing the property. In practice, potential buyers who are allowed to view the property will be allowed to participate in the auction. To ensure the highest possible number of bidders, advertising should be done at least one month before the auction. In this regard, we intervene to ensure on-site advertising, i.e., at the location of the property. Our role is to post the auction notice. Specifically, we post a poster at the property's location so that many people can see it. This poster clearly states the nature of the property, the auction date, the contact information of the creditor's lawyer, and the starting price set by the judge. Please note that the name of the defendant is not explicitly stated. After posting the poster, we create a record including a photograph of the exact location of the poster. Because we are engaged in a legal procedure in which the rights of each party must be ensured, the legislature assigns us a task that will again lead to the creation of a record as a confirmation document.
Property Visit: On the appointed date and time, the judicial commissioner will allow potential bidders to visit the property. As described in the record, there may be the assistance of a locksmith and police officers, as well as the presence of two witnesses. This visit may be conducted in the presence of the person occupying the property. This is often a difficult time for the debtor as it is the first time they have seen this procedure carried out. No longer just a matter of the notary, judge, or lawyer, now their property is visited by potential buyers, and some do not hesitate to ask them about the reason for the foreclosure. After completing the procedures, we drew up a record documenting the visit, stating the date, time, number of people present, and whether assistance from a locksmith or police was needed, as well as any incidents that occurred. Next came the official auction.
Auction of assets: Despite the promotional measures I just mentioned, the auction was not open to everyone. Those whose assets were confiscated were not allowed to participate in the auction or even be represented by a lawyer. Similarly, all auxiliary judicial positions and judges involved in this procedure were not allowed to participate in the auction. We were unable to participate. This decision by the legislature can easily be explained by a conflict of interest. To participate in the auction, a deposit equivalent to 10% of the starting price was required. This money was deposited into an escrow account and would be refunded to those who did not win the auction. Before the auction begins, the judge will determine the cost of the procedure. This amount must be at least 5000 euros. The price increase is not regulated by law but is decided by the judge.
The auction ends when 90 seconds have elapsed since the last bid. Typically, a visible stopwatch is installed in the courtroom. In the past, candles were used as timers, a practice known as candle auctions. A 10% increase in price is possible within 10 days, leading to a new trial. Within two months of the sale, the winning bidder must pay the sale price and legal costs. After the auction concludes, the judge issues a decision called the Auction Award. This award is communicated to the debtor and creditors by the judicial judge. A key characteristic of this award is that it is not appealable. Appeals to the Supreme Court are possible unless the judge, in their ruling, addresses a dispute that arose at the trial where the auction took place.
This judgment is also very important for the winning bidder because it is an enforceable document allowing the eviction of the debtor if the debtor is not permitted by the judge to remain in the seized and sold property. The distribution of the sale price of the property will be carried out among the creditors by agreement or by court decision if there is no agreement.
We have seen that the commissioner of justice intervenes throughout the proceedings, from initiating litigation by serving the payment order to serving the Auction Judgment. This important role is further emphasized when there are appeals and disputes in the proceedings, which I will not mention so that we can focus on the main points and a simple diagram of the foreclosure of real estate. This procedure is unusual in our judicial system because it is the only procedure in which the commissioner of justice intervenes to perform the functions of service, enforcement, and confirmation. The only other procedure in France in which we perform these three activities is the seizure of counterfeit goods.
• Working Content 2: “Exchange of experience on training, professional development, and apprenticeship in auctioneering in France” presented by Mr. Assante Di Cupillo Jean-Luc, Antoine, Representative of the Council of Auctioneers of the Republic of France.
Mr. Assante Jean-Luc presented: After the 2000 reforms, the legal operation of our business was divided into two separate entities. This requires expertise in the arts, lawyers, and knowledge of commerce. There are two types of auctions:
- Court auctions/Judicial auctions: Conducted by judicial auction commissioners, now called judicial commissioners. These auctions are conducted by court decision (seizure, AGRASC, bankruptcy proceedings, Commercial Court, etc.).
- Voluntary auctions - Auction House: Conducted by auction commissioners. Private or Inherited Sale (Furniture, Art, Jewelry, Vehicles, etc.)
Note: As of February 22, 2022 (Law 2022-267), these two types of auctions also sell intangible assets such as businesses, licenses, patents and trademarks, stocks, and real estate. All of these are governed by Section L.320.1 of the Civil Code.
Initial Training: - Volunteer Auctioneer + Master's degree in Law.
+ Bachelor's degree or diploma in art history; archaeology or visual arts.
+ Two-year internship at an auction house.
+ Final internship competency assessment exam organized by the Auction House Council.
- Judicial Auctioneer
+ Merged in 2022 with court clerks.
+ Master's degree in Law. + Training at the National School of Judicial Justice (ENCJ) in Paris.
+ Two-year professional internship.
+ Professional competency examination.
+ The curriculum includes: Civil law, commercial law and bankruptcy procedures, regulations on public auctions and professional ethics, art appraisal and valuation, communication and business management.
Both positions are eligible to take the recruitment exam. Individuals who are secretaries or managers of auction houses or judicial offices must demonstrate seven years of experience before taking the recruitment exam.
The goal of this training course is to train competent professionals in both the legal and artistic fields and to ensure the transparency and legal security of transactions.
20 hours of continuous training per year is mandatory:
- Provided by the Auction House Council for voluntary auctioneers.
- The Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers acts in accordance with judicial auctioneers.
- Purpose: To update and upgrade (legal laws and doctrines); to keep up with developments in the art market; to become familiar with new technologies (online sales, digital practices, electronic auctions); to acquire fundamental knowledge of appraisal techniques (jewelers, jewelry, furniture, paintings); to understand professional ethics and conduct (morality, justice, and integrity); to improve traceability; and to combat money laundering.
- Training Organizations: National Institute of Judicial Training; AUCHAIRHOUSES partner art schools and universities (through roundtables, conferences, and workshops); and international training programs such as Christie's Education.
- Why Training is Needed: To stay updated on market trends and artificial intelligence; to become familiar with sales channels (online, in-person, etc.); to stay informed about ongoing legal reforms; to maintain expertise; to maintain public credibility; and to monitor abandoned properties.
Conclusion: We are the only country in the world that trains auctioneers with full qualifications in both legal and artistic aspects. A strict regulatory system helps us gain the trust of both sellers and buyers. We are responsible for the quality and authenticity of the items sold. Unlike foreign auction houses, we are not dealers (we cannot buy and resell). Therefore, we do not buy anything and we protect the items sold to achieve the best price – completely transparent.
• Working Content 3 “Some important new points in the Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Auction of Assets in 2024 and the training and professional development of auctioneers at the Judicial Academy” presented by Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang, Head of the Auction Profession Department, Judicial Academy
Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang provides information on some new points regarding the procedures for auctioning and the management and operation of asset auction businesses in Vietnam:
- New points regarding auction procedures:
+ Procedures before conducting the auction: Selecting an auction organization; Signing an auction service contract; Issuing auction regulations; Announcing and posting the auction notice; Organizing viewings of the auctioned assets for participants; Selling auction invitation documents to potential bidders; Registration of potential bidders.
+ Procedures for conducting auction activities: Direct verbal bidding; Direct voting at the auction; Indirect voting; Online bidding.
+ Procedures for conducting activities after the auction: Handling matters in case of unsuccessful or successful auctions; Regarding simplified auction procedures; Canceling the auction results. - New points regarding the management and operation of asset auction organizations in the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Asset Auctions in 2024:
+ Firstly, the amended and supplemented Law creates a favorable legal framework for the development of asset auctions owned by individuals and organizations.
+ Secondly, the amended and supplemented Law allows asset auction organizations the right to collect, manage, and use the proceeds from the sale of auction participation documents.
+ Thirdly, the amended and supplemented Law creates flexibility for asset auction organizations regarding registration and changes to registration details.
+ Fourthly, the amended and supplemented Law expands the legal framework for asset auction organizations in changing the registration details of their businesses and branches.
+ Fifthly, the regulation on exemption from auctioneer training is abolished to improve the uniform quality of auctioneers. + Sixth, the Law amending and supplementing certain articles of the Law on Auctioning Assets clearly stipulates that any judicial position granted an auctioneer's practice certificate must undergo professional training and internship to build a truly professional team of auctioneers.
+ Seventh, regulations on mandatory annual training for auctioneers are added.
+ Eighth, mechanisms to prevent and penalize violations and negative practices in asset auctioning activities are strengthened.
+ Ninth, supplementing some specific regulations on the auction procedures for special assets including land use rights for investment projects, mineral exploitation rights, and radio frequency usage rights, such as longer auction notice periods compared to ordinary assets, direct participation of the asset owner in reviewing the eligibility of auction participants, and methods for determining the deposit in specific cases... aiming to resolve difficulties and obstacles encountered in applying the general auction procedures to these special assets in the past, contributing to unlocking resources and improving the efficiency of public asset management.
- Training and professional development activities in auctioneering at the Judicial Academy: Auctioneer training program; Faculty; Auctioneer training methods; Textbook system, reference materials, case studies; Auctioneer internship activities. • Discussion Section
- Ms. Le Thi Huong Giang, Head of the Auctioneering Department, Faculty of Notary Training and Other Positions, Judicial Academy, asked: In France, can a person whose property is confiscated continue to use it until the time of auction, for both movable and immovable property? What is the procedure for voluntarily putting a work of art up for auction?
- Mr. Cicuto Robert responded: The property of a person whose property is confiscated remains in the possession of the debtor or owner until the time of auction. The seller provides documents proving the origin of the property. According to the French Civil Code, there is a provision related to confiscated property that may require verification. For some voluntarily confiscated properties that may be prohibited from being auctioned on exchanges, the State has also published a list of properties that cannot be auctioned on exchanges.
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc asked: Why aren't auctioneers in Vietnam allowed to act as appraisers?
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, responded: This is an important issue, and in Vietnam, it's not permissible to simultaneously perform both the functions of auctioneer and appraiser. In France, auctioneers are allowed to perform appraisal or assessment functions. In 2026, Vietnam plans to comprehensively amend the Auction Law to address these shortcomings.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: Can Vietnam send people to France for training?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc responded: In France, a certain number of trainees are allocated annually for foreign students, and there are exams specifically for foreigners. Besides that, I find the training and practical training period before the certification exam, at 6 months, too short. In France, the training period is 2 years.
- Mr. Nguyen Dai Dan, Director of Dai Thanh Auction Company, asked: What is the increase or decrease in the number of auctioneers over the years in France?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc explained: In France, an average of 30 auctioneers are trained annually, and nationwide, as of now, there are approximately 800 appraisers and over 500 auctioneers. Not all auctioneers work for auction houses; some may work in the judicial field and may work part-time for auction houses.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: What does it mean to increase the price by 10% compared to the selling price within 10 days?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc explained: This only applies to real estate assets. In France, for real estate assets, the court, as the entity handling the asset, can set a higher price within 10 days.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: Which assets are the most difficult to auction in France?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: The most difficult assets to auction in France currently are old real estate from the 18th and 19th centuries. For example, the house of King Louis XV was worth 50,000 Euros, but now it's only 1,000 Euros and there are no buyers.
- Mr. Nguyen Dai Dan, Director of Dai Thanh Auction Company, asked: Are there many assets that cannot be delivered to the winning bidder?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: In many cases, when a sale is made but the buyer is a foreigner, there are many instances where the buyer does not receive the property. Auctioned assets from Vietnam and China fetch very high prices, but they could be subject to money laundering. In cases where there are signs of such activity, a warning would need to be sent to all parties involved, which is very complicated.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: To develop a voluntary auction market, does the state need specific policies, or should it develop according to the normal mechanism?
- Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: The state does not have a specific mechanism; instead, joint ventures are making efforts to develop auction systems as they are now. Professional associations and auctioneers all have shares in auction houses.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: France allows auctioneers to simultaneously act as bailiffs; does this create a conflict of interest? - Mr. Assante Jean Luc commented: In reality, there is a conflict of interest between auctioneers and bailiffs in France. After 2022, there was a merger of auctioneers and bailiffs. However, currently, most auctioneers do not want to do the work of bailiffs. The training program in France is still undergoing many changes and may not be called auctioneers but rather judicial commissioners.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, asked: Are auctioneers in France allowed to practice in other countries?
- Mr. Cicuto Robert commented: Auctioneers in France are not allowed to practice in other countries.
- Ms. Do Thi Hong Hanh, General Director of Lac Viet Auction Company, stated: Currently, Lac Viet Company is cooperating to open a company with foreign investment capital in accordance with the law on investment. The company only functions to exploit the Vietnamese market in terms of goods and customers. Auction activities are conducted according to French regulations and French time. Individual Vietnamese auctioneers only conduct the auction online. During the auction, the auctioneer's performance will be streamed live to Vietnam via the auctioneer and supporting unit. Regarding payment, all contracts include commitments to prevent money laundering.
Through presentations by experts from the Republic of France and Vietnam, and through exchanges and discussions, the workshop participants gained knowledge and experience from experts of both countries regarding regulations, procedures, and processes for auctioning various types of assets, as well as learning about auctioneer training and professional development in the Republic of France. The information obtained from the workshop serves as a valuable resource for the Judicial Academy to use in its research, teaching, and training of auctioneers, and for use by asset auction organizations in conducting auctions in Vietnam. The workshop successfully completed its program and content, meeting its objectives and requirements; ensuring compliance with the regulations and the Ministry of Justice's foreign affairs regulations on organizing international workshops.
2. Evaluation of Advantages
The workshop was organized with many advantages in terms of expertise and organization: The workshop's content and the in-depth knowledge and experience of Vietnamese and French experts attracted the attention, interest, exchange, and discussion of the participating delegates. The combination of in-person and online formats via Zoom facilitated participation for the delegates. The Academy prepared and arranged the best facilities and technical equipment to organize the workshop effectively and ensure quality.
B. ACTIVITIES FOR WELCOMING THE DELEGATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE TO VISIT AND WORK WITH THE ACADEMY OF JUSTICE IN HO CHI MINH CITY
1. Time and Location: 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM on November 28, 2025 at the Headquarters of the Academy of Justice, 821 Kha Van Can Street, Ward 56, Linh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
2. Participants:
- The delegation from the Republic of France consists of 9 people:
+ Mr. FERRAND Luc, Pierre-Emile, Director of Compliance, National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France.
+ Mr. CICUTO Robert, Anthony, Representative of the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France.
+ Mr. ASSANTE DI CUPILLO Jean-Luc, Antoine, Delegate to the Council of Auction Houses of the Republic of France.
+ Ms. Estelle Barthelemy, Officer in charge of cooperation with Vietnam, Department of International and European Cooperation, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of France.
+ Ms. Priscille de Cambourg, Officer in charge of judicial cooperation, French Embassy in Vietnam.
+ Ms. Caroline Charpentier, Liaison Judge for Southeast Asia, French Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
+ Ms. Shana ELKAIM, trainee lawyer at the French Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
+ Mr. Bruno Lasserre, President of the Continental Law Foundation.
+ Ms. Tran Lan Huong, Head of Administration, French Embassy in Vietnam.
- Ten participants from the Judicial Academy:
+ Mr. Nguyen Truong Thiep, Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy. + Mr. Nguyen Canh Tuyen, Deputy Head of the Facility, in charge of the facility in Ho Chi Minh City.
+ Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Deputy Head of the Training and Student Affairs Department.
+ Mr. Dang Don Danh, Deputy Head of the Administration - Management - Finance Department.
+ Mr. Vo Hong Nam, Deputy Head of the Quality Assurance and Examination Department.
+ Mr. Ho Quan Chinh, Head of the Department for Training Civil Enforcement Officers.
+ Mr. Vo Xuan Cuong, Head of the Department for Training Notaries and Other Positions.
+ Mr. Pham Lien, Deputy Head of the Department for Training Lawyers, Judges, and Prosecutors.
+ Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang, Deputy Head of the Department for Training Lawyers, Judges, and Prosecutors.
+ Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, Specialist.
3. Content of the Working Session
At the meeting with the delegation, Mr. Nguyen Truong Thiep, Deputy Director of the Judicial Academy, informed the delegation from the Republic of France about the organizational structure, functions, and activities of the facility in Ho Chi Minh City; The potential for developing training and professional development in auxiliary judicial professions in the Southern region in the coming period was discussed. Both sides also exchanged information and shared experiences on training judicial positions, focusing on training auctioneers, bailiffs, judges, and lawyers.
The Academy strictly adhered to the Party's regulations on internal political security, state secret protection, and the principles stated in Articles 21 and 22 of the Regulations on the Management of Foreign Affairs Activities of the Ministry of Justice, issued under Decision No. 2038/QD-BTP dated October 28, 2024, by the Minister of Justice, when exchanging information and interacting with foreign parties.
The above is a report on the results of organizing cooperation activities with the National Council of Bailiffs and Auctioneers of the Republic of France in 2025. The Academy respectfully submits this report to the Leadership of the Ministry of Justice./.