Global Vietnam Lawyers

Digital asset management: When a domain name is more than just a web address

The article examines how domain names have become valuable digital assets and brand identifiers, highlighting the legal tension between first-to-register domain rules and trademark priority rights. It also outlines practical steps for businesses to defend domain ownership in good faith.

Protecting voice and personal image in the AI era

Lawyer Le Quang Vy discusses protecting personal voice and image in the AI era, covering Taylor Swift’s U.S. trademark filings, Vietnam’s approach to sound marks and image rights, and legal challenges posed by AI deepfakes.

Making share swap a tool to connect Vietnam’s capital market with the global market

An article by Lawyer Ngo Thi Diem examining the legal framework for share swap transactions in Vietnam, particularly in cross-border M&A and outbound investment activities, highlighting regulatory gaps, foreign exchange challenges, and proposals for clearer legal recognition and implementation mecha

Capital contribution and membership – When legal form overshadows the parties’ true intent

An article by Lawyers Tran Minh Quyet and Phan My Hanh analyzing Precedent No. 78/2025/AL and the legal distinction between charter capital contribution and business investment, highlighting risks arising from informal ownership arrangements and non-compliance with enterprise registration procedures

AI and copyright – A perspective from Vietnamese law

The article examines Vietnam’s evolving legal framework on AI-generated works, focusing on copyright ownership, “significant human contribution”, proof obligations, and the balance between AI-driven innovation and protection of intellectual property rights.

Global Vietnam Lawyers Bolsters Hanoi Presence with Ms. Dang Phuong Le Joining as Partner

Global Vietnam Lawyers welcomes Ms. Dang Phuong Le as Partner, overseeing the Hanoi office.

ESOP Trust Fund – A mechanism for fair and transparent distribution of ESOP shares

The article examines limitations of ESOP implementation in Vietnam, where shares often concentrate among management due to lack of oversight. It proposes an ESOP Trust Fund as a mechanism to ensure transparent, fair distribution and strengthen corporate governance and investor confidence.

Property rights cannot be overridden by unsupported administrative assumptions

Article by Tran Thanh Tung (GV Lawyers) analyses the Con Dao ochna case, arguing that confiscation based solely on “unverified origin” risks violating constitutional property rights and civil law principles.

Wealth transfer in Vietnam: When legal tools lag behind real-world needs

Analyzes wealth succession challenges for Vietnamese entrepreneurs and explores trust funds and insurance as alternative tools. Highlights legal gaps in Vietnam.

Trust fund – The crown jewel of an international financial center

Trust funds underpin global capital flows through flexible structuring, asset protection and cross-border operation. The article examines their role in developing IFCs and potential adoption in Vietnam.

Real estate identification codes: Transparency tool or new legal challenges?

The article analyzes real estate identification codes under Decree 357/2025/ND-CP, highlighting their role in enhancing transparency and data standardization, while addressing challenges in implementation, inter-agency coordination, and personal data protection.

Retail licensing decentralization: Will it slow down procedures in practice?

Global Vietnam Lawyers introduces an article by Tran Minh Quyet on retail licensing decentralization in Vietnam, analyzing its benefits in reducing procedures and improving efficiency, while highlighting potential concerns on policy stability and consistency during the pilot phase.

Liquidated damages under the 2025 Law on Construction

The article examines how the 2025 Law on Construction formally recognizes liquidated damages, marking a major legal shift in Vietnam, while highlighting ongoing challenges in terminology, proportionality, and the interaction between liquidated and actual damages.

The 2025 Law on Construction – Compensation and agreed damages in construction contracts

The Construction Law 2025 allows parties to agree in advance on damage levels based on specific contractual obligations and the degree of breach in construction contracts. However, the principle of compensation based on actual damages remains unchanged, and the new provision should be applied cautio

Electronic signatures in investment registration dossiers: Inevitability and practical challenges

The article highlights Vietnam’s requirement for digital signatures in investment dossiers from Sept 2025, outlining benefits in transparency and efficiency, challenges for foreign investors and technical systems, and recommending that enterprises standardize processes and infrastructure to comply.

Mediation in Intellectual Property disputes

Vietnam’s Law on Intellectual Property (“IP Law”) was first promulgated in 2005 and has since undergone three rounds of amendments, in 2009, 2019 and 2022.

Third-Party Funding in Investment Disputes: Reducing Financial Risks in European Business

Third-party funding (TPF) offers financial support for disputing parties while serving as an investment tool. Under EVIPA, Vietnamese investors can use TPF to reduce risks in resolving investment disputes with EU partners. This emerging concept requires careful legal and strategic planning.

Shareholders’ agreements indirectly recognized via beneficial ownership

The article analyzes how shareholders’ agreements, long absent from the Law on Enterprises, are now indirectly recognized through the beneficial ownership mechanism. It highlights new compliance risks and governance implications for companies in Vietnam.

GV Lawyers Advises Vin Home Shop and ACE Home Center on Strategic Retail Expansion in Vietnam

Advises Vin Home Shop and ACE Home Center on Strategic Retail Expansion in Vietnam

GV Lawyers Advises GWC Real Estate Limited on Acquisition of Saigon Boardway Project

GV Lawyers advised GWC Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of SonKim Land, in the acquisition of the 96,000m² Saigon Boardway project near Thu Thiem. The deal is considered one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most notable real estate M&A transactions in 2025.

The One Destination and Haus Dalat Partner with Chiva-Som to Launch Vietnam’s First Wellness Academy

The One Destination and Haus Dalat Partner with Chiva-Som to Launch Vietnam’s First Wellness Academy and Wellness Center, with Legal Support from Global Vietnam Lawyers (GV Lawyers)

Balancing Risks and Responsibilities in Providing Medical Services

The article analyzes practical shortcomings where many medical facilities require patients to sign commitments such as “self-assume responsibility” or “waive the right to file complaints,” and clarifies the relevant legal provisions to help protect patients’ legitimate rights while ensuring legal sa

Law on protection of author rights in works generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Vietnam’s IP law faces challenges in protecting AI-generated works, as current laws only recognize human authorship. Legal gaps raise questions about authorship, originality, and liability. Amending the law is urgent to address AI’s growing role in creative processes.

Vietnam enhancing transparency of beneficial ownership: From legislation to implementation

Vietnam’s 2024 Enterprise Law amendment officially defines “beneficial ownership,” marking a key step toward greater corporate transparency and AML compliance. The article analyzes legal definitions, disclosure obligations, and challenges in aligning with international standards.

Small-scale real estate business: Still a legal “grey area”?

The Law on Real Estate Business 2023 and Decree 96/2024 introduce quantitative criteria for “small-scale real estate business”, but vague wording and inconsistent interpretations across agencies pose legal uncertainties. Clearer guidance and inter-agency data sharing are urgently needed.

The Land Law 2024 and Business Cooperation Contracts

The Land Law 2024 introduces clearer definitions for “capital contribution” and “business cooperation” with land use rights (LUR), but ambiguities remain. This article explores key legal gaps and implementation challenges for BCCs involving LUR, with proposals for clearer regulations.

Electronic identification account for an enterprise – Can it become a “new-type seal”?

Electronic ID accounts will replace all business admin procedures in Vietnam from July 2025. While this is a digital leap, improper internal governance may risk turning these accounts into a new form of "seal exclusivity"—a setback to corporate transparency and efficiency.

Electronic identification accounts for enterprises: What bottlenecks will FDI enterprises face?

FDI enterprises face delays in obtaining electronic ID accounts under Decree 69/2024/ND-CP due to system limitations for foreign legal reps. Without urgent solutions, they risk administrative paralysis, higher costs, and legal consequences.

“Unveiled” Beneficial Owners – Are Businesses Ready for Transparency?

The article analyzes the concept of “beneficial owner” – the true controller of an asset or business – and the implications of incorporating disclosure requirements into the amended Enterprise Law. As Vietnam moves toward transparency, the key question is: are businesses ready for this shift?

Wavering Between Shareholders’ Right to Information and Corporate Need to Protect Secrets

The article analyzes the legal conflict between shareholders’ rights to access information and corporate confidentiality obligations. It proposes clearer internal policies, classification of trade secrets, and confidentiality commitments to balance transparency and business stability.