Event information
The Legal 500 is delighted to formally announce the 2025 edition of GC Summit Vietnam.
Join leading practitioners and esteemed in-house counsel for comprehensive panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. The Legal 500’s GC Summit Vietnam will provide practical insights into the evolving role of in-house counsel and the challenges that in-house legal departments are set to face in 2024 and beyond.
In association with our partners for this event, the event will include a series of sessions covering a variety of cutting edge and up to date topics for discussion, such as:
- Creating an ESG Roadmap: Reporting & disclosure obligations – How ready is your company?
- Managing cross-border disputes
- Opportunity in complexity and volatility – getting deals done
- Beyond the General Counsel role: charting a purposeful career path
- The impact of artificial intelligence on the legal world
- Building an effective governance programme
- Digitization and Data: from compliance to capitalization
- Managing internal investigations
- Navigating an ever-changing employment landscape
Drawing on the vast experience of our highly accomplished speakers, this event will provide practical, hands-on advice to all in-house counsel.
It is a must-attend event for any in-house lawyers in Vietnam looking to reach the next level of their professional development.
Agenda
12.00pm – 12.30pm Registration and Refreshments
12.30pm – 12.35pm Opening Remarks
- Joe Boswell, global editor, Legal 500
12.35pm – 1.25pm Digital Transformation and the Role of In-House Legal Teams
As technology continues to develop, in-house legal teams could be becoming more involved in digital initiatives, cybersecurity, and personal data governance. It is important for in-house counsel to manage legal risks tied to AI, big data, blockchain, and cloud computing. This panel will consider these issues and identify from an operational perspective how such matters can be handled.
- Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram, partner, Frasers Law Company
- Duong Thi Mai Huong, partner, Frasers Law Company
- Nguyen Kim Dung, director, legal & government affairs, British University Vietnam
- Thao Lam Vu, general counsel – personal care, Southeast Asia & Vietnam, Unilever
- Le Thi Van Anh, legal director, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam
1.25pm – 1.55pm Networking Break
1.55pm – 2.25pm From Investigation to Termination: Navigating Legal Risks & Compliance Challenges in Vietnam
- Ms Tran Bui, vice president – legal, compliance and ethics, Coca Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd
- Mr Duy Thanh Nguyen, senior associate, LNT & Partners
- Ms Kim Ngan Le, senior associate, LNT & Partners
2.25pm – 2.40pm Coffee Break
2.40pm – 3.15pm The Future of Employment Law in Vietnam: Navigating New Trends in the Workforce
With shifts in the labour market, including remote work, and promoting worker rights, in-house legal counsel will benefit from this session exploring the future of employment law and how businesses can adapt to protect themselves from new challenges (recent lay-offs, labour restructuring).
- Mark Fraser, managing partner, Frasers Law Company
- Phan Xuan Qui, head of tax, Frasers Law Company
3.15pm – 3.45pm Expanding Beyond Borders – Key Legal Considerations for Vietnamese Businesses Investing in Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, and China
As Vietnamese businesses expand into international markets, understanding local legal frameworks, trade regulations, and dispute resolution mechanisms is essential for success. This session will provide practical insights into key legal considerations when investing and operating in Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, and China, including corporate structuring, intellectual property (IP) protection, dispute management, and trade remedies.
- Nguyen Tien Hoa, senior partner, ASL Law
- Do Ba Thich, senior partner, ASL Law
- Nguyen Thi Thuy Chung, senior partner, ASL Law
- Vu Tuan Anh, senior associate, ASL Law
3.45pm – 4.40pm The Changing Role of In-house Counsel in Vietnam
Leveraging the Legal 500’s network of top general counsel in Vietnam, this highly practical panel session will provide insights into key challenges, developments, and strategies shaping the role of in-house lawyers in the country. We will also look to the future and discuss what developments and challenges the modern GC is anticipating.
- Joe Boswell, global editor, Legal 500
- Thuy Tran, legal affairs head, Cathay United Bank
- Ho Vinh Long, general counsel, HSBC Bank (Vietnam)
- Trần Thị Minh Thu, director of legal, Ho Tram Project Company
4.40pm – 4.50pm Closing Remarks
4.50pm – 6.00pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Mark Fraser, managing partner, Frasers Law Company
Mark has been advising clients on transactions in Vietnam since 1994. In 2004, he founded Frasers Law Company, the first law firm to obtain a foreign law company licence in Vietnam.
In the 20+ years that Mark has been based in Vietnam, Mark’s practice has focused on corporate matters, especially mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, restructuring and insolvency, commercial real estate transactions, and infrastructure projects. This involves debt and equity structuring of investment projects and the preparation and negotiation of documents. Mark has been involved in numerous power generation, water treatment, road tollway, telecommunications, and oil and gas projects in various jurisdictions within Asia and has advised on a plethora of Vietnamese matters in the banking and finance, corporate and commercial, infrastructure, capital markets, property development and dispute resolution areas.
Mark’s international legal expertise and in-depth knowledge of Vietnam, as much from a legal perspective as commercially, are well renowned, and he is ranked as a top tier lawyer practising in Vietnam by publications such as The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.
Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram, partner, Frasers Law Company
Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram has more than 13 years of experience practising corporate and commercial law, with particular emphasis on debt and equity capital markets, banking and finance (including project finance), restructuring and insolvency, infrastructure, energy and large-scale projects, real estate, TMT, e-commerce, and mergers & acquisitions.
Tram regularly handles large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, sophisticated legal issues, and negotiations on a broad range of transactional and contentious matters. In addition, Tram also advises industry leaders in the FMCG and services sectors, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, among numerous others. Prior to joining Frasers, she worked for a large commercial bank in Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on various cross-border banking transactions. Tram has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Law in Ho Chi Minh City and a Master of Commercial Laws from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Thuy Tran, legal affairs head, Cathay United Bank
Thuy is the Vietnam Legal Head of Cathay United Bank (CUB), a member of Cathay Financial Holdings (CFH) with strong presence in Vietnam, through entities such as CUB, Cathay Life, Cathay Insurance and Indovina Bank.
CFH is the first Taiwanese financial holding company offering holistic financial products and corporate & retail banking services in Vietnam.
Prior to joining CUB, Thuy headed legal affairs at a Malaysian bank and was a counsel at a French bank. Thuy also has significant private practice experience in Vietnam, working alongside Singapore-based colleagues on English law and Vietnam law-related matters on cross-border financings.
Ho Vinh Long, general counsel, HSBC Bank (Vietnam)
Ho Vinh Long has been general counsel of HSBC Vietnam for over five years, during which time he has built up an impressive reputation in the country’s financial services market and legal scene. Recently, he has collaborated and partnered across teams and departments, tackled challenges, and roadblocks during the credit, and documentation process of HSBC’s unique transactions. As an example, HSBC has completed Vietnam’s first live pilot Blockchain domestic Letter-of-Credit transaction, implemented jointly with Vietcombank; the Sustainable Linked Loan agreement with Gemadept.
Duong Thi Mai Huong, partner, Frasers Law Company
Duong Thi Mai Huong is a partner of the firm based in the Ho Chi Minh City office. Huong practices in the area of corporate law, with experience in mergers and acquisitions, data protection, securities and capital markets, finance and banking, real estate and construction, insurance, and international trade law.
Huong a highly skilled legal professional with extensive expertise in startup/venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, corporate investment and restructuring, and real estate. She has supported clients across diverse industries, providing a wide range of legal services, including legal advice, analysis, and due diligence reviews. Huong is also adept at anticipating legal developments that may impact business structures and operations, as well as reviewing contracts, agreements, and corporate documentation.
She has been involved in numerous mergers and acquisition transactions across various sectors, such as insurance, logistics, education, TMT, etc.
Prior to joining Frasers, Huong worked at a leading international law firm in Ho Chi Minh City and was the Director of Legal at a major real estate development corporation in Vietnam.
Trần Thị Minh Thu, director of legal, Ho Tram Project Company
With over 20 years of experience in corporate legal practice, Trần Thị Minh Thu is a highly respected legal expert specializing in cross-border transactions, mergers & acquisitions, real estate investments, and hospitality & gaming regulations.
Currently serving as Director of Legal at Ho Tram Project Company Limited, she leads the in-house legal team for one of Vietnam’s most prominent integrated resort projects, which includes a casino, golf course, luxury villas, hotels, and entertainment facilities.
Previously, she was the Managing Partner at Viclaw, where she provided strategic legal counsel to multinational corporations, foreign investors, and startups in Vietnam. Her expertise covers corporate governance, investment law, commercial transactions, fintech, and high-stakes regulatory matters. She has advised on major M&A transactions, complex real estate development projects, and large-scale hospitality ventures.
Her track record includes leading multi-million-dollar transactions, negotiating strategic investments, and advising on legal frameworks for foreign investors in Vietnam’s dynamic business environment.
Nguyen Tien Hoa, senior partner, ASL LAW
Lawyer Nguyen Tien Hoa is a Senior Partner of ASL LAW and the lawyer in charge of the ASL LAW Ho Chi Minh City office. Lawyer Hoa graduated with a master’s degree in Law in South Korea and specializes in intellectual property law, M&A, Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Labor Law, Oil and gas, Solar and wind energy projects, Litigation, and Licensing. He has assisted domestic and international clients in resolving legal issues encountered in business activities in Vietnam and Vietnamese businesses operating abroad.
Do Ba Thich, senior partner, ASL LAW
Lawyer Do Ba Thich, Senior Partner at ASL LAW, has over 15 years of experience providing legal counsel to domestic and international clients on intellectual property rights protection, corporate law, and cross-border legal matters. He has been consistently recognized as a recommended lawyer in Vietnam by Legal500, AsiaLaw, and WTR. As a certified industrial property representative, he is also an active member of prestigious international legal organizations, including the International Bar Association (IBA), International Trademark Association (INTA), and Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA). With deep expertise in handling complex legal issues requiring interdisciplinary and strategic analysis, Lawyer Thich has advised businesses across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, finance, banking, energy, insurance, media, and retail. He is particularly experienced in assisting foreign investors in navigating Vietnam’s legal landscape, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and sustainable business growth.
Nguyen Thi Thuy Chung, senior partner, ASL LAW
Lawyer Nguyen Thi Thuy Chung is a Partner at ASL LAW with over 13 years of experience in legal consulting across Vietnam, Southeast Asia, China, and the U.S. She specializes in M&A, International Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer, Franchise, Privacy, and Dispute Resolution in both Court and Arbitration. Lawyer Chung is highly regarded for her expertise in cross-border legal matters, providing strategic legal solutions for multinational corporations and businesses. She has successfully advised and represented clients in various industries, including finance, technology, manufacturing, and healthcare, on complex legal transactions and regulatory compliance.
Vu Tuan Anh, senior associate, ASL LAW
Lawyer Vu Tuan Anh is a Senior Associate at ASL LAW with extensive experience in trade remedies, oil and gas protects, dispute resolution through arbitration, both domestically and internationally. He specializes in resolving disputes within Vietnamese and international arbitration, consistently striving to help clients effectively address complex legal issues. Before joining ASL LAW, Mr. Vu Tuan Anh accumulated over ten years of experience in the oil and gas sector with PetroVietnam and its subsidiaries. During this time, he was responsible for overseeing Contractors and Operators under Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), managing work programs and budgets, analyzing legal issues, proposing solutions, and managing oil and gas projects and investments. At ASL LAW, Mr. Vu Tuan Anh has broadened his expertise to include areas such as Foreign Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions, Labor Law, Oil and Gas, and Hydropower Projects. He has provided advisory services to numerous clients both domestically and internationally, assisting international organizations and businesses in Vietnam with legal challenges arising from their operations.
Nguyen Kim Dung, director, legal & government affairs, British University Vietnam
Kim Dung is an accredited mediator and a seasoned legal professional with over a decade of experience as Head of Legal and Government Relations at British University Vietnam. She provides strategic legal counsel on the university’s educational initiatives and operational matters. Recognized in The Legal 500 GC Powerlist Vietnam in both 2023 and 2024, Kim Dung is also an active member of the Law Composing Panel under Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, contributing to the country’s regulatory framework in higher education.
Thao Lam Vu, general counsel – personal care, Southeast Asia & Vietnam, Unilever
With more than 20 years of legal experience spanning private practice and in-house counsel roles, Thao serves as General Counsel for Unilever’s Personal Care division in Southeast Asia & Vietnam. He leads legal strategy across a diverse portfolio, covering areas such as e-contracting, data privacy, and intellectual property enforcement. A four-time Legal 500 GC Powerlister (2014, 2017, 2023, and 2024), Thao is recognized for his expertise in navigating complex legal landscapes in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.
Phan Xuan Qui, head of tax, Frasers Law Company
Phan Xuan Qui is the Head of Tax based in Frasers’ Ho Chi Minh office. Qui has extensive experience in the area of direct and indirect tax advisory and compliance services including corporate income tax, personal income tax, value-added tax, import–export duties, and other international taxes.
Qui has 17 years of extensive international experience providing various tax-related advisory services to international and local investors in various industries while based in Vietnam, Singapore, and New Zealand.
Qui has been involved in managing and providing tax and legal structuring advice and compliance for hundreds of international investors having investments in Vietnam. He has also provided comprehensive tax due diligence services for several M&A projects in, among others, real estate, energy, logistics, consumer goods, e-commerce, banking, education, and healthcare, to international investors in Vietnam.
Ms Tran Bui, vice president - legal, compliance and ethics, Coca Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd
Tran Bui is currently as country head of legal, compliance and ethics of Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Limited (“CCBVL”). Her role operates as part of the senior leadership team, with key focus on legal advisory to the business, regulatory risk management, governance and compliance frameworks, and the ethical standards of company. She also provides the leadership to the local legal team and successfully builds legal counsels to be a trusted partner of stakeholders.
Prior joining CCBVL, Tran took the role as head of legal of a Canada life insurer. She led the team to take responsibilities for all aspects of legal work, general legal services, regulatory compliance matters, corporate governance matters of the company’s operation in Vietnam.
Mr Duy Thanh Nguyen, senior associate, LNT & Partners
Thanh graduated from Ho Chi Minh City Law University (Vietnam) and earned an LL.M from the University of Australia. With eight years of legal experience in Vietnam, he has worked as in-house counsel and as an associate at top law firms.
His expertise includes M&A, corporate law, and advising foreign investors on market entry, corporate structuring, and regulatory compliance. He also provides counsel on labor law matters, including employment policies and dispute resolution.
Thanh serves as legal counsel for corporations in Japan, Denmark, and Australia, advising on corporate governance, contract negotiation, and regulatory risk management.
Ms Kim Ngan Le, senior associate, LNT & Partners
Ngan is a qualified lawyer in LNT’s corporate and employment practice, offering clients broad expertise in corporate law, investment, employment, and licensing.
Her experience includes advising on a variety of corporate and investment matters, as well as handling complex employment issues.
Ngan also has experience working as an in-house counsel in MNCs operating in the field of trading, F&B, FMCG and tobacco production.
Le Thi Van Anh, legal director, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam
As part of the contribution to the business, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam’s legal team oversees providing best-in-class legal advisory to the other departments and divisions to sustain the company’s market position and support our rapid growth in Vietnam. Le Thi Van Anh, as associate legal director, takes a key part in these initiatives and brings with her a wealth of experience. When managing her legal team, she uses the three watchwords of “Understanding – Accompanying – Listening” to encourage and manage them to support the business in the most effective way possible.
Joe Boswell, global editor, Legal 500
Joe Boswell has been a part of the Legal 500’s editorial team, specialising on the in-house legal community, for more than seven years. He now heads The Powerlist team, acting as chief editor for the over 40 separate editions of the GC Powerlist series which serve as Legal 500’s flagship title celebrating the world’s top in-house counsel, as well as Global Editor for Legal 500’s Private Practice Powerlist Series.
During the course of researching for the GC Powerlist series, Boswell has interviewed a vast number of world-renowned general counsel, chief legal officers, and legal directors about overcoming the challenges they face, their legal innovations, and how they see the general counsel role progressing in coming years. As well as this, he is a regular speaker at Legal 500 summits, roundtables, award ceremonies and other events, and often writes in-depth reports on business and legal issues.
Boswell is an alumnus of both the University of Sussex in The United Kingdom and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in The Netherlands.
In association with...
Frasers Law Company (Frasers) is the premier independent commercial law firm in Vietnam. Through an integrated team of international and local lawyers, we deliver top-notch legal advice on Vietnamese law matters to an international standard. We are the trusted advisor of choice by leading international and Vietnamese companies in relation to their business and investments in Vietnam and have consistently been recognised as being in the top tier of law firms in Vietnam by leading independent guides to law firms such as The Legal 500.
Frasers is the first law firm to receive a foreign law company licence in Vietnam, and we continue to uphold our position as a progressive leader in Vietnam’s rapidly developing legal arena. We are a diverse and multilingual law firm, and through the collective skills and experience of our team, we are able to cater to each of our client’s specific legal needs, whether they relate to Vietnamese and/or international law issues. The firm is culturally diverse and benefits from the integrated and cutting-edge expertise of its team of local and expatriate lawyers. Frasers understands the legal, commercial, political and regulatory issues that affect businesses in Vietnam, and aims to provide comprehensive legal services to assist clients navigate these complex issues and achieve outstanding business outcomes.
LNT & Partners is a premier legal adviser to Fortune 500 companies, renowned for excellence, professionalism, and client-centric service. Recognized by Legal 500, Chambers and Partners, and IFLR, we provide top-tier counsel across transactions and litigation. With deep commercial insight and strong ties to Vietnamese authorities, we deliver strategic, cost-effective solutions that drive exceptional results.
ASL Law is a leading full-service Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient, and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. ASL Law was established by LLM Lawyer Pham Duy Khuong, who is the managing partner and founder. Since 2012, Pham Duy Khuong has been ranked as a leading lawyer in Vietnam by The Legal 500 and ASIA LAW. Due to his contribution to the legal field in Vietnam, Pham has been awarded and recognized by both the Australian and US governments.
As ASL Law has expanded, it has recruited lawyers not only from Vietnam but also experienced lawyers from around the region. The firm can assist in providing legal services and conduct business investments in 22 countries and provides intellectual property advice to clients throughout 72 countries. Some of these countries include Singapore, China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, USA, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and EU nations. ASL Law is the best choice for foreign clients doing business in Vietnam and Vietnamese enterprises doing business overseas.