What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

In my capacity as the legal director overseeing operations within the education sector British University Vietnam, I practice as an in-house counsel, specialising in compliance activities within the organisations and offering legal advice pertaining to the strategic development orientation of the Board of Directors.

Throughout my tenure, I have been actively engaged in the process of legal reform by encompassing laws, decrees, and circulars, not just within the realm of education but also in other industries. My primary objective in this endeavour has been to facilitate a more harmonious alignment between these legal frameworks and the evolving landscape of educational institutions and enterprises. One of my substantial contributions is the refinement of regulations surrounding private education investment, a contribution that has been formally integrated into both the 2019 Education Law and the 2018 Higher Education Law, both of which have successfully secured the approval of the Vietnam National Assembly.

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

One of the impactful initiatives that helps both businesses and our in-house legal team in mitigating their workload while significantly reducing costs is a proposal submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training. This proposal targets the reduction of sub-licenses granted for foreign language training activities. The primary aim of this initiative is to foster a more conducive environment for the expedited growth of foreign language training centres within the industry.

I am pleased to share that the Ministry of Education and Training has received this initiative and has subsequently relayed it to the Government for their consideration and approval. Notably, this endeavour extends its benefits beyond our legal team and organisation, as it also serves to alleviate the burdensome licensing procedures for other enterprises operating within the education sector.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in Vietnam over the next five-ten years?

In recent years, Vietnam’s economy has experienced robust growth and integration into the global economy. As businesses in the country rapidly adapt to this evolving landscape, there is a notable shift towards recognising the significance of in-house legal expertise. Traditionally, large enterprises have maintained in-house legal teams to navigate the complex legal environment. Interestingly, Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises have recently realised the importance of having in-house lawyers to minimise risks and handle disputes. Therefore, in the coming years, it is expected that this trend will gain momentum, with more businesses, including SMEs, choosing to have dedicated in-house lawyers.

What are some of the main trends impacting your industry in Vietnam?

Vietnam is on the path to integrating into the world economy and is trying to assert its position in the international market. To achieve this, Vietnam must undergo substantial changes in both quality and quantity across all activities. As a lawyer working in the field of education and training, I have realised that the main trends affecting education and training are the significant development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and online training. These trends are either replacing traditional face-to-face training or being used in conjunction with it. To address these trends, Vietnam’s legal framework needs to be amended promptly to accommodate these activities. This timely amendment will promote integration and ensure that the core of education maintains its quality.