ANT Lawyers is a Vietnam-based law firm with offices in Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. We provide legal services to domestic and international clients, helping them navigate Vietnam’s legal and business environment with confidence.
Email: ant@antlawyers.vn
Tel: +84 28 730 86 529
In the dynamic environment of joint-stock companies, shareholder disputes are a common but complex challenge that can significantly impact business operations and stakeholder relationships. Shareholder dispute attorneys play a crucial role in addressing and resolving these conflicts. Whether it’s a disagreement over rights, interests, and obligations between shareholders or disputes involving the management team, shareholder dispute attorneys provide essential guidance and legal expertise. Here’s a closer look at how shareholder dispute attorneys can help navigate and resolve conflicts within a corporation.
In the dynamic business landscape of Vietnam, commercial disputes are an inevitable reality. Whether they stem from contractual disagreements, partnership disputes, or issues related to business transactions, these conflicts can pose significant challenges to the smooth operation of a company. In such situations, the expertise of dispute solicitors in Vietnam becomes invaluable, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the interests and reputation of businesses.
This article explores the landscape of commercial disputes in Vietnam and sheds light on how dispute solicitors contribute to protecting businesses in the face of legal challenges.
Vietnam’s M&A market continues to mature. Private equity, strategic investors, and regional conglomerates are increasingly active across manufacturing, logistics,technology, and consumer sectors. Yet alongside deal growth, equity transfer disputes are appearing with greater frequency in both court judgments andarbitrationproceedings.
For investors and general counsels, the pattern is not accidental. Most equity transfer disputes in Vietnam are not caused by sophisticated fraud. They arise from structural ownership weaknesses that were overlooked during due diligence.
This analysis identifies nine recurring red flags behind equity transfer disputes, explains why they persist, and outlines practical steps to mitigate risk before capital is deployed.
9 Red Flags of Equity Transfer Disputes Investors Miss During Due Diligence in Vietnam
The Civil Judgment Enforcement Law 2025 bring a positive change, with hope to improve the effectiveness of Vietnamdispute resolution mechanism. For businesses, the Civil Judgment Enforcement Law 2025 plays an important role because a judgment or arbitral decision is only as valuable as its enforceability. When enforcement is clearer and faster, contracts become more reliable, and the cost ofdoing businessreduces.
Being Sued in Vietnam, The Surprise You Didn’t Plan For
You didn’t wake up asking for a fight.
But now someone has filed a lawsuit with your name on it. Maybe it’s about money. Or a broken contract. Or something you didn’t even see coming. Whatever it is, it feels like someone pulled the ground from beneath your feet.
Panic is natural. But what you need is to prepare for actions to be taken when being sued in Vietnam.
When you’re being sued in Vietnam, the clock starts ticking fast. Ignore the case and you may lose without ever getting to speak.
When being sued in Vietnam, defend yourself the wrong way and you risk paying more than you should.
But handle it the right way, and you can protect your rights, reduce your exposure, and even come out ahead.
Being Sued in Vietnam: 7 Hard Lessons That Can Save You Time, Money
In today’s fast-changing legal and economic climate, more companies in Vietnam are finding themselves caught in the crossfire of broken promises. What once felt like a minor dispute now turns into a serious legal risk. As regulatory frameworks evolve and compliance becomes non-negotiable, the concept of breach of contract in Vietnam is no longer a matter for just lawyers, it is a frontline issue for every manager, investor, and entrepreneur.
Too often, people sign contracts and assume everything will go smoothly. But the moment obligations are not fulfilled, the legal consequences can become overwhelming.
In here, we will briefly guide you on how breach of contract in Vietnam occurs, what Vietnamese law says, and what you must do to avoid damage to your business.
7 Powerful Truths about Breach of Contract in Vietnam
Many businesses believe that careful contract drafting prevents all problems. But as we explored matters onbreach of contract in Vietnam, breaches can still happen even with robust agreements. The real danger lies in how you handle the dispute once it begins. In this article, we explain mistakes in contract dispute in Vietnam even experienced businesses make.
Trade disputes between countries used to feel like politics but that lead to many issues to be felt by companies, by consumers i.e. price changes, duty changes, blocked shipments, and suddencompliance costs.
How Does the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism Work?
When that happens, the WTO dispute settlement mechanism is one of the few global systems designed to turn trade conflict back into rules and process, not just escalation.
Introduction: Why Dispute Settlement Matters in International Trade
When goods cross borders, risks follow. A late shipment, an unpaid invoice, or a disagreement over product quality can quickly turn into a costly conflict. This is why dispute settlement in international trade is a central part of doing business globally.
International trade involves multiple countries, different legal systems, and diverse business cultures. When disputes arise, they can disrupt supply chains, damage reputations, and result in financial losses. Knowing how disputes are resolved is essential not only for lawyers, but also for CEOs, business owners, and future lawyers preparing for careers in global trade.
There are four main mechanisms for dispute settlement in international trade: Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, and Litigation. Each has its advantages and challenges. Understanding them helps businesses choose wisely and students grasp the foundations of international commerce.
Dispute Settlement in International Trade Made Simple: 4 Key Mechanisms
When business relationships collapse, companies often discover too late that their contract’s dispute resolution clause is important. Arbitration, trusted for neutrality, speed, and cross border enforceability has become a core part of global commerce.
As a practising arbitration counsel advising clients before domestic and international tribunals, we have seen how a clause can protect and one can lead to procedural delay.
In here, we draw on eight lessons every company and every team of arbitration counsel should know before a dispute begins.
Introduction: Contract Disputes in the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in Vietnam
When you discuss about contract disputes in Vietnam, most of the time, you might think about what happens when a deal goes wrong. You could go on and discuss breaches, delays, non payment, termination, or damages.
We now take a different starting point.
We talk about what happens after a dispute has already been decided, often by arbitration, and one party believes it has won and now proceed to recognition and enforcement stages in Vietnam.
Contract Disputes in Vietnam: 8 Contract Matters Foreign General Counsels Must Get Right
For foreign companies doing business in Vietnam, disputes can arise even when contracts are carefully drafted and relationships are strong.
When that happens, the key question is not only who is right, but what is the best way forward?
Litigation and growing arbitration are familiar tools, but they are not always the most efficient or relationship friendly. An increasingly relevant alternative is commercial mediation in Vietnam, a voluntary, confidential process that allows parties to seek practical solutions with the assistance of a neutral mediator.
From our experience advising foreign clients, mediation is not a cure all, but it is often a valuable step worth trying before entering lengthy litigation or arbitration if contract agrees.
3 Reasons Why Commercial Mediation in Vietnam Is Worth Trying
Both employees and employers can consult labour dispute lawyers in Vietnam to understand the labour law and protect their rights.
A labour dispute is one of the most common disputes in society, in particular it means a dispute over rights, obligations and interests among the parties during the establishment, execution or termination of labor relation; a dispute between the representative organizations of employees; a dispute over a relationship that is directly relevant to the labor relation.
How to Resolve Disputes in Labour in Vietnam?
In fact, labour disputes happen often, but there are many situations where employees often have little understanding of their rights, leading to disadvantages if the employer does not know or does not follow the law.
Therefore, identifying employment disputes is very important. For employees, learning about labor law is to know their rights. Employers need to understand labor laws to ensure compliance.
Labour disputes incurred during pandemic, questions needing answers?
For example, during the recent pandemic, many businesses faced difficulties in doing business in Vietnam and hence many common labour disputes arisen. For workers, a dispute could arise from not being paid on time. Other concerns are whether there is any violations that lead to the termination of the labor contract? Has the employer carried out restructuring procedures and notified state agencies according to the correct procedure before terminating the labor contract with the employee? Does the employer have an agreement with the employee before suspending the labor contract during the pandemic? When the business is not efficient, is the employer required to pay the 13th month salary to the employee?
What types of labour dispute you might be encountering?
At present, labour disputes are classified into different types based on the object who participated in the dispute: Labour disputes between the employee and the employer; labour between the employee and the organization that sends the employee to work overseas under a contract; labour dispute between the outsourced worker and the enterprise. Right-based or interest-based collective labour disputes between one or several representative organizations of employees and the employer or one or several representative organizations of employees.
How to settle labour dispute at court?
The labor dispute settlement process must follow the following principles:
Respect the parties’ autonomy through negotiation throughout the process of labor dispute settlement;
Prioritize labour dispute settlement through mediation and arbitration on the basis of respect for the rights and interests of the two disputing parties, and respect for the public interest of the society and conformity with the law;
The labour dispute shall be settled publicly, transparently, objectively, promptly, and lawfully;
Ensure the participation of the representatives of each party in the labour dispute settlement process;
Labour dispute settlement shall be initiated by a competent authority or person after it is requested by a disputing party or by another competent authority or person and is agreed by the disputing parties.
When a labour dispute arises, one party or parties may request a Labor Mediator; The Labor Arbitration Council or the People’s Court to settle the disputes.
Matter on time limit is an important matter that the parties should pay attention. The time limit to request a labor mediator to settle an individual labor dispute is 06 months from the date on which a party discovers the act of infringement of their lawful rights and interests.
For the form of dispute settlement through the Labor Arbitration Council, the time limit is 09 months from the date on which a party discovers the act of infringement of their lawful rights and interests. In case of requesting the Court to settle the labour dispute, the time limit is 01 year from the day on which a party discovers the act of infringement of their lawful rights and interests.
What labour dispute lawyers could help to resolve disputes in labour in Vietnam?
Many of the labour disputes could be resolved effectively at court hence engaging a labour dispute lawyers in Vietnam to file a lawsuit will help parties involved.
Please note, upon the expiration of the above-mentioned time limitation, the disputing parties will not have the right to request the competent authorities to resolve the dispute. In case the requester is able to prove that the aforementioned time limits cannot be complied with due to a force majeure event or unfortunate event, the duration of such event shall not be included in the time limit for requesting settlement of individual labour dispute.
In today’s borderless economy, trade and investment move faster than regulation. Contracts stretch across Asia. When conflicts arise, national courts often struggle to keep pace and traditional litigation would take long. The question of how to maintain fairness, enforceability, and efficiency across different jurisdictions leads naturally to one solution: Dispute resolution through arbitration.
For decades, arbitration was seen as the tool of large multinationals. Now it has become the language of trust in Asia. Whether a manufacturing agreement, a trading contract, or a technology transfer, parties increasingly rely on arbitration to settle disputes privately, neutrally, and predictably.
For Vietnam, this transformation matters deeply. The country’s rising participation in regional trade under local and international frameworks means cross-border disputes are inevitable. Dispute resolution through arbitration offers a mechanism that fits both its reform trajectory and the region’s business expectations.
5 Powerful Insights into Dispute Resolution Through Arbitration in Asia
Why Arbitration Has Become the Standard
The attraction of dispute resolution through arbitration lies in three simple promises: neutrality, enforceability, and flexibility.
1. Neutrality
Arbitration allows parties from different countries to avoid the perception of home court bias. This neutrality is essential when investors from foreign countries partner with firms in Vietnam or other ASEAN countries.
2. Enforceability
The New York Convention ensures that arbitral awards are recognized in more than 160 countries. Across Asia, governments including Vietnam’s have embraced this framework, making enforcement of arbitral decisions more predictable than court judgments.
3. Flexibility
Arbitration allows parties to choose seat of arbitration, governing law of contract, governing law of the arbitration agreement, language, and procedures. In a region where legal traditions differ, this flexibility enables commerce to continue without friction.
In short, dispute resolution through arbitration is not simply a legal mechanism; it is the glue holding together Asia’s increasingly complex commercial web.
How Vietnam Aligns Within Asia’s Arbitration Landscape
Imagine Asia as a network of interconnected dispute resolution corridors which developed countries offer procedural efficiency or invest in modern arbitration frameworks or expands its cross-border cooperation; and Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, align their laws to international standards.
Vietnam is discussing on revising its Law on Commercial Arbitration to catch up international arbitration standard i.e., UNCITRAL Model Law to certain level depending on its specific unique situation.
Vietnam’s role is gathering momentum to harmonize with international standards and move toward direction to ensure its legal system supports dispute resolution through arbitration with predictability and fairness.
This alignment reflects Vietnam’s commitment to integration, transparency, and investor confidence.
Across Asia, a convergence is taking shape:
Governments are updating arbitration laws to mirror UNCITRAL principles.
Courts are increasingly supportive of arbitration agreements and enforcement.
Regional businesses now insert dispute resolution through arbitration clauses in contracts as a matter of standard risk management.
This ecosystem of mutual recognition is to makes Asia a dynamic arbitration region and Vietnam an essential participant in its evolution.
Legal and Practical Realities of Cross-Border Arbitration
While the concept is elegant, the practice of dispute resolution through arbitration still faces challenges. Understanding these helps businesses prepare smarter contracts and avoid procedural pitfalls.
Choice of Seat and Governing Law
Selecting a neutral seat of arbitration is critical. The seat determines which national law governs procedural issues and how courts may intervene. For Vietnam related contracts, businesses often look to nearby Asian jurisdictions whose arbitration laws are internationally recognized. The goal is not avoidance, but complementarity ensuring enforceability both in Vietnam and abroad.
Recognition of Foreign Arbitral Awards
Even with the New York Convention, enforcement standards vary. Courts may review awards for public policy violations or procedural defects. Vietnam’s courts increasingly demonstrate restraint and consistency, signaling alignment with regional practices.
Cultural and Linguistic Gaps
In dispute resolution through arbitration, communication matters. Misunderstandings about language, document production, or witness examination can affect fairness. Parties should specify language, translation procedures, and evidence standards clearly in their arbitration clauses.
Public Policy and Arbitrability
Certain matters such as land, employment, consumer rights may be non-arbitrable in some Asian jurisdictions including Vietnam. Understanding these boundaries before drafting arbitration clauses prevents later surprises.
Technology and Virtual Hearings
The pandemic accelerated digital transformation. Many Asian arbitrations now take place entirely online. Vietnam and its neighbors are adapting to electronic submissions, e-signatures, and virtual hearings, trends that make dispute resolution through arbitration faster and more cost-effective.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Arbitration in Cross-Border Transactions
Businesses and investors across Asia can follow these practical steps to incorporate dispute resolution through arbitration effectively:
Step 1: Map Your Contractual Relationships
Identify which agreements involve foreign parties or multi-jurisdictional obligations. Any cross-border contract is a candidate for arbitration because litigation may be slow or unenforceable abroad.
Step 2: Draft a Clear Arbitration Clause
Arbitration clause should include details on:
The agreement to arbitrate
The seat and governing law
The language
Number of arbitrators and method of appointment
Scope i.e. all disputes arising out of or relating to the contract
Step 3: Choose a Neutral Seat
Selecting a neutral Asian seat encourages mutual trust. The seat determines the level of court support and procedural rules. Neutrality ensures no party feels disadvantaged.
Step 4: Decide on Governing Law
Governing law affects interpretation of rights and obligations. Choose one consistent with commercial expectations, not necessarily the law of either party’s home country.
Step 5: Anticipate Enforcement
Ensure that the jurisdictions of both parties are signatories to the New York Convention so arbitral awards can be recognized and enforced.
Step 6: Prepare for Procedure and Evidence
Decide early on rules for discovery, witness statements, and electronic submissions. Agree on digital confidentiality standards when sharing data across borders.
Step 7: Engage Arbitration Counsel
Counsels with training in cross-border dispute resolution through arbitration can bridge cultural and procedural gaps, ensuring the process runs smoothly.
Step 8: Use Mediation as a Pre-Arbitration Step
Many Asian contracts now include a tiered clause: negotiation, mediation, arbitration. This approach preserves relationships and can reduce cost.
Step 9: Manage Costs and Timelines
Arbitration can be more efficient than court litigation, but it requires careful management. Set realistic timeframes and budgeting expectations from the start.
Step 10: Enforce and Comply
Once an award is rendered, prompt compliance protects reputation and future business opportunities.
By following these steps, companies operating between Vietnam and other Asian economies can navigate dispute resolution through arbitration confidently and efficiently.
The Future of Arbitration in a Connected Asia
The future of dispute resolution through arbitration in Asia is defined not by rivalry but by interconnection. The region’s legal systems are learning from one another, blending civil and common law traditions, and adopting international best practices.
For Vietnam, integration means harmonizing procedures, recognizing regional awards, and nurturing professionals skilled in transnational law. The goal is to make arbitration not an exception, but a standard part of doing business in Asia.
Looking ahead:
Digitalization will reduce the cost and time of arbitral proceedings.
Cross-border cooperation among Asian courts will enhance enforcement reliability.
Cultural diversity will enrich, not complicate, arbitral practice as Asian lawyers and arbitrators gain global prominence.
In this ecosystem, Vietnam stands as a practical bridge, connecting Southeast Asian dynamism with East Asian maturity, grounded in a shared commitment to fair and effective dispute resolution through arbitration.
Trust Beyond Borders
Asia’s rise is not only about trade volume but about legal maturity. As cross-border commerce expands, dispute resolution through arbitration has become the region’s unifying language of trust.
Vietnam, positioned at the heart of ASEAN and engaged with all major Asian economies, represents this quiet transformation. It neither competes for dominance nor isolates itself, it aligns, harmonizes, and participates.
Through consistent reform, openness to global practices, and recognition of arbitral awards, Vietnam contributes to a shared regional goal, which is a future where disputes are resolved with fairness, efficiency, and mutual respect.
In that future, dispute resolution through arbitration will remain not just a mechanism of law, but a symbol of Asia’s collective commercial confidence.
Employment termination can look simple on paper. In real life, it often becomes confusing and stressful. Employers worry about business risk and paperwork. Employees worry about income, final payments, and what happens next.
As employment dispute law firms in Vietnam, we tend to look from both sides, the employers and employees. We bring in steps and cases examples to illustrate what usually goes wrong and what usually fixes it.
9 Insights From Employment Dispute Law Firms in Vietnam to Avoid Costly Termination Mistakes
To terminate the employment contracts can be a complex and often sensitive process, especially when driven by economic challenges. Definitely, dealing with people is not an easy experience, from legal, processional and personal aspects. There are concerns of business viability but there are human connection that have been built over the employment time.
However, if there is no business sustainability, there is no money to pay the employee. That is hard truth!
How To Terminate The Employment Contracts in Vietnam
Navigating Employment Termination Matters in Vietnam: The Role of Employment Litigation Lawyers in Resolving Employer-Employee Disputes
Terminating employment is a sensitive and complex process that requires careful adherence to labor laws and regulations. In Vietnam, both employers and employees face various challenges when it comes to employment termination matters. When disputes arise, seeking assistance from experienced employment litigation lawyers in Vietnam becomes crucial. This article aims to explore the intricacies of employment termination in Vietnam and shed light on how dispute lawyers can play a pivotal role in resolving conflicts and safeguarding the rights and interests of both parties involved.
Change is real. Business needs certainty. Counsel needs clarity.
With changes in competitiveness in international dispute resolution, Vietnam arbitration law reform is entering a decisive moment. Investors are negotiating large contracts. Legal teams are selecting seats and institutions. The system in Vietnam is ready for its next stage. The question for foreign counsel is simple. How can you plan today so that your contracts benefit from tomorrow’s improvements.
In here, we discuss why now is the right time to pay attention and how you can turn reform into practical advantage.
Vietnam Arbitration Law Reform: 7 Reasons Foreign Counsels Cannot Ignore
