Firms To Watch: Tax

Led by Pham Duy Khuong, the team at ASL Law Firm provides day-to-day tax advice, as well as representing clients in anti-dumping proceedings.

Tax in Vietnam

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie utilises its regional and international network to assist local and foreign clients with tax and customs issues across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, retail and technology, among others. The team’s offering includes international and local tax planning, tax compliance, and income tax, as well as tax-related litigation and disputes. Thanh Vinh Nguyen leads the practice and advises clients on contentious matters, in addition to the tax elements of M&A transactions. Special counsel Thanh Hoa Dao is another key contact in the group and specialises in tax advisory work, while Frederick Burke acts as a senior adviser to the Vietnam offices.

Practice head(s):

Thanh Vinh Nguyen

Other key lawyers:

Thanh Hoa Dao; Frederick Burke

Testimonials

‘The team is reliable and always provides solid legal analysis and recommendations.’

‘The individuals, especially Thanh Hoa Dao, are very professional. They are knowledgeable and always provide timely responses. They also provide strategic recommendations that are valuable in the final decision making process.’

DFDL Legal & Tax

DFDL Legal & Tax has a well-established practice with experienced lawyers offering clients a range of tax services across the region, from day-to-day operations and strategic planning to assisting on tax-related M&A and compliance matters. It is also active in international tax matters and customs advisory work across a broad scope of sectors. Jack Sheehan heads the regional team with expertise in structuring inbound and outbound investments in Asia, while tax director Lan Hua advises both local and international clients on tax and financial regulations. Senior tax manager Phan Thi Lieu is another active member of the group with experience in general tax advice and compliance, cross-border tax planning, in addition to tax on financial services and customs procedures.

Practice head(s):

Jack Sheehan

Other key lawyers:

Lan Hua; Phan Thi Lieu

Key clients

I4F Licensing N.V.

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd

Expeditors

Work highlights

  • Advised Expeditors on assessment covering risk probability on the potential tax exposures on international freight.
  • Assisted Herbalife Nutrition on review and assessment of its potential international tax and transfer pricing risks and prepared the local country defence file to provide the framework for the defence of these risks in Vietnam.
  • Advised a French architecture group company in relation to the acquisition of businesses in Asia Pacific jurisdictions.

Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers

Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers established a dedicated tax practice in 2022 and advises clients on both non-contentious and contentious matters. Chau Huy Quang, who spearheads the dispute resolution team, has expertise in tax litigation, especially contentious matters for and against government entities. In March 2022, Nguyen Hung Du joined from DFDL Legal & Tax and chairs the practice, while senior counsel Joseph Pham joined the group from PwC Vietnam and has considerable experience advising on transfer pricing and corporate-related tax matters.

Practice head(s):

Nguyen Hung Du

Other key lawyers:

Chau Huy Quang; Joseph Pham; Trinh Minh Duc

Work highlights

  • Represented a European electronics manufacturer in administrative proceedings against the Vietnamese tax authorities regarding the taxation of related-party transactions.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical distributor in administrative investigations initiated by the customs authorities in Vietnam.
  • Advised global internet companies on tax treatment and enforcement of Vietnam-based income, arising out of the country’s recent tax administration legislation.

ATS Law Firm

Led by founding partner Vu Thi Thu Ha, the practice at ATS Law Firm advises domestic and international clients on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, compliance issues, VAT, and tax planning. It also has demonstrable experience in tax litigation. Other key contacts in the team include Vu Thi Cam Trang, who joined the firm in January 2022, and Bui Hong Hanh.

Practice head(s):

Vu Thi Thu Ha

Other key lawyers:

Vu Thi Cam Trang; Bui Hong Hanh; Nguyen Tien Dat; Pham Hung Anh

Key clients

Luye Pharma Hong Kong Limited

Frasers Law Company

Frasers Law Company handles a broad range of tax matters, such as advising international companies on tax structuring issues when establishing a presence in Vietnam, as well as focusing on the tax aspects of M&A transactions. Phan Xuan Qui joined the group in November 2021 from No Va Land Investment Group and jointly leads the practice alongside managing partner Mark Fraser. Qui has experience advising on matters concerning corporate income tax, personal income tax and value added tax.

Practice head(s):

Phan Xuan Qui; Mark Fraser

Other key lawyers:

Duong Thi Mai Huong

Testimonials

‘Frasers’ team has great practical experience.’

‘Ms. Duong Thi Mai Huong is a notable lawyer.’

Key clients

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Moov

S4Capital

Goodnotes

Cintana Education

Van Thiel Co

Santos

Naga Markets Europe

Kulicke & Soffa

Work highlights

  • Advised S4Capital on the tax aspects of an international ESOP involving Vietnam-based employees.
  • Advised GoodNotes on the tax aspects of an international ESOP involving Vietnam-based employees.
  • Advised Santos in relation to the tax structuring aspects of its proposed acquisition transaction in Vietnam.

ACSV Legal

The private client group at ACSV Legal supports Vietnamese and international clients, namely high and ultra-high-net-worth-individuals, on tax and regulatory issues regarding estate planning, wealth structuring, direct and indirect investment, and corporate administration and compliance. Special counsel Hieu Pham leads the team and handles cross-border tax compliance matters.

Practice head(s):

Hieu Pham

Vision & Associates

Vision & Associates’ tax department advises on matters concerning corporate income tax, capital gains tax, import-export tax and personal income tax. Managing partner Le Quynh Anh jointly leads the practice alongside Dang Trong Hieu. The team counts Bytedance, Turkish Airlines and Under Armour, to name a few, among its key roster of clients.

Practice head(s):

Le Quynh Anh; Dang Trong Hieu

Other key lawyers:

Le Tuan Anh; Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan; Pham Thi Cuc

Key clients

ByteDance

Yamani Dynasty

Azelis Vietnam

Padmac

Turkish Airlines

Obayashi

Diebold Nixdorf

Belgian Renewable Energy group

Verstergaard Sàrl

Baker Hughes Company

Développment International Des Jardins

Under Armour

Work highlights

  • Assisted a foreign-invested company providing on exposure to tax imposed on the receiving of share.
  • Advised an Australian company on permanent establishment rules and tax liabilities under Vietnamese laws and taxation avoidance agreement.
  • Advised a client on the tax and legal risks if a foreign company hires an employee based in Vietnam through a HR agency and the contract will be signed between its Singapore company and the HR company.