Vietnam 2023
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Head of legal and external affairs | British American Tobacco Vietnam
Chief legal officer - general counsel | Asian Coast Development (Canada)
Deputy CEO in charge of legal and compliance division | VinES Energy Solutions
Country finance controller, head of legal, tax and compliance | ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) Vietnam
Senior legal manager | Industrial and Commercial Bank of China - Hanoi City Branch
Director of legal affairs and organizational capacity development | AstraZeneca
Legal contracts manager | Gelex Group Joint Stock Company
Senior legal manager, legal and compliance | SEA Logistic Partners (SLP)
Vice president, legal | Coca Cola Beverages Vietnam
Spotlight on… Tran Bui currently serves as the vice president, legal and local ethics officer at Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam. She joined the company in 2019, with her role operating as...
Investment and corporate legal manager | A group of companies in renewable energy
Head of Legal and Compliance | Vietnam Investors Service and Credit Rating Agency
On behalf of The Legal 500, we are truly delighted to introduce our first-ever GC Powerlist: Vietnam 2023! This edition marks a milestone publication for the Vietnamese legal community, as this meticulously researched document represents our inaugural Vietnamese edition of the GC Powerlist series, The Legal 500’s premier title celebrating and awarding the world’s top in-house lawyers. After covering Southeast Asia as a region for many years, we decided it was high time to highlight and recognise the exceptional community of in-house counsel active within one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly-growing economies, and the excellent corporate counsel who make it work. This research could not have been possible without the cooperation of three of Vietnam’s leading law firms: DFDL Legal & Tax, Frasers Law Company and VILAF, whose expertise and assistance was instrumental in making this edition such a success.
We are proud to present insightful conversations with Vietnam’s finest corporate counsel as we look to celebrate their respective achievements. Our in-depth interviews have yielded fascinating insights into the intricate and often complex world of corporate legal counsel. The publication showcases the many impressive transactions, projects and innovations led by these individuals, the evolving role of in-house counsel in Vietnam, and the trends that are transforming the traditional legal approach to business operations.
In the interviews our research team conducted, there is a noticeably prevailing belief that the scope of the general counsel role should extend beyond its conventional boundaries. The general counsel is not solely a highly skilled legal professional; rather, they are expected to now serve as a business partner responsible for influencing strategic direction and crucial decision-making. For example, Mai Phuong Thao, legal and compliance manager at Roche Vietnam envisions that “in the next five to ten years, the function of the general counsel will undergo significant change due to the constantly shifting and intricate nature of Vietnam’s legal framework. This transformation requires a multidimensional and strategic approach. In addition to providing regulatory guidance, the general counsel’s responsibilities must extend beyond traditional legal activities. They should take on greater responsibilities in the areas of corporate governance and sustainability, including actively shaping the company’s strategy, with a strong emphasis on compliance and risk management, while simultaneously ensuring business effectiveness. Additionally, it is essential for general counsel to interact with the larger legal community and advocate for government policies. This activity not only strengthens their position within their respective organisation but also raises awareness of crucial legal issues, ultimately contributing to Vietnam’s social development”.
Alongside the evolving role of the general counsel, there is the emergence of novel technologies which are transforming the way in-house teams perform. The implementation of AI for research, the digitalisation of contracts, and the creation of repositories all enhance the capabilities of the legal function. However, despite the opportunities there are potential pitfalls that must be considered. a sentiment shared Nguyen Thi Phuc, senior legal manager of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – Hanoi City Branch. They believe that that the growing digital revolution ‘brings new opportunities and markets … but it also increases regulatory and cybersecurity risks’.
These interviews offer a thoughtful yet engaging understanding of Vietnam’s legal community, providing insight into the mindset of top-tier corporate counsel and the wide array of challenges they must navigate – from regulation to technological innovation and beyond – to play an integral part in their business’s success. By reading these interviews it is clear to see why these individuals are trusted legal and business partners in equal measure.
On behalf of everyone at The Legal 500, and especially our GC Powerlist research team, we would like to extend our congratulations and gratitude to everyone who was featured in this inaugural edition of the Vietnam Powerlist. We thank them for sharing their time and insights, allowing us to celebrate their achievements and acknowledging their rightfully earned spot in this milestone edition. We also look forward to future publications celebrating the achievements of the excellent Vietnamese GC community.
From our editorial team on this project:
Joe Boswell | Global Editor, The Legal 500 Powerlist Series
Jugroop Singh | Research Analyst
Legal 500 hosted the Green Forum Singapore 2025 at Allen & Gledhill’s offices on the 30th level of One Marina Boulevard, offering panoramic views across the Singapore Strait. The event brought together leading general counsel, sustainability experts, and legal practitioners from across Southeast Asia for an afternoon of insight and discussion on the fast-evolving ESG landscape.
As sustainability remains a defining challenge for global business, the Green Forum served as an essential platform for exploring how corporate legal teams can navigate emerging environmental, social, and governance risks while helping shape long-term responsible growth.
Opening remarks were delivered by Joe Boswell, Global Editor of The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist series, who highlighted the increasingly strategic role of in-house counsel in guiding organisations through the sustainability transition. He was followed by Jerry Koh, Managing Partner at Allen & Gledhill, who reflected on Singapore’s leadership in driving ESG progress across Southeast Asia and the importance of collaboration between the legal profession and industry in delivering meaningful change. He also spoke about the firm’s long-term commitment to sustainability. This extends to personal exertions by himself and the other staff at A&G, who recently engaged in rubbish-cleaning efforts in Singapore’s waterways.
The first panel, The Impact of Technology and AI on ESG: Considerations and Challenges, examined how rapid technological advancements are reshaping sustainability priorities. Moderated by Tham Kok Leong, Head of Technology & Corporate Intellectual Property Practice at Allen & Gledhill, the session featured Sophie Lim, Co-Head of ESG & Public Policy Practice at Allen & Gledhill; Doris Chen, Head of Legal, APAC at dsm-firmenich; and Richard Koh, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Asia, Enterprise Partner Solutions. Together they discussed the ethical and regulatory implications of AI adoption, the importance of governance and transparency, and how legal teams can leverage technology to drive sustainable value creation.
The second session, Sustainable Finance and Green Capital Markets: The Legal Counsel’s Role, turned to the evolving role of lawyers in guiding businesses through sustainability-related financial frameworks. Moderated by Elsa Chen, Co-Head of ESG & Public Policy Practice and Regional Co-Head of Competition & Foreign Investment Review Practice at Allen & Gledhill, panellists Mushtaq Kapasi, Managing Director and Chief Representative, Asia-Pacific, International Capital Market Association; Ong Kangxin, Partner at Allen & Gledhill; and Bridget Burns, Capital Markets Counsel at Wells Fargo explored Singapore’s pioneering Singapore-Asia Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (SAT) and its implications for disclosure, risk management, and investor confidence.
The event closed with remarks from Elsa Chen, followed by networking drinks and canapés overlooking the Singapore Strait. It was the perfect way to end a successful and engaging afternoon that reaffirmed the legal community’s pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable and transparent business landscape.
