Legal 500’s third edition of the GC Powerlist Vietnam is the most comprehensive roundup of the country’s most senior corporate counsel ever produced, building on the research of two previous editions, numerous trips to meet with key personalities in the country and region and a vast number of nominations from other GCs from within Vietnam and the wider region.  

With a shade over 100 GCs featured this time from a long list of over 400 who were in consideration, each and every one of the leading corporate counsel featured this time can be justifiably proud of their achievement. We were delighted to receive some excellent submissions this year as well, highlighting the diverse and varied work that has been spearheaded by Vietnamese GCs in the past year.  

Nguyễn Hoàng Anh of EnQuest Vietnam mentioned a landmark M&A as their standout achievement in the past year:  

‘One of the most significant transactions we have recently been involved in is the Raffles two deal, in which Harbour Energy sold the Chim Sáo and Dừa fields to EnQuest Plc, a traditional oil and gas company, for US$85m. This deal stands out as one of the largest M&A transactions in Vietnam’s oil and gas sector in recent years. The sale was particularly notable for the complexity of the regulatory procedures involved, including securing the necessary government approvals.  

The transaction also required careful coordination with multiple stakeholders, including our joint venture partners, internal finance and operations teams, and external counsel, ensuring that all contractual obligations, representations, and warranties were properly addressed. The deal exemplifies the importance of proactive stakeholder management and demonstrates how a legal team can facilitate complex M&A processes in highly regulated industries.’ 

Tran Van Nhien of EXIMBANK mentioned the positive resolution of as longstanding dispute as their key achievement: 

‘During the past year, my team has been closely involved in several cases that have had a direct impact on the organisation’s growth, risk management, and regulatory alignment.  

‘One of the most significant cases I have worked on concerns a long-standing dispute over the enforcement of a letter of credit (L/C) issued by the organisation. This dispute has lasted for more than a decade and, due to its complexity and implications for the Vietnamese banking industry, has become one of the most closely observed legal cases in the sector.  

The case centred on a fundamental legal question: whether the payment obligation under a letter of credit should remain valid even if the underlying sales contract is cancelled. My organisation was drawn into litigation that ultimately led to the establishment of a landmark judicial precedent in Vietnam.   

Leading my team through this dispute, I worked tirelessly to build and defend our position – engaging with external counsel, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure that the case was resolved favourably for the company and that the principles of international banking practice were upheld in Vietnam.  

Ultimately, the court ruled in our favour. The outcome represented a significant success not only for our company but also for Vietnam’s financial sector more broadly. The court reaffirmed that the validity of a letter of credit is autonomous and must remain independent from the underlying sales contract. In doing so, it safeguarded the organisation’s reputation and reinforced confidence within the financial industry that letters of credit in Vietnam can be relied upon as secure and trustworthy instruments.  

Looking back, what makes me most proud is not only the legal victory itself, but the perseverance, collaboration, and professionalism that brought us to that result. It was a powerful reminder of how an in-house legal team can shape legal standards and contribute to strengthening an entire industry.’ 

Hong Le of GSK’s efforts to level-up the capabilities of her legal team using technology are an excellent example of the digital transformation of legal departments that is currently underway:  

‘Over the past year, our legal team in Vietnam has been deeply engaged in several high-impact projects that reflect both the complexity and strategic importance of our role. A major frontier our legal team is embracing is the transformation brought by artificial intelligence. By harnessing AI-powered solutions—such as integrated chatbots for instant legal queries, automated template generation, and a curated legal document library for recurring tasks—we have significantly accelerated our internal legal service delivery. These tools not only streamline routine processes and boost efficiency but also help address resource constraints by allowing legal professionals to focus on complex, high-value matters.  

To make legal advice more accessible, we have implemented clear self-service guidance, empowering business units to obtain reliable input through digital platforms while reducing dependency on individual team members. This initiative alleviates the impact of headcount shortages and ensures consistency in daily operations.  

We are deeply committed to advising the business on risks associated with AI adoption—whether using proprietary tools or onboarding vendors leveraging AI. Our protocols include robust risk assessments, contractual safeguards, and tailored onboarding checklists, ensuring compliance with local regulations and minimising exposure. By maintaining up-to-date frameworks for risk mitigation and collaborating closely with procurement and technology team, we can onboard AI vendors swiftly and securely, enabling innovation without compromising the company’s integrity or data protection standards.’ 

We invite you to delve into the GC Powerlist: Vietnam 2025 and uncover even more inspiring stories of the remarkable professionals who continue to shape and strengthen the country’s corporate legal landscape. Through their insights and experiences, we hope to offer a comprehensive view of the innovation, resilience, and expertise driving Vietnam’s in-house counsel community. 

On behalf of Legal 500, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the featured in-house lawyers for their time, perspectives, and invaluable contributions. It is a privilege to present this edition, celebrating the outstanding talent and dedication of Vietnam’s leading corporate legal professionals. 

Joe Boswell 
Global editor – GC Powerlist 
Legal 500