Vietnam Legal Consultancy for Regulatory Compliance – Unilaw
Ensuring regulatory compliance in Vietnam is vital for businesses aiming to operate smoothly in a diverse legal landscape. Unilaw, a leading law firm, offers specialized Vietnam legal consultancy for regulatory compliance that assists companies in navigating the complexities of Vietnamese law, including corporate governance, investment, and employment regulations. Our team is dedicated to providing clear, practical advice to help organizations meet compliance obligations effectively.
Regulatory compliance in Vietnam comes down to one sentence: you may do what your licence lets you do, and nothing beyond it. One decided case put a nine-figure number on that.
A decided case on regulatory compliance in Vietnam and the limits of a licence
Judgment No. 05/2020/KDTM-PT of 10 March 2020 — Superior People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City, non-contractual damages in a business context.
Under a 2016 Ministry of Transport pilot scheme, the defendant was permitted to run a trial of technology to support the management of, and connection to, contract-based passenger transport. The permission was for an application that connects transport cooperatives with customers — nothing more. A competitor sued, saying the defendant had operated as a transport business rather than as a connection platform.
The Court of Appeal rejected the defendant’s appeal, rejected the appeals of the other company and the prosecution service’s protests, and upheld the first-instance judgment. It also confirmed the case was properly classified as a commercial dispute under Article 30(5) of the Civil Procedure Code even though the parties had no contract with each other.
Three things a compliance review should take from it. A pilot or sandbox permission defines your permitted scope, and operating outside it is not a grey area. Liability can come from a competitor you never contracted with, not only from a regulator. And the classification of the claim — contractual or not — decides which court hears it and what you must prove.
The legal basis for regulatory compliance in Vietnam
- Investment Law, Law No. 143/2025/QH15, in force 1 March 2026 — Article 8 on market access and the list of conditional business lines, which decides whether a licence is needed at all.
- Enterprise Law, Law No. 59/2020/QH14 — registered business lines and the four-digit code that a licence attaches to.
- Sector legislation and the sub-licence (giay phep con) issued under it — the instrument that actually sets your permitted scope.
- Civil Code, Law No. 91/2015/QH13, Articles 584 and 585 — non-contractual liability, the route a competitor takes.
Decided cases are published on case.unilaw.vn. Licensing sits with our Vietnam investment lawyers and the corporate side with our Vietnam corporate lawyers.
Why Choose Unilaw for Regulatory Compliance in Vietnam?
Unilaw has a track record of providing reliable legal consultancy services, with a special focus on regulatory compliance. Our consultancy services are shaped by years of experience in various legal fields, ensuring that businesses receive expert support tailored to the Vietnamese market’s unique regulatory framework.
Expertise in Key Compliance Areas
Unilaw’s consultancy covers various aspects critical for businesses, including:
- Investment Regulations: We guide foreign and local businesses through the regulatory requirements under Vietnam’s Investment Law, enabling them to pursue opportunities legally and sustainably.
- Corporate Governance: Our experts assist businesses in adhering to corporate governance laws, including company structure, shareholder rights, and management practices to maintain legal compliance.
- Labor and Employment Law: Vietnam’s labor laws are extensive. Unilaw provides consultancy on employment contracts, workplace safety, and dispute resolution to ensure full compliance with local labor standards.
Unilaw’s Approach to Regulatory Compliance
Our approach is client-centric, focusing on understanding each client’s business and compliance needs. Unilaw’s consultancy for regulatory compliance includes:
Comprehensive Compliance Assessment
To start, Unilaw conducts a thorough assessment of the company’s current compliance status. This assessment identifies areas of non-compliance and provides a roadmap to achieve full compliance, ensuring that all business operations align with Vietnam’s legal requirements.
Implementation of Compliance Frameworks
We assist businesses in establishing internal compliance frameworks that align with Vietnamese laws. This involves developing procedures for routine compliance checks, staff training on compliance issues, and establishing a system for monitoring regulatory changes.
Adapting to Vietnam’s Regulatory Changes
Vietnam’s regulatory landscape is dynamic, with frequent updates to laws governing business activities. Unilaw ensures clients stay ahead by offering guidance on regulatory updates. Our Vietnam legal consultancy for regulatory compliance focuses on proactive support, helping businesses understand and adapt to new regulations
The article numbers for all of this are set out by our transactions team.
Related notes are filed under our M&A notes, newest first.
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