Nguyen Quoc Phong

Attorney at Law
Founding Partner

Tel: [+84] 1900 5555 38
HP: [+84] 907 33 88 02
Email: phong.nguyen@aliat.group

Overview

Mr. Phong commenced his legal career in the early 2000s as an in-house counsel, gaining invaluable expertise across multiple industries by working with leading multinational corporations. This experience endowed him with deep insight into corporate governance, operational structures, and core business dynamics, equipping him to deliver tailored legal solutions.

As the founding partner of a respected legal team, Mr. Phong has built a distinguished practice spanning corporate law, mergers & acquisitions, investment, commercial transactions, contracts, labor & employment, construction & engineering, logistics, port & maritime, pharmaceuticals, and dispute resolution. His exceptional leadership and client-centered approach have resulted in numerous successful outcomes for clients in sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, and FMCG.

Mr. Phong’s contributions extend beyond client representation; he actively shares his expertise as a visiting lecturer for Vietnam’s Judicial Academy, mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

A highly regarded member of the legal community, Mr. Phong is admitted to practice law in Vietnam and holds memberships in prestigious professional organizations, including the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, Vietnam Bar Federation, Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), and International Bar Association (IBA).

Profession

Academic Qualifications

Hanoi Law University, Business Law (Hanoi, Vietnam) – Gained specialized training in commercial law and legal analysis relevant to corporate practice, 1999.
Hanoi Foreign Language University, Bachelor of Arts (Hanoi, Vietnam) – Developed language skills instrumental in cross-border legal consulting, 2002.
Judicial Academy, Lawyers’ Skill Practice Qualification Training Course (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) – Completed formal training in legal advocacy and professional skills essential for legal practice, 2010.

Membership of Professional Societies

Relevant Experience

Corporate Transactions:
- Represented a leading Vietnamese food and beverage corporation in establishing a joint venture with a Japanese partner to develop premium products, including negotiating agreements, drafting the charter, and obtaining approvals and licenses.
- Assisted a Vietnamese subsidiary of a Thai investor in creating a joint venture with a Japanese partner to provide logistics services, covering negotiations, charter preparation, and regulatory compliance.
Mergers & Acquisitions:
- Advised a Thai logistics investor on acquiring shares in a deep-sea port, conducting due diligence, negotiating the share purchase agreement, and completing transaction updates.
- Represented a Singapore-based logistics company in acquiring a Vietnamese company, including negotiation, preparation, and transaction registration.
Corporate Counsel Services:
- Acted as corporate counsel for a large sea port joint venture in southern Vietnam, advising on investment project implementation, daily operations, and corporate governance documentation.
- Supported a Vietnamese subsidiary of a Southeast Asian personal care product manufacturer with business operations and corporate governance.
Advisory for Multinational Clients:
- Advised the Vietnamese subsidiary of a Forbes-500 US agribusiness company on investment projects and daily operations, ensuring compliance with corporate governance and legal frameworks.
- Assisted a large Norwegian multinational corporation in maritime, shipping, and logistics sectors with project registrations and daily corporate operations in Vietnam.
Real Estate Restructuring:
- Assisted a US private equity fund’s subsidiary in restructuring a real estate project, analyzing legal and tax implications, and providing implementation support.

Languages

Awards & Contributions

Asialaw Profile – Leading Lawyer in Vietnam for Corporate/M&A
Contribution to World Bank Group – Protecting Minority Investors – Vietnam: Doing Business Reports (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
Contribution to World Bank Group – Protecting Investors – Vietnam: Doing Business Reports (2013, 2014, 2015)
World Bank – Smarter Regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises: Doing Business Report 2013
World Bank – Starting a Business – Vietnam: Doing Business Report 2013
Contribution to the Development of Global Indicators, World Bank Group, 2021
Asia Business Law Journal – Vietnam Deal-Making, July-August 2016
The World Justice Project – Labor Law, 2011

(Q&A) ENFORCEMENT OF IP RIGHTS

Q 85: What are the steps that the right holders should take to enforce their IP rights in Vietnam? Here are the general steps that IP right holders should take to enforce their IP rights in Vietnam: Monitor and identify potential infringement: IP right holders should regularly monitor the market to identify potential infringement of […]

Clarification on personal income tax on capital contribution transfer activities

In discussions with enterprises, in Official Letter No. 4082/TCT-QLN, the General Department of Taxation had affirm that the enterprise where the individual transfers their capital contribution is responsible for filing and paying the tax on behalf of the individual if the enterprise cannot prove that the individual have fulfilled their personal income tax obligations.

Land rent in 2024 may be reduced by up to 30%

Currently, the Government is finalizing and gathering opinion on a draft decree stipulating a reduction in land lease fee for 2024 to boost production and business.

Legislation on Personal Data Protection Regulations

To address the urgent need for a legal framework for personal data protection in Vietnam, the Government issued Decree 13/2023/ND-CP on Personal Data Protection ("Decree 13") in April 2023.

Adjustment of regulations on promotional activities

To simplify administrative procedures related to promotional activities and to create more favorable conditions for businesses, on 10 October 2024, the government issued Decree 128/2024/ND-CP (“Decree 128”) amending and supplementing several articles of Decree 81/2018/ND-CP (“Decree 81”) dated 22 May 2018, which detailed the Commercial Law regarding trade promotion activities.

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Practice Areas

(Q&A) ENFORCEMENT OF IP RIGHTS

Clarification on personal income tax on capital contribution transfer activities

Land rent in 2024 may be reduced by up to 30%

Legislation on Personal Data Protection Regulations

Adjustment of regulations on promotional activities