VILAF - Hong Duc

12/02/2026

Happy Year of the Horse!

Our warmest wishes to everyone as we ride confidently into the Year of the Horse!

https://www.vilaf.com.vn/blog/happy-year-of-the-horse/

03/02/2026

Rehabilitation as the New Normal: Vietnam’s New Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy

The new Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy 2025 (the “2025 Law”) marks a fundamental shift in Vietnam’s insolvency regime, with material implications for creditors and enterprises.

Vietnam’s insolvency regime has evolved significantly since the enactment of the Law on Enterprise Bankruptcy 1993 (the first bankruptcy law), followed by the Bankruptcy Law 2004 and the more comprehensive Bankruptcy Law 2014 (the “2014 Law”), which established Vietnam’s first structured insolvency framework.

Written by Senior Partner Duyen Ha Vo and Counsel Hanh Hien Nguyen The new Law on Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy 2025 (the “2025 Law”) marks a fundamental shift in Vietnam’s insolvency regime, with material implications for creditors and enterprises. Vietnam’s insolvency regime has evolved si...

03/02/2026

VILAF announces 2026 promotions

VILAF is proud to announce one of the firm’s largest senior promotion rounds, reflecting our continued growth, commitment to excellence, and dedication to developing outstanding legal talent.

This January, the firm promoted one lawyer to Counsel, six lawyers to Senior Associates and 13 lawyers to Supervising Associates, across key practice areas including Dispute Resolution, Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance, Projects & Energy and Aviation. These promotions recognize not only exceptional technical capability, but also leadership, client service, and long-term contributions to the firm’s success. The promoted lawyers have practised laws for six to 10 years, including at least five years with VILAF.

The promotions bring the total number of Counsels in the firm to six, Senior Associates to 18 and Supervising Associates to 13.

https://www.vilaf.com.vn/blog/vilaf-announces-2026-promotions/

03/02/2026

Vietnam Seals the Deal: The Regulatory Framework for BESS PPAs — Pricing, Risk Allocation and Bankability

Circular No. 62/2025/TT-BCT (“Circular 62”) issued on 10 December 2025 establishes Vietnam’s first comprehensive regulatory framework governing standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) connected to the national power system. The Circular provides:

https://www.vilaf.com.vn/blog/vietnam-seals-the-deal-the-regulatory-framework-for-bess-ppas-pricing-risk-allocation-and-bankability/

03/02/2026

Vietnam’s Carbon Exchange Launch: Architecture and Strategic Impacts

On 19 January 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree No. 29/2026/NĐ-CP (“Decree 29”), with effect to formally establishing the legal, institutional and operational framework for Vietnam’s domestic carbon exchange.

Decree 29 represents a major milestone in Vietnam’s climate and market-based emissions reduction policy. It operationalizes the carbon market roadmap under Decree No. 06/2022/NĐ-CP, as amended by Decree No. 119/2025/NĐ-CP, and integrates environmental regulation with Vietnam’s securities market infrastructure.

On 19 January 2026, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree No. 29/2026/NĐ-CP (“Decree 29”), with effect to formally establishing the legal, institutional and operational framework for Vietnam’s domestic carbon exchange. Decree 29 represents a major milestone in Vietnam’s climate and market...

23/01/2026

VILAF is recognized as a Top Tier Law Firm by Legal 500 2026 rankings

https://www.vilaf.com.vn/blog/vilaf-is-recognized-as-a-top-tier-law-firm-by-legal-500-2026-rankings/

23/01/2026

Vietnam Enacts Its First Law on Artificial Intelligence: Key Regulatory Obligations from 1 March 2026

On 10 December 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed Law No. 134/2025/QH15 on Artificial Intelligence (the “AI Law”). This is Vietnam’s first dedicated statute governing artificial intelligence activities. The AI Law will enter into force on 1 March 2026 (“Effective Date”) and establishes a unified legal framework regulating the development, supply, deployment, and use of AI systems in Vietnam.

Written by Vaibhav Saxena On 10 December 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam passed Law No. 134/2025/QH15 on Artificial Intelligence (the “AI Law”). This is Vietnam’s first dedicated statute governing artificial intelligence activities. The AI Law will enter into force on 1 March 2026 (“E...

23/01/2026

Planning with Certainty: Key Enhancements under Vietnam’s 2025 Planning Law

Written by Foreign Counsel, Vaibhav Saxena Legislative Status and Objective On 10 December 2025, the National Assembly adopted Law No. 112/2025/QH15 on Planning (“2025 Planning Law”), to enter into effect from 01 March 2026, repealing and replacing in full the 2017 Law on Planning. The stated an...

09/01/2026

VILAF tops the 2025 Vietnam A-List

We are thrilled to share that 10 VILAF lawyers have again been recognized on the prestigious Vietnam A-List: Top 100 Lawyers 2025 by Asia Business Law Journal, the highest number of lawyers from any law firm in Vietnam on this elite list.

https://www.vilaf.com.vn/blog/vilaf-tops-the-2025-vietnam-a-list/

09/01/2026

Vietnam’s New Personal Data Protection Decree: Key Compliance Requirements Effective Immediately

On 31 December 2025, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 356/2025/ND-CP (“Decree 356”), implementing the Law on Personal Data Protection. Decree 356 sets out detailed guidance on personal data governance, accountability duties, and regulatory supervision.

Decree 356 took effect immediately on 1 January 2026, and introduces extensive compliance obligations for all organizations and individuals that control or process personal data in Vietnam, replacing the previous key guiding regulation, Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP.

This update focuses on the key components of Decree 356, highlighting the regulatory changes and compliance obligations that organizations should prioritize immediately from an implementation and risk-management perspective.

This article analyzes Vietnam’s newly issued Personal Data Protection Decree 356, outlining its immediate compliance requirements for rights‑handling procedures, data‑transfer controls, impact‑assessment dossiers, breach‑notification duties, and enhanced standards for data‑protection per...

30/12/2025

A New Legal Era for Energy in Vietnam – National Assembly Introduces Special Mechanisms to Unlock Power and Infrastructure Investment:

On 11 December 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam adopted Resolution No. 253/2025/QH15 on special mechanisms and policies for national energy development during the 2026–2030 period. The Resolution will take effect on 1 March 2026 and remain effective until 31 December 2030, subject to transitional protections for approved projects.

The Resolution establishes an exceptional, time-limited legal framework designed to accelerate investment, remove procedural bottlenecks, strengthen energy security, and facilitate Vietnam’s energy transition. It introduces planning flexibility, expedited approvals, investor-friendly power pricing rules, expanded offshore wind and DPPA regimes, and special treatment for urgent power, oil, and coal projects.

On 11 December 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam adopted Resolution No. 253/2025/QH15 on special mechanisms and policies for national energy development during the 2026–2030 period. The Resolution will take effect on 1 March 2026 and remain effective until 31 December 2030, subject to transit...