Established in 2014 and headquartered in Hanoi, ATS Law Firm operates across a full range of practice areas including M&A, labour and employment, taxation, banking, capital markets, real estate and construction. The firm shows particular strength in advising foreign companies on entering the Vietnamese market through M&A, although it also has an extensive track record of advising state enterprises, NGOs, leading conglomerates and other foreign investors. The firm is well versed in providing strategic advisory on local regulation. Over the years, the firm has also formed many important relations with local, national and international organisations. Managing partner Vu Thi Thu Ha is the main contact.
Work highlights
Representing Crown Beverage Cans (Dong Nai) in an ongoing administrative litigation against Vietnamese tax authorities regarding corporate income tax incentives for 2014-2015 expansion investments. The case challenges tax authority interpretations through complex regulatory frameworks including government decrees, ministerial circulars and departmental rulings. The precedent-setting matter tests the scope of investment incentives under Vietnam's evolving tax administration regime.
Advising Roedl & Partner's Vietnam branch on complex tax compliance matters, particularly focusing on service classification issues for value added tax and corporate income tax purposes. The matter involves interpreting how invoiced services align with the branch's registered business scope in Vietnam. The team is developing comprehensive solutions to address regulatory grey areas while ensuring compliance with Vietnam's evolving tax framework for international professional services firms.
Work highlights
Advising Roedl & Partner Vietnam Consulting on its business cessation, focusing on complex employment termination procedures involving trade union officials and senior management. The ongoing matter presents unique challenges due to uncooperative key personnel and document handover disputes. The team is navigating multiple regulatory frameworks including Vietnam's labour, corporate, accounting and auditing laws, while developing risk mitigation strategies against potential employee litigation during the wind-down process.
Advising Gamuda Land Vietnam on labour contract terminations arising from organisational restructuring, with particular focus on two senior employees. The ongoing matter involves complex negotiations complicated by Vietnam's employee-protective labour framework and cross-border administrative challenges. The team is managing multiple stakeholder discussions including internal trade unions and government authorities while developing defensive strategies against potential litigation from legally sophisticated terminated employees.
Key clients
Indovina Bank, LSH Auto Holdings, Turner & Townsend
Work highlights
Advised Diamond Crown Hospitality Joint Stock Company on its $10 million hotel and restaurant management agreements with a leading international hospitality group. The cross-border transaction involved complex negotiations navigating Vietnam and Thailand's regulatory frameworks. The team successfully structured the agreements to accommodate the international operator's brand-specific requirements while ensuring compliance with limited local hospitality management regulations, setting a precedent for luxury hotel management contracts in Vietnam.
Represented Eurostyle Joint Stock Company in a complex sub-lease transaction of state-owned property from Hapro Information Joint Stock Company. The matter required innovative structuring due to Vietnam's strict regulations on state property sub-leasing. The team successfully navigated regulatory restrictions, negotiated comprehensive terms addressing unique property constraints and established clear dispute resolution mechanisms, creating a precedent for private sector utilisation of state-owned commercial assets.
Key clients
T&T Group Joint Stock Company, Vaude Vietnam Company
